As many of you know, I’ve been planning to make a trip out to North Carolina this month for the United Poodle Breeds Association specialty show, being held in Hickory NC.  My good friends Gloria and her daughter Kelsey live in NC and asked me to try to attend.  It just so happened that my wonderful Mother could watch the kids and I didn’t have any puppies or rescues to care for, making it as good a time as I was likely to have for the next few years.

After driving up to Arkansas to drop the kids off with my mom, I made the two day drive out to Hickory.  The weather was warm, but not hot and the fall colors were just starting to arrive.  I hit the Smokey Mountains early on Friday, the 5th.  My hopes of taking some nice fall foliage photos were dashed with the combination of heavy fog during the trip in, then steady rain on my trip back to Arkansas.

Upon settling Jazz and Mocha in their crates at the show, I was put to work setting up the obedience mats and ring gates for the American Hairless Terrier club, who was hosting a 3 day show in conjunction with our specialty.  I think this was about 10AM on Friday.  By Noon I was brushing the girls and taking a few candid photos of the ribbons and a handling class being given at the poodle specialty.  I’ll be sending a few of the best photos to UPBA to use in the newsletter.   Somehow I completely missed taking some shots of the Raffle table, which was covered with many wonderful items.   I also didn’t take a single nice photo my own dogs the entire weekend.  Only my phone camera which is hardly passable in low light.  Next time I do this I have to remember to include my own dogs!  I will say it was great putting real faces to names and meeting new poodle fanciers.  Everyone was warm and welcoming to this Texas gal.

Thanks to Gloria’s careful planning and calm, cool, collected nature, the show went off without a hitch.  Nothing phases her and she always remembers the end goal, to have a good time.  Thank you Gloria and everyone else who helped make this specialty a hit.

Now for the exciting stuff.  Show results!

There were a total of 6 conformation shows.  One specialty, 5 All breed shows.

JAZZ:  UKC CH Tintlet Rhapsody in Blue earned 2 Grand Champion passes by winning the Champion class at two shows, one of which was the specialty.  She needs a total of 5 passes to earn the title.  She also has a new Rally 1 Title with 1 first place (score 96) and two second places (score 96 and 91).  Jazz is co-owned by her breeder Gloria Ogdahl.

ZIVA: Tintlet Livin So Divine ( Ziva) earned her last win on Friday night to gain her Championship, then went on to win the Champion Class 3 times, 2 Best of Breed, one Group 2. Ziva is c-owned with her breeder, Kelsey Wolf and lives full time with Kelsey.

Mocha got one reserve (second), but I could not handle her and Jazz in the same class.  She wasn’t really interested in showing for anyone but me.  Jazz’s sister won the Champion class once as well, so we did spread the wins a little.

LEVI: UWP GrCH Sisco’s I Like It Like That came out of retirement to show this weekend. We loaned him to a new Jr Handler. These were Cheyenne’s first shows and she came away with 3 Altered BEST in shows, plus 3 Best Jr Handler!!! Levi also did one weight pull and earned 5 points towards his next title.  Levi is 8 now and spends most of his time warming the couch and beds at Gloria’s house.

The shows had both terrier races and weight pull.  I did give Mocha a try at weight pull but she felt the weight behind her and did what any good ‘tether trained’ dog would do.  She prompted laid down and held a nice stay.  🙂  I put the leash on her and walked her down, letting her pull the weight and she was starting to grasp the concept.  It was great to see what weight pull was all about.

Six days on the road for 3 fun days of shows.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely!

~Becky