Date: 20/07/2009 |
Class: Open C
Judge B McGovern. Steward Krist. Score board Benie vd Casteele
Many thanks to Monique and Lucie for the invitation to judge and for the excellent hospitality. Also thanks to Krist, Guus and Benie for stewarding and score boarding for me. Also thanks to my decoys.
The overall standard today was disappointing, and for the first time in many years keen, motivated dogs were the minority rather than the majority. Of course it could have just been an off day, but with a few exceptions the canine eye candy was noticeable by its absence today.
Sadly we also saw dogs showing lack of confidence and apathy in the ring today and that is sad. Holland has built the reputation for producing motivated stylish dogs. It wasn’t the main feature today, but I have every confidence that there are enough handlers that still have the right priorities and that during our next visit they will be back the usual happy stylish dogs we always look forward to seeing.
1st. Guus Scholten met Colliewood Velazquez Giovanni (Working Sheepdog)
One of the exceptions to the above comments was Gio. I have never seen this dog give anything but 100%. Guus has done a superb job of training Gio. We all know that his heelwork is controversial with some judges and that so much style can cause a dippy back end, but today it was just right, oozing style and technically correct to match. Well done Guus.
2nd. Annelies van de Velde met Twinkle's Laddy Boy (Working Sheepdog)
An attractive round from Laddy & Annelies however I would prefer to see them up the tempo a bit. I think this would make the whole round look better and would also reduce the back end movement that was so expensive.
3rd. Greet Vink met Sealight Boryck O.W. (Border Collie)
Boryck was one of the first dogs to compete regularly in the UK and has probably crossed the channel more time than any other Dutch Obedience dog. It is nice to see he is still competing in Holland.
4th. Mia Bosschaart met Mamamia's Tyke (Working Sheepdog)
Not the best round I have ever seen this team do. Everything seemed to lack a little oomph today. However they have nothing more to prove and even on an “off” day managed to get in the cards.
5th. Pleun van der Ster met Thisisblizz Albion's March (Border Collie)
Mistakes in the sit stay and DC cost this team a couple of places today. On another day who knows……..
6th. Greet Vink met Kyrill v. Berlare (Border Collie)
When judging we can only comment on what we see in the ring. We might be witnessing a completely different round than what is normally produced. However I really felt that this dog should have received some help today. He was struggling with the round and looked very unhappy indeed.
7th. Melissa Vercauter met Demma of the Action Farm (BSD Tervueren)
Unfortunately not the best of days for this team, with problems during the stays and a failed scent. Once again, on another day, without the major failures, who knows…….
Class: B
Judge B McGovern. Steward Guus Scholten. Score board Benie vd Casteele
1st. Henk Eekman & Borders for Joy Freedom of Faith (Border Collie)
A nice attractive round with lots of little inaccuracies rather that a major fault. The start in heelwork cost 2 of the 7¼ lost in heelwork. Ria & I were puzzled that this team withdrew while in the lead in A with only scent to do and then went for the win in B. We never did find out why. Congratulations and well done.
2nd. Bianca vd Post & Nice of you to Come Bye Eager Wizard (Border Collie)
This dog had good motivation and enthusiasm, but was a bit too loose for my taste. A stand instead of sit at two of the halts in heelwork was expensive. However, the dog had great attitude which bodes well for the future.
3rd. Greet Vink met Kyrill v. Berlare (Border Collie)
Without wishing to rub salt in the wound, the comments made in my C report apply equally to this class. There is no shame in taking a step back and helping a dog when it needs it.
4th. Rineke Smit met Tika Jillaroo Uluru (Australian Kelpie)
Running on in the S/A, hesitation during heelwork and slow pace that was too fast for me were the main weaknesses in this round. However no major faults, so well done.
5th. Gino Dewitte met My Sweet Devil's Eye Encke (Border Collie)
I would prefer to see tighter heelwork and this cost points in slow, fast and normal pace. However most points were lost because the dog deviated and dropped at the front right marker.
6th. Martine Verhoeven met Comanchero of the Two Roses (Doberman)
This dog was 6th under me the last time that I judged B in Holland. The dog certainly looked happy to be working, but crabbed very badly throughout the heelwork. Martine was disappointed with broken stays and a failed scent.