The Exemption at Oundle

The Showring!

Rosettes from Outwell Fun Show

After an uneventful journey, we arrived at the venue an hour early. Recent years have seen my punctuality suffer, and I always seem to end up rushing to catch up. After saying hello to the few people about we had a walk through Oundle. This small Northamptonshire town is very pretty; it's stone buildings nestling in the rolling countryside. The last CMC show was held close by, but this was the first time I had been here. Hardly more than a village, it boasts some lovely buildings, with at least 2 churches, along with the school, and a rather magnificent new all weather sports building, adjacent to the field the show was held in.

Barney was immediately admired by a lady in the local dog rescue tent, and after a while chatting to her, and others on the few stalls, we went over and booked into the classes we could enter. Exemption shows, especially ones with obedience are notoriously difficult to organize, as competitors often find themselves needing to be in 3 places at once. This one was better than most, having a clearly defined timetable.

Regular followers of our exploits will know my apparent lack of observation, as I forever seem to miss the class we are in, or are always in the wrong place. Today I was definitely going to struggle, but the helpful schedule of events, along with excellent stewards helped us to be where we were supposed to be.

The field was a school sports field with large paved areas, as well as the grassed ones. I was a little disappointed to see the obedience rings were on the paved ones, as Barney does not like sitting on hard, stony surfaces; however the stays were to be held on the ring set up on grass. This was for the Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze Award, something I have not yet done so this was my first port of call. This is a small test for pet dog owners to try and encourage responsible ownership. On entering, I was given a comprehensive and professional leaflet. If anyone should like to look just email me and I will scan it and send you it.

We completed the test nicely, after a little wait for a lady, who wanted a 'demonstration', which I was happy to do; however we had finished when she returned after watering her numerous dogs. I presented the poo bag from my pocket, entered through the gate with Barney behind and walked him nicely around the ring. I had to leave and call him, which was easy as he just followed me, did a short downstay and groomed him. He also had to allow the judge to examine his ears, eyes, teeth and feet. I was also asked simple questions for his well being.

I then went past the obedience rings, checking each one, as I didn't want to make the mistake of mixing beginners and intermediate as I have in the past. I practiced his warm-up and found he had no trouble sitting on the hard surface. He also seemed fairly attentive, so I went to the beginners ring and waited a turn. This quickly came and he did a nice little round. Pleased with this I walked across to see how the show was progressing in the 2 showings. Still a little wait for our classes so I had a cup of tea and one of the best bacon and egg butties I have had from a refreshment stall.

Walking back to the showring I enquired which class was taking place. I must have asked the wrong person, as he said the previous class to the one we were in; the steward soon pointed out this oversight. There was still plenty of time, as the judge had not finished examining the dogs in the ring. When I came out of the ring my number was called, as I was needed to do the obedience stays. The show classes were to be stopped to allow these to be done, but they were early for some reason. Barney did these for beginners' ok, but broke his sit, lying down for the intermediate stays; he was getting tired. Thankfully we had not done a very good round in that ring so nothing was lost. A bit lucky there.

I went back to the showring, and had a pleasant chat with a newfound friend, telling her all about the CMC, and wrote the details down for her to join. We entered 2 more classes, with Barney being awarded 3rd place in handsomest dog. There was a large entry into this class, and I was rather surprised and pleased to get anything. There was the usual pedigree dominated attitude here, although the novelty judge was very friendly. The show is an annual event, held by the local club, and most people attending belonged to this, or the neighbouring one, and most people already knew one another.

Usually with dog shows, the more important the win, the less the prize. Last week we got a rosette, a trophy and a bag of dog food just for walking in the ring and standing for about 5 minutes. This week we only got a rosette, for the second place in obedience, which involves 3 years hard work training. I have to admit I was slightly disappointed not to win, as we now have to move up to the next class, with little chance of ever winning obedience, as it is a higher standard. However an email I received this morning put a smile on my face, for it reminded me of how hard it is to win obedience with a sighthound. They are a long dog, and any slight deviation from position is immediately obvious, so have to be more precise than most dogs. It is also the highest place I have had in obedience with both my dogs.