Posts tagged ‘Championship Show’
Red Letter Day!
Phoenix in the sunlight.
Saturday was the National Gundog Championship, presided over by Terry Pearson from the Lanspar Kennel – one of the most knowledgeable and experienced HWV judges in the country. There was a fine entry and a very high quality of dogs in the ring, probably the best and most true-to-type selection we’ve seen at any show in fact. The ringside atmosphere was also quite excellent and many existing HWV friends were caught-up-with whilst several interesting new Wire connections were also made.
Team Belatarr was running at near full strength with Tim’s son Freddie manning the camera as well as assisting Adam with the dog-wrangling.
Mingus preparing for stacking....just the tail to go.
Mingus was first into the ring and, despite being a little fidgety, managed to take 1st Puppy Dog. Heading back into the ring later Mingus faced the winner of the very strong Puppy Bitch class and we were delighted and surprised in equal measure when he was awarded Best Puppy in Breed. His first Champ show BP at only his second attempt.
The judges critique for Mingus was:
“What a super puppy, hope he continues to develop as he is doing, but does not grow a deal larger. Moderate skull shape, melting expression, correct earset, good muscular neck into well laid shoulder placement, forequarters straight with chest reaching down to elbows, good topline held on move, great rear angulation & width to thigh, what a super harsh coat, moved with style & purpose, driving from the rear. Best Puppy“
Phoenix - waiting in the wings.
Phoenix, meanwhile, was up in the Graduate Bitch class, where she was the youngest amongst a strong entry of adult Wires. This was her second Champ show amongst the “big girls” and she stood to her usual rock-solid standard and luckily moved well too. Many people had commented to us outside the ring on how mature and beautifully-coated Phoenix was looking, but we were absolutely thrilled when she was awarded 1st Graduate Bitch, definitely her most senior award to date!
The judges critique of Phoenix was:
“well up to size but is beautifully put together, I just thought her lovely, possesses the prettiest of heads, of correct proportion, melting expression, lovely arch to neck, good reach of upper arm, straightest of fronts, with elbows well tucked in, good depth of chest, level topline, good rear angulation, excellent coat, moved so well, with plenty of drive”
Phoenix stacked for Graduate Bitch.
Phoenix - as seen from the front for a change.
Mingus then made his was into the Best Puppy in Show ring where he had the honour of representing the breed in front of a good sized audience of Gundog bigwigs. The weather forecast had said “rain all day”, but actually it had been dry and quite bright and breezy up to now. However, just as the 27 gundog puppies hit the ring, the enormous black cloud that had been looming ever closer decided it could wait no longer and it suddenly started to pour with rain.
Judges, stewards, competitors and audience all ran for it and eventually re-grouped in a new indoor ring. Here, some 11 hours after we’d set off for the show, Mingus managed to stand and move the best he’d done all day, demonstrating his stamina and, we hope, acting as a worthy ambassador for the breed.
Mingus stacked for Pest Puppy in Show - you might need to squint to see this one....
Paignton.
A big day for Mingus. At the age of 8 months, today was his first Champ Show. It also just happened to be our “local” Champ Show – a mere hour away, rather than the 7-hour-plus round trips that most other Championship Shows entail for us. Which was nice.
Mingus was in Junior Dog – there being no separate Puppy Classes at this show – and was the youngest in his class, but he stood well, and moved exceptionally well – indeed: “breathtaking movement” was the comment of one experienced onlooker. Which was nice too!
Mingus stacked at Paignton.
Mingus was rewarded with 2nd Junior Dog (beaten only by his uncle Herby – Amiryck Vega – who went on to take Reserve Best Dog…many congrats to Karen & Herby!) which was a very pleasing result for our boy, and means that he qualifies for Crufts at his very first attempt.
Phoenix had a big step up into her first Post-Graduate Bitch class, in amongst the “big girls” now. She stood very well and moved fairly well too, but unfortunately decided that she didn’t want the judge handling her tail end AT ALL!
The last, and only previous time that this happened, Phoenix came into season just 24 hrs later, so although she’s not due for another 3 months, we shall wait to see if history repeats itself….
Phoenix stacked at Paignton.
Phoenix’ Swag.
