Swedish
Championship 2010
Swedish
Championship was as usual held at Stockholm, now renamed to Stockholm
Hundmässa DOG2010, on December 18-19th.
This was my last Swedish Championship but I was still calm and not
nervous at all, but I had trouble sleeping the night before. I knew
some pressure on me because it has gone so well all year and especially
during the last competitions, so I was "forced" to show
that I really was worth it!
The
judge for the year was Marjut Peiponen from Sweden. Her husband is
a well known handler but I didn't recognize her.
The competitions began on Saturday at nine o'clock in the morning.
This year was only 41 qualified / entered, but it did not make things
easier. Those who were there, was obviously a threat to me.
Before we got there we had become, by invitation, to Swedish Championship,
divided into six groups with five or six athletes in each. I had no
luck on my side and was named to start in the fifth group, because
of that we also showed Leonberger that day and we had dogs in almost
all classes - mainly in the bitch, so I really needed to be there.
Luckily I got to change with a girl who was in the first group so
I was done with the first set already at half ten! Everyone in my
group went to the quarterfinals, which would take place at one o'clock
so I had long time afterwards.
When
the clock turned one, everyone gathered at the Junior Handling ring
again, to continue the contest. We were then up again into three different
groups, to show our skills individually again, by example triangles
and rectangles. When it was finished, all remaining in again and she
did a thinning to the semifinals, she took out about 20 of us. Then
it was time to swich dogs. I got a Flat Coated Retriever, which I
actually never been shown. They may be very special, very alert and
with a big personality, but mine was a cool one. Easy, but pretty
lasy. It was in all cases quite good, and after a while we changed
back to our own dogs again.
Then it was time for thinning to final - Top-10. I was chosen! I felt
very relieved and happy, but now it was almost time to recharge before
the final again ...
The
clock turned three and it was time to gather together. It took some
pictures while we were talking together ourselves and each other excited.
This is it!
When all ten finalists had run into the big ring (Stockholm is the
best all year, what a feeling!) So we had to do "back-and-forward".
Pretty simple, but such a simple thing can easily become difficult
...
Afterwards, the judge Marjut take the difficult decision to thank
the five of us. It was only when I started getting really nervous,
I felt my hands shook, ha ha ...
I was not chosen! One step closer to represent Sweden at Crufts and
the World Dog Show 2011!
This
year's Joker dog we could not think of what it was. But once it came
in, I laughed a little inside. It was Boston Terriers! As was also
the year's mascot for the entire show.
I got a really cute little brown bitch. They called her "Ruth".
All other dogs were black and a little bigger, so my bitch stuck out
a bit extra, which can be good!
When we have been awarded our dogs, we left the ring and then get
us about 30 minutes with the dogs. The first minutes were Ruth a bit
sensitive and insecure. But it dropped quickly and it felt good to
end!
In the finals again, I was the first to come in which was fun and
a bit cool! Ruth did well but seemed to have a little stage fright
...
We all had to do opposite triangle and then it was time for the judge
to make a decision. When that was done we got our own dogs again to
be placed. Soon it was over! The decision was taken ...
On a Reserve got to Pernilla Lindström associate itself with
her Saluki, who was also Top-six in European Dog Show in Slovenia
earlier this year! Fourth place went to Joseph Blom with her American
Cocker Spaniel, who won the Championship two years ago! Third place
- and also Bronze, went to me! So happy, yet disappointed, it was
so close!
The winner was finally Sandra Norén Wallin with American Cocker
Spaniel as well and the Silver went to the last year's winner Vilhelmiina
Walldén with her Australian Terrier.
The
year is almost over, and this was my last competition as a Junior
Handler ever! My, how strange it sounds to say so. But yes, it's actually
over now. But what a year I've had!
Waiting for our turn
In the pre-judging
Top-10
Linnea
Sandberg, Jessika Junehall, Pernilla Lindström
Me and Enya i the finale
Joker dog; Boston Terrier
Top-5
BRONZE! With beautiful C.I.B N DK CH FINV-03
NV-06 VWW-10 Thornapple Summer Squeeze "Enya"
Thank
you Anna-Lena and Niklas Munkvall for all support and trust for letting
me borrowed your princess during the year. Couldn't do all this without
you!