AKC show, Harrisburg, PA - August 13

Good times happened at Harrisburg.  Solstafir won open dog for one point today.  His little brother Fox Meadow Thorra Kari (Vetur) turned 6 months old today, and marked the occasion by being in his first AKC show.  He was Reserve Winner to his big brother Solstafir.  A special thank you goes out to Sabrina Bahre, for handling Vetur in his first ring appearance.  I so much appreciate all the wonderful commentaty on my beautiful boys, while strolling and socializing around the venue.

AKC show - Howard County / West Friendship, MD - July 8

Short and sweet - Solstafir went Winner's Dog, and BOS for one point.   Happy Day!

Solstafir loves sheep

I almost forgot to drop a note on here about it, but I took Solstafir to his very first herding encounter with sheep, a few weeks ago.  It was actually a herding instinct test, done at Flyaway Aussies, in Oxford, PA.  Result of the heding test?  Solstafir loves sheep, and has a good natural instinct to move them quite well.  It was really neat to watch - he had never been face to face with sheep before, and after about a 30 second awkward period, I watched his instincts kick in, and his whole expression and demeanor changed into herding mode.  He nicely moved them around, and always drove them toward me and the trainer.  When one would cut out, he would go wrangle it and cut back in.  I was so happy to see him using his genetic purpose, and he semed very happy, too!  I can look forward to more herding lessons in the future, and maybe putting a herding title on him.

Two Group 1 wins at Bel Air UKC shows

We had a nice weekend of shows, despite the unpredictable weather.  Solstafir took Herding Group 1 on Saturday afternoon, under Judge Violet Denney, and also took Herding Group 1 on Sunday morning, under Judge Donna Rommelfaenger!
In the other two shows of the weekend we brought home Group 2, and Group 3 honors.
I took the new puppy to show off a bit on Saturday, and while walking him around, we were pulled aside by Judge David Arthur, for some nice complements on his structure and movement.  I think he's gonna be a good one!

Lewisberry, PA - UKC shows

We had a very nice Saturday showing on April 30.   In show 1, Solstafir went Herding Group 1, under Judge David Kittredge, and in show 2, went Herding Group 2, under Judge Alleyne Dickens.  Mr. Ketteridge was especially complimentary of Solstafir, after BIS, and gave me a few words of advice for attaining the next step in UKC shows, a BIS or Reserve BIS win.

 

I also had fun handling a Shetland Sheepdog altered female, at her owner's request, and put a CH on her.  I took her to best altered sheltie in show one, and in show 2, I took her to best altered sheltie, and best in altered group to finish her.  Nice!

Harrisburg & Timonium AKC shows - passing 100 ribbons to date!

Yes, we were at the epic AKC flood of Harrisburg, when it all went down.  It was pretty amazing to see all those RVs and ex-pens underwater, and then exhibition hall flooded.  But before that, we had an awesome time at the show.  Our Breed ring was early, so after picking up our ribbons, we went to socialize.  The Chair person of Meet The Breeds had contacted me a week or so before, and asked me to bring Solstafir to show in Meet The Breeds, where he was loved on, and returned love, to scores of adoring folks who couldn't seem to get enough of his affection and charm.  It turned out to be a VERY long day, as Herding group was not until 6:30, and then right after BIS, we got the announcement to evacuate the building, as the water was coming in.  Our Monday entry was canceled, per the mess.

 

We did two days in Timonium, and showed very well.  Not only did I run into lots of friends at these shows, but I am getting continually increased interest in Solstafir, and Icelandics in general, from Judges between rings, handlers, vendors, and spectators.  It may be that we have been in the Group ring so much more recently, and Solstafir is getting much more exposure.  Regardless, I love it, and so does Solstafir!  Highlights of the Timonium shows would be a Purina rep who travels the country with AKC shows, telling me that Solstafir was the prettiest Icelandic he's yet to see, and surpassing the 100 ribbon / rosette mark with our Monday show.  He has quite a gallery!