Open Obedience Show 1/7/2007
Class Pre-Beginners D/B - Judge's Report
Judge: Jan Starkey
Steward: Keith Starkey
Scoreboard: Sam Tydeman
Entries 40 - 30 ran
My thanks to the committee for inviting me, my husband for ring stewarding, Sam Tydeman for scoreboarding, the exhibitors for entering and last but not least - the rain for not falling on our parade.
I had a most enjoyable day. The standard was very high with a surprising variety of breeds, and really sympathetic handling by people who understood the needs of their dogs. What a happy crew you were.
1st. A Motson and Acedale Vibrant Piece - Airedale Terrier. Lost 1. What a surprise!! both to me and the handler who came into the ring expecting to do a training round, but after a lecture on positive thinking decided to give it a try and finished up with a cracking round and first place, so in future I hope you will have a lot more faith in yourself and your dog.
2nd. Mr Healey and Hebemor Tumbling Dice - Dalmatian. Lost 1½. Another surprise - this gentleman had two Dalmatians both "show" dogs and both doing excellent rounds with just a fidget in the down stay knocking the other one back. Excellent handler making sure that the dogs enjoyed the day as much as he did.
3rd. Mrs M Wright and Bournepark Bree - Cocker Spaniel. Lost 2. Lovely little dog, nice handling with minor errors in the round, but won the run off with a perfect recall, now if it was like that every time....
4th. Mrs O'Regan and Scratchy Sam - WS. Lost 2. Well we had to have a "Black and White" at some point (though this one is a tricolour), worked well but again just little errors that need sorting out, slight crooked sit lost you the run off.
5th. A Fullick and Dorvale Best Man - BC. Lost 2. A real "Black and White" similar comments to previous but decided to throw it all away on the run off, or perhaps decided the judge needed a cup of coffee and made it very easy for me.
6th. Mrs S Philpot and Milesend Goldmaker - Shetland Sheepdog. Lost 2½. A lovely little Sheltie, with minor faults, perhaps at a disadvantage with the wet grass and a long coat. Well that's my excuse for you.
Please remember to find the correct pace for your dog - going too slow makes it very difficult for the dog as it is not comfortable walking or trotting and finishes up weaving to try to "lose" the ground. It also can give them too much time to look around and lose concentration. When you get to the higher classes they hopefully will be more aware of their job and less distracted, but at this stage they need all the help you can give them. Keep up the good work and thank you for making it a happy day out with some new friends.
I would like to give a special comment to a young girl handling a Shetland Sheepdog - not her own - so I don't have her name. It was her first show and she was very unlucky to get first place in the running order. However she duly came in and despite various problems she never once lost her composure or had a "hissy fit". I do hope you will continue and maybe Mum will let you have your own dog because you could one day be a top handler with the right attitude. Well done!!
|
