By: Susan & Gemma Henshaw
How fast time flies when you are having fun training and working the dogs – well trying to. So perhaps time for a catch up on the Championship classes for the middle part of the year.
Into the start of June and Saturday 6th saw some of the teams make their way across to Northern Ireland to the Lisburn & District DTC show. Unfortunately the weather didn’t play fair and with almost gale force winds and intermittent heavy showers during the day, it was no wonder that some of the dogs didn’t fancy the stay ring or the scent exercises! Judging the Ch C Dog was Ellen Herries and her top spot went to Linda Rutherford and Ob Ch Sixela Rumr Has It, who put together an excellent round, Linda also won the Ch C Bitch class under judge Ann Shearer with her stunning Ob Ch Colliewood Confidential; with an equally good round, what a superb weekend for Linda and her dogs.
The following day and off to the south of Britain and the Petersfield DTC show at the Taro Leisure Centre. A lovely ground for a show, large rings with a good working surface, and they were lucky to have almost perfect weather, a gentle breeze fanning a very hot day, which made it much more comfortable for the competing teams. As per usual for this show the catering was superb for the judging parties and there was good service to the rings. Ch C Dog judge Jane Wood awarded her red rosette to Mary Ray and Ob Ch Colliewood Blue Jeans, who once again made the ring work look effortless with their relaxed but highly accurate style. Taking the top honours in the Ch C Bitch ring under judge Sarah Delany was Dot Watts and Ob Ch Zygdann Rockin Frenzi, who displayed neat and tidy heelwork and superb set exercises.
Saturday 13 June and across to the Newmarket DTC show, a very dedicated team run this show and they pull out all the stops to ensure everything runs smoothly, the rings are on an even surface and a good size, judges are well looked after with constant service to the rings and an excellent hot lunch. Kamal Fernandez was in charge of the Ch C Dog ring and his winner was Gill Winyard and Ob Ch Jonjosam Drunken Duncan, the dogs superb style and commitment complemented by Gill’s lovely upright handling. They had to run off for this win and were even better second time around! Lyn Green judged the Ch C Bitch class and awarded her top spot to Linda Rutherford and Ob Ch Colliewood Confidential; a classic round, even a slightly messy send away could not mar their performance enough to stop them achieving the win.
The following day and a trip north to St Mary’s DTC show, a downpour early in the morning but then the sky cleared by the start of judging and it turned into a lovely day. A very hospitable show that certainly looks after their judges, a carvery lunch then homemade cakes at the end of the day. Ch C Dog judge Kate McCartney awarded her top honour to Jenny Lunn and Longhalves On A Rhythm, teamwork at its very best from this pair, a very popular win and their first C.C. John Farr was in charge of the Ch C Bitch ring and his first place went to Kathy Russell and Ob Ch Ruskath Makana Image, a truly well worked, controlled and balanced round, this being their third win so earning the dog her Champion status.
Saturday 20 June the teams headed north once again for the Prestwick & District DTC show, good weather held for the day and the show laid on excellent catering and lovely hospitality. Ann Shearer was in charge of the Ch C Dog ring and her top spot went to Ann Rogers and Ob Ch Moakies Mystical Warrior, a good steady round from this pair and a deserved win. Judging the Ch C Bitch ring was Fran Herron and the red rosette went to Kathy Russell and Ob & Wt Ch Ruskath Othentic Image, the teamwork showed best in the heelwork, which flowed, and the set exercises were well executed.
The following day and the teams headed south to Esher Rugby FC ground for the Surrey DTS show. A new venue this year but the show ran as well as ever with excellent hospitality, The weather held fair for the day with a gentle wind making working conditions almost ideal. Roy Neal judged Ch C Dog and his winner was a delighted Ria McGovern and Beckim Surprise Surprise, a first C. C win for this pair and they gave a display of stunning heelwork with technical accuracy and style, a very popular winner. Jane Wood was judging the Ch C Bitch class and her top spot went to Pat Watson and Ob Ch Forever Magic Its Flicker; odd bits of anticipation could not spoil a top class performance from this team.
Onto Saturday 27 June and across to Lancashire for the NATS show, nothing is too much trouble for the people who run this excellent show, good size rings and a flat working surface, a bonus of pleasant weather all day and cakes to die for when the judging was finished. Bill Ferguson was in charge of the Ch C Dog class and his winner was Jessica Lewis with Ob Ch Pepsanner Atlantic, who made the round look easy, demonstrating lovely flowing heelwork and good set exercises. The judge for the Ch C Bitch ring was Denise Byme and Kathy Russell and Ob & Wt Ch Ruskath Othentic Image took the honours with a classic round of accuracy and commitment.
Into July and Saturday 4th the teams headed to Cheshire for the Chadkirk DTC show, held on a lovely big venue with good size rings and plenty of room to exercise the dogs. One thing most judges agreed on is that it is worth volunteering to judge at this show just for the lunch!! The weather had turned hot and sultry and this almost sudden change of heat took its toll on some of the competing teams. Ch C Dog was judged by Alan Gresty and his red rosette went to Steve Frazer and Ob Ch Gwynfair Classical Gas, a team that gave a top class display of quality ring work. Malcolm Webster and Borderlair Squiff It Is, won the top place under judge Alison Gresty in the Ch C Bitch class, a first C.C for this lovely team after some near misses, a very popular win.
