Another Lurcher Show at Stradsett Hall

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

The next morning was almost a repeat of Saturday. I was going on the same journey, and then about half as far again. An earlier start was called for, but I was up, washed, dressed and ready in plenty of time. All I had to do was prepare a bit of pack up, as everything was in the van from the previous day.

I had made contact with a young woman through a dog-related site on here. She has 2 Lurchers, and expressed an interest in going to shows, so we had arranged to go and meet today. I rang before I left as we had arranged to do. She said she would be delayed, so I organized to meet her at the showring.

I stopped on the common as before, this time with no problem. I checked my van for water and oil while Barney was on the field over the fence, and in the short time it took me he had finished, so we were quickly away again. This time there were no holdups, and I even reached the venue in the time stated by the route planner. (I was still taking every precaution).

The organizer of the show had kindly sent me two complimentary tickets to get into the fair. She knows my situation, and I appreciated this thoughtful gesture. I gave my ticket to the girl on the gate, giving her the other for Nikki, who was arriving later. I followed the directions around the field to where the show was being held, and instantly recognized some people while parking under a convenient tree. Also the elderly gentleman and his wife who I had seen the previous day arrived at the same time.

I got Barney out and walked over and said hello to my new found friends from the Swaffam show, where I got a friendly welcome, with a bit of lighthearted banter thrown in. I then went over and said hello to the other couple (I wish I could remember peoples names) and was given a muzzle for Barney, which they said I could have for half price. I had told them of my difficulty in finding one at the show yesterday. It was a proper greyhound-racing muzzle, the real mcoy.

I put Barney back in the van, went to the toilet, went back to the van, got Barney out and had a walk round the stalls. Barney seemed relaxed among the noise and bustle, even putting up with the noise of a traction engine, although when the organ started to play he didn't look quite so happy. We walked round and had a look at the stalls, and an event taking place in the ring - I think it was the falconry display. Barney didn't take much notice.

I walked back and had another chat with a few people. I was told there was a delay, as the Judge was unable to come, and a reserve Judge had been sent for. This was to play a major part in our day; although I didn't realize it at the time, fate had just dealt me an ace. While I was waiting around, things unfortunately took a turn for the worse. There was clay pigeon shooting in the adjoining field, and as soon as this started, Barney became a nervous wreck. He just stood shaking. I know not to fuss him, or try and comfort him, as this only rewards his nervousness, making it worse, but he showed no sign of improving after some time. He quickly recovered in the short interludes of quiet however, but it soon commenced again. I noticed it was affecting several dogs, but Barney was the worst.

It was colder than the previous day, and I went back to the van, and changed my coat for my wax jacket. The day before this had been too hot, and with changeable weather I had spent much of the day changing coats. The elderly gent had come in his normal jacket, and had been frozen all day; he had his winter coat on today. It is the coldest July we have known. I had brought yet another coat with me (I have a selection as I make them last a long time, and with 9 years of dog walking, have now got a suitable one for most occasions); the one I needed the day before, but typically didn't need it today.

There is no booking in at Lurcher shows, you just pay �1 in the ring, but with 2 or 3 rings operating, the pace of the show is quite fast, as I had discovered at Swaffam. The show got underway and I entered him in his class, which is for over 23" smooth coated dogs. At first there were only three dogs, giving me hope of getting a place, however several more appeared. We walked around the ring; Barney did walk nicely, although still showed signs of being terrified. While standing him he would not look at me as he normally does, and he really looked unhappy. The judge was calling the competitors to him one at a time. It came to our turn and I trotted Barney to him as best I could in his state. He asked how old Barney was and gave him a good examination, paying particular attention to his feet.

Now because the judges at Lurcher shows have always preferred entire dogs, and discounting Barney because he is neutered, I have got used to no success at these shows. So imagine my surprise when he called us into the final lineup. We were the second to be called, but the places were still to be decided. He had noticed Barney shaking when examining him as he had commented, but still to be in the final lineup. He told the steward the places, and then pointed to us saying FIRST. I still had the presence of mind to say a big thank you, and must have had a really silly grin when the steward told us we would get the rosette later, as they had not arrived. I left the ring in a daze, hearing congratulations from one or two people already.

Just then, a very attractive blue eyed blonde with two lovely dogs approached and introduced herself as Nikki, my friend I had arranged to meet. What on earth she must of thought of me in my state of shock, and delight I don't know. However she introduced me to her mother who had come with her, and so I was to spend the rest of the day in the company of two nice people. As the previous week it is so much easier when you are not on your own.

We had to stay around the show-ring, as I was in the final group for best in show, for the second Saturday in succession. I knew I wouldn't win, but I didn't care in the least. Ever since I have had Barney I have been told by almost everyone what a lovely dog he is, and how well he will do in shows by the people that have experienced them. Well up to now this just hasn't happened. Until Bevs show last week we have never even been placed. I have not entered many shows, and I must repeat I go to shows for the fun, and to give Barney a better life, as well as for socializing myself, but it is still nice to win of course. Although I have won other classes, it is several years since I have won a show class, and have to admit this was very special.

