Always willing to help out with the dogs, Rachael has often shown an interest and requested that she be allowed to show them too. She has been showing 'Amarantos Kiam' since he was a puppy, not solely campaigning him, but just when she has asked to do so. On one occasion she asked if she could show him and I refused. Later, I felt I should not have been so selfish and mentally noted that in future, should she wish to do so I would not refuse again. She accompanied us to the Manchester Championship show held on the February of 2004. Just before Kiam's class, Rachael asked if she might show him? I, having made a mental promise that I would not refuse again, figured it was 'crunch time' now to find out just how true I was to both myself and my daughter.....
Rachael took Kiam into the ring and in the company of adults more experienced than herself, won the Post Graduate dog class. I was really proud of both the little dog and the little girl. Although I felt going into the challenge could be quite a nerve wracking experience for a child, I could not take her achievement from her now. In she stepped and against considerable competition the judge felt Kiam was good enough to take the Dog Challenge Certificate....
As she stood aside - awaiting the judge's choice for the Reserve CC, I had to congratulate her in what was a record breaking achievement. I think she had no idea of what she had just been awarded. Around the ring the support and applause for her was amazing (exhibitors from other breeds looking on as the news reached them). Rachael took Kiam all the way through to Best of Breed and I don't believe I will ever experience another day to beat this one, it was one in a million.........
Rachael was 7 years of age and Kiam was just over 2 years old.
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