KICK OFF U.S. SHOW DATE IS SET--MAY 14-15, 2010 WARRENSBURG, MO, JOHNSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES AS THEY HAPPEN...........
AMERICAN STOCK DOG GOES TO FRANCE
We were contacted in May by Marie Paule Van Rysselberghe of Maggymaussies in Ste. Remy de Provence France, asking us for help in putting on a grooming/handling seminar as well as a show for the Mini and Toy Aussies from France, Belgium, and Switzerland. We started planning along with Roxana Bourassa our Show Coordinator from Glasgow, KY and owner of Wee Aussies. Roxana provided the Grooming and Handling part of the endeavor as well as stood in as judge for the show. She also has written our Junior Showmanship portion of our shows.
After spending a couple of days getting over jet lag and doing some sightseeing Friday evening arrived and we began our weekend. That evening was an informal dinner and just a general discussion of what the breeders wanted to achieve in their breeding programs.
We had three really great interpreters—Barbara Dooghe and Carine Smets from Belgium, and our host Marie. Many of the people spoke English, but quite a few didn't. But we learned that there is sort of a universal language when people are discussing their dogs.
Saturday morning bright and early we started grooming dogs for the show. People were so hungry for knowledge and it was really rewarding seeing the transformation of the dogs for the show. We actually could have had a 2 day seminar on grooming I believe. After lunch we had a short handling seminar and started the show at around 2 pm. We relied heavily on our interpreters for help with the judging critiques. Half way through the show we broke for the Junior Showmanship competition. We had 8 youngsters ranging from 7 years to 16 years of age. They were really a delight to work with and are already planning to train for next year. We divided them into 2 age groups. I must admit that the little ones stole the show.
The final part of the show was awarding the best of breed and best bred by exhibitor plaques.
In all we had 37 dogs entered from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden. Everyone went away from the show with a positive feeling and anticipating next years show. And so are we............
We provided the medals for the show and a variety of other prizes but also asked for prizes from breeders we knew here in the US. Many thanks to: Ray & Perianne Williams of Saddlebags Aussies in Minnesota, Vanessa Anderson of Anderson Acres in Ohio, and Sylvia Whitmore of Rimfire Kennel in Oregon for the plaques for Best of Breed, and Best Bred by Exhibitor for both sizes of Aussies. Also Wendy Ward of Celebrityward Kennel in Washington for the medals for the Junior Showmanship, Janet Doughty of BJBar Aussies in Washington for the hand braided leashes for the Junior Showmanship winners, Shauna More, Compact Classic Aussies and Silver Shade for the dog coats and crate covers for the winners, Geri Stanfill of Cattle Call Toy Aussies in Oregon and TASAA (Toy Australian Shepherd Association of America) for contributing to the Breeder dinner held the day of the show. Would also like to mention Glee Shusko, Adore Aussies; Martha Zaiser of Sundance Toy Aussies and Janet Doughty of BJBar Aussies for donating the exhibitor numbers in memory of Bev Woodcock and Waggin Tail Aussies. These contributors helped make the show extra special.