In the show calendar, Autumn starts on the 1st of September and the first show is Richmond – the judge this year was Caroline Dewar (affix Euphemia).
And what a start to the season than another double for the Tillcarrs – both CC’s, Martin & Karen must be in dreamland – but it’s real, it’s happening.
The illustrious duo Ch Tillcarr Fire Coanda and Ch Tillcarr Baptism of Fire both won their 5th CC (in 2019) at this show, the latter now has 10 CC’s!
So here they are
NW members were a bit thin on the ground, in fact the entry wasn’t exactly spectacular – 61 and only 23 (male) Dogs.
Liz Stanway was one of the few to make the trip confining her entry to both Open Classes with Mosstrooper Kentucky Moon and her recently crowned bitch Ch Stormfire Crack The Code at Waystaff but nothing doing here – both placed 4th.
In the bitches at least we had some representation – the Jackson’s Jackabyte Bocouture was second in Junior and Gem Rowe’s Illori Bootie Luv now finally in Limit was also placed second. Bizarrely this bitch was also entered in the Open class (it was explained to me later by Gem that she was attempting to get a Stud Book number – only 1st places in Limit qualify, whereas it’s still the first three places in Open) and had to move down one, making way for Jackabyte Miss Moneypenny.
And that was it, except of course for the main winners.
The next event is usually the Northern Triple – but with Northern Counties suffering on rotation we were left with a double, Darlington followed by the North Eastern club show.
The judge at Darlington was Dean Cund – affix Chelmstaff and at the North East we had Veronica Brown (Rotherstaff) judging the Dogs and Gillian McDermott (Macadermus), the bitches.
The usual suspects were back in action at one or other or both of these two shows – the Elitebull clan were more or less intact and at Darlington Ch Elitebulls Challenger was on good form winning the Open class going on to take the RCC.
Litter brothers Elitebulls Charger (Debbie D) & Avenger (Debbie Mc-T) came second and third in the Puppy dog class, repeating this feat the next day, pictured below.
Dean’s winner in Junior Dog was Hatson Come On Thunder (pictured below) – certainly put a smile on owner/breeder Michaela Riley face.
Later Michaela’s bitch Molru Shine Ya Light came a very respectable second in Limit Bitch.
Taraiel Soulja Boy (below) has been hiding in the Graduate Dog class for so long he has won his way out; it’s now Post Graduate for him.
So what happens – he only wins the class at Darlington for owner/breeders Julie Bibby and Stacey Hirst.
The next class (at Darlington) – Limit Dog – was a third win at this level for Anne Preston’s Tillcarr Fire Starter (pictured below) putting his top winning siblings into the shade for a change – they were both placed down the line at this show.
As Martin Johnson put it “another double for us – VHC”.
Ch Taraiel Ciara also completed the double at these two shows winning the Veteran Bitch class at both shows and Best Veteran at Darlington
Not a bad day for Julie & Stacey then, as the Dog CC went to Ch Taraiel Reaper at Teracota to add to brother Soulja Boy and Ciara’s wins.
The bitch classes (at Darlington) weren’t exactly over-populated by NW members but Karen Waltham’s American job Shortyrocks Faith Trust And Pixie Dust (I still have to check whether I’ve got the order right) won the Junior class and the next day completed the double by winning the Junior class again at the NE.
Karen tells me that she didn’t know what to expect before this bitch arrived from the US – I guess she’s struck lucky with this one, photo below.
Another exhibitor who frequents the Graduate class is Linda Hall and once again came in with a First for her bitch Legendstaff Sweet Lady cum Geordiestaff at Darlington and a second at the NE, here she is, below, looking quite mature.
Just finishing off this weekend at the North East show – team Tillcarr, well the first team, made a rapid comeback (in the Dogs anyway) as Ch Tillcarr Fire Coanda won his fifth CC as normal service was resumed.
The NW also had a member winning Limit Dog at the North East, no not Tillcarr Fire Starter this time – it was Debbie McCarron-Tuer’s turn with Elitebull Supermoon – these two dogs don’t fare at all badly, quietly winning here and there at this level including a RCC each – exciting times for the owners.
Pictured here is Supermoon
Moving on to the bitches at the North East and another win in the Puppy class for Ray & Jan Wilson’s Elitebull Elysian Dream, finishing with Best Puppy bitch.
Coming second in this class was the Stanway’s Waystaff Full Moon (below) after a third place in Minor Puppy – chasing points for this and that.
Moving up the classes to Limit Bitch and a first First in Limit for Gem Rowe’s Illori Bootie Luv (I think) having won herself out of Post Grad – then Gem repeated her act from Richmond by entering the Open class and nil points!
Anyway, this is her on the day.
