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On Wednesday afternoon, Johanna and I took off with Turner and Merly to Birmingham. OUr first stage was Calais, where we stayed in a small hotel on the beach. On Thursday, early in the morning, we headed towards the Euro Tunnel. I booked a train ticket according to an advise from friends, but in the vet check was a gaping void so we were ready three hours earlier than planned and were even allowed to take the next train.

Then, the first left-hand traffic of my life ... has worked quite well except for one tiny incident. We are now trained also in roundabout for advanced! After a relaxing drive we arrived in Birmingham at the Hilton and arrived much earlier than planned to check in for our room. After a short walkies round, sleep was announced.

Then we met Felicia next door at the Crufts terrain, who had kindly brought us our sponsorship show leashes from "Art of Dee " from Denmark. Gorgeous leashes, we were absolutely thrilled to finally have it in our hands.

After a relaxing night, we went into the holly halls on Friday morning... We quickly found our place on the ring, could put everything away and take a look at the catalog.

Immediately after the veterans, it was Johanna and Turner’s turn. There were 3 dogs reported in the " Special Junior Dog" class, including our breeder Jenny Hall with Turner's full brother "Vaskurs Jack Sparrow Qonjacson".

The judge let the dogs run and then looked at each dog individually. Then she let them run again and again and finally let them line up. Something happened that never appeared to be possible for us... she waved Johanna in the first place! Oh my God, we were proud! A dream came true...

In the battle for the best male, it was again a little scarce. After the judge had chosen the father of our litter "Qiwi" and Jenny as BEST OF BREED Winner, she chose the reserve male between the beautiful 5 year old "Farik" - Reedly Road Enjoy the Silence and our Turner.

Farik got the deserved Reserve CC, we still have so much time ;-)

Then, it was about Merly and Johanna 's turn. There were reported 11 females in the "Post Graduate Class", 7 were actually showed up. The two did their job great as usual. Despite the really tough competition, Merly and Johanna ran up a fantastic second position behind the famous Maria Evteeva.

A fantastic show day came to an end. It was great to meet Jenny and Jocke and after more than a year of seeing many of our dogs siblings and most of all "Qiwi". We are looking forward to the next reunion!

After a long show day we went back to the tunnel and after a night at the port of Folkestone, we took of towards home on Saturday morning. The joy was huge in all of our dogs at our return.

A weekend in Denmark awaited us and we had been longing forward for a long time to see all our Danish friends again.

On Saturday, Rose competed in the Junior Class under judge Stefan Sinko (SLO). She received a nice judge's report with an Excellent, but unfortunately had to admit defeat in the play-off for the 4th place.

Johanna and Merly started for the first time in a big show abroad in Junior Class and were able to work their way to the finals in a strong field. That was really hard work and we were all proud of this achievement.

As there were no one at home, who supplied the horses, we took off home to go on a journey again on Sunday morning. On Sunday, it was the standing-ears’ turn.

Under the really critical eyes of judge Inzoli Massimo (IT) we ran the following results:

" Vaskurs Will Turner Qonjacson " Junior Class male V1 with CK

" Northgate 's Queen of my Heart" Junior Class bitches V1 with CK

" Merly " Vaskurs Marion Jones Skumpandotter - Intermediate Class V1 with CK

In the play-off for the best bitch, our ladies had to admit defeat by the bitch from the Champion Class. Merly became second best bitch and got the CAC DK and Queenie became third.

Turner also had to admit defeat by the champion dog, but also received the CAC DK, since the male is already Danish champion.

The Junior Handling on Sunday was judged by Mrs. Cindy Petterson (SWE) - a special judge because she trains the Swedish Junior Handlers!

Again Johanna and Merly made it among the top 8 into the finals! Just after the dog exchange the two unfortunately had to leave the ring of honor unplaced. The quality of the Danish Junior Handler is extremely high and it is a great success for such a young team

Way to go girlz !

On 1^st of February we headed off early on the way to Catrop Rauxel. Rose started the RRCD in the Junior Class under judge Lisbeth Mach (CH).

The ground conditions unfortunately left much to be desired. Hence, the exhibition management withdrew from carpet, which Mrs. Spengler hardly fought for the diagonal. Anyways, that did not bother Johanna and Rose a bit.

The two ran up in a starting field of 10 bitches a nice SG3.

