Swindon was Darcy's first ever dog show last year. I entered him in Novice and he did really well to get joint sixth place. Unfortunately we lost the run-off and ended up with a "special" rosette. However, it was a good day and I was really pleased with him.

This year, having won out of Novice last season, we had to enter "A". I wasn't brave enough to enter "B" as well! Anyway, by entering one class only it is less likely that you will get a running order - and Darcy isn't good early in the day as he needs time to get tired out!

Mel and Ryan were in the same class as us. We did stays in the morning. Darcy's stays are pretty good and Ryan also did his OK. After lunch Mel worked Ryan and he did a cracking round (just losing a little attention - being distracted by a sendaway). He only lost 2 marks on his round.

A while later I worked Darcy who was a bit "high". It was a nice round but a bit "noisy"! I was told by the judge that she had had to mark him for "whinging" through his round but even so, he only lost 2. Mel and I were on the same mark and in the lead. Unfortunately this didn't last long as 3 other competitors beat our score - putting us in joint 4th place. But there was still scent to go...

We went away to practice our scent exercise and both Darcy and Ryan were doing well so we went over to joing the queue! Mel went in before us and Ryan, whilst getting the right cloth, made a bit of a meal of the exercise. Mel was a bit disappointed but he did get the right cloth! Darcy did a very nice scent but we had to wait until the end to find out our marks.

It was getting late and Mel decided to go, assuming that she had lost out on a place but I hung around to find out if we had won a rosette. I was chuffed to discover that Darcy had only lost 0.25 marks on his scent, putting us into 3rd place. Ryan eventually only lost 1.5 marks on his scent, putting Mel into 4th place. As Mel had gone for the day, I collected her rosette.

It was a great day. The venue was nice, with plenty of places to walk the dogs. The weather was kind and even the big black clouds seemed to get chased away by the wind. When the sun broke through it was very hot and I found my face getting sun and wind burnt. Darcy and Ellie had a lovely time and it is all made so much nicer by taking home a rosette!!!

This page was updated on 1st July 2004