Red River Havanese Club 

Havanese Club of America, July 20 – 23, 2011, Durham, NC

Red River Havanese Club was well represented at this year’s National Specialty. Those members attending were Betty White, Pam Wagner, Jane Chavez, Deb McHugh, Dodi Koontz, Nancy Gardner, and myself, Jeanie Simon.

I’ve never been to this part of the country, and I truly fell in love with the beauty of the Smoky Mountains and driving through West Tennessee and into the Raleigh/Durham area—very beautiful and serene. Although those native to the area affirmed that the extreme heat & humidity was not normal, as we all know coming from Oklahoma, North Texas, and Kansas, we definitely can’t hold that against them for mid-July weather. The hotel, Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center was all self-contained and very lovely and accommodating to us all—the true epitome of what is known as Southern Hospitality! So if it weren’t for having to exercise our dogs (and they, themselves seemed to be conservative about those needs due to the heat & humidity) one would not even need to be outdoors.

While the activities, dinners, and raffles/auctions (Rescue & HCA) were most exciting, our members were not without an honorable representation of the most beautiful Havanese ever to be present at a National Specialty, and received high honors and awards:

Judges were: Ann Hearn (Regional), Linda Cosner (National Sweepstakes), and James Reynolds (National Specialty).

Member, Suzanne Johnston, owner, & former member/breeder, Dee Hinkle, GCH D'v's Spellbound In Motion, a.k.a. GraDee, was given Best of Breed in the Regional Specialty and Award of Merit in the National Specialty.

Member, Jane Chavez, breeder, had many wonderful representatives of our breed at this year’s National & national Regional Specialties that took top honors. GCH Adorabull That’s Better Than Sex., a.k.a. Roche, received an Award of Merit at the Regional Specialty. That's The Notorious Defender, won his class, Bred-by Exhibitor at the Regional, 3^rd in his class, Puppy 9-12 (Dogs), in Sweepstakes, and won his class, Bred-by Exhibitor plus Reserve Winner’s Dog as well as Best Bred-by, in the National Specialty. That's Mendota's Sassy Soul Sister, won her class, Best Bred-by (Bitch), and Winner’s Bitch during the National Specialty. Adorabull's That's The Queen Of Talk, a.k.a. Oprah, took 3^rd in her class, Bred-by Exhibitor, in the National Specialty, and CH Thats Right Out Of The Box., a.k.a. Boo, was named Number 1, Brood Bitch.

Member, Deb McHugh, owner of Brehon's Celebrate Life., a.k.a. Oggy, won his class (1^st Place), Puppy 9-12 (Dogs), in the Regional Specialty & National Sweepstakes, as well as, (3^rd place) in his class Puppy, 9-12 (Dogs) in the National Specialty. Also, Bedlem's Heart To Heart N Wychwood, a.k.a. Reba, bred by Deb & Dodi Koontz, took 4^th place in her class, 6-9 month puppy (Bitch) during the National Specialty. As well as making the judges cut of the rather large class during the Regional and Sweepstakes. Also, her sister, Bedlem N Tovia's Heart Full of Grace, a.k.a. Mary, owned by her handler Jillian Simon, as well as myself, Jeanie Simon, and Jay too—also made the judges cut in the Regional & National Sweepstakes. Really spectacular as these two girls were two of the youngest dogs in the show!

Our DJ, Tovia’s Bedlem Heartland Soul, placed 2^nd in Amateur-Owner Handler (Dogs) in the National Specialty. He is brother to Reba & Mary. Bred by members, Deb McHugh & Dodi Koontz, and owned by myself, member, Jeanie Simon.

AND, CH JoLain's Fiesta Del Noche CD RN, a.k.a. Noche owned by Nancy Gardner, competed in Open A Obedience!

It was a most enjoyable time in Durham, North Carolina, and next year’s National to be held in Minneapolis is sure to be just as spectacular. We hope to have as many, if not many more, of our members attending this most important event for our club and our national parent club for our breed. Please make your plans to attend next year. July 2012, and check the HCA website, www.havanese.org, for further updates & details!

2011 Independent Specialty

All our club members pitched in and helped to make this show a success!

Our original Sweeps judge Jerry White unfortunately passed away before the show. We were able to substitute with his wife, Betty White to Judge the Sweeps. We also dedicated this show to Jerry. Betty did a wonderful job,b Jerry would have been very proud.

Kent Delaney did a great job judging the Specialty. He kept it entertaining and suspenseful. It was enjoyable to watch from outside the ring as well as inside.

We had an awesome list of show committees:

• Nancy Gardner was our esteemed Show Chairman. 
• Jeanie Simon was Assistant Show Chair. 
• Deb McHugh, Jane Chavez, and Jeanie Simon formed the Trophy Commitee. 
• Dodi Koontz organized the Health Clinic.  And Carol Hutton, JoAnn Redwine, Connie Moulton, and Jeanie Simon planned and pulled off all of the other show related activities including the Woof Wallk, the Costume Contest, and all of the refreshments and social activities.

There were a total of 25 Havs entered including 8 sweepstakes entries.  Three were entered in Junior Showmanship.

There were at least 10 judges sitting in the “mentoring area” and we had to scramble to find a mentor. Thank goodness we have Betty White in our club to step in and sit with the Judges.

In addition to the Specialty and Sweeps show our club held a “Health Clinic” the following day. We also hosted a “Woof Walk” fundraiser for ½ of proceeds to go to HRI this year , a costume party for the fun of it and a “reception” for all. The Woof Walk was well attended by many breeds.

The Health Clinic went well. We had 24 Baer tests, 9 Patella Luxation tests and 10 Cardiac tests given.

Everyone worked so well together that we would like to do this all again next year!