Holbeach Exemption Show - His Third Show

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

Boyed up with enthusiasm, and full of confidence from our successful trip over the Pennines (the range of small mountains that divides the British Isles) the week before, I prepared to go to this show at a leisurely pace on Saturday morning. It was not very far away, only just over 40 miles. I had a schedule, with a map showing the venue, and it was a route I know quite well.

I had loaded all the paraphernalia into the van the night before, being easier than the previous weekend as I didn't have to hunt to find everything; it was all in the heap where I had left it last week. I made some pack-up and checked the list and found I had everything. This time it was only like preparing for a trip around the world - piece of cake.

I decided to stop off at the common, and let Barney have a short walk. He normally runs on, and after a bit of scent marking, toilets quickly. He must have known we weren't stopping, because he wouldn't go. After a while I gave up, and we continued our journey. My leisurely pace was quickly turning our early start into a late one, but with still plenty of time to get there.

As I went through the villages on the early part of the journey, I noticed most of the cars we met had a trailer of some sort attached; was there a 'trailer convention' happening nearby, or was it everyone was taking their rubbish to the dump. The leisurely pace continued, with several other cars weighted down with trailers, making my vans pace appear fast in comparison. It was more delay to the time schedule. After about 20 miles we came to the main road. This is a wide, smooth single carrageway, and would take us right to the venue. However with the pea-season in full swing, it was full of slow moving tractors, and pea-viners. After a few miles we came upon a convoy of these machines, travelling about 25 miles an hour. We followed them for a while, until they pulled into a lay-by to ease the congestion, all but one. A stretch of clear road afforded us the opportunity to overtake safely, something others didn't necessarily heed. It is a dangerous road, with many accidents, and a few deaths. There are several wreaths by the roadside.

The final part of this short journey was done in relative speed and safety, and I came across the venue. Unfortunately there were no warning signs, and it required a right turn, so I sailed past and had to take the next side road and turn round. Getting into the car park required another session of mastermind. WHY were there no signs.

I immediately met someone I know from our club, an elderly couple who have had lurchers and greyhounds all their lives; in fact he has forgotten more about dogs than all the people on the field put together know. I have been hoping to see them for some time, as he gave me invaluable advice when we met shortly after Barney came to me. Unfortunately we were in a noisy hall, and I could not hear him very well, especially as he has quite a strong accent, so I was really looking forward to a chat with him.

After parking and selecting a coat; it was very cold for July, with spots of rain, I went and found the booking in tent. The booking in form was on the back of the schedule I had been sent, and had noticed I could enter 5 classes, three show classes and 2 obedience. Walking across the field I noticed there were a lot of competitors, and some were people I knew from Lincoln.

I decided to enter him in the beginner's obedience fairly quickly. The Kennel Club rules have names for the different classes of obedience competition, but they are not allowed to be used at exemption shows, only open shows. Alternative names are used like starters, triers and hopeful's etc. I saw the obedience ring with a name card and a number one underneath, so naturally (well to me ) thought this was the beginner's class. I haven't worked a dog to obedience for a few years now, and have never entered beginners, as Jessie had a place in her first show, so making her ineligible. I thought it required heelwork on the lead, and a recall with no finish. I was wrong on all counts.

I talked to the judge, explaining my situation and the dog. I though I could train him with food before we started. I was told no food in the ring. I did the heelwork round on the lead, which was not too bad, then was asked to do one off lead; which I thought rather advanced for beginners. This too was done without too many problems. We then had to do the recall, which went fairly well, until she said finish. I though she meant the exercise was finished, but she meant finish the recall, which is to send you dog to heel. So I messed up. I then learned that was class 2, so we still had a chance.

I decided to have a go at the fastest recall, which was a separate, fun event. It was 3 goes for �1. This is always good fun, and the dogs love it. Usually they are just timed on the run, but this time they had to do a sit or down at the end. Because I've taught Barney to run past me, to try and increase his speed, he was slow going into the down, and after he had got the hang of it, he had to start slowing down about half way down the course so he could drop on the line. Later in the day we had another go, where he equaled the time of 4 other dogs. At the end of the day one dog beat this, so we had a run off for second, and he ended up fourth, which was fine. He had to do a long formal recall. That is where you leave your dog in any position, walk away and if the dog moves, and follows you get disqualified. He did that ok, but as he is a tall dog, his sit was slightly slower, just putting us in 4th.

People were still queuing for the beginner's obedience. I have never seen so many. I watched one or two dogs, which were so good they looked as if they could win advanced. I waited and took a turn. I must have been nervous, because I still couldn't seem to follow a simple instruction, anyway we eventually did as asked. Barney must have been distracted by the smell of the other dogs in the ring, as he had his nose to the floor, and I couldn't get any attention. I have never seen his heelwork so bad; not even the first time at class. I finished the heelwork exercises and had the recall. He did it beautifully, with an excellent finish; something noted and commented by the judge and steward.

My lack of experience and length of time since the last competition had been a major factor in our poor showing. Also I had underestimated the number, and high standard of dogs taking part for the first time. Also, because we don't go to class, Barney is unused to working on ground covered by the smell of many dogs. I hope to go again, and will try to work him early, before the ground is covered in scent.

Later in the day we did the stays, which he managed without a problem, despite the large number of dogs in the ring.

In-between were his show classes. He was eligible for three, and I was delighted when she placed him second in the best Crossbreed class. This is the first place he has been awarded in a show type class.

So all in all, it had not been a bad day, I had seen some friends and learned valuable lessons, and he had a second and fourth place at a show with a large number of dogs.