Excerpt from the judge's report :

10 months old bitch, very feminine and dainty, wheat-colored, typical and standard fit in all parts, exquisite Ridge, dry long neck, good front, head fits to the body, expressive, shows a pleasant action

After our Christmas break we started our long journey towards south on the 10^th of January to start the next day in Nürnberg. We expected a spacious hotel room after the long journey and all of us 6 were able to recover.

The results of the Pharaohs under breed specialist Regina Schröter and a judge contender for the Pharaohs were after all quite well:

Vaskurs Will Turner Qonjacson - Juniorclass Exc. 1, CAC, JBOB and now we are waiting for the certificates for the German Juniorchampion VDH & DWZRV 

Our "Baby" had her first start in Juniorclass:

Northgates Queen of my Heart - Exc.1 with her first CAC for the Juniorchampion VDH & DWZRV - In the competition for JBOB she was beaten by Turner.

And the darling of the judge - our Special Girl " Merly "

Vaskurs Marion Jones Skumpandotter - Intermediateclass Exc. 1, CAC, CACIB and BOB

Later in the Juniorhandling competition Johanna and Merly won 5. place out of a big group. 

Rose started as the youngest female with Johanna in the Youth Class under breed judge Martin Klopsch (DE) and received a " very good" with a very nice judge's report and the personal words "a bitch with a lot of potential, but she needs her time."

Day two began in Amsterdam. Today we should introduce our dogs to Judge Anne MacDonald (GB).

Again, Turner had to start first from all Pharaohs and was rewarded with a V1 and CAC as well as wonderful report.

He then was able to prevail himself against the other male in the open class and is now entitled to call himself "Youth Winner Amsterdam" and "Amsterdam Winner" - I am immensely proud of the "little " guy!

Then it was Johanna and Merly’s turn. They were able to stand against the other bitch and won the intermediate class with a V1 and CAC.

Then it was all about the best female and Johanna sovereignly prevailed herself and won the CACIB like the day before. Merly may now carry the title "Amsterdam Winster 2013".

Turner won the BOB in the following and so we were able to enjoy the day with all possible titles in the ring <3

He was able to save a place among the top six (out of 37) of group 5 within his first 10 months under Judge Natalia Skalin - Nekrosiene (SWE).

A great weekend comes to an end and we look forward to some rest and a Merry Christmas.

On Thursday in the afternoon we all went together (3 people and 4 dogs) on a trip to Amsterdam.

On Friday morning we arrived relatively relaxed in the huge halls of the RAI and saved us a nice place by our generous ring. There were 5 registered Pharaohs and we were excited to get to know new faces.

Turner started first and was rewarded by Judge Ewa Nielsen (SWE) with a V1 and the CAC NL. Johanna and Merly had to go next. The two sovereignly saved the V1 with CAC and were able to stand against the bitch from the open class and also won the CACIB. Also the BOB was confidently saved - we were very happy waiting for the start in the huge ring of honor.

First it was Merly’s turn and the two were chosen from a field of 28 dogs into the top 6 dogs of group 5. It was not enough for a place on the podium today - but the success is still huge for this young team!

Also Turner and Johanna did their job in the Youth Ring of Honor great and he was also chosen to be one of the top 3 of Group 5!

Very happy and very tired, we took off to our cottage.

Day two began relaxed in Kassel. This time we knew where to find the best parking spot and our kennel were already waiting for us in the hall.

The Pharaohs began under judge Gabriele Schröter (DE)

Northgate's Queen of my Heart - BOB Puppy

Vaskurs Will Turner Qonjacson - V1, JCAC VDH & Club

Vaskurs Marion Jones Skumpandotter - V1, CAC, CACIB & BOB

A great success for our standing ears and particularly nice, the BOB went this time to Merly and Johanna!

In the Ridgeback ring today, it was clearly crowded. Johanna and Rose started in a full starting field of 8 runners. They were able to get one of two “promising” under judge Monika Pehr (DE). This time it was the 2nd place and I was extremely proud of my girls!

We moved with our baggage to the ring of honor, where we waited for Johanna and Merly’s start in the occupied filed with 15 starters of the AK2 in Junior Handling.

While I was still busy with the loading of our equipment in the car, the two again confidently saved a place in the final. This time both of them were beaten by a Whippet, but reached an equally great second Place in the final!

Now Merly had to start again to assert herself in Group 5. Again, the two made a great figure and Johanna could be secure the 3. Place on the podium for herself under judge Jan Meijerink (DE) like the day before - this time with Merly!

