TRAINING DAY AND GET TOGETHER

HELD AT STEVE’S HOME IN EAST HOATHLY ON SUNDAY JUNE 5TH 2011

 

After all the wonderful weather that we have been having, we could have been forgiven if we had all left our gazebos, marquees and waterproofs at home when attending the Training Day, but luckily we are ‘British’ and know how things can change in minutes – unfortunately this is what happened but it did not dampen the spirits of the organisers or those who attended!

The day began at 10am with the usual bacon butties available – still dry weather at that time – these were very popular once again and warmed up those who arrived nice and early.  Over 60 tickets had been pre-sold and as they began to arrive and were greeted by our ‘meet and greet’ team each dog was given a group to be in for the morning..

Steve welcomed everyone and the ‘training’ started around 11.15am, there was a Trimming demonstration, Gundog training, Obedience training and Show Ring for beginners. The groups circulating around to each of these disciplines before the usual wonderful lunchtime spread was offered to all – by this time the rain was with us in earnest and most  retired to the various ‘covered’ areas to eat.

Fortified by this food ‘volunteers’ were then organised by Steve - whose fantastic directional skills were in evidence – to lift and move the large marquee to cover the ‘show ring’ – pics for your delectation are on the website!!

The afternoon was to be taken up with a fun show judged by Barbara Ordish of the famous Goldsprings Kennel, who had agreed to run the rule over the dogs despite having actually retired from judging.  However before this could begin there was a very special announcement from Steve, his Sh Ch Llon Daranfollt (Taran) was 16 years of age and a superb ‘dog friendly’ cake had been commissioned from Janey Sutherland to celebrate the occasion.  Taran thought it was quite wonderful and proceeded to eat the beginning of his name before anyone else could get a look in! Each dog thoroughly enjoyed a slice and then the ‘show’ began.

There were classes for new handlers, those who had never shown a dog, dogs that had never been shown, dogs much too young to be shown and for puppies of 6-12 months and then a class for males and one for females.  Barbara sorted the well filled classes out with aplomb and finally made Sandy White’s Clay the Best Dog, Janey Sutherland’s Nell Best Bitch and Kim Stone’s Merlot and Gordon Randall’s Saffie  won the puppy classes.  Finally Barbara awarded Best in Show to Nell and Best Puppy in Show to Saffie  to a great round of applause, ending a lovely day.

Special awards were made in the training groups and these were awarded as follows:

Obedience  Saffie, Connor, Merlot and Nell

Working       Best Junior Handler – owner of Ruby (no name recorded):

                      Most Promising Puppy – Tron:

                      Novice Handler – Emma Buckwell

                      Most Promising Adult Handler – Sarah O’Connor .

 

A few attempted the Good Citizens Bronze Award, but these were just youngsters and they struggled with the one minute stay, none of them quite making the grade on the day – next year perhaps?

 

Tea and cakes were served before everyone left to fight with the traffic as they wended their weary way home, all happy and the cars full of very tired dogs.

 

Special thanks must go to:

 Pam Wren (our Catering Manager Supreme) who organised the super lunch.

Janey Sutherland who provided the cakes for tea, and the cake for Taran.

Steve Pick who explained how to show off your dog to the best advantage

Emma Wren and Julie Revill for the Trimming Demonstration and who clipped dogs’ nails for a small charge.

Sandie White and Debbie Channon for the working Training

Pam Clarke for the obedience training. 

The success of the day also owes much to those who willingly help the club and amongst those we would like to thank are Steven Warren for providing and erecting the marguees, We shouldn’t forget Derrick, Janice Lansley’s partner, who must be all of 6ft 4ins and was therefore an asset when it came to hanging the bunting!  Finally a big thank you to Matt, Emma Buckwell’s partner, who attempted to fill the craters dug by Steve’s dogs in the lawn -  some people get all the plum jobs!!!

 

Grateful thanks to all the Committee who mostly arrived at 8am to help set up, worked hard all day and did not leave until around 5pm – a long day but an enjoyable one for those who attended we hope.