Vermillion, SD

We had a fantastic weekend in Vermillion, SD...probably the best show weekend we've ever had.

Saturday started off with Ransom winning WD/OS for his last single point he needed under breeder judge Candy Kramer. He now only needs that last major to finish. Then, we went to Cardis, and Merlot (co-owned with Cindy McDonald and co) was WB/BOW/BOS for her first 3pt major. Bear was RWD to Garrett's Justice. Then, Phantom won BOB and won a GROUP 1!!!! It is our first group win. He not only had his A game going, but turned it up to his A+ game in the group and the judge absolutely loved him. Unfortunately, he was a little over the top for BIS but the judge looked at him and gave him his due, but we came away empty handed. Oh well, it was a lot of fun being out there, and we both had a ball.

Sunday was just as much fun but in other ways. Ransom was WD/BOB over a nice special bitch, but unfortunately, no points. He did get to play in the group and had as good of a time as he could considering how hot it was. Bear was WD/BOW for his final major and is now a CH (pending AKC approval). He is our first BBE CH, and Phantom's first offspring to finish. He never put a foot out of place and was gaited with the 3 specials around the ring, and was able to be with them stride for stride.

The other results were Justice was WD on Saturday - Yay Garrett!! Breezy was RWB on Saturday, and did you win on Sunday too Sarah? I was busy in the back of the tent keeping the boys under control and away from the girls in season. ;o) Pepper was WB/BOS on Sunday for a 3pt major. Congrats to Rick Penkava for Pepper's first major!

Sulley won a hard earned BOB and a Group 4 on Sunday after outdueling Picasso, Phantom, Bear, and Pepper. I will also add (and others who were present can corroborate this) that the judge had one heck of a time finding her BOB winner. It was - close!! Of the 5 dogs in the ring, not one of them was totally out of the picture until she started pointing. We were gaited around the ring no fewer than 6 times, and yes we WERE counting!!! The judge was raving about the Cardi entry as we were having Bear's picture taken, and said the quality she saw was impressive, and said that she had a hard time with the BOB class, as she would have been proud to put up any of the five dogs. Way to go breeders!!!!!!

Oh, and I must not forget that Corgi wannabes (hehe) Darby and Hawk charmed the heck out of the judge (and us too!) and Hawk was BOB and made a cut in group...Yay Sarah!! See what happens when you listen to Sherri?? ;o)
Oh...puppy groups on Saturday...Mitchum (the other Corgi wannabe hehe) was G1, Darby the Valhund was G2, and Justice was G4, I believe.

Congrats to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who braved the heat and stayed and cheered us on in Group and BIS. It meant a lot to us to be able to share the wins with many of our friends.

Back to Back in the Group!!!

We had a great weekend in Moberly, MO last weekend (the show part anyway...we ALWAYS have a great time when we're not showing hehe). We went to the show hoping that Bear could pull off his last major and finish, Phantom could pull off a breed win or two, and lots of other high hopes, just like every other exhibitor. Well, the Cardis all had a great time, showed as well as we could hope for, but came up short in the points department. The best we got in the classes were class wins by Cristal and Marg, a pair of 2nds by Frank, and a pair of 3rds by Bear. Frank also was Reserve Winner's Dog yesterday, so he did his part to restore a little family pride. Phantom made Russ work to earn his Best of Breed on Saturday, and he showed just as well on Sunday, but still no purple and gold ribbon. Oh well, it's a dog show!! There's another one this coming weekend!!

Ransom was the only Pembroke entered, but boy did he ever let the world know he was there!! He kind of sleep walked through the breed judging, but since he was the only entrant, I let him relax a little and just pretty much go through the motions. It was a hot, rainy, muggy weekend, and I didn't want him tired out when he still had to show for group. Well, we got to group, and he decided to wake up and turn on the energy and personality. I lined him up behind the Sheltie, who is a top Herding dog and the #1 Sheltie. I knew that Ransom would feed off that dog's energy, and did he ever!! He turned up the energy level to new heights and showed the world that he's here to stay!! He won a Group 3 on Saturday and a Group 4 on Sunday!!!

This was the first time our dogs have ever gone back to back in the group. I know it's not a new thing for a lot of breeder/owner/handlers in either breed, and even with Phantom having 10 group placements, he had never been able to manage two placements in a weekend. Ransom did it from the classes, and already has 3 placements (a Group 2, 3, and 4) in less than a year of showing. Now if we can just find that last major to finish him....