Premier Groom , 3rd August , Leeds UK

by Leonie Fahey

Hello folks!!
Well this is my first time to write for the IPDGA

!The reason I’m writing in it this month is myself, Jenny and Margaret Cribben participated in the Premier Groom competition in on the 3rd of August.
Our trip began by meeting in Jenny’s salon in Celbridge on the Saturday evening. Jenny was frantic trying to get her dogs dried, as myself and Margaret were busy sorting out the van. We had 3 tables, grooming boxes, blankets for dogs, water for dogs, leads, cages and trust me PLENTY more!!!!Hope we haven’t forgotten anything?? Too late now as we were running late!! so on the way we were deciding which would be the quickest way to reach port as time we did not have to spare. So we decided on the Port Tunnel as none of us had being through it! So in through the tunnel we go!!It was a life saver no traffic jams! Best piece of road the government built!

As we got closer to the dock I noticed a fox in the distance carrying what i thought to be a rabbit! Jenny thought it was a rat! and Margaret thought it was a shoe! Obviously the fox is looking for his Cinderella! hope he found her?? HA\HA! So we were checking in and Jenny handed over all the usual documents and then the lady asked us for our passports! only for Jenny telling us to bring them just in case, we would not of being able to travel!!So anybody going on the ferry don’t forget your passport!!

We managed to get the dogs out for a few minutes before we sailed. Jenny was busy at the back of the van tying Rowan’s hair into mini pony tails around his private area so he would not wet his coat...Poor dog I don’t think he has got over the embarrassment of that yet!!!Anyway were on the ferry, all 4 dogs are fed and watered and in bed! we can now relax, have our dinner and a glass of wine and get a good night’s sleep. Oh did I mention that the ferry is arriving 1hr later than what we had booked! UH OH!! So instead of arriving at its now .Jenny was competing first. She needed to have her dog on the table for for the judges. So that meant we only had 2hrs to reach the venue. So there was no time for getting lost!!We were the first off the ferry, so we found a suitable area to take the dogs out to the toilet.

Jenny drove like the wind, thankfully we didn’t get lost and made it to the venue with 5 minutes to spare. Jenny ran in, got changed, while myself and Margaret brought in the table! The only thing we were missing now is the dog! I ran back out to the van and grabbed the Snoodle (Ted), ran back in and would you believe I brought in the wrong dog! AHhhh. Jenny whispers to me" it’s the red setter not him".I could not believe it, so I ran back out got Rowan and ran back in!!

The pressure is off for Margaret and I as we were competing in the afternoon. Thank God!!!As Jenny was busy stripping down her red setter, we relaxed and had a well deserved cup of tea! The morning flew, as we sipped our tea and watched poor Jenny working so hard! Soon enough they were announcing the top 3 in Jenny’s class in no particular order. It was a tough competition, everybody did a great job, but Jenny did an excellent job and sure enough her name was called out!!Margaret and I screamed when they called her name out. It was as if we had won!!

It was 12.30 and we had to have our dogs on the table by .The nerves were kicking in now! I was hand stripping an Irish Terrier X, Margaret was competing with her gorgeous miniature poodle and Jenny as you know with her Snoodle. A poodle / schnauzer cross!! Jenny and I ware in the same class, which was the workshop class and Margaret was in the poodle class. The competition was well underway and the standard is so high.

2hrs flew by and before I knew it the judges were going over the dogs. That magic comb should be banned!! You think you have every inch of the coat perfect until they get that comb and pull your work apart! So the judging is over and we are all standing around waiting to see which lucky people would make the top 3 in each class!! The second name to be called out in our class, you guessed it..JENNY!!. Unfortunately for myself and Margaret our names were not called out but we were thrilled that Jenny got in the top 3 for both her dogs! You could feel the tension in the air now, as everybody was standing around to see where they got placed!!

Finally it started. Jenny took 1st place for the excellent work she done with Rowan the red setter. Myself and Margaret let off a massive cheer as this meant she was now going in for best in show, which was worth £1,000!! WOW! Now it was time for the workshop class. Well done, Jenny got placed 2nd with Ted, the snoodle. What a great achievement!!

It took the judges quite a while to decide who won best in show. This was my first overseas competition so I didn’t know what to expect. To me it was like a dog show as each class winner had to walk around the ring with their dog so the judges could see every angel and flow of the coat! The dogs were then put back on the table and the judges went over each dog numerous times. I don’t think I had any nails left by the end of it!! The judges then huddled together as if they were giving a team talk! They still were not sure, so back over the dogs AGAIN!! The tension was really building up now! Finally we have a decision, very very tough but there can only be 1 winner. Unfortunately Jenny did not get best in show. A champion show Westie took the grand prize. a toy poodle took 2nd.

We had plenty of time to spare so we finally got something to eat, a chocolate bar and a can of coke!! I got great feedback from the judges, so next year BEWARE!!! HA HA
We once again got the van packed up, not anywhere near as neat as it was coming over! At this stage all 4 dogs were in great form, as if they knew they had done a great job and the pressure was off them to be on their best behaviour!!All dogs were relaxed and ready for a nice dinner and plenty of sleep.
So back in the van and off on the road trip back to the ferry.

We made it to the port in high spirits. Gave the dogs there well deserved dinner, plenty of water and treats! After all, without them we would not be able to compete!!

We finally got our dinner and a nice bottle of wine to celebrate a very successful week end! We got a great night’s sleep in our very comfy cabins, woke up at and feeling very refreshed and ready for home!!
I had a great week end and Thank you very much Jenny and Margaret for an adventurous 2 days!!! And also a huge thank-you to Karina for the use of your van!!
Link to web album of Premier Groom - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51455&l=9e517&id=541972742

Offical Photograher link http://gallery.me.com/robert.ashton#100034