Owning an Irish breed (a Glen of Imaal Terrier) it was my ambition to show in Ireland, and when I heard that this year's Euro Show was in Dublin I made my up mind to go.
Northern Ireland comes under the English KC, but Eire is under the FCI which awards C.A.C.I.B. (Certificate d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté). Green Stars are also given, seven being needed to become an Irish Champion.
I left Guernsey on a Wednesday afternoon - Condor running late, rough seas and straight into a traffic jam - Arrrrgh! I wanted to catch the Irish ferry from Holyhead at 2am, and my car is not the fastest. One comfort break for me and Declan and then DRIVE!!! We reached Chester just after midnight, and I nearly gave up hope of reaching Holyhead that night as we had all of Wales to still cross, but we battled on and reached Holyhead at 1.45 am. The ticket desk was still open and we just made it -a bit too close for comfort! Declan slept all the way.
We arrived in Dublin at 6.00am and were soon on the road. Dublin isn't well signed and I went to the wrong Travelodge so had to back-track getting more and more lost. I phoned my friends at the Travelodge but I did not have a clue where I was, so I tried a garage. They put me on the right track - the right Travelodge sign was a lovely sight! Checked in, sorted Declan out, unloaded car and reached our room. We both crashed out - and it was only 9.30am on Thursday!
After a rest and a cup of tea I was raring to go. I was close to where the Glen of Imaal had originated in County Wicklow and was itching to show Declan where his ancestors had come from. My Irish friends took us - thank goodness, as I would not have found it. First, we saw a Glen of Imaal shop, then the Imaal Bar. The actual Glen of Imaal is now part of the Irish Army firing range and recently a car venturing too far was shot at. The countryside was very beautiful, thought spoilt by shell-holes. Still, I suppose they have to practise somewhere.
Whenever we stopped Declan got out and had his picture taken - an actual Glen of Imaal Terrier in the Glen of Imaal, a very rare occurrence. We had dinner at a beautiful coaching inn in brilliant sunshine, Declan under the table with his bowl of ice water. What a lovely start to my Irish holiday! Tomorrow the showing starts.
Friday. The Glen of Imaal Terrier Championship Breed show did not start until 3 pm. Every other breed started earlier but we had to be different! In the morning we had a dry run to find the showground - and thank goodness, as it was well hidden. There were Swedish, Finnish, Irish and English dogs entered. Declan was in Open. When he finished his class the Ring Steward gave me a card showing his grade. The judge awards Excellent, Very Good, Good, Sufficient or Cannot be Judged. Declan got Excellent, which pleased me greatly. If he did no more than that, I was delighted with him. We won the class then all the "Excellents" were called into the ring and Declan won the Reserve Green Star Dog. To say I was stunned is an understatement. Tomorrow the Euro Show.
Saturday. Euro Show 09, and we were first in the ring at 9.30 am. We had a Finnish judge who was very thorough, and Declan had another Excellent. I like these cards! We were called back with the other "Excellents" and he won the GREEN STAR DOG! WOW! What a weekend this was turning out to be! Then he was awarded the CACIB, the FCI top award. For the first time in my life I was going for BOB, and doing it at the Euro Show. Declan took it all in his stride. He thought it was great, and revelled in the admiration of his growing fan club. Going for BOB against the bitch, I was still in state of shock and could not believe it when the judge chose Declan!! Now I understand how pop stars feel with all the camera flashes. Declan and I enjoyed our moment of glory - something to remember for the rest of my life. Going into the big ring to represent the Glen of Imaal in the terrier group was one of my happiest moments, and the cheers as Declan strutted his stuff resounded! OK, we did not win - but what an honour to be there.
Sunday. Another beautiful day - we were so lucky with the weather. Our third show was a UK Kennel Club show awarding CCs for Irish native breeds, the first time a foreign kennel club had done so. We had an Irish judge, and Declan won his class again. I certainly could get used to this!! And he won the Reserve CC Dog!
WHAT A WEEKEND! I was on cloud nine! I am so proud of my Glen of Imaal, Romainville Bodhran, - Declan to his friends.
