Stubbylee Blog

Today was the first time we’ve been to the Cheshire Agricultural Show, with it being a weekday normally we are busy working or just overlook entries until its too late. But what a great day out it is. A ‘proper’ agricultural show there was lots to see and do, all the animals plus events, cars, stalls and of course the dog show. At times with Championship Shows with the competition for tickets or to Crufts qualify your dog or gaining points towards other competitions you can forget one of the most important elements is for you and your dogs to enjoy yourselves. Open shows with the relaxed atmosphere and agricultural shows with so much else going on are an ideal antidote.

We’d taken Diva and Zorro with the hope of gaining the one point Diva needed for her Junior Warrant (its that pressure again). Diva won Junior but as there was only her & Zorro in the class no point was gained. We’d also pit Diva in Open; there were two other plus Diva and she won - so hopefully that’s her JW - Go help me if I’ve got the maths wrong I’ll be on bread & water for a month. To make it even better Diva then went on to win BOB.

Waiting for the group we decided to have a wander round the show. It was ideal experience for Zorro who’s not as used to being out and about as Diva & Rush. He alternates between treating it as a fantastic time with new things to look at and being a bit overwhelmed by it all. Unfortunately there are some tents we couldb’t go in - whats wrong with letting Borzoi in the rabbit section and flowers - they like flowers - Zorro finds many of them quite tasty.

Wandering round Zorro kept increasing in confidence especially with people wanting to stop and cuddle him. As he’s so big people tend to go to him first rather than Diva, you could see her getting more and more into a huff - I’m the BOB not him ,it’s me you should talk to first NOT HIM. Then Zorro discovered there’s lots of food stalls and free food samples at the show and people drop them so the rest of the walk was spend with his nose pressed to the ground hunting out discarded chips, doughnuts and Spam fritters (you don’t want to know).

Back to the rings for the group judging where Bob Gregory was standing in for Jack Bispham and fantastic - Diva won the hound group beating 14 other BOB winners. BIS eventually went to a Doberman with a Dalmation taking reserve but what the heck it was a great day out.

A final trip round the show ground buying a new Wax coat before wandering home. Yes the showing went well but despite that and the weather it really was a fun & relaxing day.

We’ve done quite well with the youngsters and realised that Diva had a chance of gaining her Junior Warrant so we’ve entered her in additional classes to try and gain points. Last week it was Tyne, Wear and Tees (which we fondly refer to by its acronym). Diva was entered in Yearling where there were 2 others present (although he wasn’t needed thanks to Moira Ellett who offered to show her boy who was injured if we needed to make numbers up), Diva wa lucky enough to win. Then she was in Open as well (she’s not eligible for Post Grad after her CC) , we’d also taken Luka along - we felt that she wouldn’t beat Diva as she’s still carrying a bit of extra weight. There was one other in the class, Liz handled Diva & I had Luka - you can see what’s coming - Luka won with Diva second. Oh damn its a long way for me to walk home from Durham. In BIS Luka had a lovely time and moved well and managed to get shortlisted. We got one JW point and need 1 more from a non CC show

Yesterday we went down to Southern Counties at Newbury. Its the first time we’ve been to this show, we were impressed with the showground and facilities, the weather was fantastic as well which always helps. The showing was disappointing as Rush and Diva both came away with seconds - the first time Diva has not won her class at Champ shows this year. I suppose thats the thing about dog showing you win some - you lose some. 

When we arrived at the show and just parked up when  a car pulled up next to us, a Bentley complete with Afghan on the back seat with a sparkling diamante collor. We had the Vauxhall Astra and our dogs on chain collors. I loaded up the rucksack with show gear as if setting off on a mountaineering expedition - they had a Cartier holdall. You obviously seem to get a better class of exhibitors at southern shows.