Woodspa

23rd October

Today was Gravesend and Medway Open Show, a small entry, Eula Best of Breed and Isla Reserve, handled by a friend, Donna Jarvis. After the show we went off for a lovely walk in Mote Park, where the girls even managed a dip in the lake...I have to say they are not the keenest in water...don't think they'd ever manage a water retreive!!

18th October

We had a lovely day on Sunday at the South Western ESSC Open show. Our judge for the day was breed specialist Jacky Mitchell (Pleasblossom). As usual, we travelled with Jane and her boys Banjo and Chaos - and what a day she had with Banjo going Best in Show and Best puppy. Chaos also won his puppy class as well. Isla was 2nd in Post Grad and 1st in the Welfare stakes, securing a nice crisp £10. Eula, won Limit Bitch and the Members Stakes, and another crisp £10 :-) A bit of humor at the end of the day when Jane realised she had worn one of her trainers and one of her husbands!!! It seems that the 'odd shoe lucky mascot' strikes again haha!!!

Eula's critique: Elegant L/W who is totally feminine from nose to tail. Sweet head although would prefer a little more fluting. Eyes correct in shape and colour. Liked her reach of neck and well assembled shoulder. Balanced but moderate in angulations. Deep chest, enough bone for her size and good feet. Carries a firm and level topline and uses her tail well on the move. Very well presented with coat in lovely bloom. Slightly lost her shape on the move hindered by the size of the ring but she was nevertheless sound, strong and animated.

Isla's critique : Mature and ultra feminine bitch. Her head is beautiful – totally feminine with plenty of work, dark eyes and the sweetest expression. Loved her for size although she is very compact and I felt that slightly less weight might suit her. She has a super spring of rib, good depth and bone and another with lovely tight feet. Her angulation is moderate but balanced. For ideal proportions, she could be longer in back and she does fall away over the croup a little. Moves out with enthusiasm and is sound. Well presented as always and in shining coat.

14th October

Finally have some time to update the site with some recent news. On Wednesday we went off to Gundogs Society of Wales Championship show, with just Eula. I went with our friend Jane and her two pups Meadowdale Banjo and Meadowdale Chaos. It was a very long day, but fortunatley the weather was good. Banjo, won MPD and Chaos was 2nd behind his brother M Riot in Puppy Dog. Banjo went on to best puppy in breed. Eula managed a 5th place in yet another very strong Limit Bitch Class. The long day was made worthwhile when Banjo was awared Res. Best Puppy In Show!! Congrats to Jane and Steve, so well deserved.

20th September

News of Darlington Championship show which took place on Sunday 18th September. I took Eula up to Newby Hall nr Ripon for the opinion of breed specialist Colin Woodward (Wadeson) and she was 5th in a very good limit class. But our congratulations go our to Jacky and Dave Mitchell on the ongoing success of Seamus, Sh Ch Barecho Hold Your Horses for Peasblossom who was Best of Breed and G2 and also on their first home bred Champion Peasblossom Butterfly at Beresford, of course she was steered to her 3rd and crowing CC by her owner Trudy Topliss. To Jennie Tracz on her brilliant day with Arthur, Meadowdale Alabama Slammer at Acregate on her first RCC - many congratulations from all of us at Woodspa.

14th September

Have received confirmation from the Kennel Club today that Eula has her Show Certificate of Merit, so she is now officialy Woodspa Eucalyptus JW Sh.CM Ir J CH

11th September

We went off to our local Championship show today - Richmond. To be honest the weather forecast was not good for the day, so I was dreading it as this venue can get really muddy. So, off we went armed with wellies and rain coats.....and the sun shone :-)) - really unexpected, but the start of a nice day. We was pleased to see Willow at the show with Sylvia and Jack, and she was ably handled by Jane to a good 4th in Post Grad, next was Eula and I was pleased with her 3rd in Limit, then finally Isla - and she did really well to get a 3rd place in a strong Open class. Our judge was Judith Hancock (Hawkhill) who did give Isla Best Puppy in Breed a few years ago, so she must have still found something she liked about her - anyhow, we was pleased with our day. Jane had a different day today, 1st in Puppy Dog with Chaos - who looked lovely. (photo to the right is Willow moving - click on it to enlarge)

31st August

Had a lovely day today, to round off a nice weekend. Eula gained her last points for her ShCM at Suffolk Kennel Association today by going Best of Breed under Mark Andrews ( Legends ) and Group 3 under Roly Cross. Isla was 2nd in her breed class behind Ed, Seaspring Shipwrecked JW - but went on to win Av Gundog Post Grad, and then went on to Best AV Gundog under Roly Cross. (photo right and on the front page is of the two girls in Ireland)

Eula's Critique: Feminine bitch, with kind expression, good clean neck of nice length, lovely carridge and topline on the move.

7th August

Some news of our own - yesterday we went off to National Gundog, under breed specialist Fran Glendining (plaiglen). Was pleased with Eula, as she was placed 4th in a huge limit bitch class and Isla was also 4th in open bitch. Our friend Teresa had her two dogs there too, and Matilda was 3rd in Junior Bitch and Crufts qualified and Linus, her verteran boy had a day out and was 2nd in Veteran. We had the usual problems with the M25 as it was shut for 24 hours, from jct 7 - 8, so we had a diversion in the morning, which wasn't so bad as we was very early, so not much traffic. Coming home there were one and a half hour delays and so we decided the best course of action was to go clockwise on the M25 and although this took longer we did keep moving all the way home. It just makes a very long day - even longer :-(

Next weekend we are off to Ireland and the Munster Circuit with Jane, Harvey and Kane....Bring it on!!!!

18th July

More news of Willows successes, this time at the Southern English Springer Spaniel Society Open show, on Saturday. Under Tom Mather (barklots) Willow won a good graduate class, again handled by Jane. We wish Sylvia luck with her impending op on her leg and hope that in time she will be back in the ring to handle Willow herself.

I did my first stewarding of a Club show, and I have to say I can see why the Irish and other countries don't have repeat entries...it's very confusing, and lets face it, those that know me, will know that it don't take much!!!

9th July

Well, I said Willow would be keeping the Woodspa flag flying whilst our girls are having a break, and she certainly did just that at East of England Championship Show. Willow was entered in Post Graduate, and as alwasy, was one of the biggest classes of the day, although not as big as it can be, however, she was placed 3rd under breed specialst Christine House. Sylivia still not able to handle as she is still on crutches, so our friend Jane took her in and did a great job with her. We are thrilled for Sylvia and Jack, that for the 2nd year, Willow has qualified for Crufts...we just hope that this year she makes it to the show.

2nd July

Time to catch up on some news, not that there really has been a lot going on. Last weekend I took Eula to Maidstone for Whitstable and District Open show, Isla was in season so she stayed home. It was very hot, and we were inside. Eula was 3rd in open - it was a good entry for the judge. After the judging we went off for a long walk along the river on the tow path, it was very warm, but enjoyable.

No shows for us now until August, the dogs are having a well earned break, However the Woodspa flag is being kept flying by Willow, owned by Sylvia and Jack Gosling. Today at Windsor Champ show Willow was 3rd in Post Grad, well done to them.

Eula's critique for Wickford and Basildon show in June is now on that page.