SCAMPS 2001 - The Mixed Breeds Crufts

The Showring!

Rosettes from SCAMPS

After another year of surprises at shows, I set off to SCAMPS with no preconceived ideas of how we would do, or what the day would bring. I was not to be disappointed however, as this was the most enjoyable SCAMPS I have attended.

The location of the venue is only about 50 miles away, and close to other venues we attend. There have been five shows within 15 miles of each other; this is just coincidence, as the organizers of 2 of them are in no way connected to the others.

It is a simple journey, which we completed in good time on this nice Sunday morning. Arriving in plenty of time, I parked at the showring, right next to our friends from Norfolk who have Lurchers. I got out and after saying hello, walked around and found more friends to talk to. Several people came and said hello, some I was seeing for the first time this year. Our good friend Ann arrived and set up at the ringside. I have got a couple of blankets for just this purpose so could sit alongside. It is so much easier when you are on your own to be with a group, who can look after each others dogs for a few minutes, while fetching refreshments etc.

The show started with the SCAMPS heats...large classes, as this is the national show. We were in the third heat, so had quite a wait. We filled this by taking a turn at the ringcraft dog handling competition taking place in a separate ring behind us. I took Barney in, but was surprisingly poor. I had not realised how the heelwork training I had done would confuse him when asked to walk on my other side, which we are required to do for ringcraft to show the dog on the side of the judge. We were only allowed one turn each, although could have another go with a different dog.

I had another walk around, chatting to even more people we knew; what a pleasant way to spend a Sunday. On returning to our little group at the ringside, Ann suggested she take Barney into the ringcraft competition. She showed him differently to me, making him work by holding his head up with the lead. Also she is not restricted to walking as I am, and must admit he did look a picture as he trotted by her side.

A little later she was in a run off with here own dog, which she won with Barney. At the end of the day she had to compete with him again, and won the event overall. I only got 5th in the gentleman's section, and most entrants were female.

I had entered him in SCAMPS and was delighted to be awarded 2nd place. It was a very large class, I think 24 dogs were entered in all, as we were split into 2 groups, so to be in the final lineup was an achievement, never mind getting 2nd. To add to the pleasure was the fact I was second to Ann and one of her dogs, who went on to win the overall SCAMPS heat. She had qualifying both here dogs, quite an achievement as there are only 15 places for the Supreme Champion.

We were also placed 3rd in Most Handsome Dog, 5th in Best Rescue, and got second in fastest recall for Lurchers. Despite several attempts I just couldn't motivate him to run very fast. So we came home after a very enjoyable day with our friends, and with the highest ever placing in a SCAMPS heat, and at the National show at that. Although we had not won anything today, he had helped Ann win best handler, and now has a trophy shelf at someone else's house, with a lovely rosette and shield.