THE GREAT AMERICA - AND THE GREAT NATIONAL SPECIALTY 2007

Frankenmuth, Michigan is a vacation destination for Michiganders and travellers from throughout the world as I found out on my visit to see the OESCA National Specialty 2007. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is only about 90 minutes from Frankenmuth. I first had a flight to JFK, New York. My next flight actually took off from LaGuardia Airport to Detroit. A week before my trip, Sunny kindly pointed me out the fact that I would have to change the airport, go through customs, get my baggage and take a taxi to get to another airport. I had no clue, I simply had not noticed at all that it was a different airport when booking my flights via internet, so it was good that I became aware of that at the last moment.
It was a long flight to NY (about 9 hours) and when we got close to JFK, we had to circle around as no landing permission was given due to the traffic jam. We got into air pockets all the time while waiting, so the rest of the flight was quite bumpy and I started to feel kind of seasick. When finally out in the fresh air, I was totally taken by surprise of the weather, again. On my previous trips to National Specialties, the heat always came as a surprise and so it did this time too. I could not believe when leaving cold Finland that it could be that warm and sunny somewhere else. I found a taxi station and was not happy to see the queue, I gueued about 45 minutes to get a taxi. The taxi drive to LaGuardia was a bit scary, the car was very uncomfortable, old and noisy. There was no air conditioning and the driver, who looked like a junkie, and probably was too, kept all the windows wide open and my hair was a mess up all the way in the air. It was hot and nasty ride, I was not feeling well, but despite of my doubts, I did survive from it and the junkie even took me to the right place and did not rob me or anything like that. I still had to struggle a little at the airport with the check-in-machines, that I had never used before, but when finally sitting on a plane heading to Detroit, all the fun could began. I had Mary Anne kindly picking me up from the Airport, so the rest of my journey I could just relax and enjoy my holiday, did not need to worry about a single thing.
The week began with Obedience Trial on Monday. The weather continually warm, so for the first thing in the morning Sunny had to take me shopping for some summer clothes, so that I could change. With my new shorts, I was able to start to enjoy my day out in the sun surrounded by beautiful surroundings and at the same time watching some beautiful oes to compete with style and talent in obedience. It was just plain awesome. The Heritage Park, where the performances where held even had a beautiful river side setting. The place was just breathtaking and ideal for a dog celebration like this.
On program for Tuesday there was Health Seminar and Rally Trial. Rally is a mixture of obedience and agility. There is a pre-determined course, which you get to walk first, then you and your dog travel from sign to sign, performing each exercise according to the sign. Rally became a titling sport in the USA 2005. The rally exercises incorporate things that a dog needs to know for obedience and so many people have begun using it as a preparation for their obedience dogs. The great advantage of rally is that you can praise and motivate your dog verbally throughout the course and make the ring a fun place for your dog to be. I think rally is a great event and wish it was soon introduced here in Europe as well. I also envy Americans for all the titles they can get in agility. We are only offered an Agility Champion title, but nothing else. We only get qualifications for going up into the more advanced classes. Not to mention the numerous variations of classes they have in agility there. There are so more classes with different jump heights than we do and I heard they even have a special course with just tunnels in it. Talk about creativity, which we obviously don’t have. Well, as always in everything, everything’s greater in America!
In the evening it was time for the Ten Year Anniversary Top Twenty Celebration. What a kickoff for the 2007 National Specialty. Like it hadn’t been enough of luxury with seventeen beautifully groomed oes, besides that everyone there were dressed up and looking their best at a “Winter Wonderland” setting. The judges this year were Christina Bailey, Ray Wilkinson, both from Great Britain and Anna Jacobson from the Usa. This year’s Top Twenty Winner was Ch Haystac’s Carolina Blue, owned and bred by Madeline Erickson.
On Wednesday morning Paula Coffman judged Sweepstakes. It was an entry of 53 youngsters. Another touching Rescue Parade was seen after the Sweepstakes. Then 44 dogs marched into the ring to be judged by Sally Carr. Right after the dog judging we were in a great hurry to go and see the Agility Trial outside along the river.
