2013
DECEMBER
LOGAN IS TOP GSP 2013!
What an amazing year our boy has had, to gain his Full Champion status and ending the year as Top GSP! He has held his 'Top Dog' position throughout 2013 and we would like to thank everyone who has recognised his qualities and given us such a momentous year, one to be remembered for a very long time!
Logan is our 2nd Full Champion, our first was Ch Wildpoint Waffle (Tika). Logan is currently the only male Champion in the breed and the youngest as well, what a career our boy has had so far, as well as being an absolute joy to live with.
Not forgetting our delightful Greta who has done us proud in gaining 3 Reserve CC's in tough competition this year.
We are planning a litter in 2014 by Logan out of Greta so exciting times are ahead!
GSPC NOVICE FIELD TRIAL - LAUNTON, OXFORDSHIRE - Back to getting up at "silly o'clock" to drive south on a Monday, how mad are we! Logan enters his first ever field trial for a Show Gundog Working Certificate and although doesn't quite achieve this on the day, he acquits himself really well and is given the recognition of his abilities by being given the Guns award, a great reflection of his ability to hunt, point and produce game for 'the bag'.
GSPA NOVICE FIELD TRIAL - BUCKNELL. OXFORDSHIRE - Logan enters his second trial and today he is awarded his Show Gundog Working Certificate, yippee! To say we are delighted and so proud is a total understatement as this means he will now be known as Champion Barleyarch Farthing at Drysika JW ShCM! (subject to KC confirmation).
This currently makes him the only male Full Champion in the breed and the youngest Full Champion, proving his ability as a true gundog, as well as being a successful show dog. He has made yet another dream come true for us in achieving our 2nd Champion dog, our first was 'Tika' (Ch Wildpoint Waffle JW)
NOVEMBER
GUNDOGS OF SCOTLAND CH SHOW - Our last champ show of the year as we can't go to LKA as we have docked dogs!
Friends with Springer spaniels travelled up with me to Edinburgh as Allan was working and we had a lovely journey up in the dark, driving through hailstones, heavy rain, fog, and an occasional flicker of sunshine! No matter, a warm hall and well organised show awaited us. Our judge today was from Portugal, Mr Rui Oliveria and was giving CC's in GSP's for the first time. He had drawn an excellent entry of 80, Logan was awarded 4th in Open but our star today was our delightful Greta who showed the best ever (well, one little leap in the air when the judge wasn't looking!). She won Post Graduate and was then handed the Res CC, her 3rd this year, we are so proud of her, considering she wasn't bought as a show dog and due to unforeseen circumstances was returned to Sue and Martin Harris at 7 months old.
Below is Greta doing some retrieving:
Will Logan end the year as Top GSP?? It's not over till it's over...........so watch this space!
OCTOBER
MIDLAND COUNTIES CH SHOW - A lovely 'local' show, at Stafford showground, we didn't leave home till 7.30! An excellent entry awaited Mr Frank Kane in this superb venue and Logan was in a class teeming with quality in which he was a very commendable 2nd. Greta was 4th in Post Grad and showed really well so we'll take that!
Not many updates recently as we've been away but lots has been happening so here's the latest news......
We have a new addition at Drysika in the form of a 14 month old part trained working cocker currently called Pixie! Allan wanted a dog just for beating and Pixie belonged to a friend who was training her up. She has Field Trial Champion parents and will hopefully fit the bill as well as being easy to lift over fences! She's settled in amazingly well and is a real pocket rocket! She's house trained, well socialised, and doesn't take up any space and adores cuddles as you can see!
Greta then came in season, quickly followed by Pixie and Logan had great desires for Pixie so we could invent a new 'designer dog' a Cockapoint!
