~ St. Tropez ~

 

A small report from the French club match in St. Tropez, 24-25 September, 2005. Entered dogs: 202.

We left from Norway on tuesday September 20th. Our first stop was at Kalle and Carina at Kennel Doguehill's. We stayed the night there, and on wednesday we drove towards St. Tropez. Sara, Vinni and Alex drove together with Anette, Janni and Trine from DK. Kalle & Carina, Jussi & Elisabeth and David & Elisabeth took the flight down on thursday and met up with us at the campsite. Kalle's son Jonas joined us the following day, he drove together with Marie and Maria.

We had a nice drive down there, we had lots of stops taking it nice and easy. We used 27 hours from Sweden, and drove a total of 2600 km (all the way from Norway). On thursday evening we had some food together with the swedes, and we called it a night rather early. On friday we went downtown St. Tropez to have a look around, and ate lunch at a nice restaurant by the port. We loved St. Tropez and the surroundings, and we wouldn't mind living there during winter.:-) Saw some very nice small towns around, with the little alleys and lots of stuff to have a look at.

On saturday it was time to go to the exhibition for the weight and measuring. It was so hot, and as soon as we were done, Espen drove the doggies to the bungalow where it was cool so they could relax. When Espen got back, we went out for lunch, and at 1500 we were back at the show to watch the baby, puppy and debutant classes. In the evening we went to the dinner arranged by the club, and had a nice time there. Next morning it was up bright and early for Espen and me, and we were at the exhibition a little before 0800. Found a place that gave some shade, and got all our stuff out. I had of course forgotten all the show-leashes, the pin, the cloth - you name it. I dragged it 2600 km but left it at the bungalow....how typical is that! Thankfully there were other people there who had their minds straight, so I got to borrow a leash from Vinni and Alex and was offered to borrow a cloth from Marie Springer. Thank you very much for helping me out.

First I was in with Hazel. It was a big class, 25 females entered. First Mme Class divided us up in groups to the first judging. After that she selected a "semi-final" group, where both Hazel and Belburgo's La Luna went on. Then it was more judging, and after a long, hot wait in the sun she finally picked the 5 to go to the Ring d'Honeur. Our Hazel went on and I was over the moon. In the mean time, it had been time for the junioclass where we had entered Effi. I wasn't able to show her since I waited with Hazel, so Espen took the job and showed her. They did great, Effi got an Excellent which is super in my opinion. There were also 25 entered dogs in that class. Unfortunately Effi didn't want to show herself, but the critics were so good that we can not be disappointed with such a result for a 13 month old girl. Gucci from Frisian South East, owned by Vinni and Alex, got to the Ring d'Honeur together with Tetue (Teefje) de Legeane, owned by Maria. Gucci finished 5th and Teefje 3rd. Congratulations!

After the youthclass, it was the male championclass where I was in with Damien. There were 9 champions entered. I was blown away when also Damien got a card to the Ring d'Honeur. With such high quality of the championclass, it is of course very hard competition, so it was really an honour to get this confirmation. Now we had to wait for all the other classes to finish. In the afternoon it was time for the Ring d'Honeur. I was first in with Hazel. Three judges - all experts on the breed - had a look at the dogues again. More standing, waiting, swetting, stressing......God I was a wreck from all the excitement. But I tried to stay cool and focus on Hazel and she did such a great job. They asked me to run with Hazel together with a female from the USA. We went up and down and they looked a little more, and then it was time to be placed. Number 5 wasn't us....neither was nr 4. I remember thinking, wow, we'll get nr 3! But no, that wasn't us either, Hazel took it all. Standing as number 1 in intermediate class with Hazel in the breeds own country.....wow I can't express the feeling.

Afterwards it was time to enter the ring with Damien. I was so focussed and didn't see much of what was going on around me, completely occupied with Damien. The judge from the championclass said in the critics that he shows himself with engagement, and boy did he ever.;-) Number 4 in this class was Meeko from DK, owned by Marie Springer. Our Damien was chosen as the 3rd best champion male, and we are so over the moon for this. He has proven himself over and over and over again, and has done everything we hoped for - and more. He is now retired from the showring, ending his career with flying colors.

We stayed and watched the rest of the exhibition. Best in Show was Moby de Legeane, and our congratulations goes to both owner and breeder, and big congratulations to the Scandinavians who all did very well with their dogues.

You can see pictures from our trip here.