Sunday 22 June 2008

Blown Away at Blackpool!!

Back to Blackpool today (Sunday) with border collies; I'd only entered Kitten , Spark and Ethan but was also handling Dylan for Paul and Alison. There had been a lot of rain the previous day and overnight so I was worried about the ground (Blackpool always seems to be a mudbath!) and when we got there the outside rings had already been abandoned with all judging taking place in the small 'practice rings' inside the benching tents. In terms of judging we didn't have a great day, Spark got 2nd in Graduate dog and Dylan 4th in Junior but I was SO pleased with the way he went...he stood and moved beautifully...clever lad!! Now if only we could escape the curse of 'reservitis'!! Dylan keeps getting 4th's in qualifying classes and missing that elusive Crufts qualifying place! Hopefully we'll be able to take him to a few more shows this year and if he goes as well as he did today...fingers crossed! Eth got nothing in Post Grad but I was really pleased with the way he behaved, the wind had really picked up and the tents were flapping wildly but he never bothered. By the time Kitten went in (puppy bitch) the weather had become a howling gale and she went quite well considering but once out of the ring she really started to get spooked by swaying marquee and loud howling winds so I quickly removed all 3 dogs out of the showground and back to the safety of the van. On our return to the benching area to start packing up several stewards came in telling everyone to pack up and remove themselves and their dogs as quickly as possible as the show was being abandoned, the main ring and catering tents had finally collpased under the force of the gale with people sustaining injuries :( We packed up quickly and helped others to do the same and struggled back to the van with the laden trolley in the strong winds. I'm not sure what will happen with the awards already given...all the dog classes had been judged and the dog CC and best dog puppy awarded but the bitch judging had just reached Graduate bitch?? I have to say I was so glad to have just the 10 min drive home and hope everyone else got away and home safely.

The highampress website had a few pics of the devastation...
http://www.highampress.co.uk/info.asp

On the bright side...I made a little trip to the Eukanuba stand and FINALLY got my two free folding chairs and pink blankets promised at Crufts! And very nice they are too ;)

3 comments:

Vicki said...

Eeek! I heard about Blackpool from a friend and thought of you. Nightmare!

Well done with Squirrel though. At least you know how to handle her now ;)

yettontop said...

Bryn and I were at Lune Valley agility show at the Westmorland Showground at the same time, and it was definitely scarey! I was delighted that Bryn got his first 2KC clear round rosettes just before the show had to be abandoned for the day because of the weather.

Nat said...

Thanks Vicki, it was pretty hairy I have to say! lol I was just please Squirrel enjoyed herself so much on Friday though, she was one happy little terrier :)

Brenda I heard Lune was a bit of a nightmare too with lots of tents/awnings being damaged :(
Well done with Bryn's clear rounds though! Hopefully Faith will be able to follow in her brother's footsteps and get one one day! lol