The seasons were perfect timing (not!), as we were going away for a week to stay with friends Jo and Mark Izard down in Kent so juggling 10 dogs (our 6, Jo's and Jo's parents dogs), 2 males and 2 bitches in season has been interesting to say the least! Allan and Jo went picking up on a shoot on the Monday and Tuesday and Jo and I had planned to travel up to Gundogs of Wales at Malvern on Wednesday, but unfortunately her Mum was involved in a serious car accident (thankfully she's now improving), and I had to cadge a lift from Jacie Weyman from Maidstone (Spuffing English Springers). It turned out that she had been to our house as she has friends in GSP's and she'd been with a friend to Blackpool show many years ago. It's a small world, this dog showing lark! It was worth getting up at silly o'clock as Logan showed his socks off and forgot about his desires as I'd left the other dogs with Allan at Jo's.
The judge today was Mr Keith Groom and he awarded Logan his 14th CC and B.O.B. and he was then shortlisted in the group under Mrs Sandra Marshall. The following day we went off to Sandwich Beach which the dogs thoroughly enjoyed and Logan forgot about his 'desires' for a while! It was then back to picking up again the next day so Logan really is a versatile gundog.
SEPTEMBER
DRIFFIELD CH SHOW - Another hassle free journey over the Pennines to North Yorkshire to a new layout for Driffield show, and very amenable it was too. In the 'hot seat' today was breed specialist Karen Brown (Gamebourne GSP's) who had brought the sun with her from the right side of the hill, i.e. Lancashire! She had a quality packed Open dog class where Logan was awarded 4th but the star of the day today was our 'very nice but very naughty' Greta! To our great delight she won Post Grad and was awarded her 2nd Reserve CC, amongst tremendous competition. She nearly managed to do her performance without a leap in the air but couldn't quite manage it! She is so clever as it doesn't matter how much practise we do or where we do it, as soon as we get in the ring, she knows the score, little gremlin that she is but at least she's enjoying herself! Her Dad, Sh Ch Barleyarch Paxo was B.O.B and then went group 2 so a lovely result.
When we consider that Greta was returned to Sue and Martin at 7 months and has adapted so well, it's testimony to her basic temperament, although occasionally we would like to take her batteries out!
Below is a very blurred picture of her, taken by a friend's fancy contraption i.e.an Ipad I believe! I 'll stick to a camera I think!
DARLINGTON CH SHOW - A mere hop over the Pennines for us to the new venue at Ripon Racecourse, a nice change from the marathon journeys of late! Thankfully the "in and out" marquees were in use as it was a cold, damp and blustery day, even for mid September. It was a case of not the best day at the office today as Greta was lame due to a cut pad again, she had obviously done it on her walk prior to going to the show but typically it wasn't apparent before the journey! However, after resting it was obviously tender so she was withdrawn, Logan was 3rd in Open. It was, however, a pleasant change to be home by 2.30p.m!
RICHMOND CH SHOW - We treated ourselves to a stay at a sumptuous, dog friendly Bed & Breakfast about twenty minutes from the showground and had a leisurely drive to the show at 9a.m. after a lovely English breakfast! Our judge today was Mrs Fiona Thurm (Bryburn GSP's and Beldonburn Golden Rets) and she awarded Logan his 9th Reserve CC. Greta was 2nd in Post Graduate and behaved impeccably, unlike the weather which was a mixture of horrendous heavy showers with bits of sun and cloud! We thought it didn't rain down South!
AUGUST
SCOTTISH KENNEL CLUB CH SHOW - A glorious day dawned for SKC gundog day and typically, all the judging and trade stands were indoors! It was a case of "boot on the other foot" today as Catherine was in the hot seat and giving tickets. She had a thoroughly enjoyable day amongst our lovely breed, with some excellent quality dogs to go over and some challenging decisions to be made! Below is the Dog CC, Bitch CC & B.O.B. and BP.
