Show News
OKEHAMPTON & DCS OPEN SHOW 17th MARCH
Sophie in the Best in Show ring at Okehampton
Ready to get back to reality at our local shows after the big stage of Crufts, we set off to a new venue for this show in Hatherleigh Cattle Market. Getting there we were very disappointed with the position and size of the ring and the whole venue left a lot to be desired. The weather forecast was not good and we were showing outside. Judging started and it was not too long before we were in and the rain had held off. Chris went in were Eddie and he won his class. Sophie and Smokey were in the open class together. Sophie took first and Smokey second. In the challenge it was Eddie, Sophie and Peta Baines Puppy. Sophie got BOB, Eddie RBOB and Peta's Puppy BPIB.
After a few showers of rain mainly on the Welshies and Englishies, it was time for the group. Sophie was in with eleven other gundog breeds and came out on top, I was ecstatic!!!
At the same time as the Gundog Group they were doing the Veteran classes inside, Smokey won the Veteran Bitch Class 7 - 10 years and then went on to be Best Veteran in Show.
Sophie showed her socks off in the Best in Show ring but to no avail, it went to the Elkhound and reserve the Dobermann.
Still we had a fantastic day, better than we imagined when we first arrived.
After a few showers of rain mainly on the Welshies and Englishies, it was time for the group. Sophie was in with eleven other gundog breeds and came out on top, I was ecstatic!!!
At the same time as the Gundog Group they were doing the Veteran classes inside, Smokey won the Veteran Bitch Class 7 - 10 years and then went on to be Best Veteran in Show.
Sophie showed her socks off in the Best in Show ring but to no avail, it went to the Elkhound and reserve the Dobermann.
Still we had a fantastic day, better than we imagined when we first arrived.
CRUFTS 2012
It was such a honor to walk out on the green carpet of Crufts. Sophie qualified at Three Counties Championship Show back in June 2011 with 3rd in Open Bitch gaining her Stud Book Number qualifying for life.
We set off from home at 3.30am on Friday 9th March 2012, for the long journey to the NEC in Birmingham. Arriving at 7.15am we unloaded the trolley, cage, show bag and not forgetting Sophie, then made our way to the benches. Having settled in we went and had breakfast which was very nice. The stands were just opening so we had a good look round, goodness it was big. Back to the bench and it was soon time for Sophie to go into her class, Undergraduate Bitch. The judge Keith Costello went over all the dogs and short listed, unfortunately Sophie was not pulled out, but this was expected as we knew we were only there for the experience of being at Crufts. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Judging all over we did our shopping and made our way home after a long but enjoyable day at the biggest Dog Show in Dogdom CRUFTS.
Congratulations to all our friends that did get placed, including Lucy Reader, Jo Kew, Fran Bowman, Sally Ellison, Kim Gain, Cheryl Blackley, Adam Murray, Sue Hutchings, Jackie Jarman, Mike Masters, David Worgan.
We set off from home at 3.30am on Friday 9th March 2012, for the long journey to the NEC in Birmingham. Arriving at 7.15am we unloaded the trolley, cage, show bag and not forgetting Sophie, then made our way to the benches. Having settled in we went and had breakfast which was very nice. The stands were just opening so we had a good look round, goodness it was big. Back to the bench and it was soon time for Sophie to go into her class, Undergraduate Bitch. The judge Keith Costello went over all the dogs and short listed, unfortunately Sophie was not pulled out, but this was expected as we knew we were only there for the experience of being at Crufts. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Judging all over we did our shopping and made our way home after a long but enjoyable day at the biggest Dog Show in Dogdom CRUFTS.
Congratulations to all our friends that did get placed, including Lucy Reader, Jo Kew, Fran Bowman, Sally Ellison, Kim Gain, Cheryl Blackley, Adam Murray, Sue Hutchings, Jackie Jarman, Mike Masters, David Worgan.
Torquay & DCS - Wath, West Melton &DCS 3rd March 2012
I had a lovely day today Judging at Wath, West Melton and District Canine Society show held at the Showground in Newark. See Judging 2012 for results and critiques.
Sophie went off to Torquay show without me. Good job Chris was there to look after her. Thank you Chris for showing Sophie for me, no matter what the result was, I know you always do your best. Well done to Eddie getting the BOB.
Sophie went off to Torquay show without me. Good job Chris was there to look after her. Thank you Chris for showing Sophie for me, no matter what the result was, I know you always do your best. Well done to Eddie getting the BOB.
