Wednesday, December 26, 2012

End of year- wrap it up with a BIG bow!

Team Whitetail went to it's last shows of the year, December 15 and 16, and took Winners Dog, and BOB both days. This caps off a phenomenal 2012, which exceeded what I had thought I could do. The big end of year bonus, is that the new AKC breed rankings were published last week, and Solstafir has been bumped up to the #5 Icelandic Sheepdog in the AKC! Wow. A month late to be invited to Westminster, but, hey, I'll take it! Keeping my fingers crossed that the #5 ranking holds through December, and Solstafir finished the year at that spot.   In other news, Kari only needs 6 single points to reach his AKC Champion title.
 
 Not to be overlooked, it looks like Solstafir and Kari will finish the year in UKC conformation, ranked at the #1 and #2 UKC Icies, respectively.
 
 Oh, did I mention we got a new puppy? See photos of Solsteinn Keisari at Whitetail, in the photo section below. Yeah, I'd say it was a good year to be a Whitetail Icelandics dog :) Happy New Year!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Solstafir appears on NBC TV again!

We are so very proud, that Fox Meadow Hausti Solstafir has made his second nationally televised appearance on The National Dog Show, this Thanksgiving day.  Although not pulled out for the group cut, he landed on the TV cameras a few good times, and looked wonderful.  The video of his individual run can be veiwed online at NBC Sports.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/49904438#49904438

Also, both my Fox Meadow dogs were shown in the "teaser" as the show headed into commercial break, before herding group.  Definitely a day to be Thankful!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Solstafir becomes Dual Grand Champion!!!

Tremendous news - in one week, Solstafir became both an AKC Grand Champion, and a UKC grand Champion.  On Sept. 1, he was BOB over a Champion class in Beltsville MD to complete the 5th leg of his UKC GCH, and one week later on Sept. 8, he was BOB in Ebensburg PA, to complete his AKC Grand Championship!  I am proud beyond words of what this boy has done, and what I have been able to accomplish without any pro handlers.  ALL of Solstafir's points have been with me on the lead.  I do believe this makes Solstafir only the second ISD to become a Dual AKC / UKC Grand CH!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Summer Update

Summer is always a big slow down, but some nice things happened at the few shows we entered, over the past month. In AKC, Solstafir has reached razor's the edge of achieving his Grand Championship. Since initially moving up to BOB entries in January, he is well over the required 25 points, has won 5 majors, and has gone BOB over other champions in 2 shows. He needs only to place over one more champion to become an AKC Grand Champion!
Interestingly enough, Solstafir is in exactly the same position in UKC shows. He has 4 of the 5 required Champion class wins, to become a UKC Grand Champion. Only one more to go there, as well! September could be a very exciting month.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

May shows wrap-up

The boys had a fun May, for sure.  In AKC news, Fox Meadow Hausti Solstafir tacked on a few more points toward his Grand CH.  By the end of May, he stood at 19.  Also, in May, the Breed Standings through April 30 were published, and Solstafir was still holding his position as the #4 Icelandic Sheepdog in the AKC, for 4 months running. 
The other big news was in UKC conformation, where coming right off earning his UKC-CH in April, little brother Fox Meadow Thorra Kari went Best Of Breed twice, Herding Group #1 twice, and took a Reserve Best In Show, on May 13. That was also his 15 month birthday, making it a great celebration!  Solstafir also took 2 Champion class Best Of breed majors in UKC conformation, earning 2 of his 5 legs toward his UKC Grand CH.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

BIG April show wrap up!

Lots of great news for the Fox Meadow boys happened in April.  First, congratulations to my youngster, Fox Meadow Thorra Kari, on becoming a new UKC Champion on april 28!  He earned his title with three Best Of Breed wins, and group placements as  Herding Group #1, #2, and #4, with heavy competition, in his last three UKC shows.  I'm very proud of him!

On the AKC front, Fox Meadow Hausti Solstafir had a brilliant month by going Best Of Breed 4 times in 5 shows, to tack on 7 more points towards his AKC Grand Championship Title.  He also has earned all of his required majors towards his GCH.  As of March 31, Sosltafir is ranked the #4 Icelandic Sheepdog in the AKC, and #2 in the UKC.  Hot damn!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

York AKC shows - mid March

Solstafir continued his success by going Best of Breed for all three of the days he was entered at the AKC shows in York, PA, March 14, 16, and 17.  He showed rock solid in the breed ring, and in Herding group.  This boy's maturity continues to impress, as he advances toward his AKC Grand Championship!

In other huge news, on March 10, my 13 month old puppy Fox Meadow Thorra Kari took Best of Breed and went over BIG in group competition at the UKC show hosted by the Obediance Training Class of Harrisburg.  In his first time reaching group, he was awarded Herding group 1st!  The judge had wonderful things to say about Kari's show dog future!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Mid Winter update

It seemed like a long 7 weeks since the great shows at the end of November, but the long Winter lull had a nice flurry of activity in mid-January. We went to UKC shows near D.C. on Jan 14, and Solstafir went BoB twice. I was anxious to see if young Kari at 11 months could get a win, but Solstafir is just too mature.

The following week, was the AKC cluster of shows at West Friendship MD. It was an eventful and surprising three days for us. Young Kari stepped up to earn his first AKC major, and first 3 points. Solstafir went Best of Breed (5 total dogs) for two of the three days.

Resuming winter break, we will take the next 6 weeks off. No February shows - next dates for us are in March. It will be interesting to see if Kari can mature enough to start climbing in points by getting the occasional win over Solstafir. Once he is out of puppy class, I think that can begin to happen!