Thank you to John and Joan Walsh and the Committee of the All Ireland Shetland Sheepdog Club Championship Show for their invitation to judge and their hospitality at their show this year.  

This is the first year we have had obedience at this show and it really proved to be a huge success.  The rings were magnificent, a very good size and completely enclosed.  The majority of competitors commented on how pleased they were to be inside with such space provided.  Thank you too to the guys who helped us set up the rings this morning.  They were extremely helpful.

Finally thank you once again to Joe Ferris for his wonderful Stewarding today.  Yet again Joe kept everything moving very smoothly and was very efficient and enthusiastic.  He was particularly helpful in Stewarding Novice even though he was competing.  Thank you too to Anne Charleton for stepping in to Stewart for Joe when necessary and to Kathleen Geraghty for helping out as Stay Steward.

PRE BEGINNERS OBEDIENCE  4 entries - 4 competed

1st place: No 54: CHRIS KANE AND DEXTER ON 10.5 POINTS

A lovely enthusiastic team.  Nice gentle consistent handling by Chris. Chris handled Dexter beautifully with lots of encouragement and gentleness.  Heelwork was very promising.  Big improvement also on stays.  The only dog to keep both sets of stays today. A lovely consistent team.  Really well done.

2nd place: No 53: JENNIFER HANLON AND ARCHER

What a little trooper Archer is.  Such an enthusiastic little boy who loves his Mum.  Big improvement on heelwork today and also on stays with a clear down stay despite lots of distractions.  Really well done.  Keep up the great work with him Jen - it's certainly paying off.

3rd place: No 56: MICKY PARKER AND BORIS

Boris carried out one of his best rounds today.  Unfortunately stays ultimately let him down.  Heelwork was very impressive today and a huge improvement.  Great encouragement by Micky resulted in a much improved performance by Boris today.  Very well done to you both.

4th place: No 55: CLARAGH LEWIS AND JESS

Another lovely enthusiastic team.  Jess not on top form today but still completed some lovely heelwork.  Jess is very stylish when she gets into her stride and is capable of very elegant work. Such a big improvement in Jess's work since she first started.  Lovely gentle handling by Claragh.  Very well done to you both.

 

NOVICE OBEDIENCE  17 entries - 14 competed 3 training

1st place: No 69: BERYL KEALY AND KACEY 3 POINTS

A lovely enthusiastic team.  Kacey on top form today.  She completed some of the nicest heelwork I've every seen her complete.   Kacey is very stylish and consistent and is capable of very elegant work which she aptly demonstrated today.  Lovely consistent handling by Beryl.  Very well done to you both.  A well deserved place.

2nd Place: No 73: MIRIAM LYONS AND LAOISE  

Really impressive work by Miriam and Laoise today with nice consistent handling by Miriam and lovely attentive work by Laoise.  Clear recall.  Half mark in first and second place in this class today with very impressive work produced by both teams.  Really well done on a lovely performance. 

3rd Place: No 63 ANN MCDONALD AND PHAEDRA

Phaedra on a bit of a roll today after winning first place in Beginners.  She went on to complete some lovely heelwork in this class.  Nice consistent handling by Ann resulted in a lovely flowing round by Phaedra.  The placings in this class were very tight today.  Very well done on nice gentle consistent handling Ann.

4th Place: No 75 MARY POWER AND PORTIA

Lovely consistent work by Portia.  Very happy stylish work with lovely handling by Mary.  Tail wagging the whole way around.  Anticipation on recall resulted in place today as marks very tight in top four placings.  Really well done to you both. 

OBEDIENCE CLASS A:  9 entries - 3 competed 2 training

1st Place: No 78: MICK DEVLIN AND BUTCH ON 5 POINTS

Really Impressive, consistent round with very nice attentive work by Butch and excellent handling by Mick.   Lovely stylish work. Clear scent and stays resulted in this deserved place today.  Very well done.

2nd Place: No 64: ANNE CHARLETON AND DUKE

Lovely round by a very stylish Duke.  Duke is capable of producing some lovely work.  Very nice handling by Anne.  Relatively new to this class and progressing all the time.  Well done on another lovely round.

3rd Place: No 77 ANNE CHARLETON AND DUCHESS

And yet another lovely round by Anne and Duchess.  Nice tight heelwork and getting used to lack of commands in this class.  Another stylish team.  Half marks between second and third place in this class today with slight blip in stays resulting in Duchess's place today.  Very well done on your performance and placing today.

Thanks agin to all the competitors who entered today and for the graciousness with which you accepted my results.  There was a lovely friendly atmosphere ringside today with lots of support and camaraderie evident  which is what competing is all about.  Thank you for the opportunity to judge your delightful dogs today.

Valerie McPhillips