The following day and a trip down to Cippenham DTC, a well run show, the weather holding fine with just a hint of a stiff breeze at times. Ch C Dog was judged by Jenny Lunn and her top spot went to Anita Neal and Dodgin Razzy Rascal, a powerhouse of a dog who made the round look easy and this was another team earning their first C.C win. In charge of the Ch C Bitch ring was Lorraine Bennett and her winner was Linda Rutherford and Ob Ch Colliewood Confidential, another first class round from this team.
Saturday 11 July and the teams headed down to the south coast and Eastleigh DTC show, a very well run show on a good venue. The weather was a bit too hot at times but luckily there were plenty of trees that offered shade throughout the day. Delia Steadman was in charge of the Ch C Dog class and she awarded her red rosette to Mary Ray and Ob Ch Colliewood Blue Jeans, as always this pair gave little away and showed what teamwork is all about. The Ch C Bitch class judge was Kit Clow and her top spot went to Jenny Gould and Zakanja Beewyched, giving a display that showed precise heelwork, especially on the circles and they really attacked the round, finishing off with an excellent scent exercise, this was their first C.C win.
The following day and a quick journey for some, just up the road to Botley and Winchester DTC’s show, the organisers certainly know how to make the most out of a fairly compact showground, with good size rings, fairly flat working surface, and there is always plenty of room to sit by the Ticket rings. Bev Hughes was in charge of the Ch C Dog ring and a delighted Julie Martin with First Class Hooley Dooley took the top spot with a well controlled round, excellent handling bringing out the best in this dog, and they joined the ranks of teams gaining their first C.C this year. Ch C Bitch judge Ian Watts awarded his red rosette to Malcolm Webster and Borderlair Squiff It Is, who gave a lovely display of accurate teamwork and again a very popular winner.
Sunday 19 July should have seen the teams travel to the British GSD TC show but the committee unfortunately cancelled this show.
So on to Saturday 25 July and North West Kent DTC, first class hospitality and organisation from the people who run this show, with the judging teams well looked after during the day. Thankfully the skies had cleared for the start of judging as the previous day had suffered horrendous weather. Ch C Dog judge Lyn Green awarded her top honour to Jenny Lunn and Longhalves On A Rhythm, drawn second but worked first in the ring, they attacked the round with drive and enthusiasm and could not be equalled. Wendy Hagger was in charge of the Ch C Bitch ring and her top spot went to Linda Rutherford and Ob Ch Lupitoonz Limelite, another cracking round from this pair, Linda’s dogs are certainly on form this year.
The following day and a fairly long trip for some up to the Redcar & District DTC show, another lovely venue, but some judges did say that they would have liked slightly larger rings. The show was blessed with good weather, a slight breeze during the day made for ideal working conditions. The delighted winner of the Ch C Dog class under judge Andy Firth was Mark Herrits and Ob Ch Dodgin Master Markat, this win giving them the coveted title. Hazel Turnbull was judging the Ch C Bitch class and her top honour went to Karen Aarons and Schaisla Dream Rosa, a real ‘together ‘ team who work with steady accuracy and this was their first C.C win.
Into August and on Saturday 1st the teams were off to the Midlands for the ever popular Hatchford Brook DTC show, another club who really know how to look after their judging parties, supplying a buffet lunch that catered for all tastes followed by scrumptious puddings. In charge of the Ch C Dog class was Steve Barnes and a delighted Sandra Spruce with Ob Ch Dodgin Rags To Riches took the red, this being their third win so earning the dog the Ob Ch title. A good couple of weekends for the ‘Dodgin’ line. Nigel Slater judged the Ch C Bitch class and his winner was Mary Vessey and Ob Ch Fenellark Charleston, this lovely bitch is almost 12 years old but still holds her own in a highly competitive class.
Saturday 8 August and off to the Govan & District show in Scotland, a small but very well run show, with good size flat rings and they certainly look after their judges on the day. Judging the Ch C Dog was Carole Patrick and her truly delighted winner was Michelle Dunscombe with Ob Ch Forever Magic X Rated, they gave a display of real teamwork, straightforward handling getting the very best out of this powerhouse of a dog. This was the win that earned them the Ob Ch title. Ch C Bitch judge Joan Jordan awarded her top honour to Marie Cartwright and Ob Ch Dodgin Fire Cracker, who, as we have come to expect from this pair, gave an accurate and consistent round.
Sunday 9th and it was the turn of Woburn DTC in Bedfordshire to host their show, a good venue with short mown grass, decent size rings, a stay ring situated well away from the working rings and plenty of exercise room for the dogs. Judging the Ch C Dog class was Lyn Tozer and her top spot went to Philomena Barnes and Ob Ch Forever Magic It’s A Gift, this team worked the round with determination and gave very little away. Ch C Bitch judge Russell Becque awarded his red rosette to Linda Rutherford and Ob Ch Colliewood Confidential, accuracy and style going hand in hand with this team.
Sunday 16 August and the teams were at the Halstead DOC show, they are lucky to have such a large parking area with plenty of room to spread out and still leave enough area to exercise/train the dogs. This year the ticket rings had either pink or blue ring poles, a lovely touch. Judges are looked after well, a superb lunch and Pimms and strawberry’s at the end of the day. Ch C Dog judge Shirley Clowes awarded her first place to Paul Cook and Dunburgh Fun Lovin Criminal, a class act on their day with Paul managing a round of this quality as well as helping to run the show. Ch C Bitch was judged by Richard Kebble and his winner was Dot Watts and Ob Ch Zygdann Rockin Frenzi, who worked the round with determination and purpose, beautiful teamwork from this pair.