Tiverton Limited Show is a big Hit
Up at 6am this morning Sophie hits the bath, 6.30am blow dry and ready to be picked up by Chris at 8.30am. Off we go to Tiverton & District Canine Society's Limited show. On the way we went through some snow and when we got there it was still snowing. We arrived and got our place in Willand Village Hall, it was lovely and warm, all the radiators were on. Smokey was in Veteran 7 to 10 years which she won. There being no entries in 11 years and over Smokey was declared Best Veteran in Show. Sophie was next in Cocker Spaniel Post Graduate another win for us. Eddie was then in Cocker Spaniel Open but not his day Shelagh got it with her Chocolate boy. In the challenge Sophie came out on top and later went on to win Group 2 beaten by the Not Separately Clasified winning English Setter. Still we had a great morning and was home for lunch. By the way when we got home there was no snow.
Great Start to 2012
What a fantastic start to 2012.
Chris and I went off to our first Open show of the showing year at Taunton & District Canine Association show held at Bath and West Show ground in Shepton Mallet. On the way there we saw a bevy of six Magpies (six for Gold) hoping this was a good omen. Well that it was. Sophie started it all off by winning her Graduate Class, then Chris showing Edwin and me showing Smokey the only dogs in Open. Smokey beat her kennel mate, but the judge said it was a difficult decision as they were both such good dogs. Sophie challenged for Best of Breed but it was always going to be Smokey's day. The judge said Sophie would have been Reserve Best of Breed but there was no rosette. Still we all did a lap of honor. It didn't finish there, Sophie went in Any Variety Gundog Graduate and beat six other Gundogs to win the class and then Smokey still had to go into the Group. The Group had about a dozen nice Gundogs and Smokey came out on top winning Best in Group. We then had to wait for Best in Show, by this time it was about 4.30pm. Unfortunately Smokey missed out with Quest's Tibetan Spaniel taking Best in Show and Stansbury & Pilgrim's Dobermann going Reserve Best in Show.
Chris and I went off to our first Open show of the showing year at Taunton & District Canine Association show held at Bath and West Show ground in Shepton Mallet. On the way there we saw a bevy of six Magpies (six for Gold) hoping this was a good omen. Well that it was. Sophie started it all off by winning her Graduate Class, then Chris showing Edwin and me showing Smokey the only dogs in Open. Smokey beat her kennel mate, but the judge said it was a difficult decision as they were both such good dogs. Sophie challenged for Best of Breed but it was always going to be Smokey's day. The judge said Sophie would have been Reserve Best of Breed but there was no rosette. Still we all did a lap of honor. It didn't finish there, Sophie went in Any Variety Gundog Graduate and beat six other Gundogs to win the class and then Smokey still had to go into the Group. The Group had about a dozen nice Gundogs and Smokey came out on top winning Best in Group. We then had to wait for Best in Show, by this time it was about 4.30pm. Unfortunately Smokey missed out with Quest's Tibetan Spaniel taking Best in Show and Stansbury & Pilgrim's Dobermann going Reserve Best in Show.
30th October 2011 West Country Dog Club Open Show and Langstone Limited Show
Whilst I went off Judging at Langstone Limited Show, Sophie went with Chris to West Country Dog Club Open Show. Sophie was shown by Meg Oliver in the Cocker Spaniel Open class and was placed 1st out off three entries. Many thanks to Meg for showing Sophie so professionaly.
Here are some photo's of the day.
Here are some photo's of the day.
Judging at Milton Keynes Open Show 27th August 2011
Many thanks to Sue Rothchild (Sophie's breeder) for putting me up for the night and accompanying me to the show. When we finally got there (Sue knows what I mean) to the Piggery, yes the show is held in a farm building at a Piggery. We had a long wait until I was in Judging, but the secretary and committee members all made us very welcome with coffee and biscuits. Finally it was time to judge and I had a great time, lots of Cockers and plenty of quality. In fact my best of breed went best in group and best puppy went puppy group two under Julian Barney. Then my best of breed went reserve best in show under Ian Layfield. I was over the moon. We finished off the day with a lovely lunch of chilli and cheese jacket potato with side salad and desert the was trifle. I headed off home on a four hour trip eventually arriving at 9pm. See the full details on Judging 2011 page.
