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31 May 2008

IT’S A CLEAN SWEEP IN THE BREED FOR ASHMAIR.

We made the long trip down to Munster Canine Association in Ballincollig in County Cork for a day in the sun at the Rugby Club where the day was hot and lenghty. We took four of the team down for the southern experience and what a great day we had in the breed. Our judge today was the always pleasant Dolores Dinneen from Limerick who is well known for her Chevalaux English Springers, Pointers and Beagles, and who is also a Best in Show judge who has judged all around the world so she is a very experienced lady indeed.

Our latest little headline maker was back out again, ‘Lewis’, Ashmair Take A Bow, took the Puppy Dog class and went forward to the Green Star challenge where he was up against our Big winning Star of the moment, ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It who was the Champion Dog Class winner. It was ‘Mikey’ who took the Green Star then and ‘Lewis’ had to be happy waiting in the wings again!

‘Lewis did however take his place in the Puppy Stakes where he put on a great show to finish fourth overall from an entry of 51 Puppies under John O’Gorman of the Parkpoint Pointers. Well done to Kelly Lawless on her great win with her Silky in the Stakes.

Back to the breed and in the females we had our two CC winning girls entered and it was ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side, who took the Open Bitch class and carried on through to the challenge. ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair Shes Got The Look, then was first in Champion Bitch and took the Bitch Green Star from the line up. ‘Angel’ went Reserve Green Star Bitch which gave us a clean sweep of all of the major awards in the breed. It was just left for the Best of Breed challenge then between ‘Mikey’ and ‘Jessie’ and again it was ‘Mikey’ who took BOB and went forward to the Group. It was one of those days in the group however and he didn’t get selected in the shortlist. ‘Mikey’ still however stays in his current 2nd overall in the Top Dog Competition and we remain as the Current Leaders in the Breeder of the Year Competition.

31 May 2008

IT’S A CC WIN FOR ‘ANGEL’ IN THE UK AND ‘MIKEY TAKES RESERVE TOO!!

Three Counties Championship Show at Malvern in England proved a great day for us as we traveled across the Irish Sea to exhibit under the well known UK Toy Specialist Liz Stannard of the Shiarita affix. There was a good entry of 60 Bichons for her to judge on a very hot day at this great venue overlooked by the Malvern Hills.

Our day kicked off with ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It competing in the Open Dog Class where he took second place but then with the winner taking the CC, ‘Mikey’ was invited back in to challenge for the Reserve CC which he duly collected for the team.

In the bitch classes we had the two girls with us again, ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side and ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair Shes Got The Look. ‘Angel’ was first up in Post Graduate where she delighted us when Mrs Stannard chose her for the red prize card in a strong class and sent her on to the bitch challenge. In the Open Bitch class ‘Jessie’ took a great second place so it was left to ‘Angel’ to fly the flag for the team in the challenge. We were absolutely thrilled when, from a bitch challenge line up containing some of the very well known owners and handlers in the breed in the UK, ‘Angel’ took her first CC, a great follow up to her Pup of The Year Final win in March.

It’s turning out to be an impressive year for her and our team. A fantastic return for our trip to Malvern then with 1 Challenge Certificate, 1 Reserve Challenge Certificate and a second in Open Bitch. So far this year our trips across the water have resulted in an impressive return. From just three UK shows this year Team Ashmair have taken home 2 CC’s and 2 Reserve CC’s.

Watch out for more good news early in July we hope…

Mikey awaits examination / Angel moves with style

Mikey takes the Reserve CC / Jess is examined on the table

3 June 2008

‘MIKEY’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, is the current #2 All Breeds in the TOP DOGS COMPETITION*.

ASHMAIR BICHON FRISE Currently #1 Breeder All Breeds in Ireland.* *at time of update.

View the full Top Dog current standings at Show Dogs Ireland

View the Breeder of The Year standings at Show Dogs Ireland

*at time of update.

31 May 2008

IT’S AN ITALIAN JOB AS ‘MIKEY’ TAKES ANOTHER TOP SPOT IN GROUP 9 !!
IT’S OUR SEVENTH STRAIGHT DOUBLE SO FAR THIS YEAR AS ‘JESSIE’ TAKES BEST OF BREED AND GROUP FOUR !!

We had yet another excellent weekend at the National Show Centre in Cloghran Dublin, this time at the Irish Kennel Club’s International Show. Last year Mikey, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, was Group Runner Up at the inaugural FCI Groupings show and this year he went one better by taking the Group Winner’s rosette.

Earlier in the day it was Laurent Heinesche from Luxembourg who judged the breed and it was a great result for us as we continued our ‘Double Delights’ in the breed ring. In the males it was time again for ‘Lewis’, Ashmair Take A Bow, to make an appearance and while he did that and won his Puppy Dog class and was Best male Puppy, he just didn’t take to the taped lines on the carpet and had to be content with his day ending there.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, then won the Champion Dog Class with an Excellent Grading, took the Green Star and CACIB and would go on to Best of Breed.

In the females we once again had the two adult girls on parade. ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side, was graded Excellent and won the Intermediate class. In the Champion Bitch class it was another class win for ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look who was also graded Excellent.

Onwards to the bitch challenge then and Mr Heinesche was obviously taken by our two Ashmair owned girls as he selected them from the challenge line up and moved them together as a pair on the up and down. And so it was another Green Star and CACIB for ‘Jessie’ while ‘Angel’ had to make do with the Reserve Green Star and RCACIB handled by Marie.

In the BOB Challenge Laurent decided on ‘Mikey’ going forward to represent the breed in Group 9 and what a fantastic show he put on. The judge was the well known experienced and Italian Salvatore Tripoli who owns the famous Bracco Italiano Multi CH Axel Del Monte Alago that was Best in Show at the World Show in Poland in 2006 so he should know a great dog when he sees it!! From a strong final cut Mr Tripoli made our day when he chose ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, as his Group Winner to great excitement from our team at the ringside. This was ‘Mikey’s sixth All Breed Championship Show Group win and his 2nd International Show Group win.

19 May 2008

ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL DOUBLE!!
IT’S OUR SEVENTH STRAIGHT DOUBLE SO FAR THIS YEAR AS ‘JESSIE’ TAKES BEST OF BREED AND GROUP FOUR !!

Little Man's First Day Out         

We had more great success at Hibernian Dog Club’s first International Show held in the National Show Centre in Cloghran, County Dublin last weekend. It was nice to have a show relatively near our home base again after all of our recent travels meaning that we had a little more of a lie on the Saturday morning. However it was still an early start and we were at the Show Centre and ringside by 7am to get prepared.

