18th August 2009: As I am now at the point where this all started a year ago I would just like to say a huge thank you to all the judges who have placed Blondie. Some for their patience with us at the beginning, some for their encouraging words, some for their humour but mostly for making my first year of showing such an enjoyable one. I have learnt so much but there is one particular judge who I won't name that was a real turning point for me. She gave us last place in a class. When she handed out the rosettes she shook my hand and told me how sorry she was to have to give my girl a third as she thought she was lovely and moved so well ...... but that she was FAT!!! I came out of that show chuffed to bits that the reason we had not been doing well was not because of my handling letting my girl down. Blondie went on a strict diet immediately with a more structured exercise regime and the results speak for themselves. I am very grateful to that judge for taking the time to point out on the spot why she hadn't placed us higher. One thing I have learnt is not to be afraid to politely ask judges for their opinions after all judging has finished. They really are human - but some are more human than others!

WESTON-SUPER-MARE CANINE SOCIETY OPEN SHOW - 30th DECEMBER 2009
1st Limit Bitch
BEST BITCH
Judge: Erica Parsons (Pipeaway)
BEST OF BREED
Judges: Stephen & Erica Parsons (Pipeaway)
GROUP 3
Judge: Stephen Parsons (Pipeaway)

EXONIAN CANINE ASSOC OPEN SHOW - 6th DECEMBER 2009
2nd Graduate
Judge: Sharon Rogers (Woodmist)

STROUD & DISTRICT OPEN SHOW - 29th NOVEMBER 2009
1st Yearling
RESERVE BEST OF BREED
Judge: Rory Swift (Hampsbeck)
1st AV Gundog
BEST AV GUNDOG
Judge: Anne Falconer (Siatham)

CAMBERLEY & DISTRICT OPEN SHOW - 22nd NOVEMBER 2009
3rd Open Bitch
Judge: Julie White (Lunarpet)

PLYMOUTH & DISTRICT KENNEL ASSOC - 21st NOVEMBER 2009
1st Open Bitch
BEST OF BREED
GROUP 1
Judge: Mrs Linda King (Kirkavagh)
Subject to KC approval she now has her ShCM

MINEHEAD & DISTRICT OPEN SHOW - 8th NOVEMBER 2009
2nd Graduate
Judge: Pat Davies (Holmajor)

BRIDGWATER & DISTRICT OPEN SHOW - 1st NOVEMBER 2009
1st OPEN
Judge: Jill Peak (Bayard)
HC AV Graduate Stakes
Judge: Ken Humphries (Bengrafton)

WEST OF ENGLAND LRC CHAMP SHOW - 31st OCTOBER 2009
VHC Under Graduate
Judge: Jo Coulson (Linsherwood)

QUEDGELEY (GLOS) CS SHOW - 18th OCTOBER 2009
1st Gundog/Utility
BEST IN SHOW
Judge: Mrs Celia Vines (Parvodene)

SOUTH WESTERN GUNDOG CLUB OPEN - 17th OCTOBER 2009
3rd Graduate
Judge: Mr Bill Kempson (Gothleed)
3rd Open Stakes
Judge: Mr Tony Jury (Tibblestone)

WEST COUNTRY DOG CLUB OPEN SHOW - 4th OCTOBER 2009
1st Special Yearling
BEST OF BREED
Judge: Velda Prior (Whinchat)
GROUP 4
Judge: Liz Rose-Hay (Cataluna)

NEWPORT (GWENT) & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY OPEN SHOW - 26th SEPTEMBER 2009
1st Open
BEST OF BREED
GROUP 2
Judge: Mrs C. Carter-Harris

WESTBURY & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY OPEN SHOW- 20th SEPTEMBER 2009
1st Graduate
BEST OF BREED
Judge: Mrs Michelle Fascione (Goldrealm)
GROUP 1
Judge: Mrs Debra Harker (Ettrick)
BEST IN SHOW
Judge: Mrs Sue Wilkinson (Hunacres)
Qualified for Crufts 2010
A huge thank you to the 3 judges for making this such a special day and for their lovely comments about my very special girl.

