Celebrating the Galgos in France – 1st Fete des Galgos

Sunday, 12th September was the date organised for our first Fun Dog Show, Fete des Galgos, Craft Fair, display of classic cars and motorcycles and Have a Go Archery. There should also have been a display of dog agility, but the French club decided not come! Their loss, as everyone had a fantastic day and there have been many demands to repeat the event next year. So, 11th September 2011 is the date and the event will be even bigger. I won’t say better, because everyone keeps saying what a marvellous day it was.

Our wonderful very experienced dog show Judge, Stephen Moon, tells me his friend Graham, who has offered to judge the show next year, will also be judging at Crufts show in England next year! Can’t get better than that. Stephen said he thoroughly enjoyed his day, said what a lovely attitude the participants had. The show was meant to be fun, and that is exactly what it was.

So, folks, here’s a picture gallery to share with you. And remember that, on the same day, brave Lisa jumped out of an aeroplane at 5,000 feet over Seville, Spain, to celebrate our day too. If you haven’t donated to her marvellous achievement, please email a Paypal donation to comdelrio@hotmail.com for the association 112 Carlota Galgos.

The Venue, my home in France

Dog Show ring

My Line Dancing teacher, Mustang Sally, sponsored the products in the Ladies Loo!

Class 1 Prettiest Bitch

Class 2 Most Handsome Male

Class 3 Best Veteran, dog over 7 years old

Class 4 Best Crossbreed (Mutt)

Class 5 Dog with the waggiest tail

Class 6 Best Brace (2 dogs, not necessarily matching)

Class 7 7-legged race (two people with middle legs tied together (3 legs) and 1 dog)

There was also Class 8 11-legged race – my friend Anji and I were the only entrants, and the pictures are on video! We had a good giggle, and so did the audience!

Class 9 Dog Obedience, Best Junior Handler – Ethan is only 3 years old!

Class 10 Dog Obedience, Best Senior Handler

Class 11 Dog the Judge would most like to take home! The Pomeranian

Winners, Guess the weight of the cake

Mustang Sally Line Dancing – they always turned the opposite way from my camera just as I was taking the picture!

Classic motor bikes

Have A Go Archery

Interesting cars on display

and more cars

More cars and the Jacket Potatoe cafe

Reel English Fish ‘n Chips- Hayley and Andy worked really hard!

Chef Chris cooking lunch ably help by the lovely Annette!

Craft stall

More craft stalls

JMB animal feed supplies who very kindly gave a 4kg bag of dog croquettes to the 1st and 2nd placed dog in each class

President of L’Europe des Levriers, Beatrice Monnet, Secretary Pierrette, and Benedicte, husband, family and half a dozen galgos all supported the event as did Freddy and Gigi with Pepere. I did pop out with my own galgas Sahara and Carmela but, unfortunately, such were the demands on my time and attention that I had to hand them over into the safe hands of Tim of Scootbooks.com, publishers of my book.

I need to mention also David Best and Doreen Jeapes, who did a marvellous job as Entries Secretaries, Dorothy, Trevor and Sue who were the stalwart coffee and tea makers for the dog show, (Dorothy made the beautiful cake for Guess the Weight), Joint Aid, natural product for arthritic dogs and horses, and Saint Pardoux Pension pour Chiens who sponsored the rosettes this year.

Last but not least, I must give a special mention and BIG THANK YOU to Pete Dobson, who manned the gate and collected 1 euro for every car which came and parked. Originally we had organised a team of 4, but one had to return to England on the last minute for a friend’s funeral, one had a bad back, and my David was pulled every which way with a tent blowing away and electricity power cuts! Pete was out on the gate for 5 or 6 hours, an absolute Star!

I had a marvellous team of helpers who all enjoyed the day and are keen to get involved in the organisation for next year!

Good Luck to GRIN for their Fiesta des Galgos on 19th September!