Canadian Specialty - the "Specials"

Tinbie, Cava and Puffin all showed in the Specials class (for champions).  This presented a bit of a handling challenge, but fortunately we had friends from the UK visiting and they jumped in to help out.  It was especially nice that Hayley was able to show Puffin for us (Hayley bred and owns her sire, Remus).  They made a beautiful team.  Gemma stepped in and helped us with both Cava and Tinbie.  Thank-you to both of them!

All three dogs made the cuts for the final line up for Best of Breed, which was wonderful!

Cava

Hayley and Puffin, with judge Brenda Hutchison

Liz and Tinbie

Tinbie

Kona also showed in the Specials class.  Thank-you to Shawna for showing her so beautifully!

You can see all of our specialty photos here:   http://www.blazingstarflatcoats.ca/2012specindex.html 

Canadian Specialty - Luna!

We had the pleasure of showing Puffin's sister, Luna (Blazingstar Midnight Loon), in the Canadian-bred class.  Thank-you to her owners, Jennifer and Mike, for letting Liz show her.  She was quite a wild thing while we were practicing, but calmed down and showed very nicely once we were in the ring.  Luna placed 2nd in the class, which was a thrill!

Luna checks to see if there is anything edible in the bucket that she won.  Photo by Hayley Tomlinson.

Luna also turned heads in the scurry (a timed retrieving event) where she was the fasted dog in her age class and the second fastest dog overall.   It was great to have a chance to see her again and visit with her owners.

Luna waiting for her turn in the scurry

And there she goes!

You can see all of our specialty photos here:   http://www.blazingstarflatcoats.ca/2012specindex.html 

More From the Canadian Specialty - Conformation - Veterans

Oops, we have lots of catching up to do.....  Firstly, going back to July and the Canadian Specialty in BC and starting with the veterans:

We had the pleasure of showing Huxley's 10 year old son, Jona (Ch Prairielight Up At Dawn CDX WCX SH) in the veterans classes.  He hasn't shown for a while but hadn't forgotten how to strut his stuff and was in great shape for a 10 year old.   Jona placed 4th in Veteran Sweeps and 4th in Field Male.

Jona on the move

Lupine in the ring.  Photo by Hayley Tomlinson.

Lupine, Tinbie and Kona in the background - 3rd in the Brood Matron class.  Photo by Hayley Tomlinson.

Lupine also showed in the 9-11 yr veterans classes and the brood matron class.  She placed 3rd in the huge brood matron class, with the help of Tinbie and Kona.

You can see all of our specialty photos here:   http://www.blazingstarflatcoats.ca/2012specindex.html 

Canadian Specialty - Obedience

In July we headed to Abbotsford, BC for the 2012 FCRSC National Specialty.  It was extra special as we had some UK visitors along to watch and help show our dogs.

The specialty started with the obedience trial.

Darren and Teva were the first Blazingstar team in the ring.  Teva (Blazingstar Tansley) did a super job and ended up winning the Novice A class!  This was the 3rd and final CD leg for Teva - congratulations to Teva, Darren and Michele on their CD!

Next, it was Cava's first time in the obedience ring.  As we had done very little training in the weeks leading up to the show (she was in season and we were busy), I was a bit uncertain about how it would go.  She was actually pretty good and maintained good attention and attitude right up to the heel-free exercise.  At that point she noticed the dirt/sand floor and all of the interesting smells and such in it..... Our heel-free routine was downright ugly, but we got through.  Despite not having done any group stays in several months, she coped nicelwith a ring full of flat-coats-on-stays and we managed a qualifying score and her first CD leg.

Cava and Liz in the obedience ring - thank-you to Amanda Shigehiro for the photo!

Lindy (Blazingstar Linneaus) did a really nice job in Utility - we were especially impressed with her signals and glove exercise.  Unfortunately she did not bring back the correct scent articles, so did not pass.  But after watching her lovely work, we are sure she will get there!

Blazingstar's First Master Hunter - Annie!

Annie showing off all 5 of her Master Hunter qualifying ribbons

We are bursting at the seams with pride and excitement to announce that Annie (HRCH Blazingstar Beaufort CDX MH) completed her AKC Master Hunter title in wonderful style.

Her owners, Brian and Katy Abrell state that she finished her Master title with a "grand flourish!"  and that "the last three tests have been flawless- no handles to any marks, excellent blinds, perfect line matters, very nice style. We could not be more proud of Annie! She never had a single cast or whistle refusal in any of her tests this spring, despite some water blinds that were quite challenging. She really showed her birdiness and big heart as she kept driving despite the heat, and always came back to Brian with her tail wagging!"

Brian and Katy have obviously done a wonderful job of training and handling Annie to have achieved this great accomplishment.  And we are very very proud and thrilled that a Huxley and Lupine daughter has done so well in working tests and all owner-trained and handled as well!

Huge Congratulations to Annie, Katy and Brian!!!

Happy Canada Day!

Here are some celebratory photos taken on Canada Day 2012

Even Salander got into the spirit of Canada Day!

American Specialty - Part 2

Michele, Teva, Tinbie, Puffin, Cava and Liz participated in the conformation events at the FCRSA National Specialty in Wisconsin.  It was a long, long, long drive to get there......   Cava was also entered in rally, but she came into season the day before we left.

Liz showed Tinbie in the bred-by exhibitor class and placed 2nd in this huge class full of gorgeous dogs.  The  dog that won the class (Jennifer Andrew's lovely dog, Huntlane Lake Effect), went on to win Winners Dog and Best of Opposite.  Tinbie got to go back in the ring and was awarded Reserve Winners Dog.  What a thrill!

Liz and  Tinbie in the ring - thanks to Barbel Gammon for this photo!

Tinbie shows off his giant ribbon at home

Cava showed in the Amateur Owner Handler class, another large class filled with quality dogs.  She placed 2nd in the class, which was very nice!

Liz and Cava in the ring.  Photo courtesy of Barbel Gammon.

Cava poses at home with her ribbon.

Puffin showed in the Bred-by Exhibitor class, a large class of 21 beautiful girls.  We were absolutely thrilled to win the class!

A very overheated Liz with Puffin in the ring.  Photo courtesy of Barbel Gammon.

Puffin posing with her ribbon.

On the last day, Liz showed Puffin and Cava in the brace class.  They showed nicely and we managed not to get too tangled up together!  They placed 3rd in the class.

The specialty judge was Wies Boermans, a well-respected dutch flat-coat breeder/judge.  We have admired her dogs for many years, so it was nice to do so well under her and well worth the long, long, long drive!