It is a Hard Knock Life, when you have to learn the hard way.

I learned a tough lesson this week. No matter what venue you and your dog are competing in; read the fine print!

I received a letter from AKC that Lady was disqualified from her Novice Jumpers with Weaves Title. She had been measured at 21" and should have been jumping 16" Preferred and I had her jumping 20" Preferred. Ruger was in the incorrect class as well (he was measured at 21 1/2").  We now have to start over. After having time to think about it and call myself a Bimbo Idiot several times, I have come to the conclusion that this is a good thing. Since they are in a lower height category (for the record, they measured 22" in USDAA). We can jump Championship because that is what they are jumping anyway. It is not a bad deal, and we of course can always use the practice.

I have since downloaded the Rules and Regulations for both AKC and USDAA and am trying to plow through them - ugh! The booklets are like an FDA manual, great for insomnia. It is a tough lesson to learn, but rules are rules and I didn't do my due diligence. Remember, failure is tough, but if you aren't failing, you aren't learning. I you are not learning you are not moving forward.