News
Summer 2005
Ragley 2005
This year saw 4 Horsham Newf families converging on Ragley, The Leybournes, Mercers, Kingleys and Scotts.
We all duly arrived on the Friday afternoon with the Kingsleys arriving last. They were due to be the first to arrive having said they were going to leave in the early hours, then said to have changed their minds and left later, or did you really get lost Mark and tried to save face??? I believe you really. The rest of us decided to meet up at one of the service stations. After a quick pit stop off we headed for the campsite, being led by my good old self as the navigator. Kev left well after us as he had to stop to refuel and then arrived before us, apparently I took everyone the long way round, sorry about that but at least I didn’t get lost and we got there eventually.
After the good old setting up, how I love that part......not, it was down to some good old drinking and eating, we do that sooooooooo well. We decided to have an evening per couple cooking, Friday Keith & Georgia, Sunday Kev & Angie, Monday Mark & Keri and Tuesday Rob & myself. Much fun was had by all, Kev & Angie put on an African evening, how handsome we all looked in our animal costumes and Rob & myself decided to have an Hawaiian evening, grass skirts and loud shirts were duly donned. It was decided to have a take away on Saturday evening after a long day at Ragley. Although it may have been quicker to cook a roast dinner that to get a take away. First we tried delivery but no one seemed to take us seriously, then Mark & Rob went out hunting only to take hours to come back, still at least we could have a drink and a natter to keep us going and then another drink..........I think you’ll get the gist. Wednesday was back to the good old chuck it on the bbq and all dip in.
I wish I
could say the weather was kind to us for Ragley on the Saturday but unfortunately
the heavens opened and with it came the downpour, luckily
it didn’t last all day and nothing ever manages to dampen our mood
and we still had a good day. No one from the group came away with any
trophies this year but the dogs still did us proud and they also appeared
to have
fun. Alfie loved the look of the water so much that there was no stopping
him, even when he was supposed to remain in the ring for obedience. Still
he wasn’t the only one to get disqualified, Ebony managed that as
well when she decided she couldn’t hold her bladder any more. Kev
did a fantastic job in judging advanced water with over 40 entries, he
didn’t
stop all day.
Billy-Dalton had his 1st birthday on Wednesday, so order of the day had
to be a party. It was so nice to see Billy-D eat anything and everything
that was put in front of him, he even managed cake and had no ill effects,
what a turning point for him and his Mum & Dad. Wednesday evening even
saw little Georgia eat with us, that’s a first as far as I can remember
and she even looked like she enjoyed it. Well done Georgia look forward
to more of that next year!!
Talking of Georgia, we hardly saw her during the daylight hours, she was gone from the campsite at 0730am every day. There were stables within the grounds and the older kids spent most of their time with the stable girls and horses. I’m sure Ben & Georgia’s intention was to spend time with the horses not sure of Dean’s intentions!! On Thursday morning the stable girls let Ben & Georgia have a ride on the horses. We were very impressed especially when they went bare back.
We did some relaxing and some training with our dogs during the week, it was an ideal spot, all enclosed and ideal for one of the younger members of group, Jinny, who has well and truly found her feet. I have to say all the kids were a pleasure to be around they were never any trouble. The 2 youngest members of our group were also a delight, Jeff & Kev and Angie’s new puppy Aoife. Jeff never stopped smiling and Aoife soon found out where the children were situated at meals times and always done a good job of hoovering!! Other events during the week were a tennis tournament, a walk with the dogs round a country park with a picnic and train ride afterwards (that was the humans not the dogs!) and another day we went for a boat ride, not sure the engines were powerful enough for the men though.
All in all it was a fantastic holiday and everyone enjoyed themselves, then it was time to travel south for a weekend of fun at Horsham Newfs Rally.
Sue Scott
Hi Kev
Just been looking at your fab web site and wondered if you wanted some comments on the weekend to go in your online newsletter.
