I apologize for the tardiness of this post. We had our third annual NAMAA Specialty back in October (Halloween weekend), and it was a blast. I'm pretty sure 2015 saw the largest gathering of MAs in North America and it was a real treat to get all the dogs together and enjoy each other's company.
Our traditional group photo. From left: Luna, Dude, Gator, Patti, Gypsy, Jussi, Gil, Rietsu, Fecni, and Yumi
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
Saturday was punctuated with a special Hungarian lunch prepared by Ruthye and the Yates'. We enjoyed home made goulash with a side of spaetzle and sour cream, and a hearty bean soup with warm dinner rolls for dipping. Delicious!
We had three hounds present for whom this was their very first time in the show ring, and all three did great. Young Jussi was the only puppy, but showed like a champ.
Jussi getting the go-over
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
Our Saturday show was judged by Audrey Sutton, who selected Patti as her Best of Breed Winner, and Yumi as her Best of Opposite Sex Winner.
Patti, BOB under Judge Audrey Sutton
Photo by Iola Stetson
Yumi, BOS under Judge Audrey Sutton
Photo by Iola Stetson
Saturday was also noteworthy for it's warm and sunny weather, which made for good show conditions but less than ideal running conditions. The drought had left the field quite dry and hard, and after our preliminary lure coursing runs several of the dogs came off with minor injuries. So we decided to call the trial on prelim scores and cancelled the LGRA meet for the following day.
Luna burning rubber
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
Gypsy running in Singles
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
Dude running a close second in Singles
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
We had four dogs running in the Open Stake, and three dogs running in Singles. The scores were close on all counts, but Gil emerged victorious as the winner of the Open Stake and Rietsu as the winner of the Singles Stake.
Gil winning BOB and Rietsu winning 1st in Singles
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
Our Sunday show was judged by Arlene Grimes, who selected Pi as her Best of Breed Winner, and Patti as her Best of Opposite Sex Winner. Although we had cancelled the LGRA meet, we were relieved to be met with steady rainfall throughout the day, which proved to be the beginning of the end of our drought.
Pi, BOB under Judge Arlene Grimes
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
Fecni, winning Best Veteran under Judge Arlene Grimes
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
Since this event, California has seen record amounts of rain and snowfall all across the state. The landscape is green again, giving us much to look forward to this coming spring. Hopefully, by October of this year we will have much better field conditions for our next NAMAA Nationals.
Gator running hard
Photo by Nolan Cromwell
