We went to the American Brittany Nationals this last week. Mom is still on her way home, driving the dogs bless her heart! I love this event for so many reasons, but mostly for getting to show dogs and enjoying the people there. We went with four of our dogs, three out of our River (two we bred ourselves) and one out of his sister, Mimi. I feel like when you go to this event, you take the dogs that will both handle the trip and the show the best and the ones that are just your best. We have only the best memories of taking River back there, I had the time of my life last year showing him in Best of Breed. This year I got to show his kids. This made me miss him greatly again as I LOVE his kids and as I always knew he'd be a great producer, and I just wish we could make more of his lovely offspring to share. In true Riv-fashion, they bounced around the ring, landed four square on the ground in their self-stacks and were beautiful.
His daughter Lilly, out of GCh Elkhorn Jack's Misdemeanor (Misty), obviously did the best. This was her first show at 8 months. Kristina Rickard and I co-own her. Kristina was gracious to offer to co-own Lilly with us as she had the pick pup out of the litter. We weren't planning on getting a puppy out of this litter, but then he passed away so suddenly and we had to go evaluate this last litter a week after his death. We evaluated all of those puppies and little Lilly was the final one. I don't think we took any notes on her as she just took our breath away. She was stunning, absolutely perfect, couldn't fault her. We took her home:) Here she is in the few photos we have from the show so far
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| Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best Puppy at the 2015 American Brittany Club Nationals, Copper Caliah's Dream Hi River Lilly |
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| Seriously?! Little Lilly?! BOW from the 6-9 Puppy bitch class |
We took two of our own, one Bred-By dog and one bitch. Rose Leale also brought along one little pup from our second litter, Eden, AKA, cutest, sweetest little girl ever! Eden showed in the 9-12 puppy bitch class and I need to get a photo from her. Moses and Penny are both co-owned with us by marvelous owners. David Webb, owner of Penny Blossom came along for his first Nationals experience. Here is Penny and Moses, both 13 months in photos, 15 months when at the show. Penny got 3rd place in the Bred by Exhibitor class and Moses won his Bred by Dog class
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| Caliah's Boulder Creek Falls |
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| Eden, Caliah Jenvy's Lake of Eden |
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| Caliah's Lottus Blossom Falls |
Cricket was our last one. She is out of the lovely Mimi and Chance. She is lovely, field pointed and we love her! She placed 3rd in her sweeps class and 4th in the regular classes.
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| Copley Caliah's Up A Crick |
Lilly also won the exceptional Puppy Match on Thursday evening. She amazed me, never having been in the ring, she was such a trooper!
We met so many new friends this weekend and enjoyed every minute of hard work that is entailed in pulling a group together for a multiple day event like this. We came home very proud of each and every class placement as the competition was incredible. We've never been so successful at a Nationals event and it was a blast. It truly felt amazing though to feel so supported in the win by our fellow competitors.
