Woodspa

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26th March

Yesterday I took Eula and Isla to Tunbridge Wells open show at Ardingly for the opinon of breed specialist Jenny Tracz (Acregate). We had a lovely day with both the girls gaining 2nd places in their classes. The weather was unbelivably lovely for the time of year and I even managed an icecream! Congratulations to Wendy Walker and Mac, Dexbenella It's About Time for going Best in Show.

16th March

Yesterday, I was at Horsham Open Show, but instead of showing the girls, I was judging! I had a lovely day, with some nice dogs to go over. Thank you to all those that took the time and trouble to enter. Left, is a photo of my Best of Breed - Dexbenella Eluzive Dream, owned and bred by Wendy and Steve Walker, who also went on to a 4th place in the Gundog Group - well done!

11th March

Friday 9th March was the day of the Gundogs at Crufts 2012. Our day started at 03.00 with the alarm! Our friend and owner of one of our dogs Tezz, travelled with me, we left home at 04.15 and picked up Jane with her two boys Banjo and Chaos along the way. We had a good journey up to Birmingham arriving in the carpark at 7.30. It's such a long walk from the carpark to the venue, and we were all pleased the weather was dry. Having arrived at our benches we set about getting the dogs ready. Veteran Dog was first in the ring at 9 am and I was pleased to see that another friend Teresa and her boy Linus, Seaspring Perfect Storm, was placed 5th. Puppy Dog followed and Janes two boys were entered in this class, with Banjo winning and Chaos 5th. There was a long wait after this until the girls were in, so we had time to catch up with people old and new and watch some of the judging. Willow, W Willow owned by Sylvia and Jack Gosling was entered in Post Graduate Bitch, a massive class of 23, she was handled again by Jane and we were so pleased when she was placed 5th!! Really really pleased for her owners. Limit Bitch followed and Eula was one of 15, again I was delighted that she was placed 4th and in such good company too :-) . The day ended with Banjo being declared Best Puppy in Breed, but the big congratulations of the day, must go to our friends Dave and Jacky Mitchell and their super boy Seamus, Sh Ch Barecho Hold Your Horses for Peasblossom, not only DCC aand Best of Breed, but then went on to Group 3! Such a fantastic day for them, and a day to remember forever.

6th March

On Saturday 3rd March we attended another Supermatch, this time it was hosted by Huntingdon Canine Society for the East Anglian area. Once again Eula won her first round, this time against a French Bull Dog - see video of her in her round. I went with Jane and Banjo, Banjo had qualifed in Puppy, and did really well to get to the semi finals. We had a lovely evening - it's nice to do something different and be able to take part in these kind of events. Now, just have to get another Best in Show or Reserve - so that we can do it again - some hope!! haha!!

The count down to Crufts is well and truly on now - it has come round so fast. There is much to do in preparation, not only to get the dogs ready, but also ourselves. Must say though I am not looking forward to getting up at 3.30am!! It will be a very very long day, but I am looking forward to catching up with friends old and new.

26th February

Had a lovely evening yesterday, at the Kent Super Dog Competition. Eula qualified for this event, when she was Best in Show at SWECA last year. The competiton is on a match basis, and Eula was drawn against a Siberean Husky in her first round. She went well, dispite the postage stamp showing area! She won her round, but was knocked out in the second round, beaten by the eventual overall winner, a Miniture Bull Terrier. After the competition we sat down to a lovely meal, with our friends, and Eula's supporters.

31st January

Here we are at the end of January and the first news item to speak of in 2012.

Although we have attended a few shows, the judging has left a little to be desired, and there are times when things are best left unsaid, so, moving swiftly on……

Willow (W Willow) had a nice day out at SWECA on the 15th January where she was placed 2nd in Post Grad handled by her stand in handler John Simons as Sylvia is still recovering from her knee op.

On Sunday 29th Jan, I took Eula to Maidstone under Ramsey Naggerty, where she was Res. Best of Breed, and she also took 2nd place in the Res. Best of Breed Stakes under Jean Lilly (think that is her name – my memory is useless). It was a very long day, but I enjoyed the company of the other exhibitors and of course the legendary Maidstone breakfast!

The weather in this part of the world has been relatively kind to us, not too much rain, and so far NO SNOW however, they are forecasting it for us soon, and I must say it has turned colder.

We have lots of nice things to look forward to this year and some over the next few weeks, so news of that will follow, and the year will hopefully end with some babies from Eula. It would be nice to hear from any of her brothers and sisters as they approach their 3rd birthday, if any of their owners still visit this site.