Central Maine Brittany Club 2015 Specialty

 

Near picture perfect Maine weather prevailed for 3 of the 4 days of the Maine Chickadee Classic Cluster. The days were sunny with temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s during the day and dipping down much lower in the evening. Ocean breezes offset most humidity. Our host all-breed clubs were Penobscot Valley Kennel Club and Lewiston Auburn Kennel Club and they provided us with generous and extended areas of reserved grooming and holding areas under the big show tent, reserved parking for RVs, campers, E-Z ups, and day trippers. There was such a sense of Brittany community and cooperation all the way around.

 

Central Maine Brittany Club was joined by Central New England Brittany Club whose specialty show was on Thursday, which also was the day that the American Brittany Club Summer Agility trials (Brittanys only) were held on the grounds. On Sunday the Northern New England Brittany Club Specialty show was held. CMBC's specialty was on Friday, and of course Saturday was the day for the “wicked good summ-ah specialty show!” Each individual club hosted its own raffle and hospitality on its scheduled day.  Thursday through Saturday, the many beautiful and unique state-themed gift baskets donated by various Brittany clubs, members, and individuals across the country were displayed and raffle tickets available with proceeds helping to offset and defray expenses incurred by CMBC for hosting the event. A huge thank you to all who contributed to this amazing effort!

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Additionally, three Brittany rescue groups did a great job raising awareness of their work regarding rescue, foster, rehabilitation, and rehoming of this breed that we love so much. American Brittany Rescue (President Diane Dorian), National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network (President Susan Spaid) were set up on Saturday for the Summer Specialty itself. New England Brittany Rescue (President Christine Leachman Yee)  was set up on Thursday in conjunction with the American Brittany Club Agility trials. 

 

One of the many compliments coming from exhibitors was how no one had to wait for food as serving times were well coordinated with ring times whether prior to or following. Special shout-outs in regards to on site food prep/service, raffle tables, T-shirt support goes to Lou and Dottie Boyatzi, Stephanie Stepanian, Sarah Camire, Lucy Camire, Donna Howe, Priscilla Thibodeau, Sam and Pamela Jackson, Marilyn Gilman, Art Hembrough, Jane Bjork Flanagan, Julie Harris, Maryann Day, Alana Day, John Short and others who donated or brought food to share and helped serve it. On Friday, in addition to the complimentary potluck offerings, there were lobster rolls from Shain’s of Maine available for purchase, which proved to be quite popular! I dare say we served well over 100 people each day.

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Using social media to its best advantage, all details about the show and agility schedule were well publicized on social media for a year leading up to the event itself.  Additionally Steve Ralph helped tremendously by making sure updates provided to him were posted right away to the ABC website.

 

On Thursday evening, Cindy Miller and Nancy Morabito offered a wonderful presentation in the judges tent for AKC Judges Education on the Brittany for aspiring judges which I was pleased to attend with several others.  The presentation was followed by a hands-on “mock judging” scenario in the breed ring.

 

On Saturday evening, Central Maine Brittany Club hosted the “THIS IS MAINE” banquet at a nearby country club. Featuring a catered dinner of steamed Maine lobsters, mussels, ribeye steak, barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, vegetarian lasagna and more, 92 guests enjoyed the evening. Hats off to

CMBC members Jean Miller and Kira Lajeunesse and also to Sandy Malloy, Natasha Harris, and Christina Harris for their work on the banquet. Alana Day deserves a shout out too for tying red ribbons around all of the lobster bisque dog treats! Kira and I visited the center last November and the moment we walked through the door she envisioned a wicked good decorating theme for Maine, ayuh.

