By: Susan & Gemma Henshaw
So it’s catch up time again and on 1st June we saw handlers travelling across the sea to Northern Ireland for the two day show held by Lisburn & District DTC, described by various judges and competitors as a dog show venue with a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Judge Dave Howell awarding his top spot in the dog ticket to Linda Rutherford and her stunning ‘Sixela Rumr Has It’ – first ticket win for this pairing and a great future seems to be in store for this youngster. Making it rather a good weekend Linda also took the top prize in bitch ticket with ‘Ob Ch Colliewood Confidential’ under judge Sue Howell.
The following day and the journey to Petersfield & District show in Hampshire, not too hot, a bit of a breeze making this almost perfect weather for working, the grounds at this show are quite spacious resulting in large rings and plenty of room around the grounds for exercising the dogs. Joe Game was judging dog ticket and awarded first place to Jenny Gould and her ‘Ob Ch Zakanja Bitter ‘N’ Twisted’, whose set exercises were almost perfect and the DC in particular was carried out with panache. Bitch ticket went to Lyn Green with ‘Bluefizz Cry me a River’ whom judge Jenny Lunn described as giving a spine tingling round, the 3rd ticket win for this pair and therefore making the dog up into a Champion.
On the 9 June the handlers travelled north to St Mary’s DTS Show the club celebrating their 50th Anniversary and to celebrate the event all the judges, stewards and competitor rosettes were golden. A show that really knows how to look after their judging parties and helpers, according to quite a few reports. Mary Ray with her’ Ob Ch Colliewood Blue Jeans’ took top spot under judge Roy Bland in the dog ticket, continuing their winning season. In the bitch ticket judge Sheila Webster described her winning team of Karen Davies with ‘Ob Ch Stillmoor Celtic Banner’ as showing ‘controlled handling with accurate heelwork’.
Staying in the north and on the 15 June we had Prestwick & District DTC, unfortunately a change in the weather saw competitors battling through on a very wet day. In the dog ticket judge Sue Howell awarded top spot to Linda Rutherford with ‘Sixela Rumr has It’ and in the bitch ticket judge Dave Howell‘s top prize went to Gemma Easton with her ‘Ob Ch Redistedi Mission Pawzible’. The following day handlers made the journey down south for the Surrey DTS show held at Walton On Thames and the second show of a double weekend held in conjunction with Sunbury & Hanworth DTC, this is a superb venue, ample space for caravans and cars, with more than enough room for exercising the dogs. Keith Gwillim judged dog ticket and at the end of the day his winning team was Mary Ray with ‘Ob Ch Colliewood Blue Jeans’ – their 6th ticket win of the year. Bitch ticket was decided by a three way run off which was won by Dot Watts with ‘Ob Ch Zygdann Rockin Frenzi’ the class being judged by Joe Northfield.
Moving northwards on 22 June to the Northern Alsatian & ABTS show in Lancashire, a huge effort by the organisers enabled this show to go ahead and although some of the rings were a little on the small side most of the judges managed to adapted their rounds. A welcoming show with superb hospitality. Alan Gresty was judging the dog ticket which she awarded to Janet Bates with ‘Ob Ch Bluefizz Taika Chance On Me’ the round being described as ‘stunning heelwork and excellent teamwork’ Bitch ticket was judged by Alison Gresty and taking her top spot was Linda Rutherford with her 2½ year old ‘Lupitoonz Limelite’, described by Alison as ‘showing exuberance, power, drive and commitment’, another star in the making for Linda and the 3rd dog that she has qualified through for Crufts 2014.
Chadkirk DTC in Cheshire was next in the diary on 29 June, a club that is few in numbers but they run this show with precision and pull out all the stops so that everyone has a good day. Dog ticket was judged by Kathy Mangan and was won by Janet Matthews with ‘Ob Ch Croftmist River of Krissmoss’ described by the judge as a lovely partnership, which compliment each other. Judge Lindsay Rose awarded top place in bitch ticket to Karen Davies with ‘Ob Ch Stillmoor Celtic Banner’, stating that a full point scent and clear stays won the day.
The following day and some of the handlers made the journey to the south east of the country to Newmarket & District CS show, another 2 day show venue, well supported and popular. Kit Clow judging the dog ticket today and her winner was the popular team of Jenny Gould and ‘Ob Ch Zakanja Bitter ‘N’ Twisted’. The bitch ticket judge Colin Wright awarded his top prize to Kathy Ingham and ‘Ob Ch & WT Ch Ruskath Othentic Image’ stating that is was ‘a round I could have watched all day’.
So into July and on the 6th we had the Southern Alsatian TS show near Maidenhead, decent sized rings with fairly smooth surfaces, lots of exercise room and good competitor catering. Dog ticket was judged by Wendy Haggar and was won by Jenny Gould and ‘Ob Ch Zakanja Bitter ‘N’ Twisted’, who were ‘a pleasure to judge’ and they are certainly on a roll this year. Rusell Becque judged the bitch ticket and this went to Kathy Ingham and ‘Ob Ch & Wt Ch Ruskath Othentic Image, with a ‘round of pure accuracy and class’. A repeat of the placings at the Newmarket Ticket.
The following day and at the same venue we had the Cippenham (Slough) DTC show, dog ticket judge was Ronnie Stock and her winner was Philomena Barnes with ‘Ob Ch Forever Magic It’s A Gift’. Judging the bitch ticket was Ian Watts and his top spot went to Jane Bint with her very accurate ‘Janjoy Jumping Jaro’ a cracking first ticket win for this pair and with work of this quality other wins should follow.
Saturday 13 July saw the ticket handlers head to the south of the country to Southampton and Eastleigh & District DTC, another very well run show with short grass on a level working surface. Unlike last year the weather was a trifle warm, being described by some as extreme heat and judges were allowed to shorten the stay times, to the relief of the competitors and their dogs. Sarah Delaney was judging the dog ticket today and awarded her top spot to Kathy Ingham with ‘Ruskath Magical Image’, the dog working his first ever ticket today and winning, how is that for a cracking start to his ticket career and he became the 3rd dog that Kathy has qualified for Crufts 2014. Diane Martin was taking up her first ticket judging appointment and was in charge of the bitch ticket today, her winner was Linda Rutherford with the stunning ‘Ob Ch Colliewood Confidential’ a team who were described as having ‘natural inspiring motivation’.