Windsor Show - 1st July 2006

I’ve attended quite a few shows and watched friends show their own dogs, but I’ve never actually been in the ring. The reason this opportunity came about was because Hawksmoor’s owners were not able to show him on the day and so I gallantly offered to take him through his paces for the judge. ‘Can’t be too hard,’ I thought….just a bit of skipping up and down!

I spent 3 days practicing with Hawksmoor in the local park down in Guildford, just so he got used to me asking him to do unusual things. He is already quite a placid dog and Judith had already spent a long time practicing ring craft with him a couple of years ago, so it was just a case of reacquainting him with the basic commands and learning how fast I had to run.

Hawksmoor did really well and I found out that although I swim every other day, I am terribly unfit (yes – I had to run quite fast). Anyway – preparation for the big day was well organised; Judith would take Hawksmoor and beautify him and Andrew and I would make liver treats for him (that should make things even easier in the ring). Jens, Judith, Jim, Andrew and I would converge on Windsor on 1st July and take the world by storm…oh yes and Hawksmoor of course!

July 1st arrived – it was a glorious day...a bit early for a Saturday I must say, but the heavens were definitely looking down on the dog world. We had our camera, liver bits (they smelled quite good actually – "Hawksmoor will wolf these down," I laughed) and lots of water. Maremmas were in the ring at 10am, so Andrew and I arrived at 8.30am – just so we could get our bearings.

We met Judith and Jim at 9.00am who brought a spotless Hawksmoor. I did a bit of walking and trotting with him – the heat seemed to be getting to him though and he struggled to keep up a pace. ‘Ahaa,’ I thought, this is where the liver bits come in! Hawksmoor took one piece and promptly spat it out – he didn’t drop it – he spat it…hmmm.

At around the same time, Jacqui and Nikki arrived with Vienna and Vici and Anita and Rosemary arrived with Kai. Janet also turned up with Bilu. It was also good to meet Stelios, our newest Maremma Club Member – a big welcome to you Stelios!

Hawksmoor was up for Limit Dog along with Vici, so when the class was called, we were ready and waiting. I think if there is a next time I will definitely have some breakfast beforehand, as I started to feel faint with the trotting and the heat. Once in the ring though, I started shaking with nerves – I felt so silly about this that I forgot to worry about the dog.

Hawksmoor was very well-behaved and we had a lovely lady judge, who noticed that he wasn’t doing too well with the heat. We won Limit Dog which felt wonderful and we got a rapturous round of applause from Team Hawksmoor (and a huge thank you to Jacqui for her support!). We were then up with Kai for Best Dog, which Kai took – well done Kai! Hawksmoor took reserve place. Also a big well done to Janet Atkins and Bilu who took Best of Breed.

The rest of the morning was spent in the much cooler Pedigree Chum tent, where everyone got together and had a good chat about Maremmas and a much needed drink. Hawksmoor got some pig ears as a present for being wonderful. I declined a taste.