Wednesday, May 29, 2013

The Week of the National....Louisville, KY

Home from the National...so good to be home.

The Papillon Club of America had a week long event with three regional specialties and the official National at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville, KY.


Pottying the dogs outside the hotel
I left May 19th before noon.  I arrived at the hotel around 8, the weather was quite hot, so unloading was a warm endeavor - 10 (or more, I lost track of how many times I went up the elevator with stuff) trips later, all the necessities and dogs were in the room.  Luckily the rooms were spacious!  About 1:30, I crawled in bed.  I awoke about 4:20, laid quietly trying to go back to sleep until 5:30, when I got up and took the dogs out.  Back to the room I had 3 dogs to bath and groom for the first PCA Regional specialty.

In the performance arena, good news for Cheryl Brown and her two boys at the PCA agility trials.  She reported CH MACH Loteki Civil Liberties CD BN RAE MXS MJS MXP2 MJP2 had




Spencer's RN
four Qs with a score of 100 over the course of the three days of agility.  GCH CH Loteki The Winds Of Change NAJ earned his RN.
 


Mary Gail Holcombe (MS) reported her two boys, Loteki Rose To The Challenge (McGee) was 2nd in Beginner Novice B on Tuesday and 4th in Rally Novice B on Wednesday. He had a 100 score in Rally, but was beaten on time.
 
Mary Gail's Loteki Just Be A Gentleman CDX (Rascal) was 1st in Veteran Obedience on Tuesday with a 197.
 
Asia's Monday rosette
Monday's specialty was judged by James Hupp.  First time in the ring, Ona, Loteki Chanceux On My Honor won a 4th in the 9-12 class.  She had moments of brilliance and some very naughty times too, it was a big class so I felt great about Ona's debut!  Ms. Asia was shown in BOB.  I was thrilled to have GCH Loteki In The Heat Of The Moment awarded BOS over the top winning bitch in the country handled by a well known handler!  I also was proud to own the sire of the WB/BOW, Rorralore Fayrye Queene, owned and bred by Charlotte McGowan, sired by CH Loteki Rose To The Throne.
 
 
Tuesday was another regional specialty, which I chose not to enter.  My decision proved to be correct.  The judge was incredible slow and took almost 8 hours to judge just over 100 dogs!  The highlight of the day was when my long time friend, Christine Bohentine, arrived shortly after 10 a.m.!  We had not seen each other for 20 years!  She looked the same and it was non-stop chatting, questions and hugs!
 
Wednesday, sweeps was held in the afternoon, judged by Tracy Burdick (Denzel Papillons).  My Glamour (Loteki It's A Glamours Updo) won the 12-15 month bitch class.  She was well received by several of my peers.
 
A judge change was announced after the sweeps classes for the National, Mrs. Billings was in the hospital.  We all were in suspense as to who was going to come to judge the National.  The rumors buzzed around for several hours, but then the announcement was made that it would be Randy Garren of NC.  Judging was put back from 8:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m.  I did not have a dog entered so Thursday was another free day, which Mary Gail,

Charlotte McGowan, Cheryl Brown, Gail McGrew with Belle and myself in front
Cheryl and I chose to go to Churchill Downs and enjoy some incredible history, great food and fun!
 
Friday was bitches.  Ms. Glamour did me proud by winning the BBE class, my favorite class, where I think all the best dogs should be shown!  She went on to win RWB!  For the first time at National specialties, the AKC started a new rule where the reserve wins a 3 point major, so we were thrilled to not only go Reserve at the National, but come home with a three point major to boot!
 
Saturday was the intersex.  The morning started out with Juniors at 8:00 a.m.  Ms. Asia managed to slip away from me for a short time and two all out runs around the big ring with a HUGE smile on her face.  She came once I was able to position myself on the
Asia and her huge rosette!
ground and call.  She was so happy with herself.  She was encouraged by the entire audience laughing and clapping!  She was quite happy with herself!  When it was our time in the ring, she performed beautifully and was awarded Select bitch!  I was thrilled, even though in my opinion, she should have won!
 
Sunday was another regional specialty, which I chose not to enter.  I packed up and made my way home.  It was so great to be home.  The dogs all agreed!  Thankfully Monday, I had time to put things away, do laundry and catch a few extra minutes of sleep.  Back to work on Tuesday....

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