A great weekend comes to an end...

On Saturday morning, the four dogs and we went on our way to Kassel. Despite the bad weather, we were well prepared and wrapped up very warm.

After initial difficulties with the starting times of our Pharaohs, they were able to convince judge Mrs. Monika Blaha (AT).

Northgate's Queen of my Heart - BOB Puppy

Vaskurs Marion Jones Skumpandotter - V1, CAC VDH & Club

Vaskurs Will Turner Qonjacon - V1, JCAC & BOB

So Turner was even 2x qualified for the ring of honor.

"Rose" went for the first time with Johanna into the ring. She was beautifully prepared and could win the only “promising” and the first place under Judge Dick Rutten (NL) from the starting field of 4 starters. I am extremely proud of my own breed <3

We went on with Merly and Johanna in Junior Handling of the age class 2. Gigantic 18 starters competed in this age group and still both of them managed to get in the preliminary round ring under the top 5 and to were permitted to the ring of honor in the finals.

Merly loves the flair of the big ring and the two floated towards place 1. of the AK2 - an incredible success to be in the front in this age class for the second time!

Inspired by the music and the feeling of the "Great ", Johanna handled Turner for the first time in the ring of honor and reached with him a great BIG3.

A gigantic day came to an end and it could hardly get better...

This weekend we were on our way to Denmark to spend a great day with friends at the Christmas Show.

Johanna started for the first time with Queenie in the Youngest Class and won a VV1. Against the male, the two had to admit a defeat today. She started with " Merly " for the first time in the intermediate class, which she won with a great V1 and she was later rewarded with the BB3 and the CAC BB3 DK. The second Qualification for the Danish Champion title!

After a really great private training with the best junior handler of Denmark (CRUFTS 2013) she was later able to even win the junior handling. The highlight of the day was my dream team becoming

"Best in Show Intermediate Class"

A wonderful day and again a really great show with lots of friends! We are already looking forward to a reunion!

Our heart is crying and our mind does not want to understand...

We look for you as soon as we come into the house, open or close the doors! We look at your empty spaces, in your filled bowl.

11.5 years, you have accompanied us on our ways. You've pulled Johanna and Benedict as little toddlers on the sled through the snow, you were raging with them through the garden, have snuggled with the cats, you were lying in the straw during the barn work, you’ve nibbled the horse feed. You were lying in the sun on the terrace, waiting for me and the kids, to come back home. You've endured Killarney and the brown whirlwinds bravely and showed the puppies that you have to deal with adult dogs with respect. You were the best and truest friend we ever had!

My dear Balou, as you did not come back home alive on Friday from your last unauthorized adventure, you tore a hole in our lives. Nothing will be here like before again.

And if you now look from above from "Sky Heartland" with all your friends at us, you know

WE MISS YOU INFINITETELY!

A long way was facing "Merly", "Turner" and me...

On Friday afternoon we went on a journey to start in Geneva in Switzerland.

Saturday, it was time for ' Vaskurs Will Turner Qonjacson" debut in junior class with 9 months and 6 days. He got a great judge's report by Antonio di Lorenzo, the V1 and the first ticket to the Swiss Junior Champion. Moreover, the judge was so impressed that he grated him the BOB :-)

So we had 2 more times in the main ring and he was even among the last 6 best in Group5!

It was just as wonderful on Sunday. Turner secured the second V1 JCAC -SCS as well as the BOB and is therefore also qualified for CEUFTS 2014 – hence, we will travel in agroup of four! He was again at under the 6 Best of Group 5 on Sunday!

"Merly" had to start under Lisbeth Mach (CH) on Sunday and could also get a V1, the first CAC -SCS and especially her first CACIB. Again, the year is going well...

Vaskurs Marion Jones Skumpandotter’’ has her second Qualification for CRUFTS 2014!

Very very proud and very very tired we went on our long way back home in stages on Sunday.

This was the first time I went to a show alone with Johanna 's Merly. Karlsruhe was scheduled, and so we went on a long road trip to visit friends on Friday afternoon, who were waiting for us with 3 Ridgebacks and the old Cocker Chaplin and had prepared their guest bed.

On early Saturday morning, we went into the still ice-cold hall. 6 Pharaohs were registered and Merly did a great job. At her first start in the intermediate class, she won with a V1 and the first candidature as German Champion VDH & DWZRV. The year is going well...

In addition, we were able to secure the Reserve CACIB before our long journey back home :-)