WCA Nationals in Providence, Rhode Island USA,June 2008

Dear Weimlovers, Weimbreeders & Weimfanatics,

After this unforgettable week that I have spent for the first time in America
I will try shortly to describe our visit to the most important Weimaraner Specialty (WCA Nationals)!

Let me start than!

The specialties took place one full week in Rhode Island (Providence, Warwick) from Monday 26.05. till Friday 01.06.2008., on a beautiful terrain in front of the Hotel  “Crowne Plaza”, where we were situated and where during the week some seminars, meetings, TOP TEN have been held, with a special gala dinner.

On Monday Nutmeg WC Specialty" was held, on Tuesday Nutmeg WC Sweepstakes", on Wednesday Yankee WC Specialty", on Thursday WCA Eastern Futurity/Maturity " and then also the main specialty WCA National Specialty" started, on Sunday WCA Nationals continued and finished.

Although Rhode Island is famous for its rainy days, we were really lucky that the weather was beautiful, so we could really enjoy our stay to the fullest.

On this year’s specialty there were about 200 Weimaraners entered.

When we came to the showground I stayed enchanted with huge campers that surrounded the hotel.
First one was a camper of the most famous kennel of Weimaraners in America. We noticed the familiar name on the car tables straight away.

The showground didn’t surprise me at all. I expected to see the live picture of what I’ve been only seeing on internet pictures.  But I cannot say that I was not enchanted with the whole atmosphere. It was not only that special ring, this special American Weimaraners – there were also those famous breeders, about whose successes I’ve been only reading, without knowing how they actually look like. With our Dutch friend Leonor we came under the tent of the most famous kennel.  And again we could see that familiar name.

 

The judging has started. Have a look how one class looked like…

Left part

Right part

The system of judgment goes like this: first all the dogs of the class enter, get stacked under the big tent,  then the judge picks first four dogs that should make a round, than the next four etc. and after they’ve all made their rounds they all come under the tent. Then starts the real show. The handler enters the ring and stacks the dog to the perfection. The judge examines the dog and asks up ‘n down. While they are on their way to do that last task, another handler is coming with another dog and is already stacking the dog in background to finally end up prepared with a perfectly stacked dog as soon as judge is finished with the dog in front of him. When coming down toward the judge the dog is free stacked. It’s really very nice to see dogs so well handled and presented. The biggest importance above all is given to the movement. In America you hear everybody talk a lot about a top dog and his stunning movement. Now I see how important that is.

Concentration

Judy Colan "Colsidex"

 

And Chris Grisell "Nani’s" with a beautiful female.

Here’s another top breeder: Mrs Susan Thomas "Camelot’s" on the left
and on the right again Chris with the female that was my absolute favorite.

I also had the honour to meet very becoming old lady who came to me first and after a while revealed who she is – Virginia Alexander, the writer of the most significant book about Weimaraners “Weimaraner Ways” (also known as “The Weimaraner Bible”).

 

We saw and met a lot of reputable breeders like "Win Weim, Smokey City, Silversmith, etc." There were some breeders from Australia too Lainie and family from "Ashlaren", Narelle and Val from "Greydove", itd…….) . We saw a lot of quality dogs and so got a vision of our future breeding ideals, visions that we hope to achieve in the near future by using correct American dogs on our most important brood bitches.

Here some more nice representatives of the breed…

 

 

This is beautiful  "Win Weim N Nani’s Paparazzi" who took BOS (Best of Oposite Sex) this year.

 … but with great respect to Papa, this was my absolute favorite!

 

 

 

 

Some Weims in the audience were very attentive, this lady came with colored nails.

 

And here was one sweet baby weimy…

 

Some shots of best weims.
From these pictures you can clearly see the higher level of dog presentation,
that is really impressive to which we in Europe should strive too…

Award of Merit

 

Beautiful female from our dear friend Greg.

 

Greg again too proud…

 

Best brood bich with progeny:

 

And of course, Zucker kommt zulezt! (“The sweetest comes at the end”)  –this female well deserved BOB, for the third year in a row, the absolute winner "Colsidex Seabreeze Perfect Fit  - “Marge”"  who is a true born star!. She shows off perfect, she is the most perfect female I ever saw in flesh.  And her temperament is so lovely.

On Sunday we went to watch the hunting trials. But it turned out that we went on wrong day, so we decided to go straight to the Ladies KC show in Massachusetts.  On our way to the show we learned that if Americans say that something is very close or just around the corner it usually means one of two hours driving!

On the show we met some of our dear friends.
Here are some “shortcuts” from the show...

A “little” tent, on the right side was also one very small tent where later the best in show program took place.

In America everything is very “small” – the distances, the cars…

 And campers as well!!! 

 

Of course we met beautiful Marge here as well.
And she won the group, of course! No doubt about it!
(have a look at the cool guy in the background!)

 

 

Competition in gundog group
I was mostly very impressed by setters and labrador retriever bitch!
You should have seen how they moved...stunning!

 

 

 

 

 

Fantastic handling of dobermans - no double handling!

 

 Competed pregnant

 

and won pregnant!

 

 German sheperd - no double handling!

Calm and concentrated presentation. Really very nice to see it that way!

 

 

Springer spaniel handled by top handler of " Win Weim N Nani's Paparazzi "

 

That would be all folks!
I hope I have managed to visualize at least a small part of that unforgettable and useful experience and that you felt at least a piece of the atmosphere of the kynologic world, this time a little bit different, but still so similar and close to our world, in which we all get connected through same interests, ideals, desires and wishes, and above all that big love toward those beautiful faithful creatures on four legs, with bright sparkling eyes and wet noses…

 

Best regards,

Kristina