The annual NCBCC Specialty show and BCKC supported entry were 4/21-23 in Timonium Maryland.  Per usual, the prizes were sparkly and spectacular.  We were lucky enough to have breeder judges for sweeps, Diane Newman (Dovmar) and regular, Charlott Sandberg (Farmarens).  Scarlett and Einstein got to go and Scarlett was the big winner, taking the breed at the specialty show.

Einstein won his sweeps class and was second in veteran dog.  As I’d previously told him he didn’t have to be a show dog anymore, now that Spike is a veteran, I was quite pleased he was willing to do anything at all

Scarlett also did well in the following shows, taking Best of Opposite under judge David Bolus on Saturday at Old Dominion and Select Bitch at the BCKC supported entry show under judge Ken Carroll.

Einstein won Best in Veteran Sweeps under breeder judge, Tom Dixon (Strathearn)

Looks like I took most of the latter half of 2016 off from updating the website.  So, let me catch up really quickly.

We went to some shows and did some stuff.

Highlights include:

2016 GSBCC Best in Veteran Sweeps – Einstein, under breeder judge, Brenda Wantland (Hillside)

and Best of Opposite in Veteran Sweeps at the GLBCC Specialty under breeder judge, Dana Frady (Daybar)

 

Scarlett was Select Bitch at the 2016 GLBCC Specialty under breeder judge, Robert Ballantyne (Bustroc)

She was also Select Bitch at the BCCA National Specialty Show under breeder judge, David Hyde (Natterjack)

 

 

And, got an award of Merit at the 2016 Royal Canin National Championship show under judge, Ken Rayner

She also picked up several titles, including her PT, Open Fast, Novice Standard and Preferred Companion Dog titles. As well as gaining her BCCA Master Versatility title.  Another great year doing a bit of everything!

We haven’t done a lot so far this spring, but things are starting to ramp up. We’ve done an obedience trial and three days of agility, and I’m pleased to say have come away with legs towards our titles in all venues.

Starting with my first ever Novice A Obedience leg towards a CD with Scarlett.  It was not perfect,  but it was a Q and second place and highlighted things for us to work on. I look forward to trying for another leg again soon. Though, obedience feels like an activity that could give me a heart attack.  That 1 minute sit is the longest minute in history…

We’ve then done some agility trials at Merrimac (Hampton, VA) and CVAC (Doswell, VA).  The girls were rockstars with both earning legs in Jumpers on our one day at Merrimac and Shebang earning a double Q with two 2nd places, and Scarlett earning her AXJ at CVAC the following weekend.  At CVAC all the beardies Qed on Sunday, so we took a celebratory picture.

 

The girls rocked the Rally and Beginner Novice Obedience rings this fall. Getcha made her first venture into a performance venue and quickly earned her rally novice title with 3 placements along the way.  Look for Getty to be out in rally advanced in the near future

Scarlett’s first trip into the Obedience ring at the National Specialty in 2015, resulted in her winning the High Scoring Champion award.  Her next couple of trips gave her the Beginner Novice Title.  Look for Scarlett in the Novice A ring in 2016.

 

Well, this week could not have more dramatically exceeded my expectations! I’ll start with the big news… Scarlett won. The National Specialty. I could not be more excited and pleased. She showed really well and looked great in the damp conditions. I’m so grateful for the honor of winning and all the congratulations from so many people near and far. Thanks to breeder-judge Gail Miller Bisher for finding my girl in a crowd of really fabulous dogs and congratulations to all the winners on the day!

But, while I can’t stress enough that the winning was amazing, there was much, much more to the week in the PNW.  Our trip out was uneventful. The dogs arrived safely and happily, and that’s was just what we were hoping for. Scarlett traveled out via United Petsafe with her friends Alex and Niki, and Amy traveled with me on the plane. I think Amy had the bigger job, keeping me sane, as I’d never flown a dog outside of bringing Scarlett home from the UK. We got to the hotel in Olympia and settled in – meaning, we pretty much ate and went to sleep – you know, “East Coast” time.

We had the next day free and were eager to go explore! So, Amy and I grabbed our favorite Bobby (Claire Bowden) and off we went to Mount Rainier. We did the whole park in a day including a few brief hikes and a few white knuckle driving moments – side note: guardrails are a good thing, let’s have more of them. We experienced all four seasons in one day!

Amy and Casey on a giant log		Amy and Claire
Caught! One wild Scarlett	and an Alex and a Niki	Wildlife

The next day was agility day at the national (and my birthday!).  A good time was had by all.  We had a good run, two okay runs, and one omg-that-was-tragically-awful-run, as well as a fabulous time running the relay.  It was a great day out in the sunshine enjoying time with friends and beardies.

