The biggest dog show in Finland

Yes, the traditional Winner show weekend ends the show year and of course we would not miss it for anything!
This year it was a three day event - Helsinki Winner on Friday, Nordic Winner on Saturday and Finnish Winner on Sunday. We had various dogs entered for each day.
Thank you all dear friends for a great weekend! I always look forward to this event as this is the time to see many friends after a long time.

We had pretty nice days on the result side too, please enjoy.

13.12.2013, Helsinki Winner show

AC judge: Rainer Vuorinen

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: EXC, INTERMED/3

Miro stepping out

Miro also competed with the very talented Anna Moe from Norway in the Junior handling competition. Anna showed Miro like a pro even though no placement today.

(c) Siv-Hilde Oware 

14.12.2013, Nordic Winner show

AC judge: Sally Statysis, Australia

BFDB judge: Harry Tast

Pudelpointer judge: Juha Kares

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: EXC, INTERMED/1, CQ, BEST MALE 4th

Easeful Cafe Espresso: EXC, CHAMPION/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE 2nd, CACIB

Aika von der Engelburg: EXC, OPEN/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE, BEST OF BREED, CAC, CACIB, NORDIC WINNER 2013!!!

15.12.2013, Finnish Winner show

AC judge: Jan Roger Sauge, Norway

BFDB judge: Jose Homem De Mello, Portugal

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: EXC

Easeful Cafe Espresso: EXC, CHAMPION/2, CQ, BEST FEMALE 2nd, res-CACIB

Independence weekend!

As Finland celebrated its independence on Friday we were traditionally freezing in a group show in Tampere, well in Kangasala this time. And after one resting day, on Sunday it was time for our ACC agility championships.

I want to thank all for such great time on both occasions, I don't think I could have asked for more! :)

6.12.2013 Kangasala, National group speciality show

judge: Irina Poletaeva

Exclamation Miracle Hunter: EXC, INTERMED/1, CQ, BEST MALE, CAC, BOS !!!

Mike BOS and beautiful Miley - Ch Light Dream's Material Girl BOB - congrats!!!
(c) Anni Raittinen

I was so thrilled for Mike's success, we had entered him to get the necessary result from intermediate class as he is an active agility and obedience dog. He did have already great results from junior classes, including 2 res-CAC's and 1 CAC. His owner Viivi was thinking that if we get the result ( GOOD was the one needed ) that maybe we could cut his coat to baby coat. But what happened..... LOL. Now it seems that Mike will keep his coat after all, as he only needs one more CAC to finish his Fi Ch after March 3rd next year, when he turns 2 year!

8.12.2013, Lempäälä, Agility competition

Finnish American Cocker Club's Breed Championship

Eva's last start in agility had been in July, so I was not overly confident about what would happen :D
But despite the fact that we got two disqualifications I am so happy! There was a LOT of good things on both courses, Eva did many things I didn't even think she would be able to do and she was FAST! She just had a bit too much fun and wanted to check out who the spectators were. LOL.

We saw great clean runs from others. Henna and Lilo and Viivi and Mike both got 0 from the first course and that meant they would be starting their second course in 2nd class! WOW!!!!
And Outi & Nea did an amazing jump course, with a great time and 0 !!

Our breed Champions today were Elina and Nico ( Little Life Pure Charm ) from 2nd class! Congratulations!!!

Viivi and Mike ( Exclamation Miracle Hunter ) were placed second with such great performance!!
They WON their first start with agility CAC and from their first ever start in 2nd class they got only 5 faults with 1,34 time fault. What a day!!

From left to right: Viivi & Mike, Elina & Nico, Henna & Lilo and Kiira, Outi & Nea and me & Eva

Thank you girls and Keijo for a great day!

Jyväskylä INT 16.11.2013

Outi, Henna, Piia and I packed our bags and a bunch of dogs to the car headed off to Jyväskylä to meet up with more friends. Thank you all for a lovely day!

