CRUFTS 2015 – We took along Flint (Shandlmain Silver Surfer) who was placed a respectable 3rd in his Puppy Class, he had a wonderful write up from Breed Specialist Judge Gwen Beaden and in the Judge’s words had he been settled would have surely won the class, a shame that earlier another exhibitor had seen fit to wield a squeeky toy like someone possessed in front of him unsettling him as he had started the day full of confidence. Tien (Jack Mack’s Hefin Huw, was shown in Limit Bitch and placed 2nd. So a good day for us at Crufts.
7th May 2015 – BIRMINGHAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW – First time out for a long while for Shandlmain Mariposa (Posa) Daughter of Shandlmain You Doo Voodoo x Wicani Essence of Myrrh for Shandlmain (Myrrh) who now keeps good company with my mother in Dorset. Posa qualified for Crufts 2016 by achieving a 2nd in Yearling Bitch ot of 14 bitches present under Smooth Collie Breed Specialist Trevor Hayward so that was a very nice placing for Posa today. Tien (Jack Mack’s Hefin Huw) kept the flag flying for us as well under Smooth Collie Breed Specialist Pat Lister as well being placed 2nd in Limit Bitch also so again, another good placing for Tien.
17th May 2015 – SCOTTISH KENNEL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW – Well, this show surely has to be highlighted in red as the show of the year for us this year. I collected Nick Smith from Stansted Airport and the following day drove up the country to Scotland with Tien (Jack Mack’s Hefin Huw) a first time to Scotland for me and one I will remember forever. On arrival bumped into Stella Clark and Pat Lister, unfortunately Stella had injured her wrist and arm and was Judging Great Danes in the adjacent ring to Smooth Collies and was discussing how she was going to write her notes for her critique, so asked me if I would scribe for her. As Nick was handling Tien in the ring, I of course said that I would help and ended up not only scribing but helped Stewarding as well, as Stella could not write in her Judges book either except to mark her signature. I was ideally positioned to watch the Smooth Judging though and was thrilled to see Tien win a very strong Open Bitch Class and Nick’s face is one I will remember of complete surprise. Was even better to see Tien win the Reserve Challenge Certificate under All Round Specialist Mr K R Newhouse (Annecy). I drove home that evening on Cloud 9!
8th JULY 2015 – Was the saddest of days at Shandlmain. Our beloved Shandlmain You Doo Voodoo had to be laid to rest after suffering a brain tumor which I must emphasise is not a hereditory condition as some would probably speculate, it just happened. Voodoo remains with us at Shandlmain, he has his place in our front room and will always be with us along with his greatest achievements. Never to be forgotten. Voodoo lives on in his daughter Shandlmain Mariposa here at Shandlmain and we plan to bring Voodoo’s grandchildren in to the world early in 2016.
23rd October 2015 – MIDLAND COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW – Today we took along Freyde (Shandlmain Pesquero Blue and Hunter (Brooklynson Errol Flynn) Freyde has not been shown much since she had her puppies and has only just recently come back out as has been getting her coat back so still needs to get back in condition but was placed 5th in Open bitch which was respectable as there were 10 entries, Hunter was placed 2nd in his Puppy class at his first Championship show and qualified for Crufts 2016. This was only HUnter’s 3rd ever show as well so I was pleased with him as he showed extremely well and did not show me up at all! As I had been unwell, both dogs were handled by Ros MacDonald so I must thank Ros for stepping in and offering to handle for me