Montage 2007 National Specialty News

THE ABTC 2007 NATIONAL SPECIALTY

The ABTC 2007 National Specialty in Nebraska was a grand reunion for Montage and Landmark! I drove west from New York. Darlene Hernandez and Pam Edgecombe drove east from California. Kate Sreenan drove northwest from Alabama. And Susan Geers-Meiners and Rob Meiners drove west from Ohio. Sharon Johnson was local. We were very lucky with the weather - no tornados! Tervish attendees from the Montage fur family include George, Torchy, Henson, Louis, Piper, Punch, Goldie, Judy, Roux, Kelda, KC, Annette, and Maverick.

George at age 15 and Piper at age 9, on the banks of the Missouri River

Roux, Punch, Judy, Goldie (L to R)

HERDING TRIAL

The specialty started off with a bang at the Herding Trial where the infamous black Terv Maverick and Rob Meiners had a fabulous Herding Started run on sheep and earned their 3rd leg to title for HSAs! Mavey is now known as Montage Mavericks Surf Break HSAs, RA, R1CL, R2CL, FO, CGC. Montage-BasqueLaine Genuine Risk RN, CGC "Kelda" and her intrepid owner Kate Sreenan also had a great start. The first day of the trial they earned their 2nd HT leg to title! The next day they bravely entered the PT ring for which neither had trained, and almost qualified. Neither had the experience to handle breakaway sheep and so had some trouble with that. But Kelda did a beautiful job and was very trustworthy on light stock. I was so proud! Pam Edgecomb and Roux made their debut in HT. They did not qualify but did some lovely work. Roux had an especially nice stop. Great job your first time out, Pam! I also had the pleasure of watching Montage Red Hot Quesadilla TDX, HSAs, HRDI "KC" and owner/handler/trainer Sharon Johnson working ducks. While they didn't qualify, the big Tervish grin on KC's face as she bounded through the course with high enthusiasm was just a joy for me to see.

Maverick & Rob, new HSAs title!

Kelda & Kate on the PT course

Roux & Pam doing HT

KC & Sharon on ducks

AGILITY TRIAL

Darlene and 9 year old Montage Just Jazz OA, OAJ "Louis" returned to the agility ring after a 4 year break with no training whatsoever, and had a grand time in Novice Preferred. Although they did not Q, Louis got better and better and almost won 1st place in Jumpers on the 2nd day just missing one obstacle. He had the best time!

Darlene & Louis having a blast at the Agility Trial

RALLY & OBEDIENCE

In RALLY-O ADVANCED, Kelda Q'd for her 2nd leg with a 4th place. In NOVICE A OBEDIENCE, Kelda Q'd for her 1st leg with a 2nd place. Kelda is only 2 years old and handled herself beautifully with all the distractions around her. Kelda was really amazing during this specialty as she and Kate qualified in every venue they entered. What a great team!

Kate & Kelda in action!

CONFORMATION & HANGING OUT

In CONFORMATION, there were lots of Puppets and a Jazz girl. LandmarkMontage Puppet Show "Punch" looked fabulous in Novice Dogs and took 1st place (well okay, he was the only dog in his class, hee hee). The next day, LandmarkMontage Puppet on a String "Roux" won 1st place in Novice bitches with an entry of 3. She looked gorgeous! LandmarkMontage Marionette "Judy" looked lovely in Bred By but had a scared moment during the judge's exam as she had never shown before and was just sure this was a vet exam, but she bounced back and showed really well for the rest of the class. I had the fun of presenting LandmarkMontage Dancing Puppet "Goldie" in Am Bred and took 3rd place in a really tough group of 10 bitches, including the lovely Kelda, shown to perfection by Kate. In Open, Darlene took 2nd place with Abrah Van de Hoge Laer, who is hopefully carrying puppies (!!!) by Henson, conceived at the specialty! And, UACH/ARCH Montage Beach Blanket Bingo OA, NAJ, NAC, NGC, TN-N, PT, JHD, RN, RL3X, RL2, RL1X, R1CL, NGC, CL2, CL3-H, CL4-S, CL4-F, CGC "Annette" took 3rd in Herding Titled bitches, shown by her person Susan Geers-Meiners. Henson showed well in BOB, although out of coat and looking like a teenager surrounded by mature males. I was very happy with his performance.