What does everyone else do with their rosettes? That’s the question that we’ve been pondering, and the answer we’ve arrived at it to put the best from Phoenix’ first show year into a couple of poster frames for safekeeping:
and here are her Top Puppy of the Year & Top Puppy Bitch trophies:
River beds, Jazz names and Birmingham.
Mingus: pausing briefly before investigating another exciting dead thing (today's, rather randomly, was a mole).
First off, Mingus’ lovely mum, Anora (Starshot English Miss for Morehay) won another Championship Show Best of Breed at the National Dog Show in Birmingham last Sunday, against some very stiff competition from some very fine dogs.
The judges lovely critique read:
“At three years old she is mature and of excellent breed type. So well proportioned all thorough. Pleasing feminine head, excellent angulation both front and rear giving free sound movement where she excelled. It was a pleasure to watch her striding around the ring with reach and drive. Best Bitch. Best of Breed.”
Unfortunately we weren’t at the show, but if we had been we’d have been hopping up and down with excitement….which is pretty much what we did anyway on hearing the news. We’re absolutely thrilled for Anora, Jacqui & handler Emma.
Mingus stands to attention on hearing news of mum's latest big win.
Down here in Devon we’re in the midst of an almost-drought. Bits and bobs of rain have come to nothing, and the river has virtually disappeared altogether, exposing the slate river bed with just a small funnel of water off to one side.
Phoenix picks her way across what's left of our river.
Mingus continues to develop rapidly. He seems to have pretty much settled into his shape and proportions now and looks like an almost exact blend of each of his parents, which is just fine with us!
Mingus on point.
When we chose his name we (mistakenly, as it turns out!) thought that:
1) Charlie Mingus was pretty much a household name
and
2) That our favourite hippy chick musician Joni Mitchell‘s Jazz influenced 70’s album “Mingus” was almost as well known….
Instead out we find ourselves explaining anywhere between 1 and 100 times every day what our boy is called and why.
In the reeds.
Still, we’ve recently learned that we’re in good company. Danish supermodel Helena Christensen‘s son is also named Mingus, as are a select handful of other online dogs around the world, including a Vizsla. There’s even a highly successful Beagle and Foxhound breeder & show judge in Australia who’s kennel name is Mingus. On that basis we’re pretty sure that by this time next year everyone will want to be called Mingus….possibly.
Venturing forth with a captive stick.
New Kid on the Block!!
So here’s where we finally get to officially spill our very-exciting-and-not-very-well-kept secret news….
In just under 48 hrs our pack will be expanding with the arrival of….
Mingus.
His official name is Morehay Lars of Belatarr, but at home he’ll be Mingus, after the jazz legend Charles Mingus.
Mingus is one of eight puppies born to gorgeous mum Anora (Starshot English Miss for Morehay). With a Zöldmáli sire and a Ragnolds Dam, supremely elegant, wonderfully fluid in movement and with the kindest of temperaments, Anora is also highly successful in the ring – where we’ve been watching her all through last year. She is without doubt one of our very favourite HWV bitches in the country, and so we were thrilled to be offered the option of pick of her first litter.
Mum - Anora.
The Judges Critique after awarding Anora Best of Breed at Bournemouth Championship Show 2009:
“where has this beautiful bitch been hiding, has elegance in spades, very feminine in outlook, lean head, good ratio between skull & muzzle to give that all important elegance & dignity, kind eye of good colour complemented by a super coat in both colour & texture, enough bone for a bitch & neatly constructed to stand easily over her ground on catlike feet, very well handled, elegant on the move, moving on a long, even stride that was deceptively ground covering.” – Chris Guest
Although we were initially looking for a second bitch to accompany Phoenix, when we first visited this litter at 4 weeks of age, we were overwhelmingly drawn to Mingus.
First meeting with a snoozy, 4-week-old Mingus.
A second visit at 6 weeks confirmed that he combined pretty much everything we were looking for in a pup….a perfect coat, lovely head and very promising shape – he even seemed to quite like being show-stacked for examination, quite a miracle in one so young!
Mingus at 6 weeks.
The gang - in "off" mode.
Mingus and his sister Love - both destined for the show ring...but not right now!