Philip Behan of the Mingfield Chow Chows and German Spitz Kennel was the judge for the breed.

We had another of the team making a debut at this event as ‘Little Man’, Ashmair Magic Potion, took to the ring for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed his little excursion, indeed getting a bit carried away with himself thinking he was just there to have a good old play with everyone! But we were happy that he won his Puppy Dog class.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, was then Graded Excellent, won the Champion class and then the Green Star and CACIB.

In the females we just had one of the girls with us today, CH Ashmair Shes Got The Look, fresh from her CC win in England, took an Excellent Grading, the Champion Bitch class and then the Green Star and CACIB.

So it was a challenge for Best of Breed between ‘Mikey’ and ‘Jessie’ and it was ‘Jess’ who continued her good run in May taking Best of Breed. Later in the day she took fourth place in a strong Group 9 with many of the top dogs from the classified breeds in the mix for the final positions under Rita McCarry Beattie of the Branstock Kennels.

This placing boosted Team Ashmair’s points towards the OUR DOGS Breeder of the Year competition in Show Dogs Ireland and we are delighted to say that we are now currently in first place in the table.

Our thanks to Cathy Lydon of the Tripitaka Tibetan Terriers for her help with handling at Hibernian and thanks also to our friends and supporters ringside for their help

Mikey and Jessie move in the BOB Challenge / The Best of Breed Challenge with Mikey and Jessie / Little Man in the Best Puppy Challenge

14 May 2008

TEAM ASHMAIR ON TOUR !! - BIRMINGHAM NATIONAL!!
JESSIE TAKES HER FIRST CC AS WE HIT THE ROAD AGAIN IN THE UK !!

We packed up the A Team, left Lisa and Leon in charge of the Fluffs at Ashmair Castle and headed off for what would be a great weekend trip to Birmingham National in the UK where Bichon Frise were judged on Saturday in the Bingley Hall at the Staffordshire County Showground by breed specialist Maureen Reynolds of the Fionavar Bichons and we had a great day with the girls.

‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side, our Overall Pup of the Year Winner for 2007, firstly won a strong Post Graduate class for the team.

Onwards to the Open Bitch class then where it was the turn of ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair Shes Got The Look to turn on the style and from another strong class she impressed Maureen Reynolds enough to take the red card in the class in some well known company.

We were absolutely thrilled then when ‘Jessie’ went on to take the Bitch Challenge Certificate from a good line up which included ‘Angel’. It was exciting that we had two representatives in the challenge with Marie helping out and taking ‘Angel’ in. It was a quiet day for ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It who was out of sorts and took third in Open Dog.

A truly memorable trip and what a great result seeing ‘Jessie’ come home with her first CC!

Mikey keeps it Coola Boola in the heat at Bingley Hall / Judge Maureen Reynolds assesses Mikey / Dog CC winner 'Cid' and Bitch CC winner 'Jessie'

Angel, Post Graduate Bitch class winners waits for her critique / Jessie & Ashling and Angel & Marie with and Breed Judge Maureen Reynolds / CC Winner Jessie poses with the judge.

8 May 2008

WE’VE HAD YET ANOTHER FANTASTIC WEEKEND FOR TEAM ASHMAIR AT THE MINI CIRCUIT WITH A DOUBLE DOUBLE PLUS A LTTLE EXTRA TOO!

‘Mikey’ and ‘Angel’ lead the way as ‘Lewis’ makes his debut at Fermoy!

We headed off down through the countryside again last weekend for what has become known as the Mini Circuit, held in County Tipperary.

Saturday, Day One had us making the trip to Clonmel where the Fermoy Canine Club held their first International Show with CACIB’s on offer to the winners. It was a very early start from Dublin but it would all pay off in the end and of course it was the first real show of the ‘tented village’ show season so getting there early is a must especially when, as in most cases these days, we are first in the order of judging. Judging the breed today was Walter Holtorf from Germany and we were delighted to have one of our latest stars with us to make his debut.

‘Lewis’, Ashmair Take A Bow, won his class and Best Puppy Dog, handled by Marie and then went on to take an impressive fourth place in the Junior Stakes under Irish All Rounder and the Best in Show judge on the day Michael McCarthy of the Castlelack Corgi’s.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, took an Excellent Grading , Champion Dog class, Green Star Dog, the CACIB and Best of Breed and then went on to take the runner up place in Group 9 under the renowned UK all rounder Ferelith Somerfield who made some very nice comments about him. It was a pleasure to do so well under such a knowledgeable judge.

‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side, our Pup of The Year All Breeds for 2007, took an Excellent Grading, the Open Bitch class and then the Green Star and CACIB handled on this occasion by Marie. Our thanks to Marie for helping us with our dogs.

‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair Shes Got The Look, took the Champion Bitch class with of course an Excellent Grading and the Reserve Green Star and Reserve CACIB.

Another outstanding day for our dogs. Our thanks to our friends and our dog’s admirers for their congratulations and support on the day.

Lewis takes his First Championship Show steps at Fermoy / Herr Waltorf checks out his BOB Mikey on the table / Mikey on the move

Mikey, Angel and Lewis with Ashling, Marie and Cathy after their great wins in the Breed

Ferelith Somerfield has a close look at Mikey in the Fermoy Group line up / Mikey is Group 2 at Fermoy under Ferelith Somerfield / Lewis is fourth in the Junior Stakes under Michael McCarthy

Sunday and it’s off to Thurles!

WOW !! WHAT A WAY TO ANNOUNCE YOUR ARRIVAL!

‘Lewis’ Take’s A Bow with Group 2 and ‘Jessie’ takes the Green Star too!

It was another very early start for us for the second show of the weekend when we took ourselves off on the road from Dublin to Thurles for the South Tipperary Canine Club National Championship Show where Japanese Chin and Toy breeds Specialist Josephine Quinlan was our judge. It was an exciting day for the Team when our new kid on the block ‘Lewis’, Ashmair Take A Bow, took his Puppy class, and then impressed the judge so much that she awarded him the Dog Green Star and then at the amazing age of just 6 months and 3 days old he took Best of Breed handled by Marie !! It didn’t end there however as it was onward to the FCI Group 9 ring where Ashling took over the reins with ‘Lewis’ to be judged by the well known and respected Chihuahua and Toy breeds Specialist Patrick McDevitt of the Keenaughts Chihuahuas from Northern Ireland. And what an amazing Group Debut for young ‘Lewis’ as he put on a great show resulting in him taking the Group 9 Runner Up placing! Special Thanks to Mr McDevitt for seeing ‘Lewis’ undoubted class and potential at such an early age and for his very kind words and opinion after the group judging. It was a very special day for us as it shows that our next batch of quality youngsters are ready to take the torch and continue our fantastic record on the Irish Show scene. Our thanks again must go to Marie Hamill for helping us with our dogs today.