16.11.2013 Jyväskylä, International show

AC judge: Soile Bister

BFDB judge: Dan Ericsson, Sweden

Easeful Cafe Espresso: EXC, CHAMPION/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE, CACIB, BOB

Exclamation Beyond The Horizon: EXC, INTERMED/1, CQ, BEST MALE 4th, res-CAC

I am so proud of both of these dogs! This was Nessi's third consecutive BOB! And have to remember that she is already 7 years old! But as they say, some things just get better with age!

And Armas - well, our judge today was definitely not an "excellent automatic" and for this particular reason alone I am so proud of this young boy! Only 6 dogs from 26 got CQ's and Armas was the ONLY FINNISH BRED to be awarded this!!

On sunday, 17.11. I got excellent news from Viveka!

Exclamation Miracle Hunter had his second agility competition and he got 5 faults from first course but again 0 from second and they placed 2nd overall!! This means he needs one 0 result to move up! WOW! BIG congrats Viivi and Mike!!!

Weekend of various dog sports 26.-27.10.2013

It seems we are spending most of our weekends in dog-like surroundings. Well, not to worry, we'll have a break again soon enough :)

This time I have exciting news from many different dog sports!

I must take this opportunity to first congratulate and thank the owners - Greta and Viveka - for the absolutely fabulous work they are doing with these youngsters! I could not be more proud of you two!

So please enjoy the endevours of the weekend!

26.10.2013 Agility competition

Viveka and Mike started the day with their very first official start in agility.
And what did they do.........

Exclamation Miracle Hunter & Viveka: 0 faults with time minus 13 seconds! 

Meaning they WON their class!!!! Way to go!!!

26.10.2013 Obedience trial, breed championships

Exclamation Dare To Dream "Fiona" & Greta Andersén: NOVICE CLASS, 1st PRIZE, 192 POINTS, HONOUR PRIZE

Exclamation Miracle Hunter "Mike" & Viveka Karlsson-Mäkelä: NOVICE CLASS, 1st PRIZE, 192 POINTS, HONOUR PRIZE

These two pairs competed for the first time ever and got the exact same result! What an accomplishment, 1st prize with such high scores ( note: 200 points is the max! ) and  with young dogs ( 2 yrs and 1,5 yrs!! ) ! They shared the Breed Champion title together! Way to go girls!!

Also all the other contestants did so well too!

Keijo with Nea ( Little Life Just Dreaming ) in Winner class 3rd prize with 200 points and Elina with young Nico ( Little Life Pure Charm ) in Open class 1 st prize with 185 points and honour prize.

I think I can speak for the breeder of Nea and Nico, my dear friend Outi too by saying that we are SO PROUD of you all, you are simply STARS!!!!

27.10.2013 Lahti, International show

BFDB judge: Laura Cox, Ireland

AC judge: Tatjana Urek, Slovenia

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: EXC

Exclamation Beyond The Horizon: EXC, OPEN/2, CQ

Easeful Cafe Espresso: EXC, CHAMPION/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE, CACIB, BOB

Seinäjoki INT 19.10.2013

We took a family trip to Seinäjoki.

19.10.2013 Seinäjoki, International show

BFDB judge: Jari Fors

AC judge: Leila Kärkäs

Easeful Cafe Espresso: EXC, CHAMPION/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE, BOB, CACIB

Old lady on the move, hard to believe she's already 7 years old!

Exclamation Beyond The Horizon: EXC, INTERMEDIATE/3, CQ

Annual Club Show 13.10.2013

Every year our breed club organizes an unofficial Club Show to which we bring a judge or a long-term breeder usually from the States. It is by far the biggest show for americancockers in Finland with entries usually around 80 dogs. This year we had almost 70 dogs entered.

Thank you all dear friends for the day, lots of fun and laughs and more importantly an easygoing atmosphere all day long!

Huge congrats for Karo for winning BIS with the lovely Miley - she was really worth it and so happy for you!
And also big congrats to Anni and Outi for Donna's ( Ch Little Life Key To Secret ) BEST IN SHOW WORKING dog win!

13.10.2013 Finnish ACC Club Show

judge: Jessica Brickett-Legath, USA

Exclamation Time To Remember: Particolor Champion class 4th

Exclamation Beyond The Horizon: Black Open class WINNER and reserve BEST IN VARIETY

Exclamation Dream Catcher: Black Champion class 5th

(c) Jaana Myllymäki

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: ASCOB Open class 4th

(c) Jaana Myllymäki

You can see some videos here.

