Date: 11/09/2011 |
Firstly, we would like Thank the Dutch Obedience Society for inviting us to judge at this prestigious event. After acceptance of the invitation we commenced work on a round that would challenge the handlers while allowing the dogs to flow and show themselves off. We had a lot of fun practicing and we’d like to thank those who practised the round for us especially those who travelled enabling us to concentrate on our respective tasks.
With two nervous flyers the journey there proved to be entertaining. Di decided to take the easy option and sleep throughout only to wake excitedly on hearing the nervous screams that we were about to land on a Dyke. The tone for the weekend had been set and Miriam and her husband who kindly picked us from the airport must have wondered what had hit them when… Lou got left in the lift and Geraldine announced that she had an unhealthy interest in hugging trees. Little did they know on what Di was yet to unleash and what surprising statistics Lou had to reveal.
The accommodation provided was beyond expectations, the hosts were warm and friendly and we would highly recommend them for future events. The venue had caused the Society some stress due to last minute location changes but the new hall provided a perfect venue for the Championships. On Saturday we all enjoyed judging our respective classes and were pleased to see such highly motivated and positively trained dogs and very good handling. This being an indoor venue meant that even those in the lower classes dressed for the occasion and all looked very smart with their dogs. Throughout the day anything we needed was provided and the hospitality was second to none. It was refreshing to see how friendly and supportive all the competitors were to each other and us. On the Saturday evening there was a lovely buffet and entertainment provided from Roy and Brian McLaden.
Sunday morning dawned bright and early and dressed as Easy Jet cabin crew we excitedly made our way to the venue. The grandeur of the occasion was set with an opening ceremony set to the music of “This is my moment”. Once judging commenced we were treated to some highly motivated and stylish dogs, some smart handling and one who was obsessed with double about turns that made for some entertaining stewarding. The needs of the team were well looked after throughout the day and the competitors said they enjoyed the round.
Having aged 20 years we were taken to dinner where Geraldine unwound with wine, Lou got a little carried away with the Wok experience and Di’s explosions provided much humour. Lou’s statistical revelation meant that the chicken desserts added a fitting end to a fabulous weekend of judging.
The journey home provided even more entertainment when the train broke down; the taxi evicted us in the middle of nowhere leaving our shopping excursion to Amsterdam a little short on time but enough to sample the delights of the City.
CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS
The order of the exercises were: send-away, heelwork, DC, retrieve, stays then scent. Instructions were provided on the table although after the competition we discovered that no one had read them! This may have saved a few competitors unnecessary marks for walking on after turns. The fleece toy retrieve articles were kindly made by Sharan Wickes, many thanks for this as I know the hours of work that went into them. A huge thank you to
my steward Louise Holmes who kept everyone on track and did a great job getting those who went the wrong way back on track accept for one who loved double about turns! And another huge thank you to Geraldine Brown for doing a great job scribing and understanding all my comments.
Final thank you’s go to the scoreboards on the table; Hans Bilius and Karin Hund, scoreboards on the wall; Ellen Reijenga and Bargo Blom; the scent decoys; Joan de Smidt and Roy Page and to all the stay stewards; Krist Crommen, Ria McGovern, Sheilagh Page, Margreet Mynsbergen and Ivonne vld Meer.
1st Guus Scholten with Colliewood Velazquez Giovanni.
What an Exceptional dog shown off to his best by Guus’s smooth and quiet handling. Never have I seen such fluid transitions of pace and pick-ups from ASSD positions. He had the best set exercises of the day performed confidently, energetically and accurately. Gio’s concentration was apparent throughout the entire round which was particularly evident on the send-away pick up where his judgement meant that he met Guus perfectly rather than putting on the breaks last minute which most dogs had done. Many congratulations to a well deserved team.
2nd Annelies v.d. Velde with Di-Luka
What I liked about this team was the balanced and stylish nature of the heelwork, which is often difficult to achieve. This was the younger of Annelis’s dogs and it is a credit to her training that she has two highly placed dogs in the line up working with accuracy and enthusiasm. There were some minor errors on the set exercises however one of the only dogs which had a clear scent.
3rd Annelies V.D. Velde with Twinkles Laddy Boy
Another stylish and balanced round of heelwork, enthusiasm causing minor faults such as crabbing out and over turning on right and about turns. Annelies handling was very smooth which showed off Laddy’s full potential. Very well done and I hope you enjoyed the round as much as I enjoyed watching your dogs.
4th Helen Braak with Quiet-Kuma The lovely White Shepherd
Kuma is not only the prettiest bitch; she also showed the best heelwork I have ever seen from a white shepherd! Helen you worked her with confidence and that showed in the manner in which she worked. Lovely to watch, heelwork position was held beautifully, uncompleted left turns and movement on the stand cost a higher place on the day. Very best of luck with future competitions
5th Brigitte v. Gestel with Twice a Nice Twizzle v. Benvenida’s Joy
A lovely round of heelwork from a very busy little bitch. A couple of turns and changes of position were costly as well as a slow sit and a walk on from Brigitte on the pick up and left turn. Other heelwork faults were miner and showed she could beat the best of them on her day. Lovely sendaway, again Brigitte losing more marks for a walk on after the halt. Retrieve would have been faultless accept for the anticipation on the finish.
6th Annemarie Ibelings with Absolutely Fabulous Phoebe
What a fabulous young bitch. Annemarie you must be so proud of her first performance at the championships. Missing a DC position and a messy retrieve lost
you a much higher place. Excitement at the start of heelwork was costly however the heelwork was on a par with the winning performance. Best of luck for the future and I will watch her progress with interest
7th Steven Vennienwenhugse with Bytchek Esquire
Congratulations Steven on your performance, keenness causing most of the heelwork errors, working slightly forward which caused difficulties on left turns and crabbing out on the straights. You handle very well however the excitement of the environment I felt had an impact on the heelwork as I have seen him work more accurately. Set exercises were lovely, forward movement in DC cost a little. Best of luck for future shows.