WELSH KENNEL CLUB CH SHOW - A picturesque journey down to Builth Wells where after a short shower early on, a perfect weather day for dog showing followed, although GSP's were practically the only dogs being judged outside. Our judge today was Mr Jonathon Daltry who was awarding CC's for the first time and from a class of Show Champions, he gave Logan the CC, this was his 13th so lucky for us today! Thankfully Logan was concentrating on the job in hand today, instead of the 'ladies' and he was thrilled to see his sister (from a repeat mating of Sterling and Pixie), be awarded her first CC and B.O.B at only 13 months old. Greta was back in the mix again and was 3rd in Post Grad.
W.K.C. has always been a memorable show for us, we made Tika (Ch Wildpoint Waffle) up there, Catherine gave her first time tickets there and Lily showed the first symptoms of her auto immune condition there!
Some good news for Princess Lily though, she has had another stable result with her blood platelets so is now on a minimal dose of steroids and hopefully after her next test in a month, will officially be in remission again, let's hope it lasts longer than 12 months this time!
BOURNEMOUTH CH SHOW - Logan is currently the GSP half way leader in the 'Top Dog' competition, we are so proud of him although he had other things on his mind at Bournemouth show, namely the female of the species! There were quite a few bitches in season and he got himself into a bit of a lather! No matter, he scooped his 12th CC under Mrs Linda Taylor (Wansleydale English Setters) who was awarding CC's in our breed for the first time. Logan was also 3rd in the Open Stakes. Poor Greta stayed at home, nursing a cut pad but hopefully she'll be firing on all cylinders by Welsh Kennel Club.
PAIGNTON CH SHOW - We were up at a very silly hour to make the long haul to Exeter where we had a lovely day as Logan was awarded his 11th CC. The judge today was Mrs Maureen Mackay. Greta was 2nd in Post Graduate. We had organised a friend to stay at our house and 'dog sit and walk' Kenco, Lily and Anya for the weekend, so we had booked a B and B which meant we could stay at the show longer. We enjoyed watching some of the other breed judging and also had a go at the scurry with Logan and Greta who'll you'll see below thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
NATIONAL GUNDOG CH SHOW - The next day it was on to Malvern where the weather was unkind and it rained for most of the day so judging took place indoors. The judge was Mrs Val Rusk (Booton) and Logan was awarded 2nd in Open and Greta was 2nd in Post Graduate. Logan was also entered in the Champion Stakes and from a class of 27 teeming with quality and top winning partnerships, Logan was 4th so we were delighted. The judge was Mrs Jenny Miller.
JULY
GSPC Ch Show - Perfect weather at this new venue for the club show, cloudy but warm and 2 lovely big rings. Greta had "ants in her pants" on the stack today but eventually managed to get it together and win Graduate under Mrs Patsy Hollings of Gunalt Weimaraner fame. It was a lovely day for Doreen Smillie who made up her dog under Martin Harris and although Logan couldn't compete, he had the honour of being in the Parade of Champions for the first time which he thoroughly enjoyed, as you'll see below.
A quiet month on the show scene for us and although the GSP Club have moved their champ show to July, this year we now won't be able to compete with Logan. Sadly,due to ill health, our original judge for dogs (Mrs Jenny Jennings) can't officiate and the substitute judge is none other than Martin Harris! Officially we could show Logan as Sue, not Martin is registered as the breeder, but we don't think that would go down too well! Hence we've had to withdraw with our boy and will just have to enjoy a day out with our fizz bomb, Greta. We are hoping that the weather could oblige by cooling down a little! We are just never satisfied with our British climate, although it has given us chance to practise some water retrieves with the monsters!
Below is Logan with a natural distraction in the water, and spot Greta behind Allan, waiting patiently for her turn.
JUNE
BLACKPOOL CH SHOW - Our local show, a lovely 30 minute drive away and thankfully the show went ahead this year, although the day began with heavy rain and wind and all the dog judging took place in the tent in a 'postage stamp' sized ring which quickly turned into a mud bath! Thankfully the bitch judging took place outside in a lovely large ring. Our judge today was Mrs Trish Grimes (Ansona Weimaraners and Pointers). She was doing CC's for the first time and Logan was awarded the CC, taking him into double figures as that was his 10th, and his 6th this year, we are so proud of him.
