Out of an entry of 20+ only 4 Cockers were there on the day! But that was typical of the show overall. It had been re-scheduled from January 10th, when it was a victim of the bad weather, and it seems like a lot of exhibitors already had other commitments today.
Cocker Spaniel results -
Puppy - 5 entries, 3 absent.
1st & Best Puppy in breed - Estall's Tyaltonwood Sweet Wonder (Louis)
2nd - Disson's Zakova Top Tottie
Post Graduate - 9 entered, 8 absent
1st & BOB - Hutchings' Asquanne Go Likely At Beechwood
Open - 8 entered, 7 absent
1st - Hutchings' Cascadia I Chico At Beechtops
Sue Hutchings BOB went on to be Reserve Best Gundog. (Well done Sue, who isn't a COLer as far as I know, but I go to Romsey Ringcraft where she is one of the trainers and she's very helpful)
I was really pleased with the way Louis coped with his first show. He's been horrible at Ringcraft over the last couple of weeks, barking a lot and ignoring me (I think he's definitely a teenager now). But today he hardly barked at all and after a couple of minutes of anxiety when we first went in and found the noise and echoes frightening, he settled down really well.
He doesn't go in crates but happily sat on top of his watching the world go by and getting lots of attention from people. He didn't behave brilliantly in the ring, but a lot better than I expected. He was very good while the judge went over him but it took him a while to stop pulling and bouncing about when I moved him. The judge was very patient with him.
I took these photos when we got home. They're not great because I can't stack him and take a photo at the same time! Also, he looks a bit tired after his long day and a bit bedraggled after being in the garden. But you can see that his horrid topknot has gone. Sue Rihoy did him for me on Friday and he looked so handsome then.
