31st May

Bank Holiday Monday, and as usualy the weather leaves a lot to be desired, however, I went off today to a companion dogs show held in aid of Rottweiler Welfare. I left Isla and Eula at home and for a change took the two oldies, Harry and Grace. Grace was entered in Veteran, and was a creditable 4th, she was also 4th in Best Conditioned. Harry can only go in classes where he doesnt have to move because he is lame, so he was entered in Handsome Dog, where he came 2nd - out of 53!!!!! and was also entered in The Dog The Judge Would Like To Take Home - and was 3rd - so not a bad day for our oldies.

The day belongs however to Toby, Woodspa Elm - who finished Best In Show - we are thrilled for Tezz and Ian, it was a lovely win for them - and well deserved.

23rd May

We were back at Maidstone today for UK Paper Open show. Pleased to say that Eula was Best of Breed and Isla Reserve. Toby was 2nd in Graduate behind Eula. But.... that was it, that was the whole entry, with the exception of a puppy that was absent due to her season. It's really not good to have such a numerically poor entry, as I have said many times, the Societies cannot afford to offer classes to breeds that do not support them. Okay, I will get off my soap box now haha. Eula went well in the big ring, but the hanging around and the immense heat took their toll. Our breed judge was Mr. D Allsop.

Eula's Critique: L/W bitch, lovely femine head, nice front, good bone, lovelytopline, in superb coat & condition, nice body, tailset OK, good hindquarters, mvoed well very sound and well presented BOB.

Isla's Critique: L/W bitch, nice feminine head, good front, nice bone, good body, lovely topline nice hindquarters, good reach of neck & good shoulders, well presented, althoug alone, was a worthy winner RBOB.

After the show we took the dogs for a nice walk which they enjoyed very much - except that Isla found an old fire pit.... and promptly rolled in it…..don’t you just love ‘em!!

We also had a call in the week from Sylvia Gosling who has Willow, and she was really pleased that Willow had won Best in Match at Ringcraft - well done to them.

16th May

We had a lovely day today at Mid Herts Gundog show. I took Eula and Isla and Tezz took Toby. We met up with Jane and Ash as the show. All of the Woodspa's were entered in the Junior Class - Ash won, with Eula 3rd and Toby 4th. Toby seemed to have his head together today and put on a good performance. Ash also won the next class Post Grad and we were so pleased when he went Best of Breed, it was a big entry for an open show, so that makes the win even better. Then to our delight he went on to Best in Show 3 from a huge line up of Best of Breeds - congratulations to Jane.

Tezz had a better day with Toby and was delighted when he was 3rd in a big AV Junior class. Isla also did well in the stakes, from another big entry in the Beginner stakes, she was VHC.

But what made the day even better was the lovely atmosphere around the ring and spending time with our friends and fellow exhibitors.

9th May

Went off to South of England Gundog show today at Maidstone, nice local one for a change. I only took Eula although Isla was entered, I decided to leave her at home, because I went off to get Eula hip scored straight from the show, and didn't want to enforce a long journey on Isla for no reason. Anyway, it was a good show for Eula she won the junior class and secured another point towards her Junior Warrent and then went on to get Reserve Best of Breed - I was really pleased with her. Tezz came along with Toby, and was in the same class as Eula, which is always hard for him, and he was placed 5th, he just needs time and practice. It was a made dash after the breed judging was completed as it ran on longer than I expected, but we still managed to make our appointment in time, which was a relief - and Eulas' hips look good but we wont have the results for about 6 weeks - so we now just have to sit and wait. Ash was also done today, and his hips look good too.

Eula's Critique: At this stage her head needs to break & mould but structure seems in place for this to happen. Won on overall conformation which I found very pleasing with well proportioned angulation, good forchest, strong well shaped bone good feet, moved very well, especially liked front extension when viewed in profile, this was a deciding factor when awarding her RBOB.

8th May

Today we travelled to Stafford for Birmingham National, under Frank Kane. Ash had two 2nd places, in Junior and Novice - Harvey was awarded the Res. CC - this is now his 7th. Eula was a creditable 3rd in Junior Bitch, behind two nice girls of 18 months old. Both Isla and Flora, owned by Jane, were in the Open class - Flora was 3rd and Isla 4th. I have uploaded some video of Eula on the move, and also to show off my new SLIMMER look haha!!

3rd May

Off to Chelmsford & District Open show today - not a bad day, Eula was 2nd in both classes behind her brother Ash - and Mum Isla won the Open Class, Ash then went on to Best of Breed, beating his mum. In his first Gundog adult group, Ash was shortlisted.  The judge today was Julie Ainsworth.  Well done to Ash and Jane.

Critique for Ash and Isla
Ash: Quality L/W in excellent condition, lovely dark eye, soft expression, good length of neck falling into good sloping shoulders, well let down hocks good angulation, moved with drive BOB (4) 1 McCourt, Calvdale The Jurys Out With Woodspa Another quality L/W in super condition, good neck, shoulder
and hindquarters preferred BOB on move.

Today is also Harry's 8th Birthday, where has that time gone???

24th April

Yesterday we had an early start as we headed for WELKS at Three Counties Show Ground in Worcestershire. I only took Eula and she did really well to come 2nd in the Junior class. We are delighted that Ash won Junior Dog, and their dad Harvey was 2nd in Open dog and was awarded the Reserve CC. It was a lovely day with beautiful weather and with the picturesque Malvern Hills as a backdrop. Jane and I had a bit of a photo session as well, so there should be some more photo's coming soon.

12th April

Yesterday, I took Eula and Isla to the English Springer Spaniel Club Championship show, held at Tomlinsons Canine Centre in Leicestershire. Eula was entered in her first Junior class at a Championship show, and I was very pleased that she was a creditable 3rd from a class of 9, she was also 2nd in Undergraduate and 2nd in the stakes class. Isla was entered in Open and was 4th...so alll in all not a bad day, the judge was John Palmer (Roandew).

5th April

We'd like to wish all of our visitors a happy Easter, better late than never!

Had a good weekend, Friday was spent preparing Eula and Isla for a show on Saturday, and just a general day of catching up on some jobs. On Saturday 3rd April, we went to Wickford and Basildon open show, under first time judge Vicky Warrener, Waterswarren. Eula was 3rd in Graduate, with her sister Willow, in 4th place, they were both real babies in this class, being only just over 12 months old, so that was to be expected. Isla was VHC in the Open class.
Sunday 4th, I took Eula and Isla to Camber Sands, along with Tezz and Ian, who took Toby and Luke. The dogs had the best time. I have added a short vidio to the video page (July 2009) go to the gallery menu to view. Also posted some photo's on the front page. Today, has been another nice day relaxing and doing a bit of gardening, so all in all a nice weekend.