Greta was 3rd in Post Graduate
BORDER UNION CH SHOW - Sunshine and heavy showers were the order of the day at this picturesque spot at Kelso. The outdoor rings are large and flat but unfortunately most of the judging had to take place in a small ring in one of the marquees. Greta had an air of smugness about her today as she won Post Graduate where as her 'partner in crime' Logan, was 2nd in Open. Our judge today was Mr Richard Houghton.
3 COUNTIES CH SHOW - Another perfect day weatherwise for dog showing at this ideal venue in a lovely setting. It was a shade chilly to start but then blossomed into a sunny and breezy day and our judge today was Mrs Eileen Gates. She had judged Logan as a puppy and gave him best puppy at Gundogs of Scotland Ch show (where he went on to win BPIS). He was within excellent company in Open Dog and took the class and his 9th CC and B.O.B.
Not to be outdone, Greta was awarded 2nd in Graduate, beaten by her sister 'Dora'. (Barleyarch Oreo). You can't beat a bit of sibling rivalry!
MAY
SOUTHERN COUNTIES CH SHOW - "Good things come in 3's"!
1) We had a most enjoyable day at this show, apart from the journey home which took a ridiculous 5 and a half hours! Even the weather obliged and it was perfect dog showing weather, some sun but with a lovely breeze. Our judge today was Mr Jeff Horswell who is a recognised all rounder and partner in the 'Drakesleat' dachshunds affix. It was his first time giving CC's in our breed and Logan won a star studded Open class and was awarded his 8th CC.
2) Our 'fizz bomb Greta' was most co-operative and delighted us by winning her Yearling class, she's pictured below. She's come a long way from the 7 month old raw youngster sent back to her breeders due to unforseen circumstances and we are thrilled that she's settled so well with us and our mob!
3) Our lovely Lily (Drysika Fleur De Lis JW), got her latest blood platelet count result today and we're nearly in remission with her. Her platelets numbers are remaining at a safe level and she hasn't to have a test for a month and then if that result is good, she will be able to go onto a very low dose of steroids, given on an every other day regieme. This will mean that her body will hopefully start producing cortisol itself (without the artificial help of the steroids) and her physical condition will eventually start to return. Due to the long term high dosage of steroids, she currently looks like a stick insect with a pot belly! as the steroids have stripped her of her muscle tone and stretched her ligaments, and to round it off she has lost a lot of her coat and is covered in bare patches! The main thing is that she's happy in herself but needless to say there are no pictures of Lily below!
S.K.C - One of these days, it will actually not rain at SKC on gundog day! At least the ground was good underfoot which made a change from the usual mud bath! It was a day of "Blues and 2's" for Logan and Greta today, Logan was pipped by 'Daddy Sterling' in Open dog and Greta was 2nd in Post Grad. However, Greta managed to achieve the whole triangle and up and down without a jump or a bark! Progress indeed! Our judge today was Lynda Adams.
CS GSP SOCIETY - The inaugural show of the recently formed Central and Southern GSP Society was held at the Kennel Club building at Stoneleigh and a healthy entry of 69 greeted gundog group judge Mrs Jenny Miller (Feorlig). The show was a great success, as well as being a successful day for us, it was well organised and there was a friendly, relaxed atmosphere throughout and some lovely lunch and cakes too! Unfortunately the sun didn't make an appearance till the end of the day so all the judging took place inside.
Our boy won Open, was awarded Best Dog and then went on to BIS. Mrs Miller had given him group 4 as a puppy at Gundog of Wales Championship show so was pleased to hear of Logan's ongoing awards since then.
Greta was on her best behaviour today and was awarded 2nd in the largest class of the day, Post Graduate.
Below is Logan and RBIS Rose's Sh Ch Kavacanne Gift of the Gab.
