What is a waste of time..?

I guess that I can exercise my right to freedom of speech here. So, a quick reminder that this is my blog, and my opinon.....

We were presented with a Dog Jumping course this weekend that I found utterly unfair to all competitors in the grade:

• The above, in my opinion, showed a total lack of respect for handlers and their training.
• There was absolutely no "test" of skill in this course.
• The course was set to watch handlers and dogs FAIL, the time set was fast, and hardly achievable.
• The course, instead of being a confidence-builder, and something positive and enjoyable, was the total opposite - demotivating and depressing.
• Handlers were made to feel demoralized, cheated, angry, frustrated.. and the list goes on...

Two narrow distances on the course were barely a metre each through which to manoeuvre dog and handler. In the judge's briefing, it was stated: "Here is a nice flowing, fast course for you all to enjoy. If you have any complaints, bring them to me, please." Why would someone say this???

The judge clearly has NO CLUE as to what dogsports are about, about handling, and about training, and that is truly sad for our sport.

Only 1 dog between grades 1, 3 & 5 made it (and it wasn't a pretty sight)

In addition, this was the last opportunity for Eastern Province handlers to qualify for the Nationals (the final Bloem closing date is this week) - just another nail in the coffin of defeat :(

de·mor·al·ize
  [dih-mawr-uh-lahyz, -mor-]

verb (used with object), de·mor·al·ized, de·mor·al·iz·ing.

1.

to deprive (a person or persons) of spirit, courage, discipline, etc.; destroy the morale of: The continuous barrage demoralized the infantry.

2.

tothrow (a person) into disorder or confusion; bewilder: We were so demoralized by that one wrongturn that we were lost for hours.

3.

to corrupt or undermine the morals of.

 I wish I had not entered... It was just a waste of time for me..!