Madge and Ellie enjoyed their busy and exciting weekend, with lots of car riding and new places to explore!

Saturday was the Bearded Collie Club of Scotland's Open Show, held at the beautiful Alva venue with its glorious mountain backdrop, and it was certainly a great day for Ellie. Under judge of the day Ellen Sullivan (Navillus) she won firsts in Limit Bitch and the Special Working class. 

Ellie (Talraz Innovation) posing for her fan club!

In the challenge she took Reserve Best Bitch and eventually Reserve Best In Show, topping the day off with an unexpected first in the Starters Fun Obedience class, having lost a mere one and a half marks for minor errors.  She was very proud of herself, and we were proud too that she kept her sparkle all day, despite the blazing sunshine which is Ellie's least-favourite kind of weather....

Clever Ellie collects her Obedience award

Other highlights of the day were wins in the Junior classes for Madge and her litter brother Tully, and their reunion with their long-lost litter sister Diva, now living up in Scotland -  another very pretty and much-loved Beardie girl, a credit to her sire Blaze

 Young Diva picking up the "show stand" thing very quickly, as if to the manner born! 

 Reunion for Madge, Tully and Diva 

 Tully in the show ring, on his way to winning the Junior Dog class 

After another quick gallop round the park at Alva, and munching strawberries as we went, it was back into the car for the long and very scenic drive down the M74 and M6 to our overnight resting place near Blackpool,  ready for the next morning's early start

Photo by Jacqui Young of judge Johan Andersson, deep in thought in the Blackpool summer sunshine 

 Blackpool proved to be another very hot day, but Madge showed no signs of flagging, and despite being the youngest in the class, she took a respectable third place in Junior Bitch under visiting Swedish judge Johan Andersson. 

   Ellie came down to earth with a bump, being unplaced this time round, but both girls were pleased to see their new friend and travelling companion, eleven month old Josh (Nickleby's Tailor Made for Kyleca), go through to Best Puppy in Breed, well done young man!