Still at Thurles and in the breed, ‘Mikey’ CH Ashmair The Butler Did It took an Excellent Grading and the Champion male class.

In the females ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side, was an Excellent Grading and the Intermediate class winner.

‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look did it again taking Excellent Grading, the Champion class and was then Josephine Quinlan’s choice as Bitch Green Star winner which the judge confirmed to everybody afterwards, as some exhibitors sadly got a little bit confused. Our thanks to the judge for her opinion on our dogs and for posing for the photos with her two Green Star winners in the ring after judging.

That ended our weekend exhibiting as we were not entered at the Club Show on Holiday Monday but we did lend our help to the dog Green Star winner’s owners outside the ring.

Mikey on the table / Mikey shows his Top Dog Credentials on the move /It's Lewis who takes BOB with Jessie Best Opposite

Lewis awaits the Group Judge's examination / Group 9 with Judge Patrick McDevitt / Lewis is Group Runner Up at South Tipperary

All in all it was an incredible weekend for Team Ashmair :

Our Thanks to our loyal friends and supporters ringside who help to make the shows so enjoyable for us.

19 April 2008

ANOTHER WEEKEND DOUBLE ACT FOR MIKEY AND ANGEL!!

We made the long trip down to Cork for the Cork and District Canine Club Championship Show and we were delighted to once again come away a double in the breed. Stephen Minogue of the well known Rokemin Show Kennels who has great experience in a number of breeds across the groups awarded ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, Excellent grading, the Champion male class, the Green Star Dog award and then the Best of Breed card. This was Mikey’s first appearance since his Best in Show at the Combined Canine Club International Show at Easter.

We had just two members of the team with us today and our Pup of the Year star, ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side took up the baton in the breed from our team of Champion females when she was graded Excellent in the Intermediate class, then took the Green Star bitch award in the challenge and was Reserve Best of Breed to ‘Mikey’.

Our trip to Cork was well worth the effort collecting the double in the breed.

For the first time in this campaign ‘Mikey’ didn’t make the shortlist or placings in the group but our thanks to the judge for her interesting comments afterwards.

Mikey was BOB under judge Stephen Minogue / Angel takes the challenge in her stride and wins another Green Star towards her title

10 April 2008

‘MIKEY’ IS THE CURRENT TOP DOG ON THE SHOW DOGS IRELAND TABLES!

We are delighted to say that ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It is the current leader in the Show Dogs Ireland TOP DOG COMPETITION after his great start to the year in the Irish show ring.

We’re proud to be up there with such other prominent Irish Show Dogs and we thank our loyal friends for their support at the ringside over the last number of years.

Click here to view the Show Dogs Ireland Top Dog Tables

28 March 2008

SAD NEWS AT ASHMAIR

Such an incredible few days at the weekend would be evened up in the way life has a habit of doing it, just a few days later, when we lost our great friend and part of the team, our pet Boxer ‘TJ’.

‘TJ’ died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening curled up in his bed and in the best way possible, if there is such a way to go. Although he wasn’t a show dog he was every bit as important as the other dogs in the team and every inch a team member minding the house at all times and sharing his typical Boxer exuberance every day with us. He left us with many great memories and will be sadly missed by all of us here at Ashmair.

‘TJ’ has gone to rest at Lisa and Leon’s gardens in the Carlow countryside. It won’t be the same without him.

23 March 2008

IT’S THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!!!!

IT’S ‘MIKEY’S INTERNATIONAL AS HE TAKES BEST IN SHOW AT THE COMBINED CANINE EASTER CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW IN DUBLIN !!

As we set off early on Easter Saturday for a busy weekend’s exhibiting little did we know what was ahead of us on this very special and memorable weekend for all of us. At the Combined Canine Club International Championship Show at Cloghran in Dublin the well known Mike Drennan judged the breed and it was yet again another double for the team as he chose ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It as his Champion Dog class and Green Star Dog and CACIB winner. Because of the busy weekend, we had just two of our Fluffs with us and it was ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look who won the Champion Bitch class and also took the Green Star and CACIB.

In the challenge for Best of Breed it was ‘Mikey’ who came out on top. Our thanks to Sarah Matthews for helping with ‘Jessie’ in the challenge.

Onward to the judging of Group 9 where Joanne Sewell from Australia was centre ring. We were absolutely thrilled when she chose ‘Mikey’ to be her Group Winner and go forward to challenge for Best in Show. This was ‘Mikey’s sixth Group win and his first International group win.

Could the day get any better? WOW, Wait for it !!!

Best in Show saw the respected Irish All Round Judge Seamus Oates making the decisions and ‘Mikey’ put on a fantastic effort. The placings from tenth to third were decided in reverse order and with just two dogs remaining we were still there with a chance to be Best in Show at the Easter Classic. Around we went for one final lap of the huge BIS ring and then it was sheer delight for the team as Mr Oates pointed to ‘Mikey’ to take this major accolade at this special show. We were all bowled over with this win and thank you to the many fellow exhibitors who congratulated us on the day and later by phone.

Earlier in the day Ashling and ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, were presented with the Connolly’s Redmills/ICP Leaderboard Trophy for topping Group 9 as joint winner in 2007. Rosemary Meehan of Connollys Redmills presented the trophy.

IT’S ANGEL DELIGHT AT THE COMBINED CANINE CLUB PUP OF THE YEAR!!

OUR WARMINGHAM ANGEL AT MY SIDE IS THE PUP OF THE YEAR 2007!

It was off to the Moran’s Red Cow Hotel on Easter Sunday to the Combined Canine Pup of The Year Final which ‘Angel’ had qualified for twice with her Puppy Stakes win at Hibernian in May 2007under Kay Creamer and then again with her Best Puppy in Show win at Swords under Frank Kane having been sent from Puppy Group 9 by Marion Spavin. So it was show time at the Red Cow and ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side, put on a great performance in the preliminaries under judges Fernando Rodriguez from Portugal, Joanne Sewell from Australia and Cathy Delmar from Ireland.

