We did the 750 mile round trip the the French National Retriever Show in a delightful town in the Loire Valley, called Aubigny sur Nere. A really lovely venue in the Chateau gardens right in the centre of the town. It was the 39th National Élevage show and possibly the last one Freddie and Pops breeder would attend as she’s now in her 76th year. She took 7 females, 5 of where were in the same class (!), plus two more dogs she bred plus Freddie and Pops. So of the 153 lab entries, 11 were Tintagel Winds.
There were a lot more female dogs entered so the female puppy and baby classes were judged by Mr Frank Kane.
Pops handled it all very well, she didn’t get placed. At the moment her legs aren’t long enough for her body, I’m not sure if that’ll change. Anyway, she was judged very promising (as were all the babies). The first four got a ribbon. Later in the day Mr Kane was overheard chatting with the steward saying it was a great shame the yellow very promising baby didn’t get a ribbon. He persuaded the organisers to present one to us. I’m chuffed to bits and gave him a big hug. Probably not protocol but who cares!
Freddie was in a large junior male class. He behaved impeccably (for Freddie). Mr Kane liked a lot about him but didn’t like his head. We didn’t make the cut and only got ranked very good instead of excellent. Looking at the results afterwards we were in very good company as I saw lots of dogs that I’ve previously seen winning CACS (Challenge certificates) only got very good and no placing too.
The finale of the day (for us) was taking part in the breeders class. There were 7 entries in labradors and Freddie's breeder entered a group of three blacks (which was to include Freddie but one of the black females was in season so we decided against it) and five yellows. I got to handle two of the yellows and I’m delighted to say our group of yellows won. A great end to a great day!
Here’s some random photos, sone taken on my iPhone and some by a professional photographer.
There were a lot more female dogs entered so the female puppy and baby classes were judged by Mr Frank Kane.
Pops handled it all very well, she didn’t get placed. At the moment her legs aren’t long enough for her body, I’m not sure if that’ll change. Anyway, she was judged very promising (as were all the babies). The first four got a ribbon. Later in the day Mr Kane was overheard chatting with the steward saying it was a great shame the yellow very promising baby didn’t get a ribbon. He persuaded the organisers to present one to us. I’m chuffed to bits and gave him a big hug. Probably not protocol but who cares!
Freddie was in a large junior male class. He behaved impeccably (for Freddie). Mr Kane liked a lot about him but didn’t like his head. We didn’t make the cut and only got ranked very good instead of excellent. Looking at the results afterwards we were in very good company as I saw lots of dogs that I’ve previously seen winning CACS (Challenge certificates) only got very good and no placing too.
The finale of the day (for us) was taking part in the breeders class. There were 7 entries in labradors and Freddie's breeder entered a group of three blacks (which was to include Freddie but one of the black females was in season so we decided against it) and five yellows. I got to handle two of the yellows and I’m delighted to say our group of yellows won. A great end to a great day!
Here’s some random photos, sone taken on my iPhone and some by a professional photographer.