The weekend following SWKA meant a weekend away for myself and the children without the dogs for a change. We were attending my grandmothers surprise 90th birthday celebration, Sean volunteered to stay at home and mind the dogs. It's not easy entrusting the care of a dog in plaster to someone else, so this was the only way that we could attend with all other family members attending.
It did give us the oppertunity to stop enroute to Cheshire to see Kathryn with Max and Morry (& Martyn and Ewan). It was lovely to catch up with them all and see how well Morry has settled into his new home, and we all got such a lovely welcome!
Great to catch up with my extended family and visit the area where I grew up, and introduce the area to the children. Was very pleased to go home though to Sean and the dogs, there's no place like home.
Wednesday and Gundog Society of Wales Show, came around quickly and we had three dogs entered. The two tollers and Maddie, who was so pleased to be having an outing, again very sad to leave Trio.
The journey to Malvern was awful, the wind and driving rain particularly on the M4 really made me think about continuing. As promised the weather did improve but not until the afternoon, at least the drive home was better.
Neither breed was first in the ring, so thought that arriving at 9.30 am would be ok. We did arrive though to find that the judging of the first breed prior to LMs was almost complete! Very quickly found benching and dried the dogs off a bit, found a message on the phone from Hazel with Megane to say that they wouldn't be there until approx 10.20! Hoped that judging would be slow so that they could make the class, they had completed a 3 hour journey and didn't want them to arrive just as Megane's class finished. Sent a message to direct them to the right hall and had their number ready as I checked to see if I could see them coming across the showground. Thankfully our hall had a good view of the entrance. The steward then called Megane's class! I explained the situation and told them that they were on their way and asked if they would hold the judging for her, thankfully the agreed. Poor Megane as accosted as soon as she arrived, Hazel pinned with a number and show lead on a wet and wild Megane who had raced from the car park. Considering the circumstances Hazel and Megane did really well to win the Novice class, and then gain 4th in PGB.
Maddie was in the last class - Veteran. She won this and showed her socks off! Was lovely to have her in the ring enjoying herself. She then went in to contest for Best Bitch, were she was reserve to the Open bitch winner, and also Best Veteran. So very proud of my old girl who just gets better and better.
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| Megane and Maddie |
Then it was over to the NSDTR ring, which thankfully was next to the LM ring and judging started as Best of Breed for LMs was underway. Such good timing.
Cooper was in first with Dawn, in Post Grad Dog, where he looked and showed beautifully gaining a 2nd place.
Bron with Jane was in Junior where she had a 4th place, again going really well for Jane and the ringcraft practice being really evident. I might need to send Eve to Jane!!
Eve was in Post Grad as I didn't want her competing against her sister Bron. She was much more relaxed in the ring and had a bit of fun with me which I was thrilled about, I really want her to enjoy the experience. Wasn't expecting much from her in this adult class othter than some ring experience, now she's moving better we need to work on the stacking. She was miss fidgit! Well she only went and won it!!
A quick swop to have Tilly in Open, and again huge thanks to those that held dogs for me and swapped numbers. Tilly showed her socks off and had a great time in the ring, and again we had a 1st!!
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| The Seahaven Tollers |
Two to go forward for the Best Bitch award! Thanks to Dawn for handling Tilly for me, this is proving to be a winning combination as Tilly won Best Bitch!
We then regrouped for the Breeders competition and again we won this! Everyone agreed to have a wander around as the rain had stopped and have a go at the Best Breeder in Show. Well the wait as longer than anticipate and we didn't get in the ring until nearly 6.00 pm! Anyway we won that too!!
It was one special day for us, and great to share it with such wonderful friends! Thank you all x
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| Awards |
A very impressive haul once again, well done to all the gorgeous doggies involved :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had an enjoyable, though dogless, weekend away too! Bet they were all pleased to see you home again.
Jess
A lovely write up of a lovely day. I had some cracking playtime with Megane but she did get the better of me. Those Munsters have got some energy alright but I'd love to have a day's get together with them.
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