Before the dinner was served it was time to find out who had made it through to the last 8 Finalists. A mistake in the calculations meant that ‘Angel’ was left out of the 8, however thanks to some enquiries by Team Ashmair and the Judges, it was left to the committee to come back on stage to inform the guests and exhibitors that there had been a mistake and that ‘Angel’ had indeed been sent through to the Final 8 by the judges. Phew, that was some error!!!!

So it was after the dinner that ‘Angel’ got to do her thing again in the ring and having been examined by the finals judge Miroslav Zidar from Slovenia she took her place with the other, now 8 remaining exhibits still in with a chance. Just like the previous day with ‘Mikey’ the results were made in reverse order and as the placings were made from ninth to third it was a real case of déjà vu for us as once again we took one of our team around the blue carpeted ring on a lap to see if we would make it to the top spot and low and behold it was to be ‘ANGEL’S’ title as she was chosen by Mr Zidar to be the PUP OF THE YEAR 2007! It was a fantastic result for us given that ‘Angel’ had almost been eliminated in error by the scrutineers.

Our very special thanks to all of the judges for this event who were involved in seeing fairness prevail and who made it possible for ‘Angel’ to be crowned PUP OF THE YEAR. Many thanks to Miroslav Zidar for his kind words and his decision in the final 9. We may have had a slight wardrobe malfunction during the contest but others would be happy to have that happen to them if they could even have a fraction of our success. As we say at Ashmair, there is no substitute for Quality, Excellence and Effort and if you want to get a tiny piece of our huge successes in the breed, you just gotta pull your socks up!

Our thanks to our many supporters on the night who made it such a great evening and helped us celebrate ‘Angel’s marvellous win until the early hours of the morning. Thank you also to the many fellow exhibitors and friends who sent us cards and flowers to mark such an unforgettable weekend for the Ashmair Team.

The Winner and Runner up with judge Miroslav Zidar

Ashling and 'Angel' are pictured here
with Finals judge Miroslav Zidar and
IKC President Sean Delmar

It was time for a laugh after the final
with Angel and her new Bunny!

Party Time for Team Ashmair!
Johnny, Leon, Mary, David,
Amanda, Ashling and Lisa
celebrate with the customary team
photo with ‘Angel’ centre stage.

17 March 2008

IT’S SAINT MIKEY’S DAY !

‘MIKEY’ TAKES GROUP 9 AT THE IKC CELTIC WINNERS SHOW!

We had a brilliant day at the Irish Kennel Club Celtic Winners Show at Cloghran on St Patrick’s Day where we took yet another double at one of the main events of the year.

We came home from Cloghran with
    •  2 x Celtic Winner Titles
    •  1 x Celtic Junior Winner Title
    •  2 x Green Stars
    •  1 x Reserve Green Star
    •  and BEST OF BREED !!

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It took the Green Star Dog and Celtic Winner Title as well as Best of Breed following on from his Reserve CC win at Crufts the previous week in Birmingham. ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look took her Celtic Winners title with the Green Star in the females and ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side did her bit for the team by taking the Reserve Green Star and the Celtic Junior Winner title handled by Marie.

The day just got better then when ‘Mikey’ mixed it with all of the other Group 9 Best of Breed Winners and came out on top under Judge Fiona Hurley of the Lahume Cavaliers and Tibetan Spaniels. This was ‘Mikey’s fourth Group win at All Breed Championship level and his fifth in all.

TEAM ASHMAIR ARE PRESENTED WITH OUR BELCANDO BREEDER OF THE YEAR PRIZE.

We were delighted with our great showing in the Belcando/Show Dogs Ireland Breeder of the Year Competition for 2007 and at the IKC Celtic Winners Show on St Patricks Day we were presented with our prizes for finishing Third Overall and Runner Up in Group 9 proving that as well as showing winners we are breeding them too!!

Thanks to Mary and Marie for taking the team into the main ring for the presentation. Paul Breen of Belcando, Irish Kennel Club President Sean Delmar and IKC Chairman Brian O’Hara made the presentation. Fittingly, ‘Mikey’ went on to win Group 9 just after the presentations making it a really successful day for the Team.

6 March 2008

IT’S ANOTHER GREAT CRUFTS FOR US AS ‘MIKEY’ TAKES THE RESERVE DOG CC AT THE WORLD’S BEST AND BIGGEST DOG SHOW !!

We had another great Crufts weekend at the NEC in Birmingham where ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, followed up on his Best Puppy in Breed from 2007 by taking the First Place card in the Special Yearling class and then the Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate under Michael Coad of the Pamplona Bichon Frise.

‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look took fourth of ten in Open Bitch and ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side took fifth of thirteen in Special Junior Bitch.

GB CH Ashmair It Had To Be You was sixth in Open Bitch for Harriet Johnson.

So it was a Reserve CC to add to our previous Best of Breed, Best Puppy and CC wins at this great event from previous years. We had a very enjoyable time over the Crufts days and we must say a special well done to Monica Boardman and ‘Riley’ on their great achievement.

5 March 2008

‘ANGEL’ TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN OUR LATEST SHOW DOGS IRELAND MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENT.

24 February 2008

‘MIKEY’ STARTS THE YEAR WITH SUCCESS AND ‘ANGEL’ MAKES IT A DOUBLE!!

Newtownards and District Championship Show took place at the Kings Hall in Belfast where Toy specialist James Newman of the Belliver Show Dogs was the judge and he started off the Championship year for us with a double making ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, his Green Star Dog Winner and also his Best of Breed. ‘Mikey’ then went on to start his group places for the year with a runner up spot in group 9 under Philip Behan of the Mingfield Chows and German Spitz.

Collecting another Green Star towards her title today was ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side who was handled by Marie.

	Marie gives ‘Mikey’ some finishing touches before the Group.   ‘Mikey’ is runner up in Group 9.
	‘Mikey’ and Ashling, Breed Judge James Newman and ‘Angel’ and Marie.   The next batch of winners are Rarin’ To Go!!

9 February 2008

‘Buddy’ has a night out at Show Dog Finals.

After last years great excitement at the Show Dog Finals 2006 we decided to accept the invitation to compete with ‘Buddy’ again and we had another enjoyable night this time at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin. Well done to Philip,Jarka and Filipek on another great win for them. We partied into the early hours and a good night was had by all.

Check Janette Thomas’ video of the night at www.chuanfasharpei.co.uk and Brian Carroll’s video at www.lyntovakeeshond.com.

	The hotel foyer was the place to be!   John and duet partner Paul Lawless sang the classics!
	Lawrence Lee and John enjoyed the ‘craic’.   And Marie won first prize in the raffle!

