19th March 2011, Jess and Lucy entered their first open show Potteries & District  Canine Society.

The day began with Jess very excited with butterfly tummy and ready for her show debut.  Off she went in to the ring in Junior class with 6 other Rough Collies all handled by experienced adults so quite a task ahead for a little girl and her dog. She handled Lucy beautifully concerntrating on her and the judge the whole time. To our surprise she was pulled out for second place and the smile on her face was a picture. Little did we know what was ahead of us as she then went on to win Best Puppy In Breed which qualified her to enter the Pastoral Puppy Group later on in the day. We told her to go in and enjoy herself but not to expect a place against the other experienced handlers, we thought she had already won enough for her first time.  She ran confidently into the group ring judged by Mr Tan Negrecha, whose style of judging we have always admired. Again, she handled Lucy very well and maintained her concerntration, enthusiasm and excitement to bring out the best in Lucy. To our utter astonishment, the Judge pulled her out for third place in the group after the Shelti and the German Shepherd. By now there was lots of support and applause around the ring from friends and people who had come to see  our little star of the day and her lovely dog. What a fabulous day we all had and Jess now has the show bug and can't wait for her next time. We are all so very proud of them both for working so hard and so well together.
We have to thank her friends for their support, Yvonne Kelsall her KCGC trainer  and all at Porthill Ringcraft Club, they have all helped her over the last year to work closely with her dog and given her the guidance and confidence to achieve what she has today.

Picture below after taking 2nd in Junior with her Lanrue katrina,  more  pics in the gallery

Lucy at 9 weeks old