Tuulos speciality 6.10.2013

It was time to meet up with many friends and spend a day at Tuulos. Thank you all for a lovely day and some extra BIG thanks to Marketta for keeping Andy in such great shape and Outi for handling him to perfection!!

So yes, we are PROUD to introduce a new 

FINNISH CHAMPION - Exclamation Dream Catcher

 

6.10.2013 Tuulos, speciality show

judge: Marko Lepasaar, Estonia

Exclamation Dream Catcher: EXC, OPEN/1, CQ, BEST MALE, CAC, BOB -> a new FI CH !!!

Exclamation Time To Remember: EXC, CHAMPION/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE 2nd

Andy did finish his Ch title with style, winning BOB in tough competiton! I am so proud of this young boy. Thank you judges that have appreciated him along the way!

Hyvinkää speciality 22.9.2013

Marketta and Maarit went to Hyvinkää speciality show. Thank you so much Maarit for handling the handsome boy Andy so perfectly! This was first time Maarit handled Andy and also the first time Andy was in the ring after turning 2 years. What a great result - loosing only to Champions ( one of them not yet though Fi Ch :) )!

22.9.2013 Hyvinkää, speciality show

judge: Harri Lehkonen

Exclamation Dream Catcher: EXC, OPEN/1, CQ, BEST MALE 3rd, res-CAC 

 

(c) Diana Saarepera

Rovaniemi 31.8.2013

I am really blessed with great friends who are always ready to help. Thank you so much Saana for helping out with Armas! You did such excellent job!!

And thank you judges Markku Kipinä and Saija Juutilainen for appreciating this youngster!

31.8.2013 Rovaniemi, FCI group speciality show

breed judge: Markku Kipinä

group judge: Saija Juutilainen

Exclamation Beyond The Horizon: EXC, INTERMED/1, CQ, BEST MALE, CAC, BEST OF BREED, BEST IN GROUP 3rd

And this was a HUGE combined FCI 7 & 8 group so well done Saana & Armas!!!!!

Saana & Armas winning BOB under Markku Kipinä

Lovely shot of the couple!

And later winning BIG-3 under Saija Juutilainen!

photos (c) Maarit Neiramo

Tervakoski INT 25.8.2013

I must admit that for some reason I really like this show. Venue is a nice sport field with lovely shortcut grass, car parks are really close to the field and for the past few years at least the weather has been really spoiling us - sun all day long! And of course, the organizers seem to always get everything running so smoothly year after year! So yes, one of my favorite shows for sure!

This year we only had our fauve Nessi with us and because it is so close to home, my husband and our daughter were there spending the day too.

25.8.2013 Tervakoski, International show

judge: Alexander Ivanov, Russia

Easeful Cafe Espresso: EXC, CHAMPION/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE, BEST OF BREED, CACIB

Lovely Nessi, full of energy and she is already closing in on 7 years!!

Tallinn International 17.8. & 18.8.2013

What a weekend... I think you can say that it was a weekend full of everything!
Thank you Henna for a super trip!!!!

Please enjoy the weekend results for our gang!

17.8.2013 Tallinn, International show

Keeshond judge: Julija Aidietiene, Lithuania

AC judge: Audrone Babianskine, Lithuania

Ikurin Xmas Star: BEST MALE 2nd, res-CACIB

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: EXC, INTERMED/2

Exclamation Time To Remember: EXC, CHAMPION/2, CQ, BEST FEMALE 3rd

18.8.2013 Tallinn, International show

Keeshond breed judge: Franco Mannato, France and group judge: Ricardo Torre-Simoes, Brazil

AC breed & group judge: Diane Stewart-Ritchie, Ireland

Ikurin Xmas Star: BEST OF BREED, CAC, CACIB -> EE CH & C.I.B, BEST IN GROUP 4th

Hook & Henna
SUPER CONGRATS AND HUGS TO OWNER PETRI TURUNEN FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION!!!!

