Sleaford Exemption Show - Success At Last

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

It never ceases to amaze me how the most promising day out can deteriorate into a nightmare, while another, offering nothing more than a dull outing, turns into a dream event.

The venue was only half an hours drive and an 11.00am start meant there was no need to hurry. The weather forecast was for a warm day, with occasional heavy showers, so coats and umbrellas were needed. I packed lunch and the usual bag and left early, stopping off at the common to give Barney exercise and do a spot of training. There had been a brief shower and low cloud dictated we did not stray far from the cover of the van. Shortly after setting off it started to rain, adding to my lack of enthusiasm. As this was a fairly local show, some of the organizers and competitors were people we knew. There is no problem with this; it is just I do not see 'eye to eye' with a few, being the outspoken and self-opinionated person that I am.

The rain stopped just before we arrived, and I was greeted at the gate by a young woman who had been in our class at the club last year, and who I had got on with very well. I parked, again in convenient shade and walked across to say hello; where Barney got his enthusiastic welcome. I had a walk round to the booking in tent, taking particular notice of the purpose of the rings. I MUST know which events were to take place in the several that had been set up; another mistake would be inexcusable today. In fact a very amusing thing happened the night before. I was lying on the settee with Barney, and I said to him 'now, do you think we can work as a team tomorrow and get it right so we stand a chance.' He looked up at me with such an expression, as if to say 'well that's a bit rich coming from you. You are usually the one letting the side down'. I couldn't help but smile, thinking how right he was.

We found the booking in tent, being pleasantly greeted by the ladies, who already knew me. On the way he had already had one or two admiring comments from the stalls when we passed them, one particularly nice one from the Greyhound Rescue tent. Walking back to the van I had another pleasant surprise to see Dr Roger Mugford was attending. He is the eminent animal behaviorist and television celebrity; the person I will always be indebted to for solving Jesse's worst problem. Being a very pleasant man, it is always a pleasure to talk to him and was something I regretted missing at the clashing shows the other week; although as Barney had won his class at the Lurcher show I had done the correct thing in attending.

When he had set up his small stand I walked over to say hello before he got busy. He attends the RSPCA shows on a voluntary basis with his 'Potty Pets Clinic'. If anyone has not read his books, which are a must for all dog and animal lovers, they can be obtained from him at - The Company Of Animals He said hello, astounding me in saying he remembered meeting me from his first visit to Lincoln. Jessie was 7, so it must be four years ago. He did say hello in passing when I saw him at the same venue, which I attended shortly after losing her 2 years ago. It is more likely he remembered me from the nightmares he gets when having to come to Lincoln; in case I go to the show and he has to listen to me waffling on (smile), rather than as a person with a vibrant personality and sharp wit. However we had a pleasant few minutes where he admired Barney and advised on his two small problems, of being headstrong when away from me, and being frightened of noises. He said we didn't want to spoil his chase instinct, and offered a CD of sound effects for the other. Unfortunately I would have to play it so loudly it would start a war with the neighbours, and so we will just have to cope with this fear another way.

After a few minutes very pleasant chat, we left after shaking hands and exchanging cards. I gave him one to join Barney's fan club and he gave me one of his businesses ones. We walked over to the obedience ring, where the judge and her steward were just setting up. Learning from the experience at the last exemption show I wanted to work Barney early, although did not particularly want to be first. I had a word with the Judge, a very pleasant mature lady, and in fact offered an opinion for the test, which was appreciated and accepted. Later she said she had been very nervous to judge the beginner's class, as she had not done so for some time, and was not sure what standard of dogs to expect. She need not have worried, as she remarked at the end of the day, while giving out the awards.

I walked back to the van and had a drink, trying to settle my own nerves. I was not too bad, as I did not expect much from the show today; especially after seeing some of the competitors I had secretly hoped might stay at home with the wet forecast. Barney declined the offer of a drink, so we went back, only to find no one had yet entered. I volunteered to be first. We did the short round with Barney performing well, although not his best. He was lagging behind on several occasions, and when we did the recall, which we opted to do off lead, he came and sat straight, but them plonked his bum to the side. The judge commented on his nice round, adding a small piece of advice on how we could improve by my just waiting at the start until he had got up from the sit. With a food reward in training this is usually unnecessary so I welcomed this advice. She asked my opinion on the scoring which really pleased me, as I must have looked a competent handler.

We left the ring, our fate sealed and dependent on other competitors, and on Barney doing his stays correctly, which would be much later in the day. I walked around the showground, meeting and talking to several people about our dogs, and did they know Roger Mugford was here and had they taken the opportunity to see him etc. I walked back to the next obedience ring of which I had elected to take part. This would only be for experience, as I had seen there were plenty of dogs here that were of a far higher standard than we were. By this time a Que. had formed, and when our turn came it was lunchtime. I looked at our marks of the beginners class, and found we were still heading the list after several dogs had competed; I did not get overexcited by this though, as I knew there were several experienced dogs and handlers of a high standard to come.

