NASS got off to a great start. Ava (Ypsilon x Maika) won the first show of the day, the 3-6 month female puppy class! We were so proud of her, she just rocked it, standing out in a large class of pups. Head up, eyes bright, confident, and gaiting beautifully — she didn’t miss a beat. We could see Maika shining through in her today, and this of course caused all of us to cry when Ava won.
Because it’s awkward to take pictures of people while they’re crying (and while you, yourself, are crying), I was limited in my photography. Here’s the best picture I got. Don’t worry, I know the 24kgsd photo brigade snapped much better ones that they will post later.
I managed to hold it together enough to tape the judge’s comments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WrNzS1CzeL4
Comments are below (to the best of my understanding).
Very typey, very expressive female with good withers, a firm back and good position and length of the croup. Well angulated in front, very well angulated in the rear. What makes her winning the class today is her presentation in the ring, from the beginning to the end was clear, with really good presentation and with very good, powerful rear drive.
After Ava, it was Brody and Aiden’s time to shine! They placed VP2 and VP3, respectively, also in a large class of pups. So after the first two classes, Alta-Tollhaus earned a VP1, VP2 and VP3. Not bad!
I couldn’t stay for the later puppy classes, but know that Yippie Kai Yay, Ziva, Zorya, Fenris and Ranger all earned VPs today. (If I’m forgetting anyone, let me know!)
Woo Hoo!!! What a nice day for AT!! Congrats to all! 🙂
Thank you Jennie for this lovely post, the photograph and recording the critique. It was very emotional for me, winning the class at a sieger show is emotional enough, but that it was a Maika baby from her last litter made it even more of an emotional roller coaster.
Thank you to Michelle for raising Ava. Thank you Carole, Michelle, and Jackie for your help double handling and to Peter for handling her so beautifully. The support and love from the A-T family was overwhelming. Big hug to you all.
Brody was actually pulled out from catalog order and placed in first position and lead the class until the very end. Aiden was a showman extra-ordinare, going back and forth between 2nd and 3rd place. Congratulations Lee, Jack, and Lynda!
Karen is sleeping and I am in a hospital so the emotions I am feeling have to be contained as to not disturb the others. I am hurting not being able to be there but know I have to be here. I am so proud of the AT Team and cant wait to give all hugs for job well done. Julie, you have put together lines of show-line GSD’s that are the best out there. Oh, ya, I haven’t seen KaPony in 2months but he would be on his hind legs doing a jig if he knew how well his half sister did.
I also want to say great job to Brody and Aiden. You guys all rock. Sorry to use your phrase Julie but its true, they do rock.
Congratulations to the AT team! Beautiful dogs; great work.
Young Ava is so pretty!
Rock on!
Congratulations everyone!
This is a great confirmation to a great breed & a great breeder.
Please continue to send in posts & pictures. We are all participating vicariously thru them. 🙂
WOW! And it is so nice to see all those good qualities being recognized and rewarded!!
Great job, everyone!!!! Woot Woot!!!!
That is wonderful! Ava is gorgeous.
Wonderful news, congratulations to all. We were with you in spirit.
Good luck Gavin in Working Class and Max too.
How wonderful for all of you, and especially Julie!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!