We have been insanely busy this month, starting with the National Dog Show in the North Island, followed by the South Canterbury Shows in Pleasant Point in the South Island, followed by the CKA Open Shows back home in Christchurch. We've barely had time to catch our breath with all the travelling and are still a little shell-shocked by how well our great little team has done in all the shows.
Our star at the 2024 National Dog Show was our beloved Narci, (Greek CH, Jnr Greek CH, & NZ CH Mystic Legion Narcissus (Imp Greece)), our foundation stud and our goodest boy who, at the grand old age of 10, took the Best of Breed (Chihuahua Long Coat) in a very strong field, under Mrs R Sayara De Oliveria (Brazil) and then went on to be awarded 4th place in the Toy Group in a line-up of some truly exceptional dogs.
His daughter Ava (NZ CH Kitaco Smashed Avacado) did us proud too, taking the Best Bitch CC and Best Open Bitch. Little Serena (Kitaco Lipsynch Assassin) took Best Puppy of Breed, Ben (NZ CH Kitaco Ben de la Crème ) took Best NZ Bred of Breed Dog and little Scotty the Smooth Coat (Kitaco Beam Me Up Scotty), in his very first show, took Best Baby Puppy Dog in the Smooth Coats.
Then came the National Prelude Show (which because of scheduling actually happened after the main event, not before). This time it was Ava's turn to shine. She took Reserve Best of Breed, Best Bitch CC and Open Of Breed, Serena took Best Puppy of Breed, Narci took Best Open of Breed and the Reserve Dog CC, Ben took Best NZ Bred Dog. We didn't enter Scotty in the Prelude show, so he got a well-earned rest.
So despite ferry delays on the way up and a 3:00 AM get up to make the ferry on time on the way home, the road-crew (Jenny and Deb) were fine. They got to stop in at Picton for tea and freshly baked scones with Freddie's family, Lindsay and Rosalie, while the show team had a good run around before continuing the trip.
Tracey, on the other hand, flew home on Saturday evening after the Best in Show judging and took little Scotty and Sally (who'd come along to keep Scotty company) on the plane with her.
That turned out to be a bad idea. There was a gale blowing across Palmerston North. It was blowing so hard the dog crates on the luggage trolley being loaded into the plane (our pups and two other much larger dogs) were blown off the trolley and crashed onto the apron. Our pups were fine (thankfully) and finally loaded, but then the plane departed in conditions so gusty it was blowing the plane sideways across the runway as they took off. Tracey was pretty sure she was going to die until they reached a sufficient altitude that put them above the gale. Rumour has it she kissed the ground when they finally landed in Christchurch and we are happy to report the pups seem none the worse for the little adventure (and crate crash test) they experienced.
Can't thank Debra enough for her help on the trip too. She is the best travel companion and it was just wonderful to have a trustworthy extra pair of hands ringside.
So, back home and time to repack the car to fit in the gazebo, ready the Kitaco-mobile for another weekend of shows. The next trip was only a couple of hours away, but we rented an awesome cabin in Timaru so we didn't have to get before the crack of dawn to get to the show on time.
The weather in Pleasant Point was abysmal - cold and wet - but it didn't seem to bother our Team who did spectacularly well. Ava took Best of Breed in Show 1 on Saturday, as well as the Best Bitch CC and Best NZ of Breed. Serena took Best Puppy of Breed and Ben took Best Intermediate Dog of Breed.
Then came the Smooth Coats and little Scott (now in his 2nd show) took the Reserve Best of Breed, the Reserve Dog CC and Best Baby Puppy of Breed! He then went on to take Best Baby Puppy of Group!
He is such a little trouper. He struts around the ring, happy as a clam, and never seems to flag, even on grass so high he had to jump over a few clumps on his way around the ring.
On Sunday the weather was marginally better and this time our Long Coat star was Serena, who took Best of Breed, Best Bitch CC and Best Puppy of Breed.
Her daddy, Ben, took Reserve Best of Breed, the Best Dog CC and Best Intermediate of Breed. Ava took the Reserve Best Bitch CC and NZ Bred of Breed.
Our gorgeous girl, Serena, went on to take Best Puppy of Group!
Then it was little Scotty's turn again. He took Best Baby Puppy of Breed and the Reserve Dog CC and then took the Best Baby Puppy of Group.
As if that wasn't great enough, in only his third show ever, he went on to win Best Baby Puppy in Show!
We are so proud of this awesome little guy who really just seems to love the ring and everyone in and out of it. He did such a great job and we are thrilled with his great conformation and his lovely temperament.
Back home and this time the weekend shows were local (what a relief) and we left the big kids at home for a well-earned rest. The CKA Open shows are a great place to give the youngsters a run around in a fun and low-pressure environment and this was also the very first show for Scotty's sister, Raven (Kitaco That's So Raven).
Although just as lovely as her brother, Raven is a tad more opinionated and it's taken a bit longer to explain to her why she should walk on a lead (chicken!) or do anything, for that matter, that she doesn't feel like doing. Kudos to her Guardian Mummy, Haley, who has worked tirelessly with our willful little minx over the past couple of weeks and got her strutting around the ring with all the charm and chutzpah of her brother.
Serena took Best of Breed and Best Puppy of Breed in the Long Coats and went on to take the Best of Group, while Raven, in her very first show - just to prove that anything Scotty can do, she can do better - beat her brother, took Best of Breed, Best Bitch, Best Baby Puppy of Breed and then shocked us all by taking the Reserve of Group! Talk about starting off on the right foot!
In the second show, Serena again took the Best of Breed, and this time she managed Reserve Best of Group and and Best Puppy of Group. Not to be outdone by his sister, Scotty took Best of Breed, Best Dog and the Best Baby Puppy of Group, while Raven took Reserve Best of Breed and Best Bitch.
So, it's been a crazy few weeks, but well worth it. Every one of our team has done us proud and have travelled so well without any problems, across land and sea and air. They are all still the cuddle-bunnies we love and it's great to come home after a long day at the shows and have snuggles. Shout out the the Big Five Motel in Palmerston North that allows you to have the dogs on the bed if you arrange it in advance. It was just like home.
Thanks to all the hard-working committees that put on the shows and also the photographers, specifically Kristie Bain, Jorga Dixon and Linda Phillips for their wonderful photos of our babies.
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