Liddiswell Show Family Dog Show 6th August 2011
It was a huge pleasure to be asked to judge this little show. The turn out was tremendous and having judged 15 classes ranging from best puppy under 1 year to Dog or Bitch the judge would most like to take home, I found my Best in Show in a young Hungarian Viszla Bitch at its first show and Reserve Best in Show was a two year old Blue Roan and Tan Cocker Spaniel Bitch. The Dog show raised about £100 for the Liddiswell Show Charity.
Royal Cornwall Show 9th June & Three Counties Championship Show 10th June 2011
I used two days of my twentythree days holiday from work to visit the above shows. Met Chris at the usual place this Thursday morning, so we could share the trip down to Cornwall. Saw four individual Magpies so it wasn't going to be our day. Wrong! Sophie was in the largest class of 4 dogs and came out on top. Eddie won his class so we were both in for the best of breed challange. The judge looked down the line and I could see her looking back at Sophie and as she turned from the stewards table she walked towards me and handed me the best of breed rosette. We didn't have long to wait for the group, so Sophie joined fifteen other gundogs to challenge for best in group. The judge had us all move and she went over the dogs she had not seen. The ring was full and the public were watching, I heard a woman from the side of the ring say "I do like the Cocker". The judge walked over to the Pointer and shook the exhibitors hand, then to my surprise she pointed to me and Sophie was runner up in the Gundog Group. What a perfect day.
Next day up at the crack of dawn and off to another show. This time a championship show, Three Counties at Malvern. Just arrived in time for Eddie to go in Open Dog but it wasn't his day. Sophie was next in the ring, Post Grad. Bitch seven entered, six turned up, oh no someone was going to be thrown out, was it going to be Sophie. The judge went over the dogs as usual and saw them move. We all stacked up and he asked us all to move round the ring together again, then he saw them move individually again, finally we all had to move round the ring together again and as we did he pulled out 1st, 2nd, 3rd and then Sophie was pulled out Reserve. Her next class was Open Bitch, two dogs to be seen and two seen dogs. This was it. Was Sophie going to get 3rd and her Stud Book number. The judge went over the two dogs and then asked us to move again, then he asked us all to move round together and pulled out 1st, 2nd and Sophie was 3rd, it was such a relief, all my Christmas's came at once. She had done it, qualified for Crufts for life. But it didn't stop there, she went on the get VHC out of 30 dogs in AV Special Beginners and 3rd out of 34 dogs in AV KC Good Citizen Scheme Stakes classes. What an absolutely fantastic two days.
Next day up at the crack of dawn and off to another show. This time a championship show, Three Counties at Malvern. Just arrived in time for Eddie to go in Open Dog but it wasn't his day. Sophie was next in the ring, Post Grad. Bitch seven entered, six turned up, oh no someone was going to be thrown out, was it going to be Sophie. The judge went over the dogs as usual and saw them move. We all stacked up and he asked us all to move round the ring together again, then he saw them move individually again, finally we all had to move round the ring together again and as we did he pulled out 1st, 2nd, 3rd and then Sophie was pulled out Reserve. Her next class was Open Bitch, two dogs to be seen and two seen dogs. This was it. Was Sophie going to get 3rd and her Stud Book number. The judge went over the two dogs and then asked us to move again, then he asked us all to move round together and pulled out 1st, 2nd and Sophie was 3rd, it was such a relief, all my Christmas's came at once. She had done it, qualified for Crufts for life. But it didn't stop there, she went on the get VHC out of 30 dogs in AV Special Beginners and 3rd out of 34 dogs in AV KC Good Citizen Scheme Stakes classes. What an absolutely fantastic two days.
Royal Bath and West Show: Taunton & DCA Premier Open Show 1st June 2011
A day off work to visit this Premier Open show was a day well spent. Chris picked us up at 8am, the traffic was good and we had no trouble getting into the showground. With about a hour to wait for the Cockers to start Judging at 11am. we had Coffee. Judging started on time and Smokey was first in the ring, in Limit, a class of three dogs which she won. One down two to go. Eddie was next in the ring, in Open dog, only three turned up out of six entries, but yes he won the class. Two down one to go. Sophie was last in the ring, in Open Bitch, just two in the class and after waiting for a minutes silence for a dead committee member she won the class. So team Gwbert/Meloneras had three dogs in the challenge for best of breed. The line up also included Mike Masters with Manchela Wild Willow and Pat Meaker with her Puppy Meakwood Sweet Melody. Mike got BOB and to my suprise Sophie got RBOB.
