Beau and I traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan to partake in the festivities of the UKC Premier. This was our 8th appearance. We showed in the Top Ten Breed Finals, COBRA Breed Specialty, and all three days of the Premier.
In Saturday’s show Beau earned the Grand Champion Award of Merit under judge Karen Johnson. There were three dogs in the class including Beau.
In Sunday’s show Beau showed under judge Joe Allen. Beau won his class as he was the only Grand Champion entered. He went on for Best of Breed over ten Catahoulas. Later in the day, during a thunderstorm, Beau earned a Group 2 placement in the Herding Group. I can’t remember for sure how many breeds were represented in the Group ring, but it was at least 15. He defeated approximately 200 dogs that day.
We got home this morning at around 12:30 am and I got a little sleep before heading to work. This was a good weekend, despite bad weather, heat, locking myself out of my dad’s truck, dad’s truck stalling out on me (requiring a tow), and multiple delays due to construction.
The coolest prize this weekend was that I won what I was after in the raffle to support Catahoula Rescue, Inc. CRI rehomes needy Catahoulas (including one who found his forever home at my parents’ house). I won the coolest prize (in my opinion)– The Cajun Catahoulas hockey jersey, complete with 2007-2008 program and a player card for Blu Bayou, the team mascot. It is still in Pennsylvania, so I’m posting the picture from the CRI Raffle website. The Cajun Catahoulas are a junior team (affiliated with the Indiana Ice) in Louisiana.
- United Kennel Club
- Mark Sturtz Photography (lots of great action and candid shots of Premier)
- Catahoula Rescue, Inc.
- WCHL (Junior Hockey League, includes the Cajun Catahoulas)