Date: 25/6/11 |
Many thanks to The Dutch Obedience Society for the invite to judge for you today, this was my 4th year of judging in the Netherlands, and yet again it has left me with many memories to savour, it was a great pleasure to meet all my Dutch & Belgian friends once again and to make some new friends too. As in previous years we stayed with Greet & Edd Vink, they made us feel so welcome that we were sad to leave when Sunday arrived, their hospitality is warm and genuine, I count myself very lucky to be invited and it was a privilege to have been given this opportunity to return, our hosts ensured we were very comfortable indeed. This year Andrea Little accompanied me as Bob Beesley was otherwise engaged (Make sure available next year Bob), this was Andrea’s first time judging in the Netherlands, an experience I know she thoroughly enjoyed, I would like to thank Andrea for being great company, a superb travelling companion and much nicer to look at than Bob, as a nervous flyer I know you didn’t find it easy getting on the plane, but all power to you, you did it and I didn’t end up with any bruises!! Well not big ones anyway!!! I hope you take up the kind offer to return.
Thanks must also go to Krist for taking us to Bruges on Sunday, and for guiding us round, showing us all the hidden away places only a native would know, you also ensuring we didn’t miss our flight home.
I judged two classes today and the standard was good, in previous years the weather at times has been too hot, today heat was not a problem, it was cold and wet, with a stiff wind at times. As is usually the case it rained until judging was finished and then it stopped, thankfully I had decided to bring my good waterproofs with me.
The competitors (more of whom I feel I can now call friend), gave us a very warm welcome and the atmosphere was relaxed if somewhat damp! but at times we still managed a laugh, Thanks to all of you for your friendship, I look forward to returning again.
The prize giving was at the end of Judging and was very enjoyable, Many thanks for the gifts, I have put the D.O.S. Badge on the Holland baseball cap that I was kindly given last year.
And so to the results:
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CLASS ‘A’.
RING STEWARD: Inge De Graauw. SCOREBOARD: Anja De Pachter.
Many thanks to Inge for stewarding this class, your stewarding was excellent and without fault and your company was greatly appreciated.
Thanks also to Anja, for keeping everyone in order; looking after the scoreboard and sorting out my paperwork, your help was greatly appreciated.
The standard in this class was very good, but some silly mistakes in Scent and the Set exercises were very costly to some teams.
1st Henk Eekman & BRITT DARA VAN’T OLDE SALLAND.G.S.D. (Britt)
Henk must enjoy me coming to the Netherlands to judge as he always seems to well in my class, His handling today was yet again almost faultless, with only minor faults from Britt for me to mark. Henk’s attention to detail shows in the accuracy of his work in the ring.
CONTRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK.
2nd Margreet Mijnsbergen & DJINGA FROM GO-GETTERS. G/Ret. (Djinga)
This round was an exhibition of teamwork at its best and without the body signals/head nods this team would have got a lot closer to the red one. This is a team who I feel are sure to progress.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
3rd Timoty De Cleyn & BONO GERONIMO’S TRIBE. G.Munsterlander.(Bono)
Lots of promise in this round, Bono’s exuberance sometimes making it hard work for Timoty, but this team look good together and I feel that if Bono’s willingness to work can be channelled in the right direction this team can go far.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
4th Ineke Happee & NICE OF YOU TO COME BYE SKEEZER. B/C. (Skeezer).
This was a super round and with a better scent this team would have pushed the eventual winner all the way. Skeezer redeemed himself when this team won my ‘B’ class, so all in all they had a good day.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
5th Rose Dewulf & BEKKIS YOURS FAITHFULLY. B/C. (Popin)
This team put in the best round of the day, only to fall at the final hurdle, when a messy scent cost them dearly. Sort the scent and I’m sure the wins will follow.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
6th Mieke Peynaerts & SWIFTY. B/C
Swifty by name and Swift by nature, another pleasing round with most mistakes caused by over exuberance, with just a little more control this is a team who can fly.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
7th Carola Van Tilburg & LUNA TALE GYHRO. B/C. (Gyhro)
Always a pleasure to Judge Carola and today was no exception, Gyhro knows the job to be done and Carola’s handling makes this a team in the true sense of the word. Just slight wides in heelwork, a silly pick-up in retrieve & a messy scent cost you dearly today.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
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CLASS ‘B’.
RING STEWARD: Annemarie Ibelingo. SCOREBOARD: Marie Vanuxem.
DECOY STEWARD: Margreet Mynsbergen.
Many thanks to Annemarie for stewarding for me today, your stewarding was faultless and professional, your company was also appreciated.
Thanks to Marie for sorting out the scoreboard, organising the competitors and keeping my paperwork in order. Thanks also go to Margreet my decoy when scent came round; your help was greatly appreciated.
1st Ineke Happee & NICE OF YOU TO COME BYE SKEEZER. B/C. (Skeezer).
This was an exhibition of teamwork from start to finish, your heelwork was pleasing to watch and even with mistakes in sendaway you managed to hold it all together, a good scent ensured you gained the win.
CONTRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK.
2nd Jenke Labots & JOYFUL STEPPING V. BENVENIDA’S JOY. B/C. (Dean).
Without the extra commands and the bark & non sit at the end of heelwork from Dean this team would have won, that said they were more than worthy of this place and are sure to progress.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
3rd Henk Eekman & BRITT DARA VAN’T OLDE SALLAND.G.S.D. (Britt)
As I have already said in my ‘A’ report, Henk’s handling ensures Britt can do his best. Without the untidy sendaway this team would have done the double today.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
4th Carola Van Tilburg & LUNA TALE GYHRO. B/C. (Gyhro)
This was a frustrating round for both Carola & Myself, Gyhro has the knowledge and training to win ‘B’, but does insist in throwing silly mistakes into the round. I’m sure one day Gyhro will concentrate fully and win easily.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
5th Rick Van Veeren & SEALIGHT IT’S A MAGIC MIRACLE. B/C.(Magic).
It was a great pleasure judge Rick & Magic today, the ring work was good and without the mistakes in sendaway & the movement in stays they could have got very close indeed.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
6th Rineke Smit & TIKA JILLAROO ULURU. Aus Kelpie. (Tikka).
This team’s heelwork was super, but their set exercises & stays let them down, sort out your sets and your heelwork is as good as any you’ll see anywhere.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
7th Rose Dewulf & BEKKIS YOURS FAITHFULLY. B/C. (Popin).
Another team who’s set exercises and stays spoil their super heelwork, you have loads of potential but you need to sort the set exercises out.
WELL DONE & GOOD LUCK.
Thanks once again to Monique & all at The Dutch Obedience Society for the kind invitation and for your kind hospitality. A massive thanks to Greet & Edd for looking after us so well, I look forward to seeing you both, just before Christmas. Thanks to those who accompanied us for a Chinese meal, in the biggest Chinese restaurant I have ever been in(500 Seats!!in the Zeelandhall),the food was excellent and the company even better.
Before I finish thanks must also go to Edd and his small band of stay stewards for a job well done.
Finally thanks to all competitors for not keeping me waiting, for entering under me and for accepting my decisions so sportingly, I’m sure I’ll see most of you at Crufts next march, if not I’ll see you next June in Axel.
As I said last year I hope Those who venture to England receive as warm a welcome as Andrea & I did in Holland and I look forward to seeing you all in the future.
Cheers Steve Rutter.