The final group of all the class winners was called in and we took our place. The judge gave Barney another good examination, and did say what a nice dog he was. We were not picked to win the show, but I didn't mind in the slightest. In fact I would have been surprised if we had.

I rejoined my new friends and we had a wander round the stalls. With other distractions, Barney had stopped shaking, but was still not looking very happy. We had a talk, or rather I talked to them (if you remember I talk a lot) and they looked at the stalls. We found one that sold muzzles, typical but it didn't matter now I had the best. After a while we walked over to the obedience ring. I watched one competitor, as I didn't really know what was going on. This was a qualifying event for the National Lurcher Club Show so I was almost certain we wouldn't be placed. I decided to take a turn, but Barney had started shaking again, so I wasn't expecting much, and this time I wasn't surprised. I had just about taught him to retrieve, but then lost it again in the last few days. This was a shame as I hoped to show the Judge, the same lady as at Swaffam we had improved. Barney was even worse than yesterday. He had to jump a net fence and retrieve 2 dummies. The steward nicely suggested the easiest 2 of the 3, but when I threw them over he just stood. I tried to coax him over but he was having none of it, even trying to push his way through the net. I pushed the netting to the floor and got him to step over, but he still would not pick up the dummies, so I told the Judge no. A fail.

Next was a downstay, and I had to walk out of sight. I was to hide behind the tree I had parked under. Barney takes refuge from the guns in my van, so I knew he wouldn't stop. I had not walked far when he got up to follow. Asked by the Judge I tried again and managed to walk to the tree before he got up. Another fail. Next was an interesting test. I had to place him in the down, walk about 5 yards away and a rabbit was pulled across on the lure. I could command him, but he had to stay put. He broke his stay, stopping with an unhappy bewildered look half way to it. Another fail.

The Judge said I could withdraw if my dog was too stressed to carry on. I said we would continue, because I know from experience Barney recovers almost immediately we leave the noise that is frightening him. Then next test I had to put him in a sit and walk forward; the opposite of the rabbit test. I had to throw 3 dummies; one straight; one to the right; one to the left. He had to retrieve the middle one first, going straight to it, before fetching the others, one at a time of course. He failed this as well, wanting to go to the van as he was closest.

The last test involved two rabbits released on elastic. He had to watch me place a net over a hole (I even had trouble doing this simple task) He had to leave the first with the netted hole, and get the second. He left the first, and made a feeble movement to the second.

We had scored 0 or close to it. Just when I needed to impress my new friends, especially as they knew he gained second place last time. HOW do dogs know to show you up so much, just when it matters most. An eminent animal behaviorist actually had his dog do the same. He was meeting a famous writer and celebrity to help her with a problem she had with her dog. It was on a large common and he let his dog out as usual. It could take care of itself, being used to roaming their farm at home. A little later it came back covered in mud from a shallow lake, and he had to put it in the car in disgrace. As he said, it would have been bad enough with an ordinary member of the public.

There was only one more obedience competitor and then the racing was to start. First there was hurdling. Some straw bales were placed across a narrow corridor made of netting. The dogs were taken to one end, and released to the owner at the other, and timed how long it took. Nikki wanted a go with her dogs, which I thought, was good. While she waited her turn I put Barney back in the van again. He was happier there, and I was disappointed, and a little concerned by this turn of events. I had come here to give him a good time, not frighten the life out of him. I needed the toilet again, so left them waiting for a little while, still worrying about Barney, and wondering whether to give him a run in his race.

I got back just in time to see Nikki have her go. It was her attempt with her second dog, and it didn't know what to do and ran out past the fencing. I caught it and told them whose dog it was. They tried again and soon it (sorry Nikki, I don't remember their names or which one it was) got the hang of it and did quite well towards the end. If there had been two goes it would have done well the next time.

We had another look round the stalls, where they found some things to buy. As it was getting late, and she had another dog at home, Nikki said she had better be going. I said cheerio, being happy with my 2 new friends. I walked back to the racing; I had Barney with me, but he showed almost no interest when the lure came past. One of the competitors commented on his lack of interest; a true lurcherman he had noted his fine achievement with his first run at Swaffam. He also congratulated me on our class win.

So with regret, I returned to the van, said goodbye to everyone and left. Before we were out of the grounds of the Hall, Barney had almost totally recovered, becoming excited at the prospect of the ride home, so much so I had to stop and calm him down.

We came home in reasonable time, but did see several cases of bad driving, resulting in several near misses. There is a large roundabout, with multiple exits. There are several traffic lights positioned around it. You need to be in the correct lane, as changing lanes is hazardous due to the amount of traffic. I knew we need to take an early exit, but the lane was marked Wisbeach; I needed Sleaford (A17) At the exit I saw it was the road I wanted; too late. WHY do the people making the signposts think everyone is psychic? I carried on in the wrong lane, ending up going about a mile down a large main road with several no U turn signs until I came to a roundabout to go back. I took little comfort from the realization many others must make this mistake (otherwise why the plethora of no U-turn signs).

I made it home safely and brought all the stuff from the van and dumped it in a pile on the floor. I was ecstatic with my win, but was feeling the strain of the hectic weekend. A quiet week was called for. (And that's my excuse for the lateness of this report, and I'm sticking to it.)