23/10/2024
Now that the RV is back in order and the laundry is nearly done, we have had the time to sit down and go over our trip to Lebanon, TN for three days of the Harvest Cluster hosted by Tri Star Kennel Club of Williamson County, Tennessee and Memphis Kennel Club Inc followed by a week of the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America National Specialty events.
We had four dogs with us - three cattle dogs and a token GSP! We were joined by several additional Crossfire family members but more on them later!
Our first day of competition was Friday, 10/11. Luke (GCHP CH Crossfire’s Crash My Party, RN) qualified in Obedience Novice B with a score of 190 and First Place.
(Clark practiced in Obedience and Shimmer started to learn about the GSP ring).
Saturday: Luke qualified at the morning obedience trial to earn his CD title.
Clark (GCHB CH Three Oaks Man O Steel, RN, CGCA, CGCU) bred and owned by Doreen Heywood, qualified at both the morning and afternoon trials in Novice B earning a second place in the afternoon trial.
Shimmer (Von Treffend’s Midnight Shimmer) was having a reaction to something resulting in uncomfortable eyes but did manage to behave in the ring, learning more about showing.
Sunday: Luke sat out the morning trial so Daddy could help out in the conformation building; Shimmer practiced again (!!) and Clark took issue with heeling off lead! In the afternoon trial, Luke and Clark both qualified giving Clark his CD title. It was a competition between the boys and Luke managed to squeak by Clark for the First Place win! (Synchronized obedience video to follow!)
Monday started the ACDCA events.
Pacino Lunde (Tillie puppy) and his momma Tillie (now owned with Shannon Cuzzola) met sheep for the first time, both with great results!
Tuesday started with Pacino and Bonnie (our Tillie puppy) competing in Baby Puppy 3-6 months with Pacino earning a 3rd Place in a nice entry. Bonnie had fun in the ring and gave Aunt Jess a run for her money!
Then on to Obedience and Rally. Both Luke and Clark qualified in Novice B with Clark earning a second place, squeaking by Luke who earned a third. This was the largest obedience class of the National so we were quite proud of their performances! Luke then moved on to the largest class in Rally and earned his Rally Intermediate Title. Gozer (Maverick x Gracie pup, owned by Barry and Shannon Cuzzola, handled by Shannon) also qualified in Intermediate to also earn his title. Tillie competed in Rally Novice and considering the fact that Shannon has only had about two weeks to start to train her, did VERY well.
Tuesday evening brought the Inaugural Top 20 event. Crossfire was very proud to have 3 of our “get” in that competition:
GCH CH Crossfire N Awen the Destructor Is Upon Us, BN, RN, PT, CGCA, TKN, ATT “Gozer”
GCHB CH Crossfire’s I 2nd That, NA, NAJ, OF, DCAT, RATS, DJ, CGC, TKI, ATT “C**t” - (Luke x Maggie bred by Sally Fontenot) - owned and shown by Stefanie Kelly
MBISS GCHG CH JDI Taylryder Ewe Bet I’m Serious, TKN, RATN - (Luke x Maggie bred and owner by Sally Fontenot), shown by Lisa Saari
Wednesday:
Pacino and Bonnie played in the 4-6 Month Puppy Class with Pacino perfecting his now famous “sploot” (photos to follow).
Luke competed in the Ten and Over Veteran Sweepstakes competition. We are fortunate to have a breed where we have many really great dogs in our Veteran classes! Luke won his class, went on to win Best 10+ and then won GRAND VETERAN handled by his bestest friend Stefanie Kelly! The smiles on BOTH of their faces in that ring were priceless!
The day finished with Dingo Bingo - with Stephen calling the numbers and the Crossfire table being very quiet and demure. (Anybody believe THAT?)
Thursday:
Luke was 3rd in the 10+ Veterans class; Wager made the first cut of specials and Clark made the Final Cut of the Best of Breed competition.
C**t, Gozer and Tillie also competed; every one of these dogs looked amazing and made us so very proud that they are members of the Crossfire family.
At the end of the competition, Luke competed in Stud Dog accompanied by his gorgeous sons Wager and C**t! They were awarded first place with the judge’s comment that they are “cookie cutters” of their father! And then the boys accompanied their mother Maggie in the Brood Bitch class which she won!
Pictures coming as we have time to sort through!!!!
What an awesome week! We could not be more proud of what we have accomplished with these dogs and feel so blessed to share our lives with them!