13 January 2008

2007 !! WHAT A YEAR WE’VE HAD AT ASHMAIR !!

The 2007 campaign was such a fantastic success for the Ashmair Team !

Our Bichons did us proud throughout the year on both sides of the Irish Sea giving us an amazing record for the year.

We exhibited at 30 of the 31 shows where Green Stars were on offer to the breed in Ireland. From those 30 Shows we took home 29 Best of Breed awards being beaten just once!!

Our thanks to all of the breed judges who chose our Fluffs as their winners, helping us create such a magnificent record in the year.

Our list of wins in the last twelve months included the following:

    •  29 x Best of Breed
    •  24 x Dog and Bitch Double Winners
    •  54 Green Star Wins
    •  7 CACIB’s
    •  1 Champion Stakes Win
    •  1 Best Puppy in International Show
    •  1 Puppy Stakes Win (Championship)
    •  2 Challenge Certificates (UK)
    •  2 Reserve CC’s
    •  1 UK Breed Club Best in Show (Championship)
    •  1 UK Open Show Best in Show (All Breed)
    •  2 All Breed Championship Show Reserve Best in Shows
    •  1 Group Championship Show Best in Show
    •  4 Championship Show Group Wins
    •  6 Championship Show Group 2’s
    •  1 Championship Show Group 3
    •  6 Championship Show Group 4’s
    •  Crufts Dog CC and Best Puppy in Breed 2007
    •  Third Overall in the Breeder of the Year Competition in Ireland.

Our thanks to all of our loyal friends who supported us throughout the year and made it such a memorable campaign inside and outside the ring.

2 January 2008

Jessie starts the New Year with an old habit as it’s a case of first and last!!

The first show of the year and our first win of the year came at the IKC Minority Breeds Charity Open Show where Judith Owens Poole of the Fircroft Border Collies and Portuguese Water Dogs and Dog Wise Training Kennels judged the breed and awarded the win to ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side. ‘Angel’ later went on to take the third place in Group 9 under Eilish Neally of the Carrigteen Papillons.

Our day didn’t end there however as we had a great win in the Champion Stakes which had attracted an entry of 57 under judge Vincent O’Brien of the Vincenza Dobermann Pinschers who selected ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look as his winner.

This meant that we had the great honour of winning the first Champion Stakes in 2008 and also the last Champion Stakes in 2007 as ‘Poppie’, Champion Ashmair Secret Wish had topped the inaugural class at the Dublin Dog Show under Evelyn Hurley just before the New Year celebrations.

A great way to start the year for Team Ashmair !

29 December 2007

WE’RE THIRD OVERALL IN THE BELCANDO BREEDER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

Another great year ended with the Ashmair Team finishing in third place in the new Show Dogs Ireland Breeder of the Year Competition sponsored by Belcando.

It was a remarkable year for us with four of our home bred Bichon Frise scoring points for us in this competition.

They were:-
    •  CH Ashmair The Butler Did It (Buddy)
    •  CH Ashmair Razzle Dazzle (Alfie)
    •  CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look (Jessie)
    •  CH/INT CH Ashmair Secret Wish (Poppie)

We finished on the the leader table with 58 Points just 2 points behind the Joint Winners Tirkane and Collooney.

Our Warmingham bred Bichons shown during the year also brought Lawrence and the Late Ann Lee’s kennel to 15th in the overall standings.

These were:-
    •  Warmingham Angel At My Side (Angel)
    •  CH/GB CH /INT CH Warmingham Ret Butler (Buddy)
    •  CH Warmingham Return To Sender (Nora)

Our thanks to all of the judges who thought so highly of our owned and bred Bichon Frises during 2007

27 December 2007

Poppie Stakes her Claim!

We had a great day at Dublin Dog Show, the final Championship Show of the year, where we were very proud to be the first winners of the Our Dogs sponsored Champion Stakes class held at the show.

‘Poppie’, CH/INT CH Ashmair Secret Wish topped the class of 23 entries under judge Evelyn Hurley and took home a generous prize from the sponsor.

It was a great day in the breed ring too where our judge was June Wall of the Everready Poodles and Rottweilers and it crowned a fantastic year for us when she chose our Bichons for the double yet again.

‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look, took the Green Star Bitch award and went on to be Best of Breed. Later in the day we were delighted when Michael Leonard, the well known Tibetan Spaniel and Cavalier Specialist chose ‘Jessie’ for his Runner Up in Group 9 just pipped by our good friend Cathy Lydon and her Tibetan Terrier ‘Rowan’. Well done Sean and Cathy on a great win.

Cathy also helped us in the breed where she handled for us and in the males ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It took another Green Star to add to his list for 2007.

20 December 2007

Seasons Greetings!

We at Ashmair would like to wish all our friends and visitors at home and abroad a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

8 December 2007

LKA UK Championship Show in Birmingham.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did is 2nd in Open Dog and ‘Poppie’, CH Ashmair Secret Wish is second in Open Bitch while GB CH Ashmair It Had To Be You wins Open Bitch and the Reserve CC.

‘Mikey’ is shortlisted in the Champion Stakes.

2 December 2007

‘Mikey’ takes up Junior Handling!

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It took time out of his busy schedule to help at the Junior Handling Final 2007 where he was volunteered as an exchange dog for the competition.

He really enjoyed his experience with the Juniors and he helped Brett Connolly (no relation) to make the runners up spot again.

26 November 2007

‘Coco’ collects her 5th Challenge Certificate in the UK.

GB CH Ashmair It Had To Be You took her 5th CC at the Bichon Frise Club of Great Britain Championship Show under Toy Specialist Dr Andreas Schemel.

This was ‘Coco’s third Breed Specialty CC win.

25 November 2007

Buddy’ gets a Party Invite

CH /GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler has again been invited to take part in the Top Irish Show Dog Awards Final in Dublin next February. Last year he won the event under Nils Molin from Sweden. More news to follow on this shortly.

17 November 2007

Cloghran National Show

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, takes Best of Breed and Group 2 at Cloghran Championship Show.

His sixth group placement of the year.

The breed was judged by Mrs Maureen Byrne (Siddharta) while he impressed Mrs Irene Houlihan (Hortland) in Group 9.

‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side takes another Reserve Green Star award.

Mikey takes BOB / Runner up in FCI Group 9 / Angel power naps at Cloghran!

29 October 2007

All Ireland Bull Breeds Association National Show

‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look, is breed specialist Mary Nolan’s Best of Breed at the All Ireland Bull Breeds Association Championship Show in Dublin.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It wins the Dog Green Star yet again.

