Thank you Chris for responding to my question about posting the courses. I did not see them posted anywhere, but maybe I somehow missed them.
The judge had a clipboard with courses drawn that were set by helpers (I was one). Obstacles were numbered and that is when everyone learned the course. We walked it and the class began.
I don't think anyone knew before that what the layout was going to be. The only thing posted by the in gate was the order of go.
I am new to competing in agility, and my horse show "routine" for preparing to compete is different, mostly because of the usual way show jumping is run. The most common way in horse shows is that courses are posted at least 1 hour ahead, often posted in the morning, jumps are set, moved, and changed throughout the day, there is usually a course walk, then riders warm up and go. But you have time to make a plan because you know the route ahead of time. You might tailor your warmup depending on your horse's strengths and weaknesses as they relate to the course. I guess I am applying this way of thinking to dog agility.
I just felt a bit unprepared to have to put all of this together in a very short amount of time, and then have my dog ready to compete. Maybe I am just overthinking?
I also have a very fast, eager, inexperienced dog, and I am kind of old and trying to learn new tricks! It's not easy!!
Having a chance to learn the course ahead of time and "mull over" all of the scenarios and try to make a sensible plan takes more than a couple of minutes. Then the course walk would just be a chance to see it up close, rather than learning it and planning at the same time.
I'd appreciate thoughts on this. Thanks!