05/07/2026
Ok I promised a longer more thorough post so here it is :0)
I was super nervous about going to Spain for IFCS. I really didn't feel like we belonged and that a mistake had been made, so I made sure I overprepared to get ready physically and mentally. I have never competed at this level, and it seemed so far beyond us. Historically, I have learned how to improve my nerves and self-sabotage and while I have made progress, I didn't think it would help in this situation, but I kept doing the work in hopes it would. Also, tried my very best to remember all the Spanish I learned in high school so I wouldn't be useless in that area while there. After all the planning and work I got thrown a curve ball mentally and emotionally right before we left with the loss of Pixie. I really had a hard time getting my head to not be in a bad place and even on the flight over wasn't myself yet. I just felt so guilty and broken hearted.
The first stop I had was near Zaragoza at Monasterio De Peidra, it was the perfect first stop. It is an old monastery located next to Parque Natural Monasterio De Peidra a beautiful place with waterfalls galore. This was the perfect place to start. I spent the next 2 days hanging out with Trouble, crying over Pixie and trying to get my head right. The place was quiet since it was a Mon/Tues I spent time there and after doing a quick tour of the park I found my favorite location and just sat and hung out with Trouble. By the time I left the emotions in connection with Pixie weren't so raw.
The next stop was Barcelona which I got to experience in conjunction with Sant Jordi, a lucky treat. I liked wandering in awe of everything. We had 2 great training sessions with Jordi Boix Baró and I am forever grateful to him for helping me get my brain focused on agility again now that it was open to it. He also gave us a great suggestion for a day hike to a castle with a great view.
On our way to Valencia elected to check out Montserrat a natural feature that included a monastery. The natural rock formation was amazing, and I will never forget the views at the end of that hike. I just remember sitting up there talking to myself and getting ready for the next step in our adventure, the show I didn't think we were qualified to be at.
My hotel in Valencia (Riba Roja de Turia) was exactly what I hoped for, other than the difficulty getting to it the first night since the main road was closed. It was rural enough to enjoy nature but not so far from the show site to be a pain. We laid low since I didn't want Trouble's feet to be worn and our hike at Montserrat was more extensive than I had planned.
On arrival to the show I found my teammates to all be super nice and Courtney Keys made us feel like we belonged. It was overwhelming but I put all the work in my mental preparation to help my mind not wind up. A special thanks to Rob Olson and Aaron Froude for being sounding boards for me when I slipped.
My goals going into this event were pretty low: don't fall, don't E, get more than 0-1 points in snooker (that was a trend recently) and above all just enjoy the experience. I was also hoping to break out of my comfort zone a bit and try to interact with people and help support my team. I am a definite introvert and enjoy just hanging out with my dogs at the show and just watching agility. I was hoping that in watching agility around my teammates I would feel comfortable interacting with them and other people at the event. I found a nice balance between that and taking moments with Trouble on walks and petting sessions.
First day opening ceremonies was exciting to participate in and although we didn't get the gamble, we came super close. I had decided that I really wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try the shirt trading while I was there and got a great opportunity to start a conversation with Anne-mieke Van Diermen De Vries in which she made me feel more comfortable starting other conversations.
Second day snooker we managed to get into the closing before my indecision due to Trouble's increased speed (apparently, she likes a crowd) led to an off course. I met Paula Albors, who was a super sweet person to say hi to on other days and bring a smile to my face. We also met Marissa Danen via Trouble's breeder Cathy Nys who was another super nice person that I was happy to find connection with. It was after this confidence building interactions that I was able to start a conversation with Lucie Hinchley, someone who I would later find out that our connection was more than the show.
Third day was individual jumpers. It was a really fun run, and I felt like we found our groove a bit as we ran clean. I really enjoyed watching the team standard run, such a challenging course and was so impressed by my teammates who ran it as they all met that challenge and even if on paper that didn't get the results they wanted the moments of handling during it were impressive
Forth day was individual standard and we got invited to do team jumpers. When I saw the standard course I knew the beginning was not our strong suit, Trouble isn't a great sender without speed going into it. We managed to perform the challenge but were just a little off after so I took a couple obstacles (and 2 refusals) to get back on my handling plan but we ended strong. Team jumpers was the opposite I knew the ending didn't plan to our strengths as it was a lot of collection and tight angles after a lot of sprinting. We managed not to E but gathered 2 refusals. I was feeling a little exposed after these runs but worked with my mental training to remember the amazing parts. Plus, my team at no time made me feel like I felt on the inside. They were all super supportive even in the face of a less-than-ideal result
Fifth day was Biathlon jumpers, and we had a great time practicing our blind crosses that we had worked on with Jordi Boix Baró. Again, a clean run :0) We got to watch team relay and enjoy the chaos from the stands vs experiencing it in person at our first international event
Sixth day was Biathlon standard and it was either trust her training and run or to handle carefully. We chose the run option, although nerves were high and I failed to work my teeter contact fully. I left the run thrilled that if that was our last run at an international competition we left it all out there. We ended with a full circle moment when I saw Lucie Hinchley walking her old dog around the venue, she had become a smiling face during our time there. I asked what her name was and, of course, it was Pixie. I never got to have this experience with my Pixie, but I got to hear about her amazing Pixie and feel like life was helping me heal a little. The closing ceremonies were fun to watch and suddenly it was all over.
I really want to thank all the people on my team for making this experience better than I could have imagined, thanks for making me feel like a belonged even though I really didn't know any of you well. I really enjoyed watching all your moments of brilliance and the bond you share with your dogs. Thanks for Courtney Keys, and her supporters Courtney Moore and Kate Moureaux for being so positive, even if you were frustrated, you never showed that when I finished my courses. Thanks so all the new friends I have met from overseas, maybe one day we will meet again in person :0)
Then a nice recovery day and wandering in Valencia before the flight home.
This trip was full of amazing food and amazing places on top of the amazing experience of the event itself.
Our paper results out of the 64 dogs in the 500 class:
16th Gamblers
33rd Snooker
12th Individual Jumping
23rd Individual Standard
24th Team Jumping
5th Biathlon Jumping
20th Biathlon Standard
5th Overall Biathlon
13th overall individual :0) thanks Brian Ferrand for that information :0) so I guess we did pretty good for our first time :0)
I am so very proud of us competing at this level for the first time and both of us managed to (mostly) keep our connection and enjoy the runs. We managed to meet all of our goals: No E, more than 0-1 in snooker, I never fell and I definitely enjoyed each and every run with her. I think the biggest takeaway I've gotten, and it's actually in making this post, and having people bring to my attention, how well, we did is that maybe we do belong at this level. Maybe I'm not out of my element as much as I thought I was. So we're going to spend the next year focusing on accepting that although we are not perfect, we're a pretty amazing team capable of some pretty amazing things.
I am not sure what the future holds, but I will be forever thankful that my first National experience was with Pixie and my first International experience was with Trouble. The one thing I have learned is that while results may fade and pass, that feeling you get when you really immerse yourself in the moment won't and nothing can take that from you.
