First I want you all to know that overall, this National was very well run. I’ve made lots of notes for us to consider for Tucson. The HUGE hit of the week was the turn out pens. There were two large fenced grassy areas in which the dogs could romp and run — what a wonderful thing it was for crate-weary dogs. I’ve got names of several people who are willing to help us at Tucson.
We left for home Sunday morning at 9:00, drove through heavy rain for a good part of the trip. At about 11:00 pm Sunday night, somewhere in the ground fog in Nebraska, Jessica Viera decided we were going all the way to her home in Colorado Spring. That’s a long haul — 21 driving hours, plus stops for the dogs. I slept for three hours at Jess’s house then we took everything out of her van and trailer — put all my stuff in the Element. I had 5 Cardis and luggage and grooming set-up stuff. I truly looked like Ma Clampett.
I dropped the first dog at 6:00 last night and the last four came home with me. One of them was delivered to her people today. They drove up from Tucson.
I am SOOO excited that the next two Nationals will be only a day’s drive!
So, what did the dogs do that’s making me burst my buttons?
Saturday herding:
Chase (AM/Can CH C-Myste Baledwr Pursuit of Happiness CD RN HXAs* VCX TT) completed his HXAs
Chase daughter Lowri (GCH Mockingbird Elyan Magic Moment PT) was High in the All Breed Herding Trial and earned her first A and B Course Duck legs
Sunday herding:
Chase earned his first HC point
Lowri earned her second Started A Duck leg
Tuesday
Chase son Holmes (GCH C-Myste the Game’s Afoot At Elyan) earned his Rally Novice Title and the 2nd leg of his Beginner Novice Title (Go Anne and Holmes!)
Lowri made the last cut in the Megan as did Chase/Magic daughter Nikki (GCH Wellshire Absolut Magic)
Wednesday
Lowri won the 15-19 month bitch class (19 bitches) and went on to Best Opposite in Sweeps.
Chase daughter Ginger (Mockingbird-Wyncrest’s I Believe in Magic) was 2nd
Nola (Elyan C-Myste The Times Picayune) made the final cut — she was one of the few red dogs receiving any notice
Inca (CH C-Myste Baledwr N’Candescent RN) was 4th in 9-11 year veteran bitches
Friday
Ginger won the 15-18 month class and was Reserve Winners Bitch
Nola was 4th in American Bred. Nola was naughty:-(
Inca was 4th in 9-11 veteran bitches
Chase daughter Riley (Snapdragon Something Unspoken) looked very nice. She’s 10 months old and needs only her majors to finish.
Chase son, little red Killian (Snapdragon Hot Tin Roof), was selected to be a demo dog for Judges’ Education. Killian belongs to Kathy McCombs. Watch for Killian with Angelia Hall.
Saturday
Lowri made the final cut in Breed
Chase was 4th in Stud Dog (with Lowri and Ginger) behind Fudge, Trademark, and Smarty
Lowri and Ginger helped their mom Scout (GCH Cardiridge Jean Louise Finch RN HT CA) win the Brood Bitch class
Notwithstanding the drive, we had a great Nationals — my thanks to Jessica Viera who showed Inca and Nola so well and to Susan Shields who has trained and trialed Chase from the beginning of his herding career. Angelia Hall showed Chase beautifully in conformation — even wearing his “stock tank” coat, Chase drew comments from the spectators. Chase is now home and we’ll get back to work on Tracking and Obedience. I cannot describe how happy it makes me to have his head on the pillow at night.
I’m going back to work tomorrow to rest.
CONGRATULATIONS Tommy and Betty!