 

Kira and Jean worked together over the winter and spring months to pull it all together and their simple, fun, yet elegant scheme was enjoyed by all. A Maine trivia game conducted by Jean was the perfect icebreaker with many fun door prizes awarded. Kim Tees spoke on behalf of her incredible agility committee. Terry Hilliard stepped behind the podium, offering remarks and officially announcing plans for the 2016 Summer Specialty Show in California during Woofstock in June. I read a letter of welcome to the ABC from Maine Governor Paul LePage. Last but not least, Julie Harris, Kim Tees, and Kira Lajeunesse presented me with a beautiful director’s chair embroidered with the 2015 Summer Specialty logo. Speaking of the logo, thank you to our son-in-law David Day of Eliot, Maine, who designed the whimsical logo featured on trophies, promotional items, a cake, banners, and more.

 

I would love to list each individual, sponsor and supporter who helped in any way to make this national-level event the success that it was. My fear in doing so however is that I would unintentionally omit someone who is deserving of recognition. You do know who you are; you know what you did and how you helped out. Whether an individual, a business, a club, or someone else, your expression of support will always be remembered and is greatly, greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you to those who traveled near and far to join us in Maine, including some first-time visitors from as far away as California. I love that some of you enjoyed side trips to beaches, local restaurants, the ocean, lighthouses, and more.  As Show Chair I was very proud to see the most excellent representation of this breed we know and love.  It truly was an honor.  I sure hope you'll all come back again for the 2016 Maine Chickadee Classic Cluster, the third weekend in June!

 

Our Summer Specialty Sweepstakes judge was Susan Foster a licensed judge for Golden Retrievers and who has judged multiple specialties including Brittany sweepstakes in the past. Breeding her first litter (Golden Retrievers) in 1981, Susan has competed in bench, field, and obedience and has finished championships on many including a dog that ranked No. 6 in the country. She believes in keeping the “Sporting” part of the Sporting Dog as a priority. Her selections were consistent as she chose littermates MagicBrit-Tonan Hope Power of Persuasion for Best in Sweeps and MagicBrit-Tonan Hope Lighting Thief for Best of Opposite in Sweeps. Both are owned by Nancy and Anthony Morabito, Douglas Tighe, and Peter Marsh. Nine-year-old GCH DC Triumphant's Absolut' On Ice represented the Dual Dog extremely well and was proudly presented by his handler/co-owner/co-breeder Linda McCartneyRoy as the Best Dual Dog in Sweepstakes. Best Veteran in Sweeps was GCH Tonan-Hopes RU Kiddin Me whose return to Maine was reminiscent of when he won Best in Show in 2009. It was a special moment for his co-owner/co-breeder Nancy Morabito who had the honor of presenting him. Especially poignant was watching the ever animated and fun loving 13½-year-old CH AFC Swift River's Pivotal Moment who won Best Opposite Veteran in Sweeps and was handled by her owner Jane Bjork.

 

The 2015 Summer Specialty was judged by Mr. Robert Slay. Best of Breed honors went to GCH Sanbar's Ride the Winds owned by Robert & Polly West. “Harley,” the 2013 Summer Specialty BISS winner, was presented by Tiffany Skinner, who went on to handle him to a Sporting Group 2. Best Opposite Sex was awarded to GCH Millette's Sweet Memories BN AX AXJ NF NAP NJP CGC who was the 2014 Summer Specialty BISS winner. Aggie is owned by Wendy Archinal and handled by Doug Tighe with this team moving beautifully together and delighting many. Mr. Slay's choices for Select Dog and Select Bitch were GCH MACH Brookewood's Just Too Hot CDX RE MXS MJS MXF T2B and GCH Tonan-Rao Halfmoon's Nite Mist, respectively. Awards of Merit were presented to CH Horizon's Straight On Til Morning, GCH Triumphant's As Good As it Gets JH, and CH Triumphant at Ridgeview Farm. Five-point majors went to Winners Dog and Best of Winners Topshelf's The Chosen One and Winners Bitch Willowick Coal Miners Daughter at Alchemy. 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Ann H. Short

3rd VP Shows, Central Maine Brittany Club

Chair, 2015 American Brittany Club Summer Specialty Show