So, not long to go now until our worlds are turned upside-down with a whirlwind of training, chewing, yowling, sleep-loss and general cuteness overload all over again – hurrah!
All new arrivals come with stamp of Phoenix approval.
In Motion.
Today was Phoenix’ 20th show…amazing to think how far we’ve all come since our debut back in Taunton on May 29th!
But much more importantly, today was also the day when everything came together perfectly, and for the first time in any show, anywhere, Phoenix really showed what she was capable of in the ring.
The scene of this happy occasion was a biggie, The South Wales Kennel Association Championship Show at the Royal Wales showground in Builth Wells. This was also the location of our first Champ Show Best Puppy award at the end of August, and today it certainly proved to be a lucky venue for us once again.
We arrived with about an hour to spare, and, both in practice and around the showground it was apparent that Phoenix was very excited and also very fluid in her movement, definitely “up for it”.
This was carried through into the ring in spades and she didn’t put a foot wrong at any stage, first becoming best puppy bitch and then, after going head to head with the winning puppy dog, Phoenix was named Best Puppy in Breed, her 3rd Champ Show Best Puppy award.
We had recently been given some detailed handling tips by a professional handler (thanks Emma!) who observed what Tim & Phoenix were doing together and made a few suggestions. The changes were seemingly small, but seem to have made a huge difference and Phoenix is finally demonstrating in the ring what we’ve been seeing in practice and at ringcraft, that she really can move very well!
After she emerged from the ring one seasoned HWV observer/exhibitor was heard to comment of Phoenix that she had “totally outmoved the rest of the class” – particularly pleasing after a number of shows where it was purely her movement that had held her back. Also, she’s always been a major attention seeker, but it was abundantly clear that she was really enjoying herself in the ring today – as was Eileen Hughes, the judge!
The judges critique read:
A well made puppy bitch, well up for size, although balanced, and with the correct length in body. Matching angles front and rear, moved truly. Best Puppy.
Just a few days before turning 11 months it feels like our gal has finally grown into her body and has, at the same time, figured out exactly what is required of her in the ring. Exciting times lie ahead!
Richmond Championship Show.
After falling off the rails at the Birmingham show last weekend Phoenix was back on track today at the Richmond Championship Show, where, under Australian judge Kay Eldred, she was awarded Best Puppy Bitch and then clocked up her second Champ show Best Puppy in Breed.
Conditions were pretty much ideal for showing: cool and cloudy, but bright and dry. There was also a particularly friendly and even jolly atmosphere ringside, fueled in part by the judge herself who was extremely chipper, despite (or maybe because?) the HWV’s were the last of the 9 separate breeds that she had presided over during the three days of the show.
Even more important than the result, though, was the fact that Phoenix showed with real enthusiasm and animation and although her movement was still a bit “ragged” she was certainly very excited to be in the ring. We’ve determined that it definitely pays to keep her engaged and involved in other interesting things for as long as possible before hitting the ring, and then scoot in as close as possible to show time so she’s fresh and super buzzy.
Sadly no pics this time…
The judges critique read:
“1st Puppy Bitch & Best Puppy. Presented with good balance and correct size. Pleasing dry head and expression with harsh whiskers and good coat. Still young, so movement was a little awry, but should tighten to produce good reach and drive.”
Quelle Horreur!
So today we rolled up to the double-whammy Birmingham championship Show and combined HWV Association Show feeling quite good about our prospects as well as greatly looking forward to meeting up with Phoenix’s Mother (Flo) and sister (Dolly) together with her breeders Jane & David, all for the first time since the big litter reunion back in May. OK so we’d had to get up at 5.00am on a Sunday, and ate breakfast out of Tupperware in a car park overlooking a rancid sheep shed, but we were, nevertheless, excited about plunging into a sea of 62 HWVs: all copper waves and russet ripples.
We’d taken a couple of radical steps beforehand: 1. no training for a week – the theory being that Phoenix would be effervescing and overflowing with puppy bounce and take to the ring “like she owns it” as “they” say. Secondly, following some experiments in pre-show warm-ups we thought that it would be a good idea to get the li’l lady all gee-d up prior to showing by taking her out for a play and a romp, and then – through the miracle of mobile telephony – simply swish into the auditorium just before she was due to go into the ring. This way she wouldn’t peak before she freaked. We knew it was a gamble but “chance is all we’re given/So chances we must take” as Sir Cliff would apparently put it…
HWVA Show - stacked.
