December saw me taking some time off from the show circuit while I tended to more domestic pursuits over the end-of-the-year Holidays. It sure felt good tho, to fire up the truck and head out on the road again - this time to San Bernardino, CA for The Orange Classic to see some old friends and to make some new ones. Half of the classes were being judged indoors and I concentrated on the goings-on in the outside rings. My full gallery of images will be up in about another 10 days (prepaid Priority Requests are processed in only 3 days from the show - all the details on my pricing can be
found on my main web site).
I started off my weekend ringside at the Obedience Rings. Watching these dogs work as a team with their humans was inspiring! Lyric is the Golden Retriever in my photo here. Can't you just see the concentration on her face as she searches for the dumb-bell that was "scented" by her owner and placed in a stack of other dumb-bells? While I was enjoying the Obedience classes I was treated to a totally cool meeting ... one of the SoCal Pet Photographers that I've admired for awhile came out to the show to enjoy the doggies and to take a few minutes to meet with me. Kienan (and her husband Alvin) are the VERY talented photographer team at
Cowan Impressions. They have some stunning bully portraits, and their magic continues over to other breeds as well. I recommend you take a look at their work!
By the end of the day Saturday, I was running out of available light for the Group and Best in Show Judging (all done indoors). But this boy - GCH Graybulls Moonshine In A Mason Jar - just stole the show during the Non-Sporting Group judging. The is one Bulldog that knows that attitude and humor are an important part of being a Champion. He took third in his group on Saturday.
Sunday was just as beautiful and I enjoyed my second day on the showgrounds. Besides hanging with some favorite breeds, I had a chance to meet the Dandie Dinmont Terriers, up close and personal. I've admired the breed for awhile, but never knew much about them (you'll have to wait until Friday for my Project 52 post for that photo). I made a point to spend some time at the "Miscellaneous Breed" ring. The lighting made for some nice portraits - this example is the Russell Terrier Sierra Vista's Doc Diggins.
My weekend was finished up watching Lynda O'Connor-Schneider take Best of Breed with English Springer Spaniel CH Ramblewood Don't Stop Believin' (call name Barney). Springers are close to my heart (although Cockers HAVE my heart!) and it was a fitting way to close up my trip to San Bern. I'm back home now, editing away on ALL of the photos from the show. Thanks for visiting for this look into what's to come when the editing is done!
PS: The big winner for the weekend? Both days saw Ally (GCH Brighton Lakeridge Encore) the Standard Poodle taking home the big rosettes. Congratulations to Ally, and to everyone for another wonderful dog show weekend!
