News June - December 2008

18th August

At the Welsh Kennel Club Show yesterday, Isla was 5th in Post Graduate Bitch under breed specialist Dave Mitchell (Peasblossom), it's nice that she has been placed in the three PG classes that she has beed entered into, as this is always a strong class.

12th August

Yesterday at Bournmouth Championship Show, Isla was placed 5th (VHC) in Post Graduate Bitch under judge Susan King. Receiving her 3rd and crowning CC and Best of Breed was Roandew Farr Frommitt (Libby), who is Isla's Great Aunt, she is by Sh Ch Calvdale Softly Softly, who it Isla's Grandfarther. We send congratulations to John and Joan Palmer, and of course Libby from all here at Woodspa.

9th August

Good news! Isla's DNA test results for PRA (Cord 1), have come back clear. I think we are very fortunate to be starting our breeding lines with a bitch that has either tested clear or is hereditary clear for the current heath issues. Equally, that we are using a stud dog with the same results.

2nd August

Today at National Gundog Championship show under breed specialist Barbara Ganarin (Berkenbar), Isla was 3rd in Post Graduate Bitch. This is the first time at this level that she has been in this class, which traditionaly is the largest class of the day and today was no exception with 13 present. We are really pleased with this and it also give her a Crufts qualification for 2009.

29th July

Leeds Championship show, judge Dick Pattenden (Berina) . Jacky Beaton and myself went to Leeds with Isla, Seamus, Lila and her young puppy Mattie (Peasblossom Caress) who at just 6 months was attending her first show. Seamus, (Barecho Hold Your Horses for Peasblossom) won the Dog CC from the Limit Class, this is his second, so we send many congratulations to them and good luck on obtaining his third and crowning CC - let's hope he dosen't have to wait too long for it. The puppy, Mattie was 2nd in Minor Puppy Bitch, Lila (Peasblossom Aria) was 2nd in Junior Bitch and also 2nd in Graduate bitch, these two places were really dissapointing, as she was just a few points short of her Junior Warrant, and this was the last show at which she could have gained them. A win in either class would have been enough (sigh!). Isla was 3rd in Graduate Bitch. We also congratulate our friends Lin and Alan Cole on their Best Puppy in Breed with Ronnie, Greygoose Travlin Light. All in all we had a nice time, we stayed the night before the show in a Travel Lodge - with one of their special rates £9.00 per room - bargain!!! CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME PHOTO'S

22 July

On Sunday 20th July, the ringcraft club, of which I am secretary, held it's first Companion Dog Show. The show was held to raise funds for the Kent Air Ambulance. We had a lovely day, the weather was mostly dry, with just one shower at lunchtime. To see results and photographs, visit the clubs website at www.detlingringcraftclub.co.uk

We have finaly decided to mate Isla on her next season in December. The sire will be Trinitas Newky Brown of Meadowdale JW he is a lovely boy and we think will suit Isla well, and hopefully there will be some nice puppies. I will post photo's and pedigree of the future puppies on the puppy page in due course. How exciting!!

14th July

On Saturday 12th July we attended the Southern English Springer Spaniel Society Open Show, it was held at a new Venue and with a new date (usualy held in September). As the weather was good we were able to hold the show outside which was really nice, the dogs were able to move at the correct pace without being hindered by mats. Paul Osbourne (Braego) was our judge and Isla was placed 2nd in Post Graduate and 1st in Special Beginner.

22nd June

On Friday 20th June we travelled up to Blackpool Championship show with Jacky Beaton and her two dogs Seamus and Lila. We spent the night in a Travel Lodge, and the two girls had a great time playing together in the room - Seamus, was far to grown up to join in and just preferred to observe! The next morning (Saturday), we travelled on to the show - it was quite grey when we started out. We arrived in good time and started to watch the judging, but by the time Post Grad Dog was in, it started to rain, so we used the indoor rings for the rest of the judging. Frank Kane was our judge, Isla didn't do too bad getting placed 2nd in Graduate Bitch. The judge said it was a lovely class of bitches, and he also said when he was going over her that he thought she was in lovely condition and she has a lovely head - such nice things to say. When he was writing the critique, he said that Isla and the bitch that came first were lovely and they 'wouldn't be in Graduate for long'. Such nice words, but.....that could also put the 'kiss of death' on it!!!

CRITIQUE slightly smaller (than 1) but beautifully made & balanced, excellent head & eye, completely free of exaggeration & consequently very balanced on the move, in perfect condition. Like 1 should have a good future. (In his critique of the bitch in first place, Trimere Talk of the North, he had said that she would have a good future, and like wise, so should Isla) I think this is probably her best critique so far - well, I am certainly please with it.

Today, although weary, we went to Whitstable and District open show, which was at Maidstone - so not far to travel. Isla and Jacky's Lila were the only two entered, such a shame because Jacky needs just a couple more open show points for Lila's Junior Warrant, and also a shame for the judge, who was Donna Brandon (Stormjoy). Isla was Best of Breed, and I was really pleased that she also got Group 3 in the Gundog Group - her fist group place as an Adult.

15th June

Today we took all three dogs to Newmarket to see Stacie and Neil. We was supposed to be at Newmarket show, where also Stacie was going to show her Border Terrier, Izzy. I'm not sure what happend, but we got the day wrong and the show was yesterday!!! Luckily, we found out yesterday - too late to go, but at least we didn't turn up today with the Working & Pastoral groups!

We decided to go to see Stacie and Neil anyway, as they live in Newmarket, and work on one of the large stud farms there. They have large enclosed paddocks, so we had a lovely walk in one of the paddocks and also was able to let Grace off the lead. She had a lovely time, and it was so nice to see her running and enjoying herself. She can't do this normaly, because she runs off and we have lost her a couple of times, so sadly now she stays on the lead all the time. Today was really good for her.

I took some photo's and short vidio clips, so CLICK HERE TO VIEW them - I'm sure the dogs were much happier here than at a show.

9th June

Yesterday, we travelled to the Northern English Springer Spaniel Championship Show, and what a lovely day it was. Isla was entered in four classes and was placed 1st in Yearing Bitch, 2nd in Undergraduate Bitch, 2nd in Graduate Bitch and 1st in Speical Beginner Bitch. It was a good day all round for our friends as well, Jacky Beaton and Dave Mitchell, won the Reserve CC with Seamus, Barecho Hold Your Horses for Peasblossom, and Jane Eyeington won Best Puppy with Harvey, Tinitas Newky Brown of Meadowdale. The judge was Diane Conrad (Strathnaver)

The weather was scorching, but we found shade under the trees, so the dogs were not in the sun any longer than they had to be. This show is set in the grounds of an old house, and it is such a lovely place to spend the day - the only downside is the 41/2 hour journey there, and the 6 hour journey home, caused by an accident. A very long day, but worthwhile. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO'S

CRITIQUE: feminine bitch with good head and eye. Nice reach of neck, well bodied. Sound throughout.

2nd June

Yesterday, we held our All Breed Educational Day, and what a success it was. There were 50 delegates from all different breeds, which was great. Our three speakers, Carole Coode, Gareth Lawler, and Peter Upton, were all really informative and entertaining. But, best of all, we raised £1140.00 for the Research Project into Canine Hepatitis. We would like to say a big THANK YOU to all those that supported us, it was truly a great day. CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME PHOTO'S FROM THE DAY