WOW - WHAT AN AMAZING AND MEMORABLE DAY AT CRUFTS

Foster - Sh Ch Oakberrow WotzinanameThis year we only entered the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas at Crufts and they did really well under breed specialist judge Chris Guest.  Our new girl on the block - Sloane - Oakberrow Let the Fun be Gin was placed 2nd in puppy bitch class and her Grannie Breeze - Oakberrow Gintastic - won the open bitch class.  However Tilly - Ginger Lillie Around Oakberrow - who is owned by Yvonne Aldridge won Best Veteran in Breed and also the Reserve Champion Bitch.  So our lovely girl Gin - Mum to Tilly and Breeze was very proud of her girls.

Photo of Gin with Breeze as a wee puppy.

EVEN BETTER - the Best of Breed German Shorthaired Pointer Navigaremor Hard to Port - HP to his friends - is a son of my handsome boy Foster - Sh Ch Oakberrow Wotzinaname.

So TEAM OAKBERROW had a brilliant Crufts.  In 2020 I am judge at Crufts so looking forward to this with great excitement.

Gin and Breeze

Crufts results 2016 the oakberrow team

Gin and meWhat a great Crufts we had.  Steve and I set off early in the morning with the gingers - Gin (Farnfield Pussy Galore at Galicar) and her daughter Breeze (Oakberrow Gintastic).  Good run to the NEC, stroll from the car park to Hall 5 where we had a lovely cup of coffee.  We then made our way to the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas benches which there was great activity and excitement. 

The girls went on the benches and had lots of visitors talking to them.  This was Gin's first Crufts for 2 years as I had retired her from the show ring - she is rising 10 years old.  The gorgeous Breeze got her figure back just in the nick of time after having her pups 11 weeks previously.

The judge on the day was Chris Morgan and Chris made my day and I had tears in my eyes.  Gin has had many many wins but she never had a first at Crufts and this was the day!!!  She stood well and moved like a dream and won Veteran Bitch.  Thanks Chris.  Limit Bitch saw Breeze being placed second which I was equally delighted about.

Gin's grandchildren - Oakberrow Gin Gernut won 2nd in Puppy bitch and Mike Lewin's bitch sired by Gin Jiminay of Oakberrow (Stowford) won 1st in Post Graduate and the Reserve Challenge Certificate - so a great day for the Oakberrow family.

Steve and I then made our way to Hall 5 to meet our friends for the BASC Gamekeepers class where Gin joined a working cocker and a golden retriever making up Pirton Shoot team and they were 4th out of 15.

Very tired we packed up to wind our way home - but memorable is the word.

Breeze before pups

Lambing and Puppies

Puppies at playThis next month is going to be really busy as the ewes will start lambing on 1 February, lambing courses also start - we do have a few spaces available.

The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla puppies are a month old so the hard work starts and their new owners get to meet their new charges. There is still one dog puppy available, so get in touch if interested and stop me from falling in love with him. Delighted to say he has found a great home today.

So Oakberrow is the place to be especially if  you want to learn about anything to do with sheep, we also do husbandry and show training courses.

First to lamb with the Ryelands followed closely by some of the Greyface Dartmoors, mny gorgeous Antonia and Baby Lara.

If you want to learn and have hands-on experience of lambing, do get in touch with us at Oakberrow either by e-mail or phone 01531 640102. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Oakberrow

Sunnyside our new Greyfaced Dartmoor RamAll of us at Oakberrow would like to send our best wishes to all.  2013 has been a fantastic year with our lovely sheep and dogs achieving more than we had ever hoped for.  The handsome Foster becoming a Show Champion, the equally handsome Noble winning the Interbreed Championship at Moreton in Marsh Show and the baby, pretty Breeze, having such a great start to her showing career. 

We are having a little break from the dog shows December/January as the dogs are all busy out doing what they enjoy picking-up and beating on the local shoots.  The older ones not too happy that they cannot be included but I can assure them that OB, Foster, Remy and Beeze as well as Beamish are representing Oakberrow well.

What has 2014 got in store - anyones' guess, but Steve and I have some really good judging appointments already.  Steve is judging Shropshire Sheep and AO Native breed sheep at Stafford Show and I am judging the Coloured Ryelands, Steve is also judging Longhorns at Gillingham and Shaftesbury then then onto Pembroke where he is judging Ryelands.  Steve is also judging the Coloured Ryelands at the Royal Norfolk Show.  Me, I am judging Ryelands at Anglesey Show and also judging GSPs a WELKS in April and then Pointers at Midland Counties next October.  Oh forgot I am also judging tradestands at Surrey County Show in May.  So as you can see a very busy year for us.

Cannot wait to get out showing the Greyface Dartmoors and hope to have them at the Royal Welsh Smallholders Show this year.

The ewes have been scanned and the lambing courses commence early in March 2014, so if interested do get in touch. 

Super September

Breeze at 13 months brains as well as beautyOakberrow had an amazing time in the show ring for both the sheep and the dogs.  Our goregous little girl Breeze won Best Bitch at the HWVA Breed www.hwva.org.uk Open show held at Stoneleigh, under gundog specialist judge David Shields.

And not to be outdone by her success our handsome Ryeland ram Noble won the Sheep Inter Breed Championship at Moreton in Marsh Show, all the years I have been showing sheep I have never been fortunate enough to be awarded such an accolade. 

Noble with all his rosettes and sashes in the evening light