‘Jessie’ goes on to take fourth place in Group 9 under Agnes Gavin Byrne.

20 October 2007

Portadown Canine Club National Show

‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender, takes the Bitch Green Star and Best of Breed at Portadown Championship Show under Mrs P Runderkampf while ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, adds to his list of Green Star Dog wins.

7 October 2007

WOW!!!!!

What a day we had at the Northern and Midland Bichon Frise Club Show in England!

CH Ashmair The Butler Did It takes home his first UK CC under the breed specialist judge of the males Myra Atkins (Kynismar).

‘Mikey’ then went on to take BEST IN SHOW with the agreement of the judge of the females Eileen Spavin Harrison.

‘Coco’, Ashmair It Had To Be You takes her 3rd CC and Reserve BIS.

A great weekend for the Ashmair Team.

30 September 2007

Belfast Dog Show Society Championship Show

CH Ashmair The Butler Did It takes the Reserve Dog CC. Belfast.

This is ‘Mikey’s second Reserve CC award.

‘Coco’, Ashmair It Had To Be You is awarded the Bitch CC, her second.

‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side tops the Dog World/Purina Proplan Puppy Bitch Stakes on Day 2 under world renowned breed specialist Dennis Coxall of the Tiopepi Bichon Frises and Poodles

30 September 2007

Emmerdale meets Ashmair!!

At Belfast Championship Show we got to say hello to Emmerdale actress Lucy Pargeter who plays Chastity Dingle in the ITV Soap.

Lucy had a soft spot for the Fluffs and Nora liked her too!

15 September 2007

Carlow and District Canine Club National Show

‘Jessie’ tops Group 9

CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look takes the Green Star and BOB under Mr R.Moffat from the UK and then goes on to win FCI Group 9 under Doreen Powell from South Africa, finishing her day as 4th Best Exhibit in Show.

‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler wins the Champions class and the Reserve Green Star Dog award.

1 September 2007

Banbridge and District Canine Club National Show

‘Mikey’ Does it again!!

CH Ashmair The Butler Did It is RESERVE BEST IN SHOW having topped FCI Group 9 !!!

It was another memorable day for our team when ‘Mikey’ took BOB courtesy of the judge Modwena Johnston (Glenveagh) and then the Group under Kenny Stevenson (Bacchante).

He then went on to take the RESERVE BIS award under Brian O’Hara only pipped by the current Irish Dog Of The Year CH Edbrios Blue Ivanhoe. Well done Philip, Jarka and ‘Filipek’.

‘Nora’, Ch Warmingham Return To Sender took the Green Star award in the females.

25 August 2007

Tralee and District Canine Club National Show

It’s a clean sweep again at Tralee for the Ashmair Team as Karin Bergbom from Finland awards us all four major cards in the breed !!

‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender takes the Best of Breed award along with Green Star Bitch while ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look is Reserve GSB.

‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler wins the Dog Green Star while his son ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It takes the Reserve DGS.

‘Nora’ goes on to be shortlisted in the group under Diane O’Hara.

23 August 2007

Limerick and District Canine Club National Show

What a day at Adare!

We did the Double Double at Limerick!!!

We take all four major awards in the breed as Martin Baskaran from Spain makes ‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler, Green Star Dog and Best of Breed over ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look who won the Bitch Green Star.

Both Reserve awards also come home with us as ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It and ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side complete the awards.

’Buddy’ is shortlisted in FCI Group 9.

21 August 2007

Killarney and District Canine Club National Show

As we were not entered at Killarney Championship Show we took in some of the show and then we had a family day in beautiful Killarney town.

19 August 2007

Clonmel and District Canine Club International Show
‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler starts the Munster Circuit week in style for the Ashmair Team at Clonmel by taking Green Star Dog, CACIB and Best of Breed under Ms M Peterson from Denmark. ‘Buddy’ then went on to take fourth place in Group 9 judged by Joyce Crawford Manton.

‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender took another Green Star Bitch and CACIB award while ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look took the Reserve awards.

5 August 2007

‘Buddy’ takes Best of Breed and Group 2 at Dun Laoghaire International !!

CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler takes another Green Star Dog, CACIB and Best of Breed under Glen Dymock from Australia and then is the runner up in FCI Group 9 judged by Sean Carroll.

‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look takes the Reserve Green Star Bitch award and it’s much to the disappointment of the breed judge that she doesn’t care too much for slippy floors

4th August 2007

 ‘Nora’ takes Group 4 at Bangor and North Down as we do the Double again!

George Baxter from the UK judged the breed and it was another BOB for ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender who went on to take Group 4 placing under Nicky White.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It took the Green Star Dog award.

Thank you to Clodagh Fallon for helping with the BOB challenge.

28 July 2008

Dundalk and District Canine Club National Show

We’ve done the Double yet again!!

World renowned All Rounder Marion Spavin of the famous Dialynne Kennels in England awarded our Fluffs both Green Stars today.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It, takes the Green Star Dog award and Best of Breed while “Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look takes the Green Star Bitch.

Thank you to Cathy Lydon for her help with the BOB challenge.

21 July 2007

It’s the Double again !!!

Our fantastic year continues at Sligo Championship Show where Toy and Utility Specialist Tony Moran of the Avigdor ShowDogs makes ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look, his Green Star Bitch and Best of Breed choice. She then goes on to take Group 4 under Jon Yek of the Pearlstone Pekingese. </p>

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It takes another Green Star to add to his collection for the year.

Thank you to Clodagh Fallon for her help in the BOB challenge and well done on your Group win with ‘Ali’.

14 July 2007

‘Mikey’ takes another Group Placing.

This time it’s Group 3 at the FCI All Ireland Toy Dog Club Group Championship Show held in Clonmel. CH Ashmair The Butler Did It takes the Dog Green Star and Best of Breed under Eilish Neally of the Carrigeen Papillons and then he is third in the Group judged by Andrew Beare of the Nilbud Kennels.

‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender adds another Green Star and ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side takes the Reserve Green Star from the Puppy class.

Another great day for the Ashmair team.

8 July 2007

‘Alfie’ Dazzle’s them at the Ladies and makes his title with the Double !!

Yet another New Champion for our Team! ‘Alfie’, CH Ashmair Razzle Dazzle, took his final Green Star needed for his Champion title under Pat Creane of the Mornavella Yorkies. ‘Alfie’ then went on to fly the Bichon flag in the FCI Group 9 and take Group 4 under Natalja Nebrosiene from Lithuania.

