Draft test workshop

Here is how it goes. We came into the ring when the judge asks for us, and go and sit the dog where he points. We then did a heeling pattern including slow and normal heeling, left and right and about turns, and a stop.  

We then left the dog in a stay, walked away, and then called when the judge commanded. Hopefully the dog comes, and you can do a finish or not if you like. That ends the obedience section.

The steward brings your cart and harness in while you are finishing your obedience section, and you proceed to harness and hitch.  Gently and patiently harness the dog, and then hitch them to the cart. The judge will then check over the dog and cart to make sure all parts are on correctly, traces are adjusted properly, and harness fits.

You then have the ok to move ahead, practicing a slow and normal pace, a right angle turn, both left and right 360's around an obstacle (crates this time)

At some point you will also have to pass through a gate that you must open first, get the dog through, then close behind you, as well as petting from a steward, a one foot back up (talking Novice here), and the acceptance of a load for the cart and carrying a load. You must also pass through a narrows section, where the walls of a 6ft tunnel are 12" wider than your vehicle at the widest point ( or the dog, or you, whichever is widest :) 

Once you exit the ring after manuevers, you can go rest and water your dog, and unhitch if you wish.  But you have to be ready and waiting when it comes time for the long stay and freight haul. Put your weights in your cart (20lb for Novice) and enter in order that you appeared in Maneuvers. Everyone in the ring, and you may stand/sit or down your dog for the stays. 3 long minutes across the ring from your dog, you return, and can pick up your leash when the judge declares exercise finished.  Everyone calmly follows the judge out of the ring and off you go on the freight haul. For Novice it is 1/2 mile of trails, obstacles, roots, hills, and not interferring with the other teams.