The Foggia specialty was the last important show of the year, and the third
show in a row that our "serial winner" Willow, Snowlion's Skyrider O'Bear-Pak,
wins in open class.
But as we wax the sled runners getting ready for the christmas holydays we
look with great pride at what she has achived in this year that is coming
to an end.
Willow won 4 specialties out of 6, in one of the remaining two she stayed
home and in the other she was reserve bitch from open class at 18 months defeating
11 in her class.
Willow was shown 25 times in 2003, with 20 wins and 5 placement 4 of which
as reserve bitch. She finished the Italian
Young Championship in six straight shows (3 of which specialties),
went Young CIAM Champion 2003, and was Vice World Champion for this same year.
In open class she has already gained 3 CAC (one of them in specialty) 4RCAC
and 4RCACIB.
The final figures are not ready yet, but she may well be among the very top
Italian and European Malamute of 2003.
Considering our competitors and how selective our system is, this is sure
an amazing result.
Willow was also recently screened for Eyes, Hips and Elbows and also those
exams she passed with top results even though she runs in harness since she
was 9
months old, and she's currently making about ten miles a day between
one show and another, always eager to pull and perform her duty. So this working
girl sure didn't live in a golden cage so far.
Congratulations go to Jo Watkins & John Greenside of Snowlion Kennels for
breeding such a beautiful, healthy and sound bitch, with a wonderful temperament
and amazing working attitude. A special thank to all the judges the appreciated
her many virtues despite a type and pedigree
somewhat different than what they are used to, differe, and to our friend
Daniele Tabarrini that handled Willow thru all her wins and Francesco
Vasanella that lead her to what is probably her most important International
Result in Dortmund..
We doubt we will achieve the same results with her in 2004, and that's also
because we have her first litter planned for late winter/early spring 2004,
but who knows; hopefully she will be back on track in a hurry..... it's hard
to stop a serial winner.