The Laird does it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off we went to Belgium to try our luck at getting his 2nd foreign CACIB. There were 9 in his class and he was shortlist to the last 4. Then he was chosen as first! Having to wait until the rest of the dogs were judged was very nerve racking. Eventually we went in to challenge for the CACIB. The judge picked him very quickly, and we were asked to stand in the corner whilst she chose the RCACIB. I said I didn’t care where we stood I was so happy.
After all the bitches were jugded and the CACIB was awarded, we went back in for Best of Breed. This was awarded to the bitch. I didn’t mind in the least!! I got what I came for. The Laird is now an International Show Champion (subject to confirmation by the FCI & SCC)

The winning team does it again!!
Lace won her class and also CACIB and CACS, Laird won his class CACIB, CACS and best of breed. Later he won the group. I did not return the next day but was told that the judge wanted to see him and award him another prize. C’est la vie!!

Of the 12 dogs entered for the show at Cressat, only one didn’t have connections with Hareswith. I took 3, Hazel in veteran, Thyme in jeune and The Laird in open.
Thyme won her class with Megan 2nd (cousin) Ellie (Hazel’s daughter) won her class and CACS, Ginny (Sable’s sister 2nd RCACS) Drax (Grace’s grandson) 1st. Megan’s brother Tindel won his class with Thyme’s brother 2nd & Hazel’s grandson 3rd. The Laird’s daughter Holly, Très Prometteur. Hazel 1st. Then The Laird won his class CACS, Best of Breed. Later in ring d’honneur, he won the group for the second year running! And then went on to get Reserve Best in Show!!

This is the 6th consecutive year that I have won Best of Breed!!!
What will happen next year?
And yes, the thunderstorm arrived just after the breed judging had finished and miraculously stopped in time for the group judging.

We left home at 5.15 in the morning and no rain. After 2 ½ hour journey,The Laird, Hazel and I arrived. The grass had been cut short, the rings fairly close to the cars and still no rain.

The Laird was first in the ring, in his first open class as he had just had his 2nd birthday. I was not expecting too much as all the others were older and more mature and there was a champion entered. Well, he did his stuff again and the judge placed him 1st, saying he won it easily, the champion came 2nd.

Hazel’s turn in the ring. There were 2 entered in veteran. I think it is 2 years since she had an outing. Hazel thoroughly enjoyed herself, strutting round the ring. Her FIRST FIRST was gained at the age of 10 years old.

Ellie, Hazel’s daughter was there and got 3rd, 2 grand sons and a grand daughter also did well. Megan, Ellie’s daughter was Best Junior in Show.
As BEST in Show was being judged the heavens opened. Time to put the dogs in the car and go home, having spent the day meeting old friends and making new ones.

This year I’m hoping he’ll do just as well ………………….

Dickens showed off as usual – well he always does! He recieved a 3rd Excellent. I guess I would have liked a 1st -but as David tells me – we can’t always get a 1st!!

But then The Laird went in – and he did get a 1st Excellent – so I had the chance to tell David I still got a 1st!

My Sable was next in – didn’t disapoint – another 1st Excellent – she is a bit of a show-off and hasn’t been in the ring for a while as she had puppies not too long ago. But she really did enjoy her day out.

Our new puppy Thyme had a day out as well. It’s always a pleasure to show little ones as thay don’t really know what to expect, but she didn’t disapoint – receiving a ‘Prometteur’ I was very proud of her as it was a very busy show with lots going on.

This is an International show, which means there are CACIB’s on offer. This type of show always gets a good entry and for my sins I have entered 4 dogs;
Dickens in open dog;
Sable in open bitch;
The Laird in intermediaire dog; and
Thyme in puppy bitch.

For a variety of reasons, Dickens has not been shown for 3 years. The last time was at the Championnat at the same venue, he was placed 4th

So this week I have a lot of preparation to do. Each will – of course require a bath, and I have to say – of them all The Laird simply loves the attention – typical male! Then they each have a good grooming and their nails trimmed. On average it takes me about 5 hours to fully prepare each dog – so I’ll be very busy this week!

Now, having a sat nav has made finding the shows much easier. Bourges has always been like the Bermuda Triangle to me!

The Laird walked in to the show ground like he owned it, Thyme did not know what to make of all the different sorts of dogs, and they were not all golden! She did meet up with her brother (Enjoy Me de Hareswith) it was his 2nd show, so well experienced.

The Laird was first in the ring, in class Intermediaire. He won this and then competed with the other male class winners and was awarded the RCACS. Winning yet another cup and plaque to add to his mounting list!

Thyme, although a little overawed did very well and was graded Très Prometteur. She was given her first plaque – one of many I hope!

All in all – a great start to the 2010 show season.

You can only enter your dog in one class. The different classes are listed below.

Bitches and dogs are always given separate classes and providing that your breed is recognised by the FCI, www.chiensderace.com/adresses/scc/fci.php even if it is the only one of its breed at the show it will be given a class of its own.

You will need to take with you your dog’s vaccination certificate and rabies certificate. At some shows this will need to be shown at the contrôle vétérinaire before you are allowed to enter the show ground.

Cages are provided, sometimes they are free, other times the society will charge 3-5 euros, check the schedule when you enter.

Also, you will not be allowed to leave the show, in most cases, before 16.30 – 17.30 as the paying public like to see dogs.
A few days before the show you will be sent a pass to get in.

My dogs have had many successes since we came here, gaining 1 CACIB, 1 RCACIB, 8 CACS, 6 RCACS, 7 BOB, 5 Best Junior, 1 Best Junior in Show and 1 Best Group 8 – to date!!

CLASSES D’ENGAGEMENT
C.PUP.M. / C.PUP.F. : Classe Pupille (Puppy) Mâle / Femelle
C.J.M. / C.J.F. : Classe Jeune Mâle / Femelle
C.O.M. / C.O.F. : Classe Ouverte Mâle / Femelle
C.T.M. / C.T.F. : Classe Travail Mâle / Femelle
C.CH.M. / C.CH.F. : Classe Champion Mâle / Femelle
C.V.M. / C.V.F. : Classe Vétéran Mâle / Femelle TITRES CACS : Certificat d’Aptitude à la Conformité au Standard
RCACS : Réserve de Certificat d’Aptitude à la Conformité au Standard
CACIB : Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté
RCACIB : Réserve de Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté
BOB / BOG : Meilleur de race (Best Of Breed) / Meilleur de groupe (Best Of Group)
BIS : Meilleur chien de l’exposition toutes races (Best In Show)
Ch.Int. ou CHIB : Champion International de beauté

Every dog will be given an individual critique with a grade shown below:
EXC : Excellent
TB : Très Bon
B : Bon
AB : Assez Bon
TP : Très Prometteur (uniquement conformité au standard)
P : Prometteur (uniquement conformité au standard)
AP : Assez Prometteur (uniquement conformité au standard)
Insuf : Insuffisant

If you’d like to follow the success of my Goldens in the show ring you will find their results posted on the Results page of my website