Here are details of our diary for 2007:
27th April - I had my last dose of Chemotherapy - not the end of treatment but a significant landmark!!!
25th April - Zinq's Hip Score was returned as 5:4 and his Elbows as 0:0 - Hurrah!!!
21st April - Zinq competed in the Golden Retriever Club Puppy Working Test on a wonderful day in Moreton-on -the -Marsh, Gloucestershire. He completed all four tests and scored 15/20, 16/20, 12/20, 18/20, ending up 5 points below the fourth placed dog. I was very proud of him, especially as the other competitors dogs' were working bred and owned by experienced handlers and all he's got is me!!!!
15th April - We travelled south to Chorley for the North West Golden Retriever Championship Show, again very well organised. Zinq and Ellie again were in the places, Zinq gaining 3rd in Junior and Maiden, 2nd in Novice and VHC in Undergraduate by Judge Tony Coopland (Ragnot) and Ellie was awarded VHC in Puppy by Sheila Moxon (Thirldene). Thanks to both judges for rounding off a lovely weekend.
14th April - Zinq, Ellie and I went to Scotland again for a very sucessful visit to the wonderfully organised Golden Retriever Club of Scotland Championship Show. Zinq won the Special Working Class, and was 2nd in Junior, 2nd in Maiden. 3rd in Novice and 3rd in Tyro for which we thank Cheryl Bawden MBE (Darthill) and not to be outdone Ellie was awarded 2nd in Puppy, Maiden and Novice and 2rd in Tyro thanks to Sandra Birkin-Green (Sansue). Many thanks to Jeremy Barron (Rannaleroch) for handling Ellie for me and doing a splendid job. Your fee's in the post!!!!!
11th April - Zinq was 2nd in Junior, beaten by Dylan (Gaytonwood Young Hustler for Toddrosa) and he won Novice and was 3rd in Graduate. Ellie was 3rd in a lovely Puppy Bitch class. Thanks to the judge Gordon Mackenzie (Varadero) for these awards. Well done Pat, Dylan looked lovely.
9th April - Zinq was 2nd in Junior and 3rd in Post Graduate at Dunstable and District Open Show. Thanks to Eve Saxon (Goldmine) for these results.
8th April - Zinq was fourth in Junior at East Anglian Gundog Open Show. Thanks to Mandy Pett (Rumwood).
7th April - Zinq gained 3 second places in Junior, Yearling and Undergraduate at Northern Golden Retriever Association Open Show by Judge Lindsey Hutchings (Canossa). He then went on to compete in the unclassified working test and gained 19/20, 19/20, 14/20 and 16/20 in the four tests and ended up with third place. Not bad for his first ever test at only 12 and a half months, the youngest dog in the awards!!!
1st April - Zinq was shortlisted in a strong Junior Class, and gained a 4th in Maiden and fifth places in the Novice and Undergraduate classes at Yorkshire Golden Retriever Championship show. Thanks to judge Fiona Brightley (Drumkilty) for these awards.
31st March - Zinq was awarded a third in Junior Dog, qualifying him for Crufts 2008, a second in Maiden and Novice and a first in Undergraduate. Many thanks to Christine Ashton (Willowlawn) for these awards at the Scottish Breeds Championship Show in Edinburgh. At the same show Isabel Cuthill's Gaytonwood Arizona to Mousseglen (Ritzilyn Pasadena JW x Lanssonne Holly Berry by Gaytonwood) was awarded 3rd in Minor Puppy Dog and 3rd Puppy Dog at his first Championship Show, qualifying him for Crufts 2008. Well done Robbie and Isabel - we were extremely proud of you.
25th March - Zinq was awarded a 4th in Junior at Retford Open Show under Barry McCartney (Torcasa) . Many thanks to the judge.
24th March - Zinq was awarded 4 second places at Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club Open Show in Junior, Maiden, Novice and the Special Open Field/Working Test/Show Gundog Working Certificate Dog by Marilyn Lade (Hunterdean/ Mantondean) to whom we send thanks.
18th March - Zinq went to South Western Golden Retriever Championship Show, his first Junior Class and although he was up with the big boys he still managed a creditable 4th in Junior, 3rd in Maiden and Novice and 2nd in Debutant. Thanks to Bernard Catterall (Golmas) for these awards. Ellie was unable to go as she was in season. Piper and Astle, Thierry's daughter and son, attended their first show at just six months and both behaved really well. Piper was shortlisted to the last 7 in an enormous class by Pat Cooper (Goldsmill) so congratulations to Ali and Piper and Dawn and Astle.
17th March - Zinq had his hip and elbows x-rayed and they looked good so we await the results fro the BVA. Ellie and Piper, Thierry daughters had a preliminary plates taken and they look good at this point.
8th March 2007 - CRUFTS!!!!!! Zinq was shortlisted to the last 7 in his class and Ritzy was awarded a 2nd place in the Show Gundog Working Certificate class. Thanks to both Judges, Mrs Jenny Johnson (Bermuda) judging dogs and Mrs Vivien Jones (Ninell) judging bitches. We had a wonderful day. Thanks also to Susanna Zubair who again did her magic on Ritzy's coat and presented her so well and to Heather Morss for allowing me to have my wonderful boy.
24th February 2007 - Zinq was awarded Best Puppy Dog at the United Retriever Club Open Show. Ellie was shortlisted in a quality Puppy Bitch class. Thanks to Dianne Rourke-Knight the judge.
23rd February 2007 - Zinq was placed 2nd in his Puppy class at Sutton Coldfield Open Show.
8th February 2007 - Angie Cooper (Dikeadaze) and I are due to fly out to New York to visit the Westminster Show, hoping to pick up tips and watch showing 'over the pond'.
28th January 2007 - Zinq's on a roll!!! After gaining Best Puppy under Judge Julia Chalkley (Pondcroft) he then went on to be awarded Reserve Best Puppy In Show by Judge Hazel Fitzgibbon (Smiliesam) at Wellingborough and District Canine Society Open Show. Thanks to both judges for another wonderful day.
21st January 2007 - At Manchester Championship Show Ellie was awarded 3rd in Minor Puppy Bitch by Beryl Stokes (Jobeka), which qualifies her for Crufts 2008, and Zinq was VHC in Puppy Dog thanks to Per Iverson. Thanks to Sarah Jackson for rushing between rings to help me handle these two. Dylan (Gaytonwood Young Hustler for Toddrosa) was shortlisted in a strong Junior class.
15th January 2007 - Zinq gained his Show Gundog Working Certificate at one day under 10 months!!! He completed the exercises with style, returning every retrieve to hand, even from water!!! He excels all my expectations and does it all with an enormous smile!!! We aim to make Heather Morss (Xanthos), his breeder, proud. Thanks to the Golden Retriever Club for organising this event and the two judges Gwen Knox and Bob Hargrave.
13th January 2007 - Zinq was awarded Best Puppy in Breed by Ingrid Pinfield (Tilldawn) at South West Essex Canine Association Open Show. He then won the Gundog Puppy Group under Roy Maynard (Chinnordale) and then went on to be Reserve Best Puppy In Show under Sue Bird (Joyberna). Ellie gained two 2nd places in her classes. See the photo of Zinq's win at the SWECA website.
6th January 2007 - Ellie went to her first Championship Show at 6 months and 2 days and was awarded a 2nd in Minor Puppy and Puppy and this qualified her for Crufts 2007. She is just old enough to attend. Thanks to the Judge Tony Hird (Wyebank) for these awards.
1st January 2007 - Zinq won Puppy and was awarded Best Puppy In Breed by Judge Sue Hush (Benrowan). Many thanks for starting our year off with such a boost.