Marie handles ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender, to take the Green Star and one of our up and coming stars, ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side is the Reserve Bitch winner.

7 July 2007

‘NORA’ Group places again!!

Barbara Henry of the Sakanda Show Dogs was the judge for the Bray Championship Show and it was ‘Nora’s turn to take Best of Breed. CH Warmingham Return To Sender then went on to be fourth in Group 9 under Marie Thorpe of the Ashaka Chihuahuas.

‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler took the Green Star Dog and ‘Jessie’, CH Ashmair She’s Got The Look collected the Reserve Bitch Green Star.

30 June 2007

‘MIKEY’ and ‘NORA’ continue their Double act!!

Mrs Ann Hennigan from Canada judged the breed at Kilkenny and District and she choose ‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It for the Dog Green Star pipping his Dad ‘Buddy’, CH Warmingham Ret Butler who took the Reserve Green Star.

‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender takes yet another Green Star.

21 June 2007

‘MIKEY’ is a Champion in style !!!

It was a big day out at the Races for us as Tramore Racecourse in County Waterford, the venue for the Deise Show.

Toy Breeds Specialist Eamonn Owens of the Menota Cavaliers and Maltese was the breed Judge and he awarded ‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It, his last Green Star for his Irish title. ‘Mikey’ then went on to take Best of Breed and then win the big FCI Group 9 under David Lawlor of the Rolwal Yorkshire Terriers.

It was a Big day too for our young starlet ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side who took her first Green Star on the day and was handled in the Best of Breed Challenge by Mary.

15 June 2007

It’s another Group 2 for ‘MIKEY’ !

At the Munster Canine Association National Show ‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It continued his good run for us with yet another Best of Breed and group placement. He took Best of Breed under John Muldoon and then was Dolores Dineen’s runner up in FCI Group 9.

14 June 2007

WOW !!!

‘Angel’ and Marie take Best Puppy in Show and ‘Poppie’ Goes All International on us !!

What a day for us at Swords and District International Championship Show!

‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side, takes Best Puppy in Breed and then wins the Puppy Group 9 handled by Marie under the famous All Rounder from the UK Marion Spavin of the Diallyne Beagles. Then she makes sure of her Pup of the Year spot by taking Best Puppy in Show from the ten Puppy Group winners under another of the UK’s Top Judges, Frank Kane.

As if that wasn’t exciting enough ‘Poppie’, CH Ashmair Secret Wish takes her final CACIB for her International Title and is the first Irish and International Champion resident in Ireland.

‘Mikey’, CH Ashmair The Butler Did It takes the Green Star and his Dad ‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler collects the Reserve Green Star.

A fantastic day for the Ashmair Team.

13 June 2007

Three Counties Championship Show in the UK

Our trip to Malvern sees ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side, take Best Puppy in Breed under Andrew Brace and then go on to take Toy Puppy Group 2 in good competition.

‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did it is second in Junior Dog.

3 June 2007

‘MIKEY’ takes Group 2 at the first FCI Groups Show in Ireland!

It was another great day for us at the Irish Kennel Club International Show. This was one of the big events of the year and the first FCI Groups show. George Kostopolous from Greece judged the Bichons and we had a clean sweep of the breed awards.

‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It took the Green Star over his Dad ‘Buddy’ CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler. ‘Mikey’ went on to take Best of Breed and then the Group runner up spot under Judge Ann Fitzpatrick of the Corduke Cavaliers.

‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender, collected another Green Star and CACIB and ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side took the Reserve Green Star and Best Puppy in Breed.

Marie then handled ‘Angel’ to runner up in Puppy Group 9 under Michael Forte.

What A Day!!!!

28 May 2007

‘Nora’ is a Covergirl for Show Dogs Ireland!

‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender, has been chosen to grace the front page of the May issue of Show Dogs Ireland Magazine.

No stranger to the limelight, she happily posed for her cover shoot and we think she did a great job!

26 May 2007

‘Mikey’ Goes Best in Show !!

Yet another super day for the Ashmair Team !! This time at the Irish Toy Dog Society Group Championship Show.

‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It made us very proud by taking Best of Breed under Branislav Rajic from Slovenia and then he went on to capture the Best in Show Title under Breed Specialist Liz Wogan of the Deminiac Bichon Frises and Keeshonds.

Well done to ‘Nora’, Ch Warmingham Return To Sender on another Green Star and also to John, my Dad on showing his handling skills in the Best of Breed Challenge.

‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel at My Side was second in the Puppy Stakes too.

19 May 2007

‘Angel’ Puts On A Heavenly Performance To Win The Puppy Stakes!!

We had a fantastic day at the Hibernian Championship where once again we qualified for one of the major invitational sponsored events on the canine calendar, namely the Pup of the Year Final to be held next March in Dublin.

Mrs Kay Creamer of the Cretoka Kennnels judged the Puppy Stakes and chose our latest new arrival ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side to top the class.

She now has to get her good frock on for the event which is held at Easter 2008.

We also had a brilliant day in the breed ring where Jimmy Simpson from the UK was centre ring and he made ‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler, his Green Star Dog and BOB winner. ‘Buddy’ then went on to make the Group 4 placing under Bernie Ladd at this, the last General Championship Show on the seven group system in Ireland

. ‘Nora’, Ch Warmingham Return To Sender once again took the Green Star Bitch ticket while ‘Angel’ took the Reserve.

‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It, took the Reserve Dog Green Star giving us the clean sweep in the breed.

7 May 2007

‘Alfie’ Nears his Title!

At the Bichon Frise Club Championship Show in Dublin Colm Beattie awarded ‘Alfie’, Ashmair Razzle Dazzle the Green Star Dog award and Reserve Best in Show. We gave the Big Winning boys ‘Buddy’ and ‘Mikey’ a weekend off to take in the sun.

‘Alfie’ now only requires one more Green Star under the new Irish Kennel Club Green Star system to claim his title. ‘Alfie’ is already a Reserve BIS and Group Winner at All Breed Championship level having been Reserve at Bangor’s first Championship Show in 2003. He was Best in Show at the Club Specialty in 2004 and has taken a back seat since then being rarely shown.

‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side takes the Reserve Green Star and Best Puppy in Show on only her third day out.

Aimee does a bit of Junior Handling while my Dad John wins the Best Prodigy!! Can’t wait for his next dance CD !!! A slight spelling mistake on the ‘progeny’ rosette gave us all a good laugh!!

