A weekend in bonny Scotland

Myself and Jive have just got back from a fabulous weekend in East Lothian, Scotland. My travelling companion was Suzi Tagg with Lilly and Lowry we made the very long journey up to Scotland for the Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland Championship Show. We arrived on the Friday to stay in what words can only describe as a stately home intact with a bridal suite and cot ! We were staying with Hayley Tomlinson (and 3 Rainesgifts), Gemma Jacobs & Sue Knight (with 2 Gemswin's), Roz Townsend (1 Woodfinch), Jo & Sarah (with 2 Gemswin's & a Blonde !) and Jenny Campbell. 9 people, 12 dogs ... hilarity was sure to ensue! The house was amazing, and simply huge, with a lovely walled garden for the dogs to have a dash around in.

On the Saturday we went to the Royal Highland Showground for the dog show with our judge being Mr Hughes. Suzi Tagg did incredibly well with Mr Lowry (Swantonwood Lowry of Wrensmead JW) he took two classes. Jo was awarded a 2nd in Puppy dog with Gemswin Nites in White Satin .. well done Nev ! Gemma then won Post Graduate Dog, the DCC and Best of Breed with the brown job ... Gemswin Son of a Preacher Man JW. After that we didn't think the day could get better, however Roz's beautiful Denver daughter Woodfinch Lorelei won Minor Puppy bitch handled by Kelly Holland, myself and Jive gained a 5th in Post Graduate, and then Hayley won Limit Bitch with Rainesgift Clemence and Open Bitch with Rainesgift Fleur de Luna JW. The bad child Clem then won the BCC, her second !!!! We stayed to watch Gemma and Woody go round for Best In Show, Kelly and Flatcharm Wild Thing go round in Best Puppy In Show, and finally Ann Kilminster with SH CH Withybed Blue Jeans compete for Best Veteran In Show, Ann and Blazer eventually won Reserve Best Veteran In Show !!! A fabulous win for the ever so lovely Blazer ! When we got back to the house, many bottles of wine and Cava were opened to celebrate all our wonderful wins from the day, and to toast the blonde birds (Ruin the Goldie) for gaining an RCC and Junior Warrant earlier in the month.

Remus and Jive attempt to fly !

The next morning we were up with the larks to get everything packed and ready so we could head off to Yellowcraig beach. The beach was fantastic, the 12 dogs had a brilliant time flying through the surf, wrestling over discarded seaweed and digging holes which much to their annoyance filled with water. It was the end to a brilliant weekend, and a long journey home. Thank you everyone for making it such a wonderful weekend, and to Woody and Clem the stars of the show !!!

A gaggle of Flatcoats

My princess got wet !! 

Star Report

We are very proud of Madison's fantastic Best Veteran In Show win at the recent Flatcoat Society Open Show, and were over joyed with his show report from judge Mrs Gill Davis which was published in one of the dog papers this week.

"Withybed New Yorker at Harlistrea, 8 years, black masculine well made head with good eye and expression. Correct head carriage, good neck and forehand angulation, legs and feet. Pleasing ribcage and loin. Well turned hindquarters. Moved well with purpose. Scored in outline both standing and on the move. A credit to owner and handler. Presented in fit good condition. Best Veteran Dog & Best Veteran In Show "

Another Swiss Show Experience

Myself and Jive (Clandrift Dirty Dancing at Harlistream) attended another show in Switzerland. This time it was the Lausanne International CACIB show. There are only three CACIB shows in Switzerland a year, and this was the last one of 2011, and happens to be Crufts qualifying. It was run over two days, with Flatcoats being judged over both days, with different judges. On the Saturday was Swiss judge Lisbeth Mach, and on the Sunday American judge Dyane Baldwin. We had a lovely weekend at the show, met some new Flatcoat people and had lots of fun, Jive was awarded 4th in Open Bitch on both days. Sadly this is our last show in Switzerland as Jive will be returning to the UK next month. Hopefully she will return later next year after having her puppies, and she will be able to see her Swiss friends again !

Camp Harlistream !

Madison goes Best Veteran In Show !!

Here at Harlistream we are so thrilled with Madison's (Withybed New Yorker at Harlistream) success at the recent Flatcoat Society Open Show. The dog judge was Mrs Gill-Davis (Rosecourt) and she awarded Madison 1st in Veteran Dog, and then along with the Bitch Judge (Mrs Whittaker - Falconcliffe) gave him Best Veteran In Show ! We were over the moon with our little boy. This was the first show he had attended since his recent cancer fight, in which he lost a toe on one of his back feet. Like a true Flatcoat, he bounced back and defied anyone to think he had been seriously ill recently ! We are so proud of our beautiful boy, and thank everyone that showed so much support for us, and cheered us on !!

Swiss Retriever CAC Show

Jive (Clandrift Dirty Dancing at Harlistream) and myself attended our first Swiss dog show ! We had entered the Swiss Retriever Show at Avenches in South West Switzerland. It was incredibly exciting and nerve racking, as Switzerland follows the FCI show system and is completely different to the UK system. However we had a lovely day and saw some beautiful Flatcoats. Jive was entered in Open Bitch under Swedish judge Lena Hagglund. Jive really showed her socks off, and gained an Excellent in the class, however went unplaced in the finals. The judge spoke to me and had some really lovely comments about Jive and wrote a gorgeous report on her. So we have definitely been bitten by the Swiss showing bug, and cannot wait until our next Swiss Show which happens to be a large CACIB show in Lausanne, which is Crufts qualifying ! Watch this space !

Oaksenriver Atico Hip Score

After the past few months of sadness, we finally have some good news to share. Madison's (Withybed New Yorker at Harlistream) daughter Oaksenriver Atico has been hip scored, she has 4/4 hips. We are very proud of all of Madison's progeny. From the Oaksenriver litter 3 have been eye tested clear including gonioscopy, from his previous Harlistream litter one was eye tested clear (with gonioscopy) and had 4/3 hips.

Paignton Championship Show

Yesterday we attended Paignton Championship Show near Exter in Devon. We only had the one dog entered which was Clandrift Dirty Dancing at Harlistream (Jive), so we had a very stress free day !. The sun was scorching, which made the afternoon almost unbearably hot. However in the sweltering heat, Jive showed her socks off, she was placed 4th in Post Graduate bitch out of 15 other bitches under all rounder Frank Kane. I'm very pleased with Jive we had to run around the ring again, and again, and again, and again in the heat, I think both Jive and myself needed a lay down after the class ! Also Jive's brother Jack, Clandrift Dark Legend won the DCC & Best of Breed, another fabulous win for Sharon and Jack.