All started well in the morning with everything more or less going to plan. Phoenix trotted round the ring faster and with more determination than the other puppies – like Naomi Campbell with a beard – but just as Naomi took a dive on those ten inch Vivienne Westwood shoes in 1993, so it was with Phoenix. At the very moment when the judge was doing her final comparisons and deciding between Phoenix and another pup for first and second places, Phoenix broke right out of her stand. So we got second place, which was pretty respectable, but left us considering what might have been had she only held that stand.
The judges critique was:
“Nine-month-old well-balanced youngster with deep russet colouring and wiry coat. Liked her head which had sufficient facial furnishings for age. Good hind angulation. Moved Well. Should change places with (1st placed puppy) many times.”
HWVA Show - the examination.
Birmingham Champ Show - stacked.
In the afternoon we were showing at the prestigious Birmingham Championship Show. This was the second show on the same day, and although it was in another part of the same venue, poor Phoenix was pretty tired out, mentally, and really not tuned in to the show at all. She’d had a snooze in the car for an hour or so but it clearly wasn’t enough. She moved very sluggishly and wouldn’t stand with any conviction. She just wanted her bed or to be doing something more rumbustuous and exciting like playing with her sister…. which is exactly what she did after the show and seemed very happy to do so.
Birmingham Champ Show - the examination.
We were awarded Reserve Best Puppy Bitch – which is a euphemism for fourth, and, in this case, last. After so many recent successes in the ring it was perhaps inevitable that we’d come a cropper at some point, but it has taught us a valuable lesson about Team Phoenix’s tolerance for long show days. From this day forth this disappointing effort will be referred to as our Naomi ’93 moment…
Result!!
Welsh Kennel Club - the examination.
Today we journeyed through the Black Mountains to arrive at the prestigious Welsh Kennel Club Championship show at Builth Wells. A great showground, and a good entry of HWV’s. Judging took place in a series of vast open-sided marquees, very light, cool and airy – perfect show conditions in fact.
Welsh Kennel Club - teeth examination.
Phoenix was in fine form today, and gave what was probably her all-round best show performance to date – consistently excellent stands and fairly fluid gaiting. Despite initially mistaking Phoenix for a male(!) Judge Margaret Holmes was swift and decisive and we were delighted to be awarded 1st Puppy Dog or Bitch, and Best Puppy in Breed…after two 3rd placings and one 2nd this was our first 1st place at a Championship Show, a real breakthrough!
The judges critique read:
“Nine month old bitch with good body length and balance. Head still needs to break but her eye and earset are good, furnishings and coat are good. She has straight forelegs. Topline, croup and rear angulation all please. Reasonably positive movement for age and stage of development. An attractive package. Best Puppy.”
Welsh Kennel Club - Standing as Best Puppy.
The Shows Must Go On.
Over the past 13 days we’ve been to 5 separate, and extremely differing shows with Phoenix. We’ve had some disappointments, some extraordinary success and have learned a huge amount about how best to show and make the most of our time in the ring.
What follows in this megapost are some impressions of each show in ascending order of how-well-we-showed, peppered with photos of differing quality:
Minehead Open Show
Way back on July 29th we all woke to torrential rain plus the news that all the local rivers were set to break their banks in general end-of-the-world-is-nigh type conditions. What better day, then, to head out to the Dunster Country Fair and associated Minehead Canine Society Show?
Upon arrival we found foot deep mud, a team of tractors towing vehicles into and out of the showground and wet-weather show tents that were flooded, hugely overcrowded and rapidly turning into quagmires of mud. Tim and Phoenix gamely trudged through said mud to do some practicing, but as time wore on Phoenix became increasingly frustrated and bored by the conditions and the lack of space.
When we finally hit the ring – virtually at the very end of the show – we gave a rather lacklustre performance and Phoenix made it clear that she’d really rather be somewhere else right about now. We managed to get a best Puppy Not Seperately Classified and then went on to get 4th best Gundog Puppy. The judge told us later that Phoenix had “rather thrown it away” in that Gundog Puppy Group, but under those conditions we were just happy when the whole thing was over and we could slide-and-spin back out of the mud and off into the still-torrential rain.
