Plus 2 more great days

Barney strutting his stuff.

It is the taking part, not the winning that is important, something I heartily agree with; however today we had to already BE A WINNER to take part, which made it very special indeed.

And again.

I woke up early, and relaxing preparation, led to an easy departure, for this simple journey to Sacrewell Farm near Peterborough. I arrived to find our friends Ann, plus Margaret and Ken already there, and we soon joined them for a cup of tea. There was plenty of time to book in, despite I had forgotten the show started at 11.00am, an hour ahead of the usual time of 12 noon.

Barney paying close attention.

There was a SCAMPS heat first, so the well subscribed 4 classes gave ample time to enter the other events on offer. I showed him off in the good dog test, and the adult handler competition; later going to the fastest recall and retrieve. Although being in an enclosed, fenced run he tried really hard for once, putting up a time to gain second. I think his hare chasing of the past week had paid dividends. Possibly because Jason Framingham was running the event (he is the author of the book 'The Pet Owners Guide to the Lurcher') the Lurcher recall was well subscribed to for once, with most of the many Lurchers in attendance having a go. I also had a go at fastest retrieve, much to the delight and amusement of onlookers. Liz was running this at the time. Barney ran down, then half way back before stopping to 'kill' the stuffed toy. If only he would bring it back to me we may have had a place, which may have even been 1st.

And hopefully impressing the judge.

The SCAMPS heat concluded, and we were quickly called to the ring for the Supreme Championship competition. My nerves had almost disappeared, so proudly stepped in with Barney. I counted 14 dogs, and all were in superb condition. None would have looked out of place at the finals of any international dog show. We were placed in a line, roughly from the smallest to the largest. I was standing next to one of my friends, so we amiably chatted while the judge called all the dogs up, to give them a thorough examination, and watch them paraded in the triangle. As the dogs were placed roughly in size we were nearly the last to be called. I confidently walked up with Barney, and had a little chat with the judge, while she examined Barney, answering any questions she asked about him. I don't know if Barney sensed the occasion or not, but while walking the triangle with him, he has never behaved better, nor shown himself so well. I was truly proud of him, and returned to my place in the line with a great sense of achievement.

My friends in the ring.

While first examining the dogs, I saw the judge looking with great interest at the dog next to us, a Black Lab x that looked superb. I had even mentioned to my friend that it was the winner, and sure enough it was.

Barney posing for a photo.

The rest of the day was quiet by comparison. I had entered into a few more classes, but despite 2 rings being in operation, the judges were taking their time, so as it was almost 5.00pm and I had taken part in everything on offer, I decided to come home after only 2 classes had taken place. We had not won or placed in a show class, but I later found out I had achieved 4th in Gentleman Handler, and 5th in Fastest Recall for Lurchers. Most of the numerous Lurchers in attendance had taken part, so this was no small feat in an enclosed run.

Margaret standing Wilf for the judge.

Ann had left SCAMPS after the Supreme Championship competition to attend another show her friend was holding near her home. 3 weeks later I traveled South again to visit her, and help and take part in a show she had organized, to provide funds for homing the Greyhounds from the local track where she works. An early departure saw us arrive at the venue in plenty of time, to find a flustered Ann starting to set up, with no other 'staff' having yet arrived. She had no need to worry however, as the day unfolded to a super show. I was helping by stewarding one of the 3 rings, finding time to show Barney in his Lurcher class of over 23inch smooth coat dog. He was gifted a win, and only us and one other dog took part, however we could have come second (smile).

The judge gets Barney's attention.

I had been invited to spend the weekend with her, and her dogs (see guestbook entry). We spent a very pleasant weekend, coming home late on the Monday evening, even being pressed to stay for another night.

And examines him thoroughly.

The next weekend was the Peterborough show. As you may by now know, this is my favourite day out of the year, and this year was no exeption. Although not expecting to, nor winning anything I had another super day. Our friend from near Boston joined us later in the day, and we competed in 2 obedience competitions, as well as the race.

Barney at Boston.

Barney had not run in a lure race since last year, but had been having plenty of exercise. He has a new friend at home in Muppet, a standard poodle, whom he actually plays with. Their running around must have played a large part in his fitness, because in the race he was a close 4th out of 7 dogs. The winner being a regular at the northern tracks.

Another pose at Boston.

After the run he continued back to the start, then back again, before running around with a Saluki x (what else). Just at the end I noticed him stumble, and he came limping back...Oh dear! I discovered he had possibly pulled a toe on his right front foot, however he only limped for a couple of days, and the swelling on the joint has nearly gone......so no lasting damage.

Barney with Ann at SCAMPS, Ken is next to her.

For the rest of the day, we had the usual enjoyment of the stalls, the small animal shows in the large sheds, meeting old friends, and new ones from the net. Even the cold wind failed to dampen my enthusiasm. After the obedience a few people came up and spoke to us, becoming interested in Barney with my pleasant reply. Although there was never any chance of winning, as much of the obedience was about retrieving, Barneys delightful heelwork had been noticed, although he was far from his best. He had however completed 2 out of sight downstays, a superb achievement, as I had not asked him to do one for some considerable time.

So we returned home following our friend, stopping at a pub for an evening meal, rounding off another delightful day, leaving me wondering why everyone doesn't own a Lurcher, and spend a day out at a show with them.