Devon and Cornwall Cocker Spaniel of the Year 2010/11
Sophie finished a very respectable Forth out of Forty dogs. The presentaion was made by me at the Devon and Cornwall Cocker Spaniel Open Show on Saturday 7th May 2011. First place went to Fran Boman's (Phoebe) Franaille Oceans ShCm with Runner Up going to Chris's (Edwin) Totenkopf Rocknrobin with Gwbert ShCm, Third was Fran's (Grace) Asquanne's Grania with Franaille JW ShCm.
Best Puppy was Kimberly Dare's (Lois) Marquell Mystique and Runner up was Shelagh Webb's Caenriver No Regrets.
Best Puppy was Kimberly Dare's (Lois) Marquell Mystique and Runner up was Shelagh Webb's Caenriver No Regrets.
Easter Sunday & Monday 24/25th April 2011
We had no idea that this Easter weekend would be so successful.
Unfortunately Smokey was in season and missed out on the excitement, but Sophie and Eddie had a great time together.
Sunday was West Country Dog Club Open show. The weather was great when we left home at 8.15am, but clouded up as we hit Clevedon and Hands Stadium for the show. We were later wishing the clouds had stayed, the sun came out and the Stadium got hotter and hotter. Sophie won her strong class of five good dogs. Then Eddie won his class, so Eddie and Sophie had to challenge for best of breed, Eddie won the day and was eventually pulled out in the short list of eight in the group.
Monday and another lovely day when we left home but again it clouded up in Cornwall, only for the sun to come out later and make a nice day, but Royal Cornwall Showground seems to always have that bit of wind that takes the edge off the sun.
It seems Sophie and Eddie are on a bit of a roll at the moment, because they both won their classes and challenged for best of breed again, along with Shelagh's Orange, Chocolate and Puppy. Eddie got best of breed and Sophie got reserve best of breed and best opposite sex.
Sophie won a lovely silver cup to keep until the next Cornwall Gundog show and a nice rosette.
What a fantastic weekend for 'TEAM MELONERAS/GWBERT' Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately Smokey was in season and missed out on the excitement, but Sophie and Eddie had a great time together.
Sunday was West Country Dog Club Open show. The weather was great when we left home at 8.15am, but clouded up as we hit Clevedon and Hands Stadium for the show. We were later wishing the clouds had stayed, the sun came out and the Stadium got hotter and hotter. Sophie won her strong class of five good dogs. Then Eddie won his class, so Eddie and Sophie had to challenge for best of breed, Eddie won the day and was eventually pulled out in the short list of eight in the group.
Monday and another lovely day when we left home but again it clouded up in Cornwall, only for the sun to come out later and make a nice day, but Royal Cornwall Showground seems to always have that bit of wind that takes the edge off the sun.
It seems Sophie and Eddie are on a bit of a roll at the moment, because they both won their classes and challenged for best of breed again, along with Shelagh's Orange, Chocolate and Puppy. Eddie got best of breed and Sophie got reserve best of breed and best opposite sex.
Sophie won a lovely silver cup to keep until the next Cornwall Gundog show and a nice rosette.
What a fantastic weekend for 'TEAM MELONERAS/GWBERT' Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19th & 20th March 2011 Weekend
What a lovely weekend we have had, went up to Weston-Super-Mare for Bristol Dog Club Open show. Stopped off at the Bridgwater services for a takeaway Costa coffee and Victoria Sponge. Pulling into the carpark and we saw Derek and Coral Shapland were here, what a nice suprise haven't seen them for ages. Went into the hall to find a nice place left for us to set up just near the ring. Got the catalogue to find Sophie and Smokey were the only ones in the Graduate class and Eddie was in open with Derek's Deejay, Gill's Stomp and Jackie's Apollo. Sophie got first in her class beating Smokey. Eddie could only manage a third behind Deejay first and Stomp second. Sophie went in for the challange. Deejay got Best of Breed but to my suprise Sophie got Reserve Best of Breed. Chris went off the see Wilson who had been rehomed to a nice couple in Weston, so I waited for the stakes classes. Eventually Chris came back in time for the stakes and we both went in the Crocus Graduate Stakes. Sophie was pulled out in the final six and then placed sixth. I went home happy and with a bag of Crocus.
Chris picked us up again Sunday morning 8am to go to Okehampton Open show. It was a dry but overcast morning but we were very happy to be on our way to another show. This would be the last time we would ever show our dogs at this venue as they are moving to the Cattle Market in Hatherleigh. We got a nice parking space near enough at the ring side. Having set up the crate and tables we rushed to get the catalogue. There were four in Sophie/Smokey's class and just two in Eddie's. Sophie won her class with Smokey getting third. Eddie won his class and took Best of Breed, then went on to be awarded Forth in the Group.
