Limited Obedience Show ~ October 9th 2005
Beginner & Test A Critiques

Judge - Bernice Emanuel. Steward - Trevor Curtis

Thank you to Sheilagh and Jan for inviting me to judge at the Midlands BCC's Limit Show. I was expecting the show to be very well-organised and the hospitality to be first-class, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. A big thank you to the Committee for once again staging obedience classes in conjunction with their Open Breed Show. It is a great shame that Limit shows don't attract a bigger entry (although the show did clash with an Open Show) but those that did take part seemed to enjoy their day. A very big thank you to Trevor Curtis, who did a wonderful job of stewarding and was great company as always and to Committee member Steve Jenkinson, who helped with all the stays.

Beginners (9 entries, 6 ran)
1st Gill Brown and Meg (SHEPWOOD EMBER GLOW - WS B). 29.8.01. This handler was delighted to take home the red rosette. A good recall and retrieve, with just a bit of tightening up needed on her heelwork. Well done on being a clear winner.

2nd Linda Corns and QUIN (CABALS EXCALIBUR - BC D). 11.5.00. Linda was surprised to get 2nd place as Quin had broken his sit stay. However, Quin had worked a nice initial round. I just felt that, like a lot of the handlers today, he would have benefited from the handler walking a little quicker.

3rd Annegret and Bella (ADORA BELLA PRETTIPAWS - XB B). 1.4.01. Well done Annegret on gaining this place with your GSD cross. Do watch the tight lead and try and encourage Bella to work closer to you.

4th Val Tiller and Bliss (FOXBARTON LADY IN WAITING JW - BC B). 29.12.03. Sorry that it wasn't a red rosette on your birthday Val. If only you had given me that little bit of Sloe Vodka BEFORE you had worked and not after! A bit of tightening up needed with Bliss, but I hope you manage to find the time to put the work in, so that you can compete in working trials with her.

A special mention to Heather Donnelly and REAKASSO NO EXCUSE FOR WOOLRAM CDEX UDEX. This lovely 9-year-old bitch was leading the class, but Heather scratched as she knew that Bee would be worried about doing stays with the gunshot going off in the distance. Well done Heather - how nice that you put your dog first, rather than the possibility of getting a rosette. Good luck with your puppy.


Test A (12 entries, 9 ran)
1st Jean Beddows and Maisie (JEMAS PEPPERMINT - Large Munsterlander B). 16.6.00. An experienced handler with a well-trained bitch. I enjoyed judging Maisie, who knows her job well and put in a very creditable round. Finished off with a good scent which clinched the class for you.

2nd Doreen Batten and Bella (WYNMALLEN FREE TO RUN - BC B). Well done Doreen on gaining 2nd place with the lovely Bella. You really should have more confidence in your girl, who you handled very well. I really hope you will get to more obedience shows with her next year. She's worth it!

3rd Ray Stevenson and Joe (TORBRIAR RIVER MINSTREL - BC D). 27.4.02. Well done Ray. Joe worked a nice round for you and I hope you can work him regularly round the shows next season. Still in novice and deserves to be out of that class. Shame about your scent.

4th Jan Brearley and Callum (TAMARSH SUMMER TRIATHLON AT TORBRIAR - BC D). 11.6.98. Callum certainly worked a nice confident round for you today Jan. Shame about the scent but I know you were pleased with him.

5th Sheilagh Hyde and Misty (WHATKNOW RAZZLE DAZZLE - WSD B). 25.10.97. Well done Sheilagh on gaining this place with Misty. It's not easy trying to work your dogs, whilst helping to run a show but Misty worked a creditable round for you. Again shame about the scent but well done. Good luck with Misty and Callie around the shows next season.

6th Jan Brearley and Wiz (WHATKNOW WIZARD OF TORBRIAR - WSD D). 23.8.96. Wiz certainly worked a very "enthusiastic" round but it was lovely seeing this nine years "young" dog enjoy himself so much. I would love to take his enthusiasm and "bottle it" - he certainly has more than enough to share around!!!