Liz Stanway could be seen in the Open bitch class with her Ch Stormfire Crack The Code at Waystaff in second place behind the CC winner and in fourth was Ch Tillcarr Baptism Of Fire, having to watch brother winning the Dog CC.
The Veteran Bitch winner has already been mentioned (Ciara) but in second place was Pendlestaff Brindle Babe at Tikkurilan seen here with owner/handler Elaine Norton, showing off her birthday present – a tattoo of Ch Tikkurilan Ticka Teboo (right arm).
So that draws the Northern Double to an end for another year. Next year the Triple makes a comeback in a somewhat different form – Northern Counties is on the same day as Darlington, same venue in the style of Western Bath. The North East remains intact.
The judge at Driffield was Betty Smith (affix Cossacks) who has many past ties with the North West but for some reason is not a NW member despite the generous concessions given to NW members of a certain age – a member with 10 continuous years paid up membership shall enjoy free membership at aged 65. In addition any Member with 30 years membership shall enjoy free membership.
The entry at this show was 121, significantly up on recent years and going against the tide somewhat of declining entries.
The main headline here is that Jackabyte Miss Moneypenny was awarded her third CC and a terrific result for owner/breeders Wayne & Karon Jackson – this is their first home bred Champion (although they have owned three other Champions, including the dam of this latest one).
Here we have Karon with Pennypops and Betty taking a well earned rest after a long day’s judging.
That was it for NW Members as far as the main awards was concerned – even Ch Taraiel Ciara had to concede the Best Veteran award to a very youthful dog (Ch Rubericla Black Starscream).
However there were a couple of triumphs in the Dogs starting with a First prize in the Puppy class for Debbie McCarron-Tuer and her younger Elitebull – Elitebull Avenger – he started his Puppy career by winning the class (at National Terrier) and finishes his puppy career at this show on a high with a lot of placings in between – this is him, below.
Whilst up in Limit Dog, finally a First place for the Axe’s Harley’s Choice (pictured below, thanks to Brian Owen for photo) – Limit has been a bit a hit and miss affair for this dog although there has been a number of placings including a few seconds.
Don’t forget though that this dog has a CC and a RCC to his name.
Back to Yearling Dog – in third place amongst some very respectable company was the Tighe’s Tegumen Ace Of Spades – he seems to pop up every now and then, much to the owners Stephen and Pat’s pleasure.
And in Post Graduate Dog and also standing in third place was Geoff & Eleanor Boote’s Belnite Balor at Gelstaff.
A bit of an off day for Team Tillcarr, but even on that off day Ch Tillcarr Fire Coanda still managed a second place to the ultimate CC winner.
In the bitches, except for the CC and Veteran winners First places eluded everybody else – a few second places worthy of a mention though; for the Stanway’s in Minor Puppy with Waystaff Full Moon (then going third in the Puppy class); in Junior was the Jackson’s Jackabyte Bocouture and then in Yearling we had Lisa Drummond and Ballindona Shooting Star at Fellknott.
This show held the following day after Driffield was an Open Show as the Club was without a Champ show in 2019 as part of the rotation of CC’s.
The Club decided to go back to the outstanding venue at Thorpe Willoughby for the show and the judge was NW Committee member Andy Mayren affix Fergiestaffs.
In the interval the Club had arranged Special Awards Classes (x3) and the judge for that was Chris Mudd, also a NW member.
Not an unreasonable entry of 50 dogs – the Junior Dog class would grace a Champ show these days.
Apologies in advance for the (relatively) poor quality of the class photos – taken on the phone.
We arrived just in time to see the line up for the Junior Dog class – in second place was Michaela Riley with her Hatson Come On Thunder and in third Jessie Farrimond with Ashstaff Jesse’s Dark Prince.
Liz Stanway had come mob handed with a fair old posse of dogs – the first in being Waystaff Strike Force getting a second place in Post Grad Dog.
And Harley’s Choice won the Limit Dog class, repeating his feat at Driffield, so not a bad weekend for the Axe family.
It was round about this time when we heard a sharp ripping sound from somewhere in the ring – it turned out to be Andy’s trousers!
He carried on valiantly until the interval.
Liz made another appearance in the Open class and won it with Aust Ch Mosstrooper Kentucky Moon.
And in second place was Jane Roper with Trawden Ice Cool
After the dog judging Andy retired for trouser repairs and Chris Mudd entered the ring to judge the Special Award classes.
Chris had a good chunk of the dogs that were entered in the main show – 30 dogs to go over, providing valuable experience for him and justifying holding these classes.
The Special Award Post Graduate Dog/Bitch class was won by Hatson Come On Thunder handled here by owner/breeder Michaela Riley
This is the Belfast Championship Show; judge this year all-rounder Bill Brown-Cole.
North West Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club 