So we have our first "proper" show at Bournemouth this coming weekend *quivers with nerves*
I have no idea what i need to take.

Ring clips obviously, show lead, treats, water for Jazz, his brush, wipes, rescue remedy for me (!) erm what else?

Should I take chairs for us? I have a sun tent thing for Jazz, Oh god - do I need a benching chain?

Meltdown approaching..........

Definitely take chairs! And pack a lunch for the humans! Much cheaper than buying food at shows which is usually quite limited as well. I always pack a book just in case it ends up being  a long wait. Take a towel and kitchen paper and baby wipes -you never know when it may be needed LOL, so those are items I always keep in my show bag. Poo bags of course. :) A benching chain yes if you intend to bench your dog (you can sit at ringside if you prefer, if there is enough space left and it isn't raining), and a blanket for the bench as well in that case.

And of course don't forget your show passes! :) Good luck!!

Sense of humour, thick skin.... You seem to have everything else planned! Petrol - I ran out on the M1 once, I felt such a fool! Have fun!

Big brolly...it chucked it down last year ( and the one before if I remember well).

So planning for every eventuality seems to be the way forward!

I don't have a benching chain but I assume I will be able to buy them there? Does it just attach to his everyday collar?

> Does it just attach to his everyday collar?

Yes, as long as it fits well.

Try and enjoy yourself...it's your hobby.. :-)

Sense of humour, thick skin

LOL first thing I put in my show bag!!!
I think you have it all covered. Don't forget the obvious things like Glasses if you need them to read...must be able to see the catalogue..done that many times and squinted short sightedly at the names!! A pen if you want to take winners ring numbers for future ref'. Waterproofs in case of some nice "liquid sunshine" and sun tan cream with a huge wish!

Then just go and enjoy it..I will be there on Monday too.
Aileen

I know I should enjoy myself, but I am so worried I will let him down, or that he will be naughty as it is a new enviroment

I haven't done anything like this before and as the day approaches I am starting to feel a bit overwelmed

Nah...it's like falling off a log :-)

Honestly the best tip you can ever have for these kind of nerves is to believe this.......
......... no one is looking at you...everyone is looking at the dog.

I've lost count of people who are worried that they will look a fool, do something wrong but really...all eyes are on your dog.

Use this to your advantage..encourage the dog to shine and you will dissappear into the background - just as it should be.

You'll be fine..... but you do know that we will all be wanting to hear how your dog gets on? :-) :-)

Oh I can brag about him endlessly!!!!!

Expect to read something like
" As we started to run around the ring I fell over my own feet, let go of Jazz's lead who promptly ran off and started a merry game around all the other dogs who were previously standing beautifully. The entire ring errupted into carnage and we were asked to leave, and never to return"

Or insert another nightmare scenario - I have had them all I think. (I'd do a smiley, but can't work out how)

Then just go and enjoy it..I will be there on Monday too.

We are there Saturday. I think. Oh no - something else to worry about til I get home and can check I haven't got it worng

Yes you are quite right...Utility is on Sat :) :) .
Aileen

I know its a good idea but i never use a benching chain, just a regular strong lead which i attach, this is good enough and many others in my breed either do this or they have their dogs with them at the ringside. So don't panic too much about these at this stage, go with what you have and make sure you enjoy it in the ring. Nerves travel down and i notice that a smile in the ring as you greet the judge and even going round the ring give you confidence and it shows outwardly too..

I'm awful with taking food with me but i generally have a flask of coffee which is great to keep me going. Make sure you have cash on you as many shows don't have any facilities to get cash out, so if you fancy buying food or drink there they won't accept cards.

The trade stands - most accept cards that i've been too, so worth bearing in mind if you fancy doing some shopping while you are there.

BTW, RC has stopped in August at Cuckfield, in case you were planning on coming along.

The dally world is a fairly friendly one so just relax, get to know people and have a social day out. If you forget anything or need to know something just ask someone and i am sure they will help out. Afraid i am not there or i would say look me up, main thing is to have fun though so good luck :)

> Expect to read something like
> " As we started to run around the ring I fell over my own feet, let go of Jazz's lead who promptly ran off and started a merry game around all the other dogs who were previously standing beautifully. The entire ring erupted into carnage and we were asked to leave, and never to return"
>

It is now 20 years since I first ventured into a championship show ring.

Yet:

At the Houndshow on Saturday I ran around the ring and crashed into a fire hose reel on the wall with my shoulder falling to my knees, much to concern of judge and other exhibitors.  I got up and carried on through tear filled eyes and gritted teeth.

Earlier in the breed classes I was wondering why my just out of puppy Junior was playing up something rotten when she got to the end of the ring and had projectile liquid poo at the end (remind me not to feed pigs trotters day before and to give pigs ear on bench on show day).

There was no sand or sawdust and judging ground to a halt for what seemed like 20 minutes while they tried to find something to soak up the mess.

I wished the ground had opened up, hey ho.

There is little that is likely to happen that hasn't been seen before.

