Well, that's me/us done in the show ring for a while now. I think it's been our least successful year of showing in recent memory, so taking time out seems the sensible option. I can't deny that I'm deflated, and found by chatting to people yesterday that I'm not the only one fed up with the "same old" of recent times. One person telling me that she hasn't shown since January as she's totally disheartened by it all, she came to this show without her dogs to see if she could get the bug back - I hope she does.
I have to say the judging yesterday was very consistent with the judge mostly sticking to a favourable type, only one thing surprised, after pointing out the obvious undesirable traits in a dog he still went on to top honours when others could well have been considered.
Beti was last again, actually three bitches, including Beti were shown out of coat, all three were last with the judge saying that at the end of the day this is a competition and questioned in one class whether a female so devoid of coat should be in the ring. (She looked worse than Beti) With hindsight, she should have stayed at home, I say it over and over, I shouldn't show them out of coat at this level, but I keep bloody doing it! So sadly the boost I need so badly didn't come, but at least what I could hear of the verbal critique was pleasing.
"Not in the best condition today, a little underweight which shows in the underline. Very Powerful mover in the walk and gait, but a little erratic at times handler managing it well. Very nice hindquarters not exaggerate in any way, they are just right very nice topline??? (I think he says)Very nice croup."