16 September 2016 – Dog World

What a busy showing weekend up in Bonnie Scotland for exhibitors, many taking the accommodation with them and others enjoying the hospitality of the Scottish B&B’s. The first show on the Saturday was the Joint Papillon Clubs Championship Show 2016 hosted this year by the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club of Scotland. The venue was the Lanark Auction Market building. Usually the club hold their Championship show in the main building but this show was to be in one of the hall adjacent to the main building. Plenty of space although at times very noisy, but I suppose the dogs might have had something to do with that, can’t think why!

On entering the committee had the hall laid out in a pristine manner and certainly was fit to go. Liz Anderson with the help of Elizabeth Cochrane had the club stall looking a treat with lots of goodies; in fact you were really spoilt for choice. How lovely it was to see Elizabeth Cochrane at the show as it hasn’t been an easy year for her. I wish you all the very best Elizabeth in the coming months ahead.

There were lots of super prizes on offer. Mrs Marian Sloan (Austerene) who was the judge for the day had provided exquisite limited edition Deirdre Ashdown cards for the class and principal winners. What a very kind thought and something to treasure. Joyce Finlayson had donated such pretty bedding for the principal winners, ours were in the trolley for the very next show we attended at City of Birmingham. They look lovely, thank you so much.

The club had provided beautiful rosettes and a diamante doggy key ring for BIS. All exhibitors received a car air freshener on arrival from Elaine Davidson the clubs secretary and her husband Michael. Noriko Brewster of MD10 kindly supplied bottles of their MD10 White Silky Smooth Shampoo. Peter Keirnan, Kate Sharples and Liz Anderson all had input into the Papillon shaped prize cards. Joan Savage donated towards the Best Phalene and junior handling and Caroline Lee Slater and Elizabeth Cochrane also provided towards the junior handling gifts. Royal Canin sponsored the show with bags of food for class and principal winners. So as you can see we were all very spoilt indeed.

Julie Clint took home a lot more than she came with as Wendy Sweetbriars who was not present at the show won the Showtrollies Trolly. How good is that, that is certainly a prize worth winning.

The club have a very small and hardworking committee and they are always looking for new committee members to come and have fun and help run the shows. So if you would like to get involved speak to any of the committee members at the shows and they will put you in the right direction for getting started.

There was a really spacious ring, more than enough room to manoeuvre their charges to their best advantage. Breed Specialist Mrs Marian Sloan (Austerene) had come over from Northern Ireland to judge the show and she arrived very smartly dressed in a pink trouser suit. The judging soon got under way with the help of her two able stewards Edith Lynchand and Joan Savage keeping everyone in order. The judge had received a lovely entry, one the club must have been pleased with. Mrs Sloan went over the dogs in a kindly but firm manner and gave everyone a chance to put best four paws forward and the day ticked along smoothly.

The principal winners were as follows. DCC/BIS Irene & Glenn Robb’s CH Gleniren Shootin Starmaker Sunshoo. Travis has attended four Breed Special shows this year and taken BIS at each of them, so needless to say we were thrilled to bits. RDCC/ RBIS was Joe Magri & Kevin Arrowsmith’s CH Rozamie Dream Lover, BCC/BOS Anne Borg’s Petress Dark and Daring JW. Celebrations all round as it was the magical third cc for this little girl. Congratulations Anne and also her breeders Teresa and Peter Cullen. RBCC Alexandra Forth’s CH Omegaville Make me a Petitchien, PB Mary Whitehill’s Amicae Hugs & Kisses, BV Kathy Smith’s CH Papplewick Pretty In Pink JW ShCM and BPH Keith a & Pauline Rimmer’s IR CH Siljans Star Delight Connection With Pepeke. Best Junior Handler was Issac Magri-Arrowsmith from the 6-11 year age group.

SKC was the next day, as Carolyn was judging Pugs at this show, Glenn and I headed back to Cheshire to be at home with the Pap Pad crew. So very little snippet news I am afraid, except for the results.

The judge was breed specialist Miss Karen Anderson who for those who are not aware is the daughter of Liz Anderson (Northlyte). The principal winners were: DCC/BOB/ TGP2 Joe Magri & Kevin Arrowsmith’s Ch Rozamie Dream Lover. The TGP judge was Mr K S Wilberg (Kanix.) BCC Sue Deamer’s Grinsdales Sweet Caroline At Bankshill, who must have been delighted. I gave this little one a RBCC as MPB at SKC in 2014. RDCC Wendy Walter’s Sweetbriar Sticks An Stones JW, RBCC Sue Victor’s Ch Lafford Kandy Floss JW (handled by Caroline Lee-Slater) and finally BP Tom Isherwood and Jenny Scovell’s Afterglow Sunny Spell.

Moving on to just five days later, this is a favourite show of mine, City of Birmingham. We are always in the hall not the sheds, so this is a huge bonus in my book. The surrounding are pristine, refreshments brilliant, loos are clean and close at hand. Then to add an extra bonus they have now moved the trade stands in the hall. So what is there not to like.

Alright some do not like the clang of the grids under the carpets, but you soon learn to step in style and miss the offending grids. The ring next to us had marked the grids with an X for all to view, what a good idea. Or stand on the X and think of having an X factor experience. Over the years I have learnt, don’t make an issue of them and you don’t send a vibe down the lead for the little ones to pick up on.

The judge for this show was breed specialist Mrs Lynda Woodrow (Lynflyer) and as you would expect from a specialist in our breed she went over the dogs beautifully on the table. Not flimsy and fiddly but with a firm manner and yet kind, considerate, giving the dogs confidence. I found her super with the puppies and I think she actually enjoyed their antics, that only puppies can get up to, which was very pleasing.

The two super stewards kept everything moving along nicely and considering the brilliant entry the judge had received Mrs Woodrow got through them easily and finished judging earlier than most would have thought. So, all credit to her and everyone concerned.

The winners on the day were as follows: DCC/BOB/TGP2 Irene & Glenn Robb’s Ch Gleniren Shootin Starmaker Sunshoo. This was Travis’s 40th cc and especially proud of Travis as Glenn could not attend the show, so, he had a trainee handler, me! The TGP judge was Sonya Saxby. BCC Alexandra Forth’s Ch Omegaville Make Me A Petitchien, RDCC Joe Magri & A Forth’s Petitchiens Truth Or Dare Rozamie, RBCC Sue Victor’s Ch Lafford Kandy Floss JW, BP/TPGP2 Tom Ishwood & Jenny Scovell’s Afterglow Sunny Spell, the TPGP judge was Ernie Patterson. BV Jane Thompson & Sandra Austin’s Jhanakia Highland Destiny.

I would like to wish Danni from Dog World lots of enjoyment and success with her new post of keeping us lot, the breed note writers in check. Good luck with that one, Tom turned a shade of grey at times. Welcome to the breed note writers world. Also of course to Tom Burrington, who has now gone on to pastures new with Dog World. You were great to work with Tom and will be missed, not only for the banter but, for just being you.

So the next show will be Richmond to report on, fingers crossed for some dry, sunny weather as then it is a lovely show. Take care travelling.

IRENE ROBB