APRIL
W.E.L.K.S. CH SHOW - A day of April showers for the first outdoor champ show of the year but at least it was outside even though when the sun went in it was a tad chilly! Logan hadn't been to a show since January as he couldn't go to Crufts and then his breeder judged at the GSPA Ch show in March, so it was with great delight that he picked up his 3rd CC of the year in as many shows. Our judge was Mrs Julia Thomas (Knabynnus GSP's) who had a great entry including 23 in Post Grad bitch, where Greta was awarded VHC. Greta thought that today instead of leaping in the air when doing her triangle, she would have a bark, the little madam that she is!
Below is Logan winning Open Dog.
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MARCH
Accrington Canine Society - This show was held on Good Friday and it certainly was a Good Friday today as Greta won Post Graduate, then went B.O.B. and then group 3 in a full complement of gundogs. The breed judge was Mr Mike Egan (Enryb Weimaraners) and the group judge was Mrs Jane Eyeington (Meadowdale English Springers). Greta did think about having a bounce around but managed to contain herself throughout the day!
We were certainly in the firing line when it came to snow distribution this year, below is the lane we live on that was impassable until a channel was cut through it!
FEBRUARY
LILY - Unfortunately our lovely Lily (Drysika Fleur De Lis) who is only 4, will be "hanging up her show lead" for good as she has relapsed with the Auto Immune condition that she has which is called Thrombocytopenia. This is a condition where her immune system becomes confused and destroys her blood platelets which then prevents her blood clotting. All being well, we'll get her into remission again but it's a long road of weekly blood tests, extremely high doses of steroids, and managing the side effects that come with using steroids at these levels. Princess Lily will now be even more spoilt than she was before, if that's possible!
We have had tremendous help from a very knowledgeable source and for more information about Auto Immune Disorders, visit www.cimda.co.uk
Deane & District Canine Society - A handy trip to Bolton for this show which, as it's a small venue, the groups are divided into morning or afternoon, gundogs were in the afternoon, leaving us plenty of time to give Greta her valium to keep her feet on the floor in the ring! It obviously worked as she won Post Graduate! The judge was Mr Peter Swigciski (Cosalta American Cockers).
Allan recently passed the breed specific Judging Seminar for the GSP Club. He also attended and passed a GWP Club seminar as he is judging GWP's later this year and wanted to gain a broader knowledge about them, passing the seminar was a bonus!
JANUARY
MANCHESTER CH SHOW - What a memorable day it turned out to be, the day dreams are made of! With winter firmly in it's grip outside Stafford Showground, inside a warm and spacious hall awaited us and Logan did us proud by clocking up his 6th CC and 6th B.O.B. The entry today was 93 dogs and the judge was Mrs Ruth Martin (Sunhouse gundogs) who was giving CCs for the first time in our breed.
Greta was at only her 4th Champ show and she thrilled us by winning a quality Junior class and managing to keep her feet on the floor! However, she then went on to get the Reserve CC! At this point, we were on cloud 9 and Logan then went in the group where he was initially shortlisted again amidst strong competition. To our absolute delight, he was then awarded Group 2 under Mrs Becky Johnson (Downstream Flatcoated Retrievers) Needless to say we floated home! No championship show outings for a good while now as due to the docking ban, Logan and Greta can't be shown at Crufts and unfortunately Sue Harris who bred them, is judging at the GSPA Champ show in April!
BOSTON CH SHOW - Logan starts 2013 with a bang and at the first show of the year he gets his 5th CC,5th B.O.B. and was then shortlisted in the group. Our lovely day was courtesy of breed judge Mr Stephen Hollings of Gunalt Weimaraner fame and the group judge was Mrs Valerie Foss. It was definitely worth the ungodly hour start time!aner fame and the group judge was Mrs Valerie Foss. It was definitely worth the ungodly hour start time!
The first real snow of the year arrives in Lancashire and the dogs take advantage of it. Allan goes beating and pictured below are the beaters setting off and the dogs playing in the garden, minus Kenco who chose to stay in front of the fire!