Bournemouth Champ Show
Bournemouth - first stack.
In total contrast Aug 8th was one of the few hot sunny days of the summer. Remembering back to her very first show back in the baking heat of May we realised that Phoenix would not show well if she was hot, so we kept her in the cool shade of an unused marquee and also kept damping her down with cold water. The previous breed over-ran by several hours and by the time we did get to the ring, despite our efforts at cooling, Phoenix was very sleepy and floppy. She stood nicely, but her gaiting was perfunctory and pretty unenthusiastic…not much Phoenix *sparkle* on view in the ring today and we were awarded 3rd Best Junior Bitch.
Bournemouth - the examination.
We’ve spent lots of time trying to calm Phoenix down at shows so that she can focus once in the ring, but it’s clear that she now “gets” the whole show hullabaloo and the future priority instead must be on allowing her to show off, rather than rein in, her personality.
Bournemouth - final stack.
National Gundog Championship
August 1st saw us head off to a drizzly Three Counties Showground, and an impeccably organised show. Sadly the superb outdoor rings were rendered out of bounds by the weather, and the dogs were instead judged in the giant hanger-cum-warehouses at the venue.
Puppy Bitch Class at Nat Gundog...we're in the middle!
Conditions for humans were hot and noisy, but Phoenix seemed very chipper, and, since everything ran to time, there was minimal waiting time and we hit the ring with Phoenix pretty fresh. She stood as asked and gaited OK, though dertainly not at her optimum full pace. We were in HWV Puppy Bitch class and managed to score a 2nd place, beaten only by an older and more mature dog on her final outing as a puppy.
The judges critique read:
“substantial puppy, yet to grow into herself. Good coat developing, balanced head, correct eye shape, very nice neck, strong boned forelegs, strong pasterns, good length & shape of ribs, correct loin, well muscled croup & 1 thigh, she will be able to hold herself together on the move when she matures.”
This was an extremely enjoyable and sociable show where we met many HWV friends, old and new. Much fun was had!
North Devon Open Show
The closest showground venue to our home also turned out to be the undoubted highlight of our short show career so far! In ideal, bright, breezy and fairly cool conditions we were awarded 1st Junior AVNSC Gundog – an achievement since Phoenix is only 8 months old and the class was for dogs up to 18 months – as well as best AVSNC Gundog Puppy.
Being Awarded 1st Junior at North Devon Show.
Then, almost immediately, we were up against all the other Gundog best-of-breed puppies and, to our complete delight, managed to win 1st Gundog puppy as well – our first 1st, following the two Gundog Puppy Group 2’s at Liskeard & Dorset. The judge was Dr. Monica Boggia-Black – one of the most senior dog judges in the country, and a multiple Crufts judge. She came up to Tim and said of Phoenix: “you’ve got a real star there!” – cue big smiles!
Being Awarded 1st Gundog Puppy at North Devon Show.
We didn’t have time to catch our breath though, and were immediately whisked off to the Best Puppy In Show ring where Tim & Phoenix, representing the Gundog Group, were up against the top puppy from each of the Terrier, Hound, Pastoral, Working, Utility & Toy groups.
Gundog Puppy Group 1, 2 & 3 at North Devon Show
Lined up for Best Puppy in Show.
The ring was hugely expanded and, for the first time since Liskeard, Phoenix gaited really beautifully, at full fast pace with her huge stride in full evidence. Judging was very quick and decisive and we were utterly thrilled to be awarded 2nd Best Puppy in Show, an incredible achievement at only the 7th ever show for either Tim or Phoenix. We also believe that, at just 8 months, Phoenix may well be the youngest HWV ever to have been awarded such a high placing at an all-group Open show in the UK.
The judges critique read:
Very pleasing head and eye, good shoulder placement and nice front and feet. Excellent mover. Best Gundog Puppy. Res BIS Puppy.
We’re so immensely proud of our little gal and all she’s managed to achieve in just 6 1/2 months since she came to live with us in Devon … and it’s now official – she truly is a real star!!
Belatarr Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. 