DUCIS & EVERLEIGH DOG SHOW - 12th September 2009
3rd AV Sporting
Judge: Mrs Jean Loughborough (Cataphract)

SALISBURY & S.WILTS OPEN SHOW - 30th August 2009
2nd Yearling
2nd Graduate
Judge: Mandy Longhurst (Hurstmeon)

GILLINGHAM & SHAFTESBURY AGRI SOCIETY OPEN - 19th August 2009
1st Post Graduate
1st Open
BEST OF BREED
GROUP 4
Judge: Mrs Judith Rodda (Teramour)
5th Special Beginners Stakes
Judge: Mr Peter Jolley (Rubio)

HORTON HEATH COMPANION SHOW - 16th August 2009
1st AV Gundog
RESERVE BEST IN SHOW
Judge: Mrs Sheila Linter (Oystergold)

THAMES VALLEY CANINE SOCIETY OPEN SHOW - 15th August 2009
1st Graduate
1st Limit
Judge: Mr L. Hunt (Setthornes)

CHEPSTOW AGRI SOCIETY OPEN SHOW - 8th August 2009
1st Junior
BEST OF BREED
Judge: Mrs Annette Rathbone (Winpenny)

CHIPPENHAM & DISTRICT LIMIT SHOW - 2nd August 2009
2nd AV Gundog Junior
2nd AV Gundog Open Bitch
Judge: Mrs W. Andrews (Catcombe)

CHIPPENHAM & DISTRICT COMPANION SHOW - 2nd August 2009
1st AV Junior
Judge: Madeline Lusby (Shermayne)

MINEHEAD & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY OPEN - 29th July 2009
1st Junior
1st Post Graduate
BEST OF BREED
Judge: Miss D. Smillie

DORSET COUNTY CANINE SOCIETY OPEN - 26th July 2009
3rd Open Bitch
Judge: Mrs Leslie Tasker (Kindercroft)

POOLE CANINE CLUB OPEN - 28th June 2009
1st Special Yearling
1st Graduate
RESERVE BEST OF BREED
Judge: Carol Moore (Gadhelic)

CHRISTCHURCH & NEW FOREST CANINE SOCIETY - 13th June 2009
2nd Yearling -
2nd Post Graduate
Judge: Mrs S.M. Ward (Almareja)

DEVIZES C.S. - 7th June 2009
1st AV Gundog
1st Open
RESERVE BEST IN SHOW
Judge: Mrs Mary Small

TAUNTON & DISTRICT PREMIER SHOW - 29th May 2009
2nd Graduate
Judge: Sally Parr (Kymin)
1st AV Gundog Graduate
Judge: Rosemary Kemp (Australia)

MARLBOROUGH & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY - 4th May 2009
1st Junior
RESERVE BEST OF BREED
Judge: Mr Mark Andrews (Ledgands)

CHIPPENHAM & DISTRICT - 5th April 2009
1st Junior
RESERVE BEST OF BREED
Judge: Mr Peter Harper (Pitswarren)

BRIDGWATER & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY - 29th March 2009
3rd Junior
Judge: Jacqui Ward (Mianja)

BRISTOL & DISTRICT DOG CLUB - 21st March 2009
1st Graduate
BEST OF BREED
Judge: Bev Dummett

SWINDON & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY - 28th February 2009
3rd AVNSC Gundog Junior
Judge: Mrs Judith Rodda (Teramour)

SALISBURY & S. WILTS CANINE SOCIETY- 14th February 2009
2nd AV Gundog Junior
Judge: Julie Guvercin (Glebeheath)

WEST OF ENGLAND LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB - 3rd January 2009
Reserve Puppy
Judge: Sue Marskell (Berolee)

WESTON SUPER MARE CANINE SOCIETY - 28th December 2008
Reserve Puppy
Judge: Gareth Lawler  (Roqfolly)

WESTBURY & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY - 14th September 2008
2nd Puppy
Judge: Sue Fox (Merrywake)
1st AV Gundog Puppy
Judge: Mrs Sue Oakley (Caspians)

SALISBURY & S. WILTS CANINE SOCIETY - 24th August 2008
Reserve Puppy
Judge: Mr M Phillips (Jaeva)