Zoe had a good day out yesterday. She and Phoenix had their first outing as a team at local club level and won Best of Group, and they looked great together, 3rd in the CH class with Flag and won the handlers class as well.

We took Tori & Trio for the ride, and they had their 2nd lead training during the lunch break which they both thought was lots of fun!

While something is up with Phoenix and he just didnt have his usal spark in he still managed to win Best of Breed and Intermediate of Group at a cold wet Nelson Show.

Phoenix did me proud over the weekend, and performed like a real showman, at Nelson Club Show.
RESERVE BEST ON SHOW and Intermediate in Show at Show 1 judged by Shirley Maguigan
AND THEN
BEST IN SHOW and Interrmediate in Show at Show 2 judged by Janice Saltiel
We're taking a much deserved break from Champ shows over the winter but will be out and about at Local Club and Open shows.

After all the planning and prep, we had some major drama to contend with and it will be a trip that has lasting memories.

The Gundog Specialty on thursday was the only day we showed, and I was very happy with all the dogs performances. Henry winning Intermediate of Breed, Shay and Phoenix both 2nd in their classes and Zoe gave a good perfromance at JDH, YKC and 3rd in the Team Event which they entred just for fun, and they are still gigling about it, as there were only 3 teams entered.

However due to an unfortunate incedent late Friday we were unable to show the dogs at the Nationals on Saturday. I did go and watch the cocker judging from afar, and was dissapointed to see that many others had also withdrawn their dogs, leaving only 1 or 2 in most classes and many of the 'age of breeds' being automatic results.

Thank you to all who have offered their true support over the pass few days, its friends that get us through at times like this.

But we're home now, And such is the cycle of life that it's time to put the drama behind us and look foward to puppies arriving in 2 weeks time!

While I'm looking foward to bringing Henry back into the show ring, I'll miss showing Phoenix he just gives it his all and is such fun to show. But I keep reminding myself we're sticking to the orginal lan...
It hasn't taken Phoenix as long as anitciapted to gain his ring skills and confidence and while I love showing this dog, and very tempted to continue handling himself, He's ready to team up with Zoe on a regular basis and become her JDH prospect for 2011 - 2012.
Both Pheonix and Shay performed well over the weekend and were awarded RDCC RBOB & Intermediate of Group and Shay BCC.

Shay is on a roll and had taken 6 out of 7 of the last Bitch Challenges that have been available. Fingers crossed for the last 1 to come quickly !

Phoenix has 'bodied' up over the past month and his ring confidence has gone from strength to strength, he takes everything in his stride and is such fun to show. He seems to be capturing a 'following' of people who just love this very honest dog of classic english style.

Henry is 'champing at the bit' to claim his place back in the show team, so I have him back in preparation for a return to the ring this month.

All the dogs have their own spots in the car, mainly so I know whose who when I look throught the rear vision mirror, and everytime the boot is open Henry's up in his crate waiting to go showing !

Gosh both the girlsa are away and being totally spoilt they may not want to come home !!!
Cherie has done a wonderful job showing and caring for Shay for 10 days. And Renea is still on her "Mother Nature Bush Holiday" and will return when she's on heat.

Henry has had a break from the show ring, and I think he feels left out at the moment.

Phoenix has continued to improve heaps, and picked up Best of Group Judge (Wendy Hicks) and Reserve Best of Group (Duncan Shilling) at our club shows on the weekend, he's had a pretty intense month so its time for him to have a few weeks off, and sleep sleep sleep like he did at the show on Sunday LOL

Well after a long days traveliing to the North island (we left home at 11.15am and got there at 7.30pm) Barabra and I were welcomed by Rachel and Keith who treated us like royalty all weekend with gorumet cooking and even gourmet packed lunches each day ! i didnt wnatto come home. But this morning at 3am we head off to for the 6am ferry crossing and now glad be home again.

I took Phoenix north for training and while we were somewhat nervous the first day and I tried something new with him in the ring, we sort of lost our compsoure, Sunday we went back to what was familiar and he & I looked like a different team, picking up the DCC and BOB.

While 10 hours to the South of Home Shay was on a road trip with Cherie and picked up the BCC.

Henry was a little miffed at not gettng a show groom last week and then "leaping around like a springer" when I got home today after missing out on the weekend action, But he be back out in the ring shortly.
The weekend away was spent with lovely people some old and some new friends !!!

At his first outing Phoenix just got better as the day went on! picking up 2 Best of breeds and Int of Group x 2, plus an Intermedaite in show. While it was only a ribbon parade (equlivent to Open Shows in Oz) I was very pleased with his growing confidence throughout the day. And can't wait until he's in show condition.

The Phoenix is what the girls have been calling him LOL, What an ture cocker this dog is with his "merry" temprament and a tail that never stops, And I have fallen in love with his head and expression

Hot Hot Hot ! way to hot for peiople and dogs, but we show anyway !
All the dogs performed well over the weekend, which we used as a training show, as Zoe handled Henry for the frst time in a year and I handled Phoenix, and both teams improved other weekend, working out a few more kinks along the way. Shay was her usual consistent self and was there to enjoy the atmosphere.
Henry was RBOB & RDCC at the gundog show under Barb Balaam and Phoenix was RDCC at the All breeds Show under Mr Butler. and Shay won her class.
However a sour taste was left in my mouth when Shay was scratched from the junior bitch class by a fellow competitor....