I went back to the van again, having my lunch and a well needed rest. After a while we wandered around the showground, stopping by a ring setting up for agility and flyball display. After watching for a while the Novelty classes started in the next ring. With increasing cloud and the odd spot of rain, the promised showers were upon us. I had returned to the van to fetch an umbrella, and then found I needed a coat as well, as the rain suddenly increased. I returned in time for our first class, Best Condition and entered the ring well prepared. A rumble of thunder had Barney backing out from the shade of the umbrella, causing him to get soaked. As the rain increased, the judge quite rightly told us to postpone for a little while and take shelter. We found shelter in the Greyhound rescue tent, where 2 young girls started drying Barney with a towel. After only a few minutes the rain stopped and we resumed our place in the ring. I still had a soggy dog.

Looking across the showground I saw the Beginners Obedience were holding the stays - how on earth was I supposed to be in two places at once. I told the judge what I had to do and walked to the obedience ring to do the stays. He only had to do a 1/2 minute sit and a 1 minute down, which all the dogs did perfectly; I had hoped all except Barney would get up. I went back to the showring and found there was still time to enter, soon being called up by the judge, who was a Scotsman with kilt and full Scottish dress. I walked Barney up and stood him properly, but must admit to being a little despondent; I mean things appeared to be going wrong again. I had no need to worry however. I completed the triangle as asked, although Barney seemed a bit flat, and was still looking a little bedraggled. The judge, a canny Scot was no fool and had been watching the dogs in the showground, not only in the ring. I learned a long time ago the show starts when you enter the showground not enter the ring. Now I know you always like the judge that picks you as the winner, but he was a competent judge. He called me to the centre of the ring, and then, to my immense surprise, placed us first. This one was special. Best Condition is the equivalent of Best in Show for all non-pedigree dogs at an exemption show, although some may dispute this. However it meant Barney was the dog in the best condition of all the dogs at the show - well the ones entered in the class, and there were a lot in this one.

I received the rosette, medal and bag of food prize, and walked out of the ring in a daze. I walked back to the van to stash the loot, leaving the rosette in view on the dashboard; also leaving the medal, which was meant to be worn. There was plenty of time as there was another class before our next one, which was Best Crossbreed. On entering the ring I was placed to one side as the judge had already seen us, and it was another large class. Most people with crossbreeds don't enter Best Condition, as it is rare for a non-pedigree dog to win. After examining the dogs he had not seen before he called me to the centre again. I took my place in the line, thinking I was third, and was moved to the front to receive another win, with first place rosette, medal and prize. I walked out of the ring with several people congratulating me, feeling rather embarrassed to be walking off with all the first places.

The show was far from over and there were a few classes before our next one, I spent the time talking to several people, being surprised that most of them had witnessed our wins, although they must have wondered at my gabbling in my excited state. We entered the remaining classes we had booked into, and the judge, quite rightly gave the awards to other dogs. Many of the dogs are of the same standard, after all it is only the judges opinion, but one dog usually stands out as being the best dog around, and today it was Barney.

A few years ago it was common for crossbreed and mongrels to be segregated at these shows, and it was not unusual for the judge and steward to be overheard saying not to bother with them. Lurchers were seen as lower than even these dogs, and were frowned upon if daring to encroach on this 'hallowed ground'. The formation of the Crossbreed & Mongrel Club has gone a long way to improving this situation, but to win with a Lurcher at an Exemption show, which is the lowest rung on the ladder to Crufts, is still rather special. A little like the actor in the school video getting an Oscar over the Hollywood production.

Walking back to the obedience ring I found our score had been beaten by a lower one. This was no surprise and I was in no way disappointed. The fastest recall had started and we went over and had a go. Barney put in a good run, and I think was the fastest at that time, however he was to be beaten by a boxer later on. There was only one prize, but I was content with this. Experience has taught me it does not always do to go home with most of the first prizes; friendship and socializing are far more important.

We walked back to the Obedience ring as the competition was about to finish. We had to do a run off, which only consisted of a recall. Although slow in coming he did a very good one, which was nice, although unnecessary, as the other competitor had not turned up, probably having left the show; so we got an automatic 4th place. Given the circumstances this was the best result we could hope for. We are not of a high enough standard to get first, and to get second or third would have meant we would have been ineligible to take part in Beginners again. The judge commented on how nice our round had been, also on the high standard of the 30 dogs that had competed. None had broken their stays, and she said it was normal for about a 1/4 to do this. In fact she said the overall standard of the dogs was the highest she had known, and we were to be very proud of our achievement.

I waited until nearly the end of the show, being in no rush to leave and talking to several people, before coming home. Despite my lowly expectations, this one was special.

I sent Jane Ellen, the judge for the obedience an E-mail to thank her for her support and kind words. I have received a reply and this is what she says about us.

How nice to get your email... I'm so glad Monday was such a special day for you both. That's what shows are all about... Enjoying the day out.
Barney worked very well with you... I was very impressed. Do keep it up as you could hold your own in any Pre-Beginner Class at an Open Show. If Barney can Retrieve, you can enter Beginners too.