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: EXC, INTERMED/1, CQ, BEST MALE, CAC, CACIB, BEST OF BREED, reserve BEST IN GROUP!!!!!

Miro gaining another great win over champions and he is still only 17 months!

Exclamation Time To Remember: EXC, CHAMPION/1, CQ, BEST FEMALE, CACIB, BOS

Thank you all dear friends for so many nice comments during the weekend and of course many thanks to the judges for appreciating the quality of our dogs!

Turku All breeds 3.8.2013

While I was home attending to the next generation, Outi showed the lovely Andy in Turku. Huge congratulations to his owner Marketta and thank you Outi!
It was nice to hear how the judge complemented this young boy!

3.8.2013 Turku, national all breeds show

judge: Laurent Heinesche, Luxembourg

Exclamation Dream Catcher: EXC, INTERMED/1, CQ, BEST MALE 2nd, CAC

In the same show Andy's half brother from the same sire ( our one and only Joe, C.I.B Afterglow Tokyo Joe ) Paddy aka Little Life Really Rising Sun was BOB puppy!!

Big congrats to Marketta and Outi!!!

An extraordinary weekend 20.-21.7.2013

It is not often I am left speechless and surprised completely off-guard...
But now I have to say it has happened!

Little did I know when starting the car on Friday what would be the outcome on Sunday evening!

I don't even know where to start so please excuse me if I somehow seem lost with words when trying to describe this truly UNFORGETTABLE weekend.....

Before anything else I want to thank all the judges during the weekend for appreciating the quality of our young boys - Karin Brostam Berglund, Miklos Levente, Monika Blaha and Kurt Nilsson - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
And thank you Maarit and Tuukka for keeping Armas in such great shape! Karo and Saana - super company and lots and lots of laughs!
Without one very special lady this weekend would not have been possible - Outi, one in a million kind of friend <3
Thank you all friends for living these super moments with us!

Ok, that sounded almost like a speech at the Oscar's but it kinda feels like it... LOL

So let's start.

On Friday we headed to Oulu with Karo and were preparing to continue to Tornio on Saturday morning. I gotta say it takes a certain kind of madman to do this kind of trip for fun! But yes, we are that kind of madmen ;)

20.7.2013 Tornio, International show

breed judge: Miklos Levente, Hungary

group judge: Monika Blaha, Austria

Exclamation Beyond The Horizon: EXC, INTERMED/1, CQ, BEST MALE, CAC, CACIB, BOB and BEST IN GROUP !!!!!!!!!!!!!

photos Saana Pirinen

Armas - Best In Group at 17 months
photo Karo Hämäläinen

Now I was left with a dilemma...... Armas won the group and Best In Show would be tomorrow.... But we would also have our Finnish American Cocker Club's Main Speciality show tomorrow in Kangasala.....

These are the moments when you realize how lucky you are to have such a remarkable friend, who will help and support you no matter what. THANK YOU Outi <3

And one special thank you goes to my husband Antti who drove me on Sunday morning back to Tornio <3

So on Sunday I headed back to Tornio ( don't even want to tell you how far away it is.... LOL ) and Outi took my dogs to the speciality show.

21.7.2013 Kangasala, Finnish ACC Main Speciality show

judge: Karin Brostam Berglund, Sweden

Exclamation Miracle On Ice: EXC, JUN/1, CQ, BEST MALE, CAC, BOB aka BEST IN SHOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miro 16 months - BEST IN SHOW !!
photo Jaana Myllymäki

Photo Laura Suikkanen

Photo Jaana Myllymäki

Exclamation Time To Remember: EXC, CHAMPION/2, CQ

photo Jaana Myllymäki

And meanwhile in Tornio.......

21.7.2013 Tornio, International show

BIS judge: Kurt Nilsson, Sweden

Exclamation Beyond The Horizon: BEST IN SHOW 3rd !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So happy - Armas 17 months - BIS-3 in the rain <3

I am so proud of my young dogs and feel so lucky to have such great friends to share these very special moments with!

THANK YOU ALL !!

I want to share one note I got from a friend that just made tears in my eyes - happy tears...

Sometimes the perfect day just comes along....