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11/29/25 - Woods bounce-offs and parallels

After her strong interest to go into vs away from woods last class day, I asked Mary Ann to lay a track that parallels woods and does bounce-offs from woods. Mary Ann nailed the assignment (and shout out to Kelley who co-laid and was MVP for double lineups!). We ran the track at 1hr 15min old. Notes - what went well: Great start and 1st turn on the rails! Her article indications were really nice today.  I think our slowed down routine at articles is slowing her down and keeping energy / excitement from running wild. She feels more measured at restarts now. Turns - She was really clear to read on all with the exception of the last turn. In reviewing video, she gave a head turn at the final turn before going forward a little and then looking at woods.  Line work was good today - getting back up the line quickly + a behind the back line work on the final turn - felt like I supported her well when she committed.  She drank well before start and at articles Notes - To work on:...
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Jan 14 - Loooooong 3 turn track

Tried out a new location today - Powhatan State Park. By satellite images, lots of potential fields and had one selected to try but it turned out to be an uncut conservation area. We ventured further on and found a cut corn field with rolling hills to try.

Location: Powhatan State Park - near River Road campground entrance

Cover: Cut corn field with lots of debris (stalks, cobs) and clay mud base

Time: tracks laid at 12:10pm, run at 45 min aged

Track layer: self 

Weather: 37* and very overcast, breezy to gusty 

Pattern: S10W15F7, S10 up to turn, S10 after to scent pad (scent pads closer today given new cover)

Track Map:


Notes:

  • Mapped out track on Google Maps after we got home - estimated total track length = 560 yards today 😲
  • Laid the track with shorter 4th and 5th legs given the total distance today. Having the shorter tracks at the end worked well for today.
  • Initial excitement about a new field type/surface (and horse smells/poop! to sample) but she started to focus more and more as we went on.
  • During 3rd leg, she wanted to go over to horse trail ~10 ft to our right but I let her explore and then she came back and immediately tracked
  • Lots of animal crossings/scent (I assumed) in the field that peaked her interest - it was definitely a different body language of scenting so I knew I could give her a sec to explore but not move feet. 
  • At times, had a lot more casting (up to 5' to left as wind blew that way across track) but her nose stayed down and she bobbed back across and then on the line
  • Due to new cover and longer track, I moved the scent pads to S10 rather than S15 after corner. She definitely circled around turns and then took the turn with confidence after coming back to corner (see video below).
  • Overall, a little more distraction on field than she usually has but she did well given that and the winds. Her 3rd, 4th, and 5th legs were much better as she settled in.

Video:

Video shows only first leg and first turn (90* R) before my videographer got wind whipped and frost bitten :)



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