[Sharon van der Lee]

Bob,
You have seen a lot of the Opens in Western Canada this spring. To say that they have been difficult is a mild understatement. If you think your dog can play, then run them (or both Qual and Open), if you want to keep your options open, pick up on the last test if you're going to be green. When I first started running all-age, I was jokingly told it "was the land of no ribbons!" How true for a beginning handler and dog. It can be very humbling.

Sharon

 

[Sharon van der Lee]

If you knew you were green, I'm not sure how picking up your dog would "throw the trial". It is not uncommon to see pick-ups in the first test as well as the last, especially if you have seen a number of good jobs before you. Better that, then letting your dog do something counter-productive to your training.

Sharon