It has been a nice winning weekend all round.
Chris picked us up again Sunday morning 8am to go to Okehampton Open show. It was a dry but overcast morning but we were very happy to be on our way to another show. This would be the last time we would ever show our dogs at this venue as they are moving to the Cattle Market in Hatherleigh. We got a nice parking space near enough at the ring side. Having set up the crate and tables we rushed to get the catalogue. There were four in Sophie/Smokey's class and just two in Eddie's. Sophie won her class with Smokey getting third. Eddie won his class and took Best of Breed, then went on to be awarded Forth in the Group.
It has been a nice winning weekend all round.
Saturday 5th February 2011
Alarm went off at 6am, turned it off and turned over, thorought better of it and got up five minutes later. Sophie went out in the garden and came in with wet ears (she had, had a bath the night before) got the hair dryer out to dry them. Now to set too grooming, got all done except the feet, will do them at the show. Chris picked us up dead on time at 8am. We stopped off at MacDonalds to get coffee, then arrived at the show about 8.40am. Judging starts at 9.30am so I got set into getting Sophie's feet looking like cats feet. We were ready for the class and it soon came round (quite a few absentees). Sophie decided she wanted to go out, and as we came in Class 7, A.V. Spaniel was called, we nearly missed it. In the ring was Chris with Smokey, Fran with Phoebe, Vanda with Rodney and a Clumber Spaniel. All seen, it came to the time for the judge to make up her mind. She stood there, her eyes flitting backwards and forwads between Sophie and Phoebe. Eventually she made the decission giving the class to Sophie with Phoebe second, Smokey third and Rodney Reserve. We waited what seemed a life time for best in show (the show was not judged on the group system), about 30 dogs filled the tiny ring everyone jostling for space, after every dog was moved around the ring the judge pulled out a short list of nine dogs. Sophie was one of them. Out of this final line up the judge gave best in show to the Chow Chow and reserve best in show to the Pointer, but it was nice to be in the final nine dogs, the best Cocker Spaniel and what was actually reserve best Gundog.
What a weekend of the 13th/14th November 2010
It started early with me having my hair cut at 7.30am on the Saturday. Then Sophie needed some finishing touches and a bath ready for this weekends show. Finally we were ready and Chris arrived dead on time to pick us up. We were off, to Top Dog of Devon where Edwin was to compete. The event was held at the Turk's Head Hotel in Honiton, where we had booked to stay the night, because we were off to Minehead Open show on Sunday and we wanted to be able to have a drink at the do. The DO!!! consisted of a Match for Top Dog of Devon, Dinner and Dance.
We settled into our chalet, changing into our glad rags, purple trouser suit for Chris and I wore a black suit, white shirt and red bow tie. The match started at 3pm with the adult dogs. Chris and Edwin got through the first round but were knocked out in the second. Kim and Fran were there with Pheobe and Grace. Grace went out in the first round but Pheobe managed to go one more round. All the match over with the Japanese Chin winning Top Dog of Devon. The dinner started, we had the Pate, Pork and Chris had Pavlova and I had Toffee pudding, very nice. Oh I forgot, we both had quite a bit to drink. After dinner we were hoping everyone would get up and dance to the disco, but no, everyone with the exeption of us and three or four others left, so we had all the dance floor to ourselves. We drank some more and went off to bed at about 11pm.
After a night of dogs getting on and off the bed, we woke and had a nice fried breakfast, leaving Honiton at about 9am to get to Taunton for about 10am and Minehead Open Show.
Eventually the classes came round to Cockers and Sophie won her class, Edwin won his class then Sophie got Best of Breed followed by Gundog Group Four.
What a way to finish a fantastic weekend.
We settled into our chalet, changing into our glad rags, purple trouser suit for Chris and I wore a black suit, white shirt and red bow tie. The match started at 3pm with the adult dogs. Chris and Edwin got through the first round but were knocked out in the second. Kim and Fran were there with Pheobe and Grace. Grace went out in the first round but Pheobe managed to go one more round. All the match over with the Japanese Chin winning Top Dog of Devon. The dinner started, we had the Pate, Pork and Chris had Pavlova and I had Toffee pudding, very nice. Oh I forgot, we both had quite a bit to drink. After dinner we were hoping everyone would get up and dance to the disco, but no, everyone with the exeption of us and three or four others left, so we had all the dance floor to ourselves. We drank some more and went off to bed at about 11pm.
