2009 REVIEW

Sally writes:

2009 was a curate’s egg of a year to say the least.  Good in parts -rather horrible in others! 

March: we enjoyed our usual festival of delights with Crufts, surely the pinnacle of showcases for canine endeavours and an honourable 3rd place for Llewellyn followed by Cheltenham the high spot of the National Hunt Calendar where the great Kauto Star thrilled one and all to take a second Gold Cup.

 

Note to self – if you’re happy when you’re judging…….smile!

May: we had the honour and pleasure of judging at the Årets Border Terrier Show in Sweden.  We were extremely envious of the perfect surroundings which could not be bettered especially as the weather was nigh perfect.  If only we had such a place in the UK.  Not everyone wants to run a caravan or full blown motor home but here there were lovely cabins in the woods that allowed dogs so all could share the fun in by the lake.  Our report can be found here:  What was particularly nice when we got the catalogue afterwards was finding the offspring of dogs we have liked in the past like Brumberhill Basil who has clearly been making his mark in Scandinavia.

 

June: we were quite sad to set off for the SBTC CH Show at Cheltenham with John wearing the Show Manager’s hat for the last time.  Pam Creed had set a high standard when we took on responsibility for this premier event in the BT calendar in 1991.  Since then we have enjoyed some priceless and very special days but we decided it was time for some new blood (in fact we did try to retire before) and the lovely and very able David Hunt now takes the baton.  It will be rather nice in future to be able to relax in the shadow of Cleeve hill and watch the judging and even enjoy the special atmosphere inside the ring for a change!

During the month we were delighted that our lovely lads sired two new champions bred by two formidable Border kennels – both made up within a matter of days of each other. 

 

At Cheltenham Anne Roslin-Williams gained the crowning 3rd CC for her CH Mansergh Miss Otis (a full litter sister to Lionel) by Leo out of the gorgeous CH Hampos Flaked Oats at Mansergh to whom as a Junior I awarded a 1st ticket of 20!).  Click here for full results on the BorderTerrier.org.uk site (which is well worth a look for all things Border Terrier)

Just 3 days later at the Three Counties Championship Show Don Bean made up CH Brumberhill Battlecry by Lionel out of CH Brumberhill Belle de Jour to whom I also awarded a 1st ticket strangely and bred by Stuart McPherson.  A lovely few days for one and all!

Summer: After Cheltenham as well as tidying up the paper work in the usual way for the show we were also heavily involved in another BT project which while time consuming was a real pleasure.  Pondering over old pedigrees and pictures is always a delight and isn't it fascinating to see characteristics re-appearing time after time especially when they are highly desirable ones?! 

We continued to enjoy a rather lovely summer.  Not perhaps the Barbeque summer promised by the meteorologists but nevertheless warm and bright most of the time – show dates excepted of course!    Although we didn’t get to many shows we made special visits to close friends and the dogs continued to thrive.

September: At the SBTC Open show Elly Weijenborg-Weggemans (of the Netherlands Van de Ossekoele Kennel) judged.  As a friend we elected not to exhibit but were very proud that Quink’s children from the Hawcoat kennel owned by Lizzie and Rebecca Larner and Carol Lumbard featured well. 

Hawcoat Bertie won the Junior dog class and Hawcoat Starina owned by Mrs Lizzie and Rachel Larner & Carol Lumbard went Best Bitch.  This pair along with a third sister Hawcoat Sweet Fairy have been really doing well this year - indeed at Richmond CH Show all three won their classes respectively.

October: Congratulations to our chum Tracy Ansell who won Groomer of the Year at the British Dog Grooming Championships hosted by the Pet Care Trust and the British Dog Groomers’ Association (BDGA), at the Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh. 

Karl went along to be her Gundog model.  There aren’t many people we would allow any where near our dogs with a grooming kit but Tracy is a brilliant groomer who presents her own Chalkwell poodles in tip top order and between ourselves has trimmed for some very well known handlers over the years.  Karl was apparently laid back throughout!

 

Autumn: sadly I lost my wonderful father and although many of our dog friends did not know him well he was always extremely proud of all the Risdenes and our success.  He stoutly manned the teapot and told every dog that they were his favourite. With a secret, never-ending stash of ginger biscuits he was always theirs!  My close knit family stood together as always and were with him all the way to the end as we promised. 

Too soon thereafter we lost another close and very dear friend.  We are reminded how short life is and none of us can be children forever.  Thank goodness for our canine chums who enforce normality and remind us to breathe and go on.

 

Winter:

Good news at last as we welcomed  delectable Delia to Risdene.

We wait with all digits crossed for her teeth and everything to go right but what a lovely thing she is!

Well I know I have forgotten more than I have remembered but the year ended quietly with a silent toast to absent friends and heartfelt good wishes to all those we know and care for.