Scarlett Jumping photo by Claire Bowden	The Angry Beavers relay team! We were not last and we were best dressed 😀	Scarlett on the Dogwalk photo by Claire
Good butt scratching time waiting for the group picture	Group picture

A fun birthday dinner, and relatively early to bed, and the next day was the NWBCCPS Specialty show with breeder-judge Ian Copus.  I had the pleasure of showing other people’s puppies in sweeps, which is always a good time, and then winning the Open Dog class with Lisa Voss and Barbara’s boy, Clark.  The air was crisp, the sun was shining, there was green grass, great weather, good food, and a full (very full) day of showing as the entry was about 165 dogs in regular and there was all of puppy and vet sweeps to do before that.  Scarlett ended up Select Bitch and Alex got an AOM, too.  So, our travel buddies had a good day at the show.

Scarlett in the ring	wag, wag, wag Scarlett really liked Ian	Scarlett and Alex towards the end of the show
	<Coming Soon: Select Bitch Win Photo>

The next day, it was back to National festivities with Obedience, Rally, and Sweepstakes.  As, I had only one dog to enter, I decided to enter everything.  Scarlett as in Novice A and Beginner Novice Obedience for the first time, as well as Rally Advanced and Excellent.  She did everything in Novice A really well, except the offlead heeling which involved visiting the crowd of spectators- despite not being nearly ring ready.  In beginner novice she was kind of a rockstar. Our only major points off were from me messing up the heeling pattern.  When she stayed on the sit-walkaround, I could not have been more proud of my girl.  Her neck nearly swiveled 360 degrees, but she held. She came away with 3rd place and her first BN leg, but the icing on the cake was that she won High Scoring Champion in Obedience!

Figure 8

High Scoring Champion in Obedience!

sit-stay

Sweeps was in the afternoon and I had an interesting time showing puppies again.  Let’s just say, there was no one more grateful than me that there was no videographer on this day of the national 😀

Thursday was dog and bitch judging, and I had almost nothing to do, except make sure that the dogs that Amy was showing made it to the ring when they were supposed to. In a history making event, Amy won Winners Dog at the National for the second year in a row with new Ch Aberdeen No Questions Asked, bred by Tina Miller, and owned by Kay Krivas. That’s never been done before. Needless to say, we celebrated!

Amy & Niki

#futuresobright

Finally, the big day had arrived – and it was wet.  Quite wet. It only rained for a couple of hours, but the damp conditions stuck around.  Certainly made for easy grooming.  4-6 month puppies were first and then veteran and performance dogs.  Specials dogs went in the ring at 11am, and were pared down to the final 9 by a little after noon.  We then had time to wait and prep the girls, as specials bitches could not start until 130pm.  At 130, we reported to the ring.  Scarlett was the first girl in the line-up, and bitches were split into two groups.  The first group showed and the first cut was made.  We made it! The second group came in and a cut was made there, too.  Then all bitches who’d made the first cut went back to the ring for a second cut.  Scarlett was showing great. She held still for exam and was free stacking really nicely – which is good b/c it’s never an improvement if I have to hand stack.  It’s so nice to have a partner who really does it all and my only goal is to stay out of the way and NOT FUSS.  Scarlett made the second cut, and we got a 10 minute break before returning to the ring with the final boys.  There were 9 specials dogs and 7 specials bitches remaining, plus winners dog and bitch.  So, 18 dogs in the ring, and 10 awards to be handed out. The judge too everyone around again and then pulled out pairs to go around together. She didn’t all Scarlett and I out, and I thought we’d been forgotten.  In the end, we did go around with WB/WD.  Then back to our places.  It seems the judge had narrowed it down to her final four and she called us out to the middle for another trip around.  Scarlett was a rockstar, I was a basket case.  At this point, I figured, worst case I had just won select bitch at a national specialty and that was amazing! And, then I thought, “oh geez – don’t do anything to screw it up.” So, we went around again, free stacked, and went back to our spots.

2015BCCA_Final4BOB

The judge’s choice was made and she went to get the big purple and gold ribbon – while I fussed-and fussed-and told myself not to fuss.  She thanked the entry, told everyone they were lovely – and then said, “Best of Breed is 150” Scarlett & me! Before I knew it there was screaming and hugging and crying – all at once (click the movie below) – But OMG – it was Scarlett! Scarlett is a National Specialty Winner.  Wildest dream – come true!

2015BCCA_BOBPresentation

Scarlett in the ring Photo by Sheree Girty	Scarlett in the ring	Scarlett & Casey in the ring photo: Molly McNamara
Bitches Photo by Claire	Connected Photo: Molly McNamara	Scarlett & Casey in the ring Photo: Molly McNamara

It seemed like a good idea in April, when my flights were booked, to head out on the red-eye on Friday night after judging.  After all, we’re always done in the early afternoon and the red-eye would be so much easier on the dogs, plus allow for maximum home front recovery time.  However, things started to get tight given the times the super set in the JP. And then – we won! Clearly – I was mistaken and should’ve stayed to celebrate.  However, nothing to be done but pack up and go. We missed all the celebrations, but had a couple of nice glasses of sparkling wine on the plane. There will be more celebrations in the near-future.  I may never stop celebrating 😀

Kicking off our September adventures with a trip up to New Jersey and one of our favorite events of the year, the Garden State Bearded Collie Clan’s Specialty show.  This year we had breeder judge Sharon Ipser for the breed.  Only Scarlett went along for this trip – as we’d promised the veterans some time off after the trip to Canada (Einstein is planning to take until April 2016 for his rest and recovery :D).  It was a very hot day, although not quite as warm and humid as last year.  Scarlett showed great and won Best of Opposite at the event. So proud of our girl.