We also collected the Club Points Trophy for Top Winning Bichon Frise for the Year 2006. CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler was the proud recipient and this puts ‘Buddy’ in the history books after his fantastic year in the ring in both Ireland and England.

6 May 2007

Ashmair Takes All Four Main Breed Awards Again at Fermoy!!

It was another great day at Fermoy for the Team when Francesco Cochetti, the ToyBreeds Specialist and well known Chihuahua breeder from Italy awarded each of the main cards in the breed at the show to our Bichons.

Topping the entry again was ‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler who took the Dog Green Star and Best of Breed just coming out on top of ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender who was the Green Star Bitch winner.

Mr Cochetti was especially taken with our latest debutante ‘Angel’, Warmingham Angel At My Side who he awarded the Reserve Green Star Bitch card to. Once again ‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It was pipped by his Dad to the Green Star as he took the Reserve award but we’re sure he will have lots of days ahead in the spotlight.

5 May 2007

It’s a Four Card Trick at South Tipp for the Ashmair Bichons!

Carolyn Roe of the famous Sunshoo Papillons awarded our Team the full set of cards at South Tipperary Show in the sunshine. Her choice for Best of Breed was ‘Buddy’, CH/GBCH Warmingham Ret Butler who just edged out our Green Star female ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender.

Our new girl from Lawrence Lee and the Warmingham Kennel, Warmingham Angel At My Side took the Reserve Green Star on her debut and she was also shortlisted in a strong Puppy Stakes.

27 April 2007

‘Mikey’ Takes His First Championship Show Group!

It was a great day for us at Cork Championship show where we had breed specialist Marie Renehan judging the breed and although we just had one Fluff with us today, ‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It, did us proud by taking the Green Star Dog award and then Best of Breed.

More success was to follow when another breed specialist Oliver Noonan selected ‘Mikey’ as his Toy Group Winner giving the Team it’s second Group win of the year.

10 April 2007

‘Nora’ Returns To Dublin with Best in Show!

We had a fantastic day at the big Open Show held by the Belfast Dog Show Society on Easter Tuesday at the Kings Hall.

Breed Specialist Lee Cox of the Vanitonia Bichon Frise and Show Team was the breed and group judge and we were thrilled when he chose ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender for his Best of Breed and then his Group Winner.

The day got even better when Diana Spavin of the famous Diallyne Kennels chose ‘Nora’ as her Best in Show Winner.

7 April 2007

We’re going ‘Batty’ as ‘Nora’ Wins Her Way To Reserve Best in Show !

What a fantastic day we’ve had at the Combined Canine International Show!

2 X CACIB’S, 2 X GREEN STAR’S, 1 X RESERVE GREENSTAR, BEST OF BREED, TOY GROUP WINNER AND RESERVE BEST IN SHOW!

WOW!!!!

It was a great Team performance to win under Pedro Albargarea from Portugal in the breed and he chose ‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler for his Green Star Dog and CACIB winner with his Son ‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It taking the Reserve Green Star.

Meanwhile with the girls it was ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender, who took the Green Star and CACIB. ‘Nora’ was Pedro’s choice for Best of Breed. The Toy Group was judged by Hans Muller from Switzerland and ‘Nora’ once again topped the strong Group.

Fred Cuthbert of the Ailesbury Show Kennels was the Best in Show judge and the day just kept getting better as he made ‘Nora’ Reserve Best in Show to Gerry Clarkes Top Winning Irish Wolfhound, CH Lady Ionagh of Shantamon. Well done Gerry and ‘Lady’.

This was another great podium finish for ‘Nora’ who was Best in Show at Cork and District Canine Club’s Championship Show in 2006.

Well Done to ‘Nora’!!

17 March 2007

Saint ‘Nora’ of Cloghran is Best of Breed at the Celtic Winners!

It was St Patrick’s Day here in Ireland, the National Saint’s day and our own little saint, ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender, took her second Celtic Winner title to add to her Annual Champion title of 2005.

Michael Leonard, the well known Toy and Utility specialist was the judge and he awarded ‘Nora’ the Green Star and Best of Breed over his Green Star Winner and Celtic Winner for 2007, ‘Buddy’, CH/ GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler.

There was more success for ‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It, who took the Reserve Green Star to his Dad ‘Buddy’ and who, handled by Marie, then went on to be the Runner Up in the Junior Toy Group under Colette Muldoon.

11 March 2007

‘Buddy’ Wins the Dog Ticket at Crufts
and ‘Mikey’ is Best Puppy in Breed!

It was a day to remember for us at Crufts 2007 as judge Sue Dunger of the Sulyka Bichon Frise awarded ‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler the Dog CC in an excellent entry.

This was our second CC win at Crufts having taken the CC and Best of Breed in 2005 with ‘Secret’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Secret Love.

It was also a great result for ‘Ret’s son ‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It who went Best Puppy in Breed.

Our thanks to all of our friends and fellow exhibitors for their messages of Congratulations on this fantastic win.

25 February 2007

‘Nora’ Goes North and Takes Best of Breed and Group 2 !!

We headed to Belfast for the Newtownards Championship Show at the King’s Hall where Nicky White of the Aberann show dogs kennel was the judge.

It was another Double for the team with ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender topping the breed, adding another Green Star Bitch award to her tally. In the strong Toy Group judged by Louis Hogan of the Pearlstone Pekingese, ‘Nora’ went on to take the runner up spot.

‘Mikey’, Ashmair The Butler Did It, took the Green Star Dog card and also took an excellent 4th position in the big Puppy Stakes entry under Tim Finney of the well known Gulliagh Hound and Toy breeds Kennel.

3 February 2007

‘Buddy’ is Top Irish Show Dog for 2005/06!!

What a start to the Year for Team Ashmair!

At the IKC Top Irish Show Dog Final we had two of our Fluffs qualified as both ‘Buddy’ and ‘Nora’s wins made them eligible for this prestigious event held at the Moran’s Red Cow Hotel in Dublin.

With myself Ashling, handling ‘Buddy’, CH/GB CH Warmingham Ret Butler and Marie handling ‘Nora’, CH Warmingham Return To Sender the Judge for the Final had to make a choice between the two Top Winning Bichon Frise in Ireland in the challenge for the Top spot in the Toy section.

The judge Nils Molin from Sweden chose ‘Buddy’ as his Best Toy sending us forward to the overall challenge against the other six Group Winners.

Then it was a spectacular finish to the night for us as Mr Molin chose ‘Ret Butler’ as his overall winner of the competition.

A real night to remember for our team!

Thank you to our friends and supporters who sent us cards and messages of congratulations after our big win.