Thursday the judging continued with bitches and the Best of Breed. Before the Best of Breed began there was a wonderful Obedience Demonstration in the ring and The Most Versatile OES in Competition Award was given ceremonially. It was won by outstanding Am / Can Ch Masquerade Mirabella, (also a winner of Agility High in Trial) handled by Kristine B. Loland, bred by Marnie Harris. A very special multitalented girl, who works miracles and was just shining at the performances. Considering this girls’ age, you would never believe that she is almost 10, her achievements are honestly beyond compare. Very impressive.
I really admire and respect everyone who showed their oes in conformation. I know what it takes. Lots of work, dedication, patience, love and skills. It was a pleasure to watch all the charming dogs in action and happy to see such a showcase of true versatility in our breed!
High in Trial Obedience winner was Ch Fur Oaks Talk O’ The Day, Owned by Jim & Grace Caplan and bred by Robert & Jeanne Kelly. Jim and & Grace have trained and competed with several dogs and in addition to that have enormous wins in the breed ring as well and I just don’t know how they manage to do all that, where an earth do they take all the time and energy to do everything. Great job indeed!
Kodiak’s Call Of The Wild, owned and handled by Michele Parker, bred by Margie Caruth, was a great example of remarkably gifted fast oes with a skilled handler.
Congratulations to you all for your outstanding achievements!
Once again it was breathtaking to see the line up of beautifully groomed and presented oes in each and every class in the show ring. Best of Breed and Best Veteran Dog was Adomino’s Rip Tide, owned by Rhonda Bailey- Buchleitner from Canada. This 11-years old veteran was given massive applauses when moving around the ring and he was shown in short coat. Best of Opposite Sex was Ch To-Jo’s Machine Gun Molly, owned by Enid J Fritts, Joy M Kelley and bred by Joy M Kelley. Overall dogs in America are more square than here in Europe. They have better rears, better movements and better proportions. I think in general the quality is high.
Thursday Evening concluded with the Banquet. Table decorations and candles glowing at the tables and a special surprise quest at the Dinner was a magician. The evening continued very entertaining with auction, awards, announcement of the Top Twenty Winner, music and dancing.
The fun continued on Friday, there was an entry of 87 dogs at Western Reserve OES Club Specialty. Mr Dale Meyer gave Best of Breed and Best of Winners to Auriga’s Tonka Boy, owned by Martin & Wendy Doherty, Doug & Wendy Smith, bred by Martin & Wendy Doherty. Best of Opposite went to Ch Wynward’s Gotta Like That, breeders and owners Grace & Elizabeth Fujikawa & Cuneyt Feizoulof. Winners Bitch was Auriga’s Winning Ticket, owned by Martin D Doherty, Wendy Larone-Doherty and bred by Martin Doherty and Sandra Crowne. Reserve Winners Bitch was Reflections Delovely, owned by Marti & Jack Harrison and bred by Marti & Jack Harrison & Timothy Cujdik.
A lot of oes fanciers from many countries came to see the National Specialty this year too. I noticed international visitors at least from Finland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Greece, so obviously I’m not the only one who is hooked on this event.
Unfortunately this year I have no pictures of the winners as the beautiful photo stand was strictly for the use of official photographer only and we were not permitted to take pictures there.
On Saturday Mary Anne kindly took me shopping to Dressbarn, where I quickly grabbed as much clothes as I thought I could fit into my suitcase. Then we headed off to another exciting show, Monroe all breed show. Bob of the day was Ch Blue Mtn Believe It Or Not, who also placed himself in the group. He is bred by Penny and Pam Henry and owned by Jennifer Ansell.
Sunday morning it was time for me to leave and I really didn’t want to leave. Mary Anne dropped me to the Detroit Airport where they wondered about my big and heavy suitcase and asked me to pay 50 dollars extra for the overweight, but finally they were able to check the weight limit with Finnair after hanging on the phone line for 20 minutes, so I got into plane without any extra charges. This time my flight was to and from JFK and my baggage were checked from Detroit all the way to Helsinki, Finland. Still they missed my big red suitcase and I got into Helsinki without any baggage. Luckily however my suitcase arrived with the next flight the following day.
It was amazing how hard the Committee had work again this year. The whole week was just superb with non-stop events, everything more than perfectly organized. Mary Anne Brocious pulled in to work her magic and together with the Committee did a brilliant job before and behind the scene, thinking of all the details continuously on the scene and still afterwards. Their awesome efforts enabled us to take home some spectacular memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you everyone for the memorable week! I owe a huge amount of gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Mary Anne and Sunny for their irreplaceable, precious help throughout my stay! I had a great time and I miss all the fun we had together!!!

With Best Wishes,
Jenni Niittylä, Finland

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