'What a fantastic weekend we had at Bo Peep at the beginning of October. This was our first visit to the venue and we were so impressed with the facilities. The welcome from the venue was only outdone by the welcome we received from the 'Southerners'. Not that it was intended but I think there was a little bit of a competition going on. Which 'side' could stay up the longest was the first thing to assess and who could speak in a Northern or Southern accent was the second. The football match decided it all: 5 - 1 to the Northerners.
I have never classed myself as a Northerner before belonging to The shire of Leicester. But what do I know? Apparently, if you are North of Watford then you are a Northerner. I still haven't worked out what you are if you are from Scotland!
In all, it was a lovely weekend, with invites to the Southern Awnings for a spot of alcohol and loans of electric cables. We were all happy to steward each other and congratulate on passes well-deserved. We came away with 2 multi-passes at level 2 and our first level 3 so our feet were slightly off the ground.
The only thing that spoilt it - the Magnificent
Horsham Men were not wearing their wet suits as there was no water
to dive into. I wonder
if they have thought about synchronised carting?
Thanks you Southerners, you made it a great weekend. Better practice
your football for next year and I will practice getting my dog to sit'.
Llynda, Darryl & Jake Baugh
Judges Report:
Horsham Newfs Annual Competition 6th/7th August 2005
By Ben & Caroline Mayhew
Our weekend started on the Thursday morning when we had to pack the caravan after enjoying nearly two weeks in South Wales. Then the long journey along the M4 and M25 eventually arriving at the Bat and Ball early evening, two hours of setting up finally allowed us to put our feet up. The gazebos set up in the middle of the field were a wonderful site where we spent the rest of the evening getting to know the people and dogs.
Friday morning arrived with the customary ‘head ache’ from the ‘couple of drinks’ the night before. It’s still a mystery how all the others were rushing around cooking breakfast etc. Friday continued as a very relaxed and lazy day as all the members of H.A.N.G. Dogs were preparing for the weekend, the excuse everybody gave when we asked if we could help was that we were guests and had been invited to judge but we’re sure it was the glazed look in Ben’s eyes. Evening soon arrived along with several more caravans and tents which ended up with even more alcohol being consumed during the evening. What still puzzles us is ‘how did Wendy’s bra finish up behind the bar’.
Saturday morning and we set off to Shoreham for the water tests on arrival we had a quick look at the sea conditions and it was flat calm and ideal for all the exercises. However, when we returned an hour later the sea was starting to get a little rough although still safe to carry on. We had a total of 14 dogs entered with the following results.
1st |
Mica |
Highlights for us were, watching Ellie handle both her dogs
with such maturity,
Alfie’s jump from the boat (spectacular) Mica’s ‘dog rescue’ and
Robbie, still completing all the exercises at 10 years old, and finally the way
all the members wanted every dog to do well and not just their dog.
Overall the standard was good but we felt the exercise to impress the judge lacked
imagination with a lot of the dogs performing dare we say ‘tests exercises’ so
come on, a challenge from us for next year ‘be inventive’.
Saturday night carried on in traditional theme ‘more drinking’.
Sunday morning and we set up the carting course. This was the first time that we had ever had to design a course and to decide on the marking criteria, so it was difficult for us to know at what level to start. The marking criteria were given at the judges briefing and the look on everybody’s faces was a picture. Do they go off lead for the maximum 45 marks or the safer on lead for a maximum 40 marks, as points would be lost for every time an obstacle was touched as well as the customary deduction of points for correcting the dog. We were very impressed with the standard set by all the dogs which resulted in a run off for some of the places with the following results:
1st |
Mica |
The top three places were taken by dog’s which went ‘off lead’ and we both felt that if more handlers had decided on ‘off lead’ the places could have been different. Again special mention must go to the junior handlers, Ellie and Ben, and a big thank you to Ben for taking our Melody around the course and the manner in which he got her to reverse, it’s something we’ve never managed.
Overall places for the dog of the year taking both days into account were:
1st |
Mica |
Finally may we take this opportunity to thank all the members for their wonderful hospitality throughout the weekend and hope you will soon get a permanent water venue
Many thanks
Ben & Caroline Mayhew