Woodspa

29th November

Today was South of England Gundog Society Show at Ardingly, The weather has been the worst ever!! It started raining at about 6 last night and hasn’t stopped. The venue was the South of England Showground, so in weather like this it’s nigh on impossible to keep the dogs clean. I had to carry both Eula and Isla from the van and that’s not good at my age!!! Anyhow, it was all worth the effort, Eula was Best Puppy and Isla got respectable 3rd in Open. Our judge today was Edna Craske (Shaneco).

Eula's critique: So well made, of excellent type, lovely head & eye expression, well developed in body for one so young, one I would love to take home.

20th November

More news of Harvey, W Yew. Sue entered him in the breed and Sporting class at their local dog training clubs show, and to their and our delight he was placed 4th in both. Well done Harvey, you did good.

16th November

On Friday 13th (can you believe that) November my friend Jane and I made the long journey up to Scotland for Gundog Breeds of Scotland Championship Show. Jane was judging German Short hair Pointers for the first time at a Championship show, myself, with Eula and Isla were travelling companions. This was the reason for going. However, I was really pleased when Eula won her Minor Puppy class. Isla was unfortunately not placed in the Open Class, but she is always up against such quality bitches - so it's not surprising that she doesn't get placed. Still, maybe one day her time will come. Our judge was Jock Mackay. We stayed for two nights arriving home yesterday afternoon - exhausted, but happy.

Critique
Very soundly made young lady, lots to like about her, kind in eye, clean in neck and shoulders, stands on a good front with enough depth in body for age, covers a lot of ground on the move.

********************

We have also had an email from the Sue, Peter and Rebecca - the owners of Eula's Brother Harvey. They have had a short break to Devon - Harvey had a great time - see his photo, right.

********************

Another of our boys that has been out and about this weekend is Toby. Toby, along with Tezz and Ian have been flying the flag for Woodspa at Discover Dogs at Earls Court. He was on the Southern English Springer Spaniel Soceities stand yesterday. They had a very enjoyable day meeting other Springer people and came home exhausted.

********************
Eula's critique from Driffield on 2nd October

pleasant head, good neck & shoulders, well ribbed, good topline, moved well for one so young;

2nd November

Another brilliant day at the Midland ESSC Championship Show.
After meeting up with our friend Jane and her four dogs, Harvey, Fay, Jazz and Ash – Woodspa Ash, we all travelled up north to Doncaster for the Midland’s show. We arrived in torrential rain – so much so that we had to carry all six dogs into the hall. Having spent so much time preparing them for the show, we didn’t want all the effort wasted before they had even got into the hall.

First up was Ash in Minor Puppy Dog, and to our delight he won, this is his first show and he has qualified for Crufts like his sister, first time out. Harvey the puppies father was 4th in Limit dog. On to the Girls and Eula won her Minor Puppy Bitch class and also Novice. Jazz was 2nd in Puppy Bitch and both Fay and Isla were in Open Bitch – Fay was 3rd but Isla was unplaced, however, not to be outdone she was 1st in Special Beginner Bitch – so all of our dogs were placed, and Eula was declared Best Puppy Bitch. Our judge today was breed specialist Wendy Willey (Speeton). Thanks to the Midland for a lovely show.

Eula's Critique:  lovely head, dark eye, neck & shoulders, tight feet, good depth of body, level topline, in good condition.

Isla's Critique:  dark head, pleasing shape, good neck and shoulders, straight front, level topline, good hindquarters, moved with drive.

29th October

News just in from Tezz & Ian to say that Toby, Woodspa Elm, was only one of two puppies to complete his Bronze award at training class. Really pleased for them, and we wish them the best of luck for the Siver award.

25th October

Dartford & District Open show at Maidstone was the destination today - and just for a change it is our local show and so only takes 20 minutes to get there which is really nice after the long distance shows that we have been attending. We had another lovely day with Isla winning Best of Breed and Eula winning Best Puppy under Alexa Brown (Metkar) and we were delighted when the girls performed really well in the group, Isla gaining Group 2 and Eula Puppy Group 2, and the judge for the groups was Dr G Curr (Natimuk). Our friend Tezz came to the show with me to day and handled Isla really well in the challenge, so thank you Tezz - we couldn't have done it with out you. We finished off the day with a lovely walk in the park.

18th October

South Western ESS Club Open Show

A lovely day at the South Western, Eula was awarded Best Puppy Bitch by breed specialist Mrs Jane Eyeington. Isla won the Open Bitch Class although she was the only one in it - but she did manage to also win the Special Beginner Bitch class - and that had more than one entrant!! A nice acheivement for our small kennel.

Eula's critique for the South Western ESSC Show

A 7 month old L/W bitch with a showy attitude. Her outline is of a nice size and compact bitch without exaggeration. Most feminine of heads, eye still needing to darken, clean neck, excellent depth and spring of rib for one so young, short couplings, good bone and well rounded feet, moderate rear angulation. Showed with enthusiasum, winning BPB in very good company.

Isla's critique for the South Western ESSC Show

A smaller framed bitch, who is symmetrically built and compact. Feminine head with correct eye shape, adequate neck, maturity has given her the depth of chest, well sprung ribs, well boned for her size with super tight feet. Shown in good condition. Moved with drive.

2nd October - Driffield Championship Show

Another early start and long journey up to Wetherby Racecouse for Eula's 2nd show, where she managed a credible 2nd place in Minor Puppy Bitch. The weather was horrid and so we had to use the wet weather rings which are inside the benching tents. I'm not sure that she was completey settled in this atmosphere, but it's something that she has to get used to, so it was good pactice for her. Harvey, Eula's father, won the Limit Dog class, so well done to him. The judge was John Lillie (Freeway).

Eula's critique for Darlington 20th September

Just 6 months L&W who is balanced and well angulated. Pretty feminine head, a bit tight on flew, however gorgeous expression with good eye shape and colour. Nice length of neck into good shoulders and upper arm. Nicely boned with tight feet. Well ribbed for age and short coupled. Level top line which she maintained throughout. Gorgeous bum and rear angulation. In good coat and condition for one so young. Positive mover, loved her attitude. As with all babies they will change dramatically over the next 6 months, let’s hope she maintains her quality on today’s showing.