ASCUK FUN DAY (NORTH)
SUNDAY 27th JULY 2008
The evening before the Fun Day started off with a BBQ up at The Nook. Good food, plenty of drink and good conversation was enjoyed. The Fun Day dawned very hot and sunny !! Sarah and Pat went around first thing and made sure everyone had lots of sun cream on. The big field had been cut and everyone enjoyed bacon butties whilst setting up. The only downside to the day was that the person who was supposed to do the temperament testing phoned to cancel which was disappointing as all slots for the day had been filled.
First there was Flyball which most people had a go out. Matt Green did a roaring trade with the tennis balls !! It has to be said that Matt did most of the work while Andy Gibbands (chilled out as usual) looked on with his beloved bottle of beer !
Matt and the tennis balls Lady at full speed for the tennis ball Andy and his beloved beer, while Silverbelle tries out the flyball jumps
Cheryl with Silverbelle Queen in full flight (WOW) !!!
Under the big gazebo there was a grooming demonstration with Sarah and the ever obliging Mulder. This was popular and lots of questions were asked and tips passed on. The adults really enjoyed this, but the children quickly got bored and made their own entertainment.
Sarah with Mulder and a captive audience Mulder still ever obliging, but the children are plotting their escape !!
In the next ring there was a small agility course set up which all the dogs enjoyed and they all mastered the jumps and tunnel with ease under the watchful eyes of Matt and Andy. The weaves were a little trickier but everyone was determined not to give up without at least trying them.
Lyn Dennis did a sterling job in the morning doing some beginners obedience training. This proved to be very popular with all the adults and children and there was a rush in the afternoon to take part in a small competition of a beginners round. Jacqui O'Brien enjoyed the training round with Pasha who enjoyed his day out.
Jade getting some advice from Lynne Jacqui' O'B with Pasha Jacqui and Pasha enjoying heelwork Jade and Morgan enjoying the big ring.
Rosettes were given from 1st to 5th place and it was interesting to see that 1st to 4th places were taken up by children under the age of 16 with Mandy Gibson coming 5th with her new puppy Jeep who was fantastic at only 15 weeks old.
1st was Luke with Morgan
2nd was Catrin with Cody
3rd was Jade with Chilli
4th was Katie with Dill
5th was Mandy with Jeep
It was then time to go inside to a mouth watering feast of hot beef sandwiches, soup, salads, crisps and homemade chocolate cake (courtesy of the ever obliging Pat Gatenby). There was also a never ending supply of cold drinks and ice lollies as it was such a hot day. An outside bath was also filled with water for anyone who wanted to cool their dogs off and this again proved popular.
The afternoon brought fun and games and there was much hilarity (and a bit of cheating) in the egg and spoon races !! The lengths some people go to, to win a race.... the concentration on Matt Green's face was priceless !! :-) Poor old Sam Green didn't get very far as every time he dropped an egg, his partner in crime Megan ate it !! Even Pat came out and had a go with the less than obliging Scarlett. Joshua enjoyed himself in this class too with the help of Mum Sarah and Dash.
Matt concentrating with Mulder !! The children particularly enjoyed this race Joshua and Dash who wanted to eat the egg !!
Sue & Tina, Jacqui & Pasha and Hilary & Rider while Lydia takes it easy !! Pat with a less than obliging Scarlett Sam & a full up Megan (who ate all the eggs) !!
Hilary & Rider, Jacqui & Pasha, Wally & Dash and Sue & Tina Andy with the egg, while Jed checks out the competition !!
While everyone got their breath back, we then had some Fun Classes which were judged by the ever obliging Matt. He was a popular judge with old and young alike and even found himself the focus of one particular lady who thought him very handsome and dashing !!
Best Puppy was Jeep Handsome Dog was Rider
Best Veteran was Zephyr Best Junior Handler was Catrin with Cody
Handsome Dog was Hilary Bland's 'Rider'
Prettiest Bitch was Cheryl Storer's 'Silverbelle'
Best Veteran was Mandy Gibson's 'Zephyr'
Best Junior Handler was Catrin Roberts and 'Cody'
Dog the Judge would most like to take home was Hilary Bland's 'Rider'
Junior Handling was a big class and the children enjoyed getting handling tips and borrowing dogs. Lydia Brown was on hand with Murphy who took an instant 'like' to the bitch stood in front of him much to Lydia's horror. He is usually 'ever the gentleman' !! :-)
The children all enjoyed the Junior Handling as did the well behaved dogs, Murphy, Zephyr, Chilli, Brady, Cody to name but a few.
After this, we had the fastest recall which was won by Billy Blackmore and Queen in only 3.8 secs. That bitch can really move. Others to try this were Andy with Jed, Sue with Tina, Sam with Megan, Matt with Mulder, Julie with Gabby, Hilda with Brady, Catrin with Cody, Wally with Dash as well as a few others. Bringing up the rear was Julie with Scarlett who took 22 secs to realise that 'Mum' hadn't left her and she was calling her, bless.....
Throughout the day also, Wally Holligan was available with his camera, and was kept busy taking photographs of the day and peoples individual dogs.
By this time it was now getting on for 4pm and everyone sat around and enjoyed cold drinks and plenty of chat. There were rosettes and novelty prizes for all winners 1st to 5th in all the classes and fun rounds and the children especially did really well and enjoyed putting their rosettes on and their prizes for them and their dogs.
It was then time to clear up which everyone helped with. A big thank you must go to Geoff and Pat who opened up their home and land for everyone to have a good day. It really was the most perfect venue with rolling hills and fields surrounding the property. Thanks also to the people who gave up their time to help and attend, we hope you had a lovely fun packed day. A big thanks also to Pat, Sue and Julie who ran the kitchen. A big thank you must also go to Tammy who had the children organized all day, making sure they had plenty of drinks in the heat and helping out with dogs when someone needed her, she truly is a 'star'.
We hope to repeat this again next year so keep checking the website and newsletter for details.
The last word comes from Murphy Brown who says 'Goodbye'.
Murphy 'Brown' saying GOODBYE !!!