Our September Show is usually blazing hot and to awake on 7th September 2002 to pouring rain was not a good sign. We trundled off down the M4 and going westward found us in a much brighter day. Following the clear instructions we drove down the winding road to Trindledown Farm at Great Shefford. An Animal Welfare Trust home for mainly elderly pets, where we had a very warm welcome, ample parking in a large field (minding the cow pats), the facilities were fine, the animals entertaining and the rings enormous, sadly though, the ring surface was less than ideal. However we understand we can have rings in a flat, cowpat free field if we wish next year.

The setting was picturesque, as you can see from the photo's ably taken by Keith this time, not Guy. The field next to the rings contained two Cows (could have been one cow & one bull - no one got close enough to tell) and a number of sheep. As the puppy bitches started their class, down they wandered to have a look. Well at least everyone got to show alert dogs...I don't think it counts as double handling!

Judges Anthony Rees for Dogs & Laurna McKie for Bitches wasted no time in assessing & placing their entries and had no need to call on Krystyan Greenland the Referee, he just made do with putting the Juniors through their paces. With able Stewarding from Julie McGuire, Julia Sims & Erica Smales the day progressed quickly to BIS judging & beyond.

The Catering was excellent and our lunch superb. We were lucky enough to have employed the services of some friendly Alaskan Malamute Caterers at quite short notice.

The Show Manager then felt the need for a nap in his van and the rest of us all lazed around in the fields before a few hardier types fired up the BBQ and started to party. Sadly the Disco & Bar had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers, and this select gathering split up by nightfall before all meeting up at Richmond Champ Show the next day.

Author: Sarah Robinson