After our first Canadian National Specialty in 2014, we decided to go again and bring along more of our crew.  We also decided to do more of the local shows.  The venues were lovely and the weather was even better.  Set up under the tent next to a peaceful river for four shows at the start of the week, Scarlett and Swagger won all of the awards at the BCCC Booster club show.  Then, we were off to the BCCC National show in Stratford, ON.  What a great place for a National Specialty show! The hotel and the town are both lovely.  The area for the rings and bathing is beautiful and shaded.

Scarlett in Canada 2015

Scarlett and Casey

Swagger and Sandy

Swagger in Canada 2015

We kicked off the national with Scarlett in Rally Novice, where she gained her Canadian RN.  Then it was Einstein and Shebang’s turn for a show – after 3 long days of letting the youngsters have all the fun.  Both won their veteran sweepstakes classes and competed handily for best!

Einstein wins Veteran Dog at the 2015 Canadian National Specialty!

Einstein in the ring

Einstein in the ring

Shebang in the ring

Looking around

Is that chicken?

The next day was the regular classes and all 4 dogs were entered. Swagger competed in a lovely open dog class and Einstein went out and won veteran dog -earning him a spot to compete the next day.  Scarlett competed in open bitch, placing 3rd, and Shebang was 4th in the Veteran bitch class.  All the dogs showed great, despite the slightly warmer day – we had gotten used to the cool breezes and low humidity. Finally, BOB judging took place on Thursday.  Einstein was a trooper for showing 3 days in a row, when that’s more than he’s shown in the last 3 years 😀 He did great, but didn’t advance further.

Scarlett in the ring

The next day, we packed up bright and early and went to St. Catharines, ON for 2 all-breed shows.  Swagger was BOB/BOW/WD at the first show and got a Group 4 – for his first 4 Canadian points! Scarlett was WB in the first show and WB/BOW/BOB in the second show under breeder judge Bea Sawka.  Her group 3 gave her the extra point that she needed for her new Canadian Championship! She’s now BISS Cn Ch/Am GrCH Potterdale Jubilee Diamond Am RE/Cn RN OAJ NF HT NW VA 😀 Good girl!

Canadian BOB. Thanks to breeder judge Bea Sawka

New Canadian CH and Group 3

Update: In June 2015, Moonstone Shadow Dancing also became a Champion at just over a year old! So proud of the boys and girls in these two litters of new champions!

The first 1/2 of 2015 has been very good to us here at Moonstone.  We are very happy to congratulate 5 new Moonstone Champions and their owners:

Ace (Ch Moonstone Get Out of My Way), owned by Linda Porter – January 2015

Lily (Ch Moonstone Blue Kisses My Way RN), owned by Kim Rickards – May 2015

Denton (Ch Moonstone Way Down Yonder at Fairway), owned by Dina Delsman – May 2015

Bella (Ch Moonstone Moondance), owned by Marcia Donaldson – June 2015

& Sadie (Ch Moonstone Dancing in the Moonlight), owned by Barney Silver – June 2015

We also have two new Grand Champions in 2015:

Scarlett, GCH Potterdale Jubilee Diamond OAJ RE HT NW1 VA – April 2015

& Swagger, GCH Brenriga Wrapped in Dreamz AX AXJ – May 2015

Heading down to the Myrtle Beach Kennel Club shows for all-breed shows, including the National Owner Handler Series.  The series is a special competition for dogs who are owner-handled (vs. professionally handled), more information here http://www.akc.org/events/nohs/finals/about/ .

Scarlett showed very well, earning BOS both days and BOB-Owner Handled.  She then went on to a Owner Handled Group 2 on Saturday. On Sunday she won the group. Going back in for OH Best in Show (OH BIS) was a lot of fun in the big main group ring.  Scarlett won! A big honor and lots of fun!

On April 17, 2015, Scarlett and Einstein were entered in the NCBCC Regional Specialty show.  After a really long day, Einstein won the veteran dog class and got to move on for Best of Breed.  Scarlett was entered as a special and went in for the Breed.  Making it through the cut and continuing on in the show. In the end we were very happy to be selected Best of Breed, amongst lovely competition, and making Scarlett a grand champion.  Einstein then received an award of merit for icing on the cake.

Official Win photos