After a night of dogs getting on and off the bed, we woke and had a nice fried breakfast, leaving Honiton at about 9am to get to Taunton for about 10am and Minehead Open Show.
Eventually the classes came round to Cockers and Sophie won her class, Edwin won his class then Sophie got Best of Breed followed by Gundog Group Four.
What a way to finish a fantastic weekend.
Poole Canine Club 24th October 2010
Chris picked Sophie and me up and we went to Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet. Both Sophie and Edwin got 2nd in their classes and Smokey got 3rd behind Sophie. So we were leaving early. I noticed a bit of blood on my shirt cuff and I suddenly realised Sophie had just come into season. Great!! that meant we were to miss Midland Counties Champ Show, Torquay Open Show and worst of all the Wiverliscombe qualifier at Newton Abbot Ringcraft.
Liskeard & District Canine Association 9th October 2010
Nice trip down to Wadebridge and the weather was ok. Bit disappointed to get 2nd in the breed class, but made up for it by getting first in the Team Stakes along with Chris, Fran and Kim. Very pleased that Eddie got BOB, Group 1 and Reserve Best in Show and Lois got Puppy Group 2. Afterwards Sophie got placed 8th in the A.V. Graduate Stakes winning £3 and Lois got 8th in A.V. Puppy Stakes.
Okehampton & District Canine Society 26th September 2010
I have a stinking cold, sore throat and feeling generally rotten, but I still turned up at the show. It was a good job I did Sophie pulled off the treble, winning her class and then got Reserve Best of Breed.
The Cornwall shows Camborne Redruth 19th September and Cornwall Gundog 25th September 2010
Trips down the A38 to Wadebridge on consecutive weekends and low and behold Sophie has FIRST in her class at both shows.
Newton Abbot & South Devon Canine Society 28th August 2010
Many thanks to Chris for showing Sophie, looking after her and taking her home for me. I was Show Manager and we had another very successful show. Many thanks to all the committee, stewards, officers and judges for all their hard work. Thanks also to the exhibitors for supporting the show.
Monmouth Agricultural Show 26th August 2010
Another Agricultural show, another wet day. The Cocker classes were judged outside in the drizzle. Sophie only managed a third, Chris's Eddie and Smokey both got seconds. So it was an early day or so we thought, it took 30 minutes to get from the show to the main road about 2 or 3 miles away.
Mid Somerset Agricultural Show Sunday 15th August 2010
A very eventful day out at Mid-Somerset Agricultural Society Open Show. To start the day well I was stung by a wasp on the lip as I ate a Chelsea Bun! Off to the Red Cross tent for some first aid and then back in time to show Sophie who was placed first in her class and so was Eddie who went on to win the BOB. Thank-you to judge Sylvia Budd. Eddie then went into the BIS Ring with about 34 dogs as it wasn’t judged on the group system. Edwin was short-listed to the final 8 dogs so we were very, very pleased. He then went under the same judge for the Open Stakes and was placed first. Sophie went into the Graduate Stakes and came away with a HC rosette and £2. Many thanks to the Judge Meg Purnell-Carpenter.
Stithians Agricultural Show Monday 12th July 2010
Nice trip down to Cornwall for this lovely agricultural show. Went with no expectations and was pleasantly suprised when Sophie won her class and Chris's Edwin won his too, we both went in for the BOB and I couldn't believe it when the judge walked my way and gave Sophie her first Best of Breed. It started raining so judging was moved into the tent for the variety classes. The wife of the breed judge was to do the Group and she insisted on judging out in the rain. So off we went, by this time it was pouring down. Vanda with her American Cocker and me with Sophie getting wetter and wetter, their coats were in ringlets. I noticed the judge kept looking at Sophie after going over other dogs. The time can for her making her decision and without hesitation she pointed at Sophie. All my Christmas's came at once, Sophie was Best in Gundog Group. There were sixteen breeds in the group and she came out on top. Chris and I then had to get Sophie ready for Best in Show, it was all hands to the pump, towelling her down as quick as we could, eventually it was time and we could do no more. When the BIS judge went over Sophie I said sorry she was so wet but the Group judge had us show out in the rain. It did no good, his mind was made and he gave BIS to the Toy and RBIS to the Hound, he was a hound jugde after all. We drove home on cloud nine.
