2014 BCCA National Specialty

After 3 years of planning, we were happy to finally get to the big day… the start of the 2014 BCCA National Specialty in Gettysburg, PA.  With herding starting on Sunday, 9/28, and events stacked up until Friday, 10/4, it promised to be a busy week.  We skipped herding this year in favor of setting up the facility for unloading, vendors, and our superintendent.  So, our event kicked off bright and early on Monday, 9/29, with agility.

This year agility was held at Bella Vista, indoors on sprint turf. The courses were fabulous, the conditions were even better, and the hospitality put on by the committee was fantastic.  We finished the day with some fabulous runs, and Shebang had just one oops in Excellent standard (we will get that last leg someday!!!)  We ended with a Masters Jumpers Q for Bang (#6) and Scarlett’s first Open Jumpers leg with 1st place.  Swagger ran, too, but was dealing with a bit of an injury that kept him sidelined for one of his runs.  It was also Ace’s first trial!

Shebang jumping at the 2014 National	Shebang on the table. Good girl!	Scarlett running agility at the 2014 BCCA National
Swagger waiting on the table	Ace in the tire

We had to skip the fun relay to get back and get ready for the next day – finishing set-up and getting logo wear in order.  The next day started EARLY, with Obedience kicking off at 730am.  There were some brilliant runs, and once again the committee worked to make the event special with hospitality bags and high scoring veteran awards.  A great time was had by all.  About mid-day rally started, and Scarlett and I entertained everyone with an exciting rally Excellent A run 😀 We Qed…. in not so glorious fashion, but still a Q.

3rd in Rally Excellent

Tuesday at the Beardie National is ACTION PACKED! We had 30ish dogs in obedience, 60ish dogs in really, and then we start puppy sweeps.  I didn’t have anyone in puppy sweeps this year, so I sat and watched 😀 Which was lovely! Since we had an indoor venue this year, knew things would be tight, and also had the welcome party to do, we decided to combine veteran sweeps with the welcome party and do an evening Veteran Showcase. Because, really, what’s better than clapping for your veterans while eating free food? It was sparkly greatness. Einstein finished 3rd in his Veterans 7-10 class.  Thank you to breeder-judge, Cheryl Poliak (Nonesuch)

Einstein Moving in the Veteran showcase 2014 BCCA National

The Future looking bright at the 2014 BCCA Veteran Showcase (Amy, Laura, Casey)

Wednesday kicked off the main event with dog judging starting bright and early in the morning. We didn’t have a dog in until Bred-by, so we got to sit and watch the puppy classes.  There are some fantastic up and comers out there! We were very excited that Ace made the cut in a huge and very deep bred-by exhibitor class and Einstein topped off the day by going second in his 7-10 veteran dog class.  Ace is always fun to show, those there’s always a high likelihood of naughty-pants-grabbing on the corners.  Einstein doesn’t love to show, but he was a rockstar in veterans this week and he got lots of chicken hot dog and snacks afterwards to pay him for his service

Ace in the Bred-by line-up	Ace moving	Ace being so good!
Einstein	Einstein being so good in Veteran dog	I’ll just lay here and look at you until you’re ready to do something

After dog judging was the Chris Zink structure seminar which was FREE and sponsored by the BCCA Charitable Trust.  I loved this and I have never seen so many people show up for the health seminar at the National! Then we got the girls ready for Thursday, which started equally as bright and early as the dogs on Wednesday.

Again on Thursday, we had open bitches and a veteran 7-10, so we could sit and watch the puppies.  Lots of very promising young pups out there right now and it was so nice to be able to sit and watch.  I’m starting in reverse order, with Shebang in Veterans 7-10.  She was a rock star, as she possibly hates to show more than her brother, Einstein.  However, she made it through a very competitive 7-10 bitch class to come out with a 4th place! Scarlett and Lily were both in Open, and Kim did a great job with Lily.  There were two video monitors so the dogs could practically watch themselves in the ring, and Lily did!

Shebang moving in Veteran Bitch	Shebang in Veteran Bitch	Lily head
Lilly moving	Lily stack	Bouncing like her dad, Swagger!

When it was our turn to go in, Scarlett and I loaded up on chicken hot dogs and headed to the ring.  Scarlett clearly had a little pent up energy (nothing to do on Wednesday, I guess) and decided that she needed to go-go-go around the ring.  She did settle in by the 5th or 6th…. or maybe it was the 9th time around the ring.  I love a judge that lets us move.  That’s what beardies should be doing anyway.  Anyone can stand still and look pretty, but form follows function and in a breed where movement is so critical to overall type, I was very pleased to have a breeder-judge who moved us a lot.  That said, the girl can stand still and look pretty too.

The Open bitch class had 18 entries, so the class was split and Scarlett and I were 2nd in the line-up in the first split.  We ran through the bitches there and left the ring to go relax while the next set came in.  Then we all returned to the ring and there was a bit more moving.  Scarlett was moved out to the front of the line and ended up winning this very competitive and deep class. Going back in for Winners Bitch at the National, we moved again, and then the judge pulled Scarlett and I and Kelly Canham and Brenna (BBE winner) to go around together.  Brenna is a lovely 12 month old who we went reserve to at the Canadian National Specialty in July.  Returning to our spots, she went over the shoulder, top line, and croup of the girls again and then she was congratulating Scarlett and I.  So excited to win Winners Bitch at the 2014 National Specialty show.  There was lots of hugging and celebrating, and there was definitely some champagne.  This also gave Scarlett her American Championship.

Scarlett moving	Scarlett standing in Open	Getting our brains together
Scarlett	Scarlett moving again	Airborne!
Scarlett and I with her big ribbon	Congrats to Winners Dog, Amy and Niki!

The next day was Breed judging, but it kicked off with the 4-6 month puppies and while I should’ve been getting Spike ready to go in, i was watching the adorableness that is 4-6 month old beardie puppies.  This is my favorite new class at the national.  It’s hysterical and adorable all at the same time. My mom was busy getting Swagger and Getcha ready, as she had two dogs for breed. At the end of all the classes, we were very pleased that Spike made the cut for the breed.

Seriously! All the other dogs are standing still….	Spike in Breed	Spike in breed
Swagger likes to keep it fun!	Swagger head	Swag moving
Getcha watching closely	Getcha standing	Getcha down and back

Following another cut or two, it was time to get Scarlett to go in for the end of the day.  If possible, she was more enthusiastic than she was on Thursday.  It had been a long week and Scarlett is always after a good time. The judging continued and our friends Graeme Burdon and Dilyn won the breed! I was so excited for these two, as they make a wonderful team.  Then it was our turn, Scarlett was awarded Best of Winners!.  A huge honor and a moment we won’t forget!

Celebrating Best of Winners!

Getting our BOW ribbon

Following judging there was a small lunch and we listened to what the judges had to say.  Both stressed front assembly. And then it was done.  The Specialty week was over.  So much fun! Definitely my best specialty ever.  So, we floated home and I’ve been catching up on the videos and pictures that people took during the event to see everything I missed.  It was such a great event and it certainly wouldn’t have come off as it had without the great judges, committee chairs, volunteers, and other support.  It really does take a village to raise a National Specialty show.

Already thinking about next year….