A big brag!

[zefi]

Today we had Group 7 judging at the Hobart Royal Show. Montana did really well - she got bitch challenge, then Best of Breed... and then went on to get Best In Group!!! I am so thrilled. So is she. She's been running around like she has a bee in her bonnet since we got home!

Here she is in the Best of Breed Lineup...


And here in the Best In Group Lineup...


And here she is telling Adam how happy she is!

[auntie c]

congrats yet again, gorgeous montana. and everyone here just loves the inflight pic..

carlene, harry who and pearl the girl
australia

[Helen]

Congratulations!!!  You must have been jumping up and down!!  Just like Tana, heehee.  I love that last photo.  Just when we think they couldn't possibly be anything but dignified.... hahaha!  Love it!  

[zpoodle]

What a happy girl you have there Zefi...............Big CONGRATULATIONS on the wins

I love the pictures also, especially that last one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mindy
Zorcon Poodles
Toys and Standards
Visit us at:
http://members.tripod.com/zpoodle/index.html

[silverdog]

Congrats on the win!  Montana looks so happy!  I'm sure she's earned herself an extra hug!  Keep the photos coming we love them!

[zefi]

Thanks... actually I wasnt jumping for joy or whooping and hollering or pumping the air or anything like that. I was, in fact, very modest. I basically went up to the ring and Tana ran up to me and she jumped up and I hugged her with tears in my eyes! Its been a long time coming!

[Michael]

Awesome, Zefi! I got your email, but loved the pics here too! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Again, congratulations....it's a brag you've earned well!!!!!

[freysmum]

Well done Montana!!!!!!!  And to well done to you and her handler too she is just so beautiful Zefi.
I love that last pic too.

Sandra

[zefi]

Unfortunately we didnt go further. Best in Show went to an Open Dog (an airedale) so we got knocked out. However she went well and looked stunning.

[zpoodle]

A very lovely girl your Montana is.............and a great win also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I admire you for keeping the white show coat on a Standard..........when I had whites it was a pain to keep them white here with all the red clay type dirt.

Have a good weekend,

Mindy
Zorcon Poodles
Toys and Standards
Visit us at:
http://members.tripod.com/zpoodle/index.html

[Capanash]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! A very nice win , especially with all the interstate poodle competion.

[zefi]

Thanks Caroline! Thats what makes it even better!

Thing is, its very hard to win down here when showing against a 'face' week after week. Then add another big 'face' from up north... So when my girl wins I know she won on her own merits cause I'm a 'nobody' and pretty new to the breed just like you. It makes our wins much more special!

[Fluffy]

Congrats Zefi - what a wonderful win for you, your girl and her handler - they make a stunning team - would like to see them on the move.  Do you scissor her yourself?

[zefi]

Yeah, I do all the grooming... the scissoring, clipping, brushing, washing, banding! I put up the topknot at the shows and brush her out after. Adam is great in that he holds her for me to band up the topknot and then will stack her for me to do the finishing touches of scissoring. You know how you need to step back and look and make sure it all balances?

(Actually I didnt cut Montana into the continental. John Edwards did that. I'd sent her up to Sydney to show at the specialty and the Royal last year and John - only one of the best groomers in the world! - did her puppy trim for the shows, then into pattern for me before sending her home. I've been maintaining and adjusting it since as it grows.)

[zefi]

I want to qualify a comment I made earlier in this thread. I mentioned showing against 'faces' both here and from the mainland. I feel I need to define 'face'...

To me a 'face' is someone who is well known in the dog world/poodle world. Its someone who has been showing, breeding or even judging for many years and therefore is known by face and by name as well as reputation.

Its not an insult. Its a fact.

I dont feel I need to apologise for saying it was great to win against 'faces'... cause it IS. Especially when you're new. And seven years is a blink of the eye in the dog world. It means you're doing something right, and as anyone who has ever shown poodles knows, its not easy to do it right when you're new to the game. Its a very tough breed to do well in.

So I feel very proud of Montana and I'm very pleased in being able to compete with people who've been doing it for years. I can think of nothing better than being able to stand next to experienced people in the ring and feel like I've earned the right to be there.

Having said that.... its JUST a sport. Win one show, lose another. Every dog has its day, yada yada yada. I dont live and breath dog shows; my entire sense of self worth isnt tied up in ribbons. I show cause I enjoy it. I LOVE the hair. When I havent groomed for a few weeks I miss it (remind me next time I complain!). So I show... win or lose. Its just nice to win sometimes!

When its no longer fun I'll retire my show trolley and stay at home and garden on weekends.