Tomorrow, my Alice (Monelli Miss Muffet) will be competing in the grand finals of the Pet Plan Junior stakes at Blenheim Palace!! EEEEK!!
I'm really excited, even though I won't be handling her- I would love to, but my friend Jo took her to E of England for me as I was working, so it's only fair that she should get the glory, as she qualified her for me!
I didn't realise it was such a glam event- champagne reception and lunch laid on! The judges aren't particularly great for us, so I don't expect she'll get very far, but it's just so exciting to be going. AND it's only 15 minutes from home- couldn't be more convenient, when you think how far some people have to travel!
So..... fingers crossed for us everyone please- I'll let you know how we get on.
Liz

Well done you!!:D
Good luck for tomorrow. Let us know how Alice gets on.

Sarah.

Very Best of Luck to both you and Alice.
She

pleased you mentioned this, -i was out with hubby looking for a new carpet and i bumped into helen davenport willis, also looking for a carpet, anyhow as we parted she shouted something about the junior stakes tommorow--i thought she must mean darlington, doh !!!!
good luck at the stakes final, :D

Good luck!!

liz--------have you any news yet ?????

Well... we didn't win, but Alice certainly didn't disgrace herself, she was in the top half of the points, beating several champions, and only about 6 points off being in the final 5!
We had a lovely day, with a champagne reception, fab meal, and 'seen' by a lot of top people, if you know what I mean! And Alice really enjoyed herself, charming everyone she met- the Petplan team all wanted to take her home!
The winner was the Peke, 2nd the Min Poodle, Lhasa 3rd, Old Eng. Sheepdog, Min smooth Dax.
I also manage to spend £140 on the trade stands in a very short time, so quite an expensive day!
Liz

well done.-im pleased you enjoyed it, was it a panel of judges ?????? and do i have to grovel next time i see you :D

Grovelling would be acceptable, but I'd stop short of boot- licking if I were you!

The judges were Liz Cartledge, Leslie Page and Stuart Mallard, and they each went over the dogs and gave them individual points for conformation and type, then moved them and gave points for movement. Movement was the only score I was disappointed with- Alice moves really well but was given only 19 out of 30 possible points for movement, whereas the Peke cantered around most of the ring and was given 27 points!
The final 5 were then moved again and marked for 'star appeal' and then placed in the order of their total points.
I felt sorry for Mike Gadsby with his Standard Poodle, she went really well, stood like a rock for 2 judges and then completely freaked when Leslie Page tried to go over her(he is very old and quite doddery), he had 3 goes but she wouldn't let him anywhere near her and had to be withdrawn.

Liz

Well done!!

Wendy