Oh I hope the shoulder isn't too bad now.

Thank you all for making me feel better. I shall report back on Monday.

Hi, We will be there with our boy and we have a benching chain you can use if you need one as we usually put a soft crate or bench guard on for Charlie.
See you there
Paula

well lots of spots come on....how did you do and did you enjoy your day???????????????????????

I;ve been wondering as i've been looking at the Dally results online if you were there, take it Junior dog you were entered into?

Oh it was really good.

There were 7 dogs in the Junior class and Jazz was VHC (5th). The last 2 weren't placed so we were pleased we weren't dismissed from the ring empty handed.

In the Novice class we were 2nd out of, well 2. Ahem.

The one I am most proud of though, was the Bannerdown beginner stakes (any gundog or ultility). We came 6th out of a huge class. There were 47 entered according to the schedule, but it didn't look that many in the ring, nearer 30. Regardless, 6th out of that many is not to be sniffed at. I must admit - I was very giddy to have won a cash prize even if it was only £2! We promptly treated Jazz to a new bed.

I really enjoyed wandering around when all our work was done. I was a bit bewildered when we got there as to where to go etc, but once we had that bit sussed we relaxed a bit.

Jazz did get bored in the ring - we def need to work on that a bit more, and at one point he wanted the sausage that was in my hand so badly he performed his entire repertoire of tricks - just as the judge was making the last walk by.

Am now off to enter Eastbourne buyoed up that both Jazz and I can do this.

Oh, what does that mean now about coming 2nd in the Novice class? Can I not enter certain things?

Novice:
For dogs which have not won a CC or three or more first prizes at Ch and Open shows.

So as it stands coming 2nd won't stop you entering any classes at this time.

Well done though in the stakes class, wow, that is really good going!!!

Bet he loves his bed.

Well it seems as if we have another convert to our ranks :-)

Just knew you'd love it once the nerves calmed down.

Well done...onwards and upwards :-)

(Might even see you at Eastbourne.)

you will work out where is best for you to go in the ring some dogs are better being shown 2nd or 3rd other are better near the end ,my girl is better near the front so I do try to go 1st or 2nd once she has 'done her thing' the waiting isnt so bad then when the judge is having her last look at each dog the time standing isnt so long.

Well done glad you enjoyed the day good luck in the future.

Roni~

Well done and well done for doing all the classes. Most just venture into one... you went knee deep :-D

That was very good in the stakes as you get strong competition in the stakes also.

That is the bug bitten now :-)

Well done, particularly for the Stakes win!!

Aww thanks for the nice comments!

Sue - thank you for clarifying. I think I have more questions than answers now I have done my first show!

Blue - I didn't really think about only entering 1 class, It seemed a long way to go for just 1 class, also I figured if 1 went badly we could always redeem ourselves in the others.

Paula's Charlie did well too, he got 3rd in the junior class. I tried to find her afterwards to say Hi, but I think she must have disappeared off. Does that mean that Charlie has now qualified for Crufts?

That was good though. I didn't mean it in a bad way, well done for being brave enough :-D

Oh no - I didn't think you meant in a bad way.

My thinking was in for a penny...... and all that.

Besides if it all went really badly, we had 3 chances before saying that it wasn't for us.

Hi lots of spots, Sorry you couldn't find me I had my two daughters with me and have to divide my time between watching the Dallies and entertaining the kids so I was probably walking around the stalls getting ice-creams etc!
Well Done for your placing, I didn't want to put you off before you were hooked but the junior dog class is a very difficult one, usually the biggest of the dog classes and full of very nice dogs. :)
Charlie wasn't himself at the show as we have a bitch at home who is in season and he was quite distracted looking for girlies!!!!
If Charlie hadn't already qualified for crufts then...yes he would have qualified then.
Are you booked into anymore shows?
Our next will be wales.
Paula

Ah, I am still trying to get my head round all of the classes and what it means to get placed!

Are you working towards getting a Ch then?

We are next at Eastbourne in September. Didn't want to enter any more until we knew if it was feasible to continue showing but have now missed a load of closing dates :-(

Where in Wales is the show? Jazz came from Wales, be interesting to see if any of his kennel mates are entered. I haven't kept up with them.
Where abouts are you then, Wales is a bit of a trek for us as we are on the South East Coast.

The show in wales is in a place called Bulith Wells.
We would love Charlie to become a CH but as he is our first ever show dog we are being realistic, although he is holding his own in the ring against lots of nice dogs with breeders/owners that have been in the breed/showing for years. :)
We are still thrilled with a placing, but it is nice to get a first.
Charlie got RES in the pet plan junior stakes and won £10 and anyone would have thought we had won the CC with the size of the smiles we all had on our faces!! :-)
We are in Merseyside.
hope to see you at your next show.
Paula

WELL DONE that was a very good result for a first show indeed!!!!

Do you camp in Wales or just go for the day? Would love to go as a spectator but have 2 non-showdogs that are not allowed to go.

We will probably camp at wales if the weather looks like it wil be ok. :)
Paula