Ashley's page
When Ashley, my grandson, was 12 years old I had great hopes for him. He and I had been to a number of dogs shows together, including Crufts and we've talked, at length, about the possibility of him showing the puppy I planned to keep from Poppy's litter in 2009. Now an 18 year old he has other interests but you can see his showing progress below.
21 March 2009
Ashley and Reiver (Linnburnhead Reed Warbler) at today's Three Ridings Labrador Club Show. This was Ashley's very first attempt at showing and with very little practice before the class, he managed to get VHC in the young handlers class (11-18 yr old).
Many thanks to Joanne McDonald (Marronoir Labradors) for allowing Ashley to take Reiver into the ring.
22 August 2009
Ashley and Martha receiving 1st prize in the puppy class at "The Bark in the Park" fun dog show at Ravensknowle Park, Huddersfield - it was just a shame I wasn't sitting across the other side of the ring and able to have taken a photo of them from the front!
Three Ridings Labrador Club Open Show 27 Sept 2009
Ashley and Shaymiloney Sweetpea 2nd in the Junior Handlers class. Many thanks to Hayley Brambles (Shaymiloney Labradors) for the loan of her lovely girl, Hattie.
21 October 2009
Ashley's 13th birthday and what better way to celebrate than at his and Martha's first 'proper' show
Huddersfield & District C A show
3rd in any variety minor puppy
2nd in any variety gundog - open
1st in any variety bred by exhibitor
Huddersfield & District C A show
3rd in any variety minor puppy
2nd in any variety gundog - open
1st in any variety bred by exhibitor
Three Ridings Labrador Club Open Show 31 Jan 2010
2nd Junior Handling
20 March 2010
What a difference a year makes. Ashley and Martha in the Junior Handlers' class at the Three Ridings Labrador Club Show where they were placed 3rd.
1 May 2010
Ashley qualifies for the Junior Handling Association semi-finals at Richmond.
4 August 2010
Bad news for Ashley, the dogs have kennel cough so we won't be going to the junior handling semi-finals after all. To say we're both disappointed is an understatement!
19 Sept 2010
Ashley got bitten by the showing bug after he first entered the ring with Martha's dad in March 2009. It's always been his dream that one day he would take a dog into the ring at Crufts. Today that dream became one step nearer to reality. Will (with a little help from Ashley) has qualified for Crufts.
10 March 2011 - CRUFTS
Today's the day we'd been working towards ever since Will qualified in September last year. The plan was to arrive at the NEC in Birmingham at around 7.30am, unpack everything, feed and exercise Will and generally chill out until our class, which was the second one of the day. Unfortunately fate conspired against us, as we drove down the M1 there were warning signs that ahead the motorway was closed. At J30 we followed a very long and slow moving line of vehicles off the motorway. It took 2 hours for us to get back on the motorway and by then we were beginning to panic. The first class was due to start at 9am and we were still miles away. It was almost 9.30am as we finally set foot inside the NEC. Ashley dashed off to get changed as we abandoned all our gear in the benching area and I headed into the ring with Will. The judge was already halfway through the dogs and it was a race against time. Ashley made it into the ring with minutes to spare and I hastily handed over Will and the pocketful of treats. It was soon Ashley's turn to present Will in front of the judge and apart from Will jumping up at the judge it went very well. Unfortunately Will didn't make the cut (this is when the the judge picks his chosen few to look at a second time and the rest leave the ring.)
I know that Ashley was disappointed and felt that he'd not done very well, but to me it was quite the opposite. He was in the show ring at this country's most prestigious dog show, amongst some of the best dogs in this country (as well as those from abroad) and competing against much older and experienced handlers. Will's a bit of a handful at the best of times and had gone straight from a 4 hour car journey into the ring. The fact that Ashley handled him so well is a real credit to him. Well done Ashley, I'm so proud of you!
I know that Ashley was disappointed and felt that he'd not done very well, but to me it was quite the opposite. He was in the show ring at this country's most prestigious dog show, amongst some of the best dogs in this country (as well as those from abroad) and competing against much older and experienced handlers. Will's a bit of a handful at the best of times and had gone straight from a 4 hour car journey into the ring. The fact that Ashley handled him so well is a real credit to him. Well done Ashley, I'm so proud of you!