What a National! The Quest to the Great Northwest was a huge success for exhibitors and visitors.

Congratulations to Stephanie Kaul and the entire show committee for putting together a truly memorable show. The geographic location was wonderful, and many people took advantage of a trip to the Oregon coast or Mount Hood. Special events were absolutely ‘must see’ – and dogs and exhibitors had a great time. Thank you Zone 4 volunteers for all your hard work!

It was wonderful to have Mrs. Marilyn Spacht back in the center of the ring to select Best of Breed at the 2018 National. Her choices were narrowed down to a stunning lineup — Black Cocker GCHB Clerwood Silhouette Speed of Light, ASCOB Cocker CH Foley’s Frat Party, and Parti-Color Cocker GCHS Dalin’s West Coast Connection – all excellent representatives of our breed.

Mrs. Spacht’s choice for her Best of Breed winner was Black Cocker GCHB Clerwood Silhouette Speed of Light, bred by Linda Pitts and Laurie Ferland, owned by Motoei Furukawa, Regina Beinhauer, Ellen Charles, Stephanie Kaul and Linda Pitts and expertly handled by Linda Pitts.

Best of Opposite to Best of Breed was Silverhall Synchronicity, bred and owned by Bonnie and Wilson Pike, and handled by Per Rismyhr.

And the Owner Handled Best of Breed winner was GCHB Conquest’s Maze Runner, owned and handled by Mariecel Torres-Young.

Joining Mrs. Spacht on the judging panel was Mr. David Kittredge, who awarded Best Junior Handler to Tiffany Clowers, who handled her dog, Penny Creek’s Tahiti Breeze, to perfection. Hearts also melted around the ring during the first ever PeeWee competition. Little Kassandra Soterhou’s love for her dog showed in the gleam in her eye as she and her mom, Patricia, made their way around the ring under the guidance of breeder judge Rhonda Mink.

Conformation, Obedience and Rally results are posted on the Baray Events site.

At this year’s Agility Trial, the A.J. Award was presented to Susan Flower and her dog Boxster, MACH2 Skyrocket’s Hot Porsche Boxster RN MXG MJC MXF T2B2. They were also presented this year’s Bailey Award.

The National also produced some great results in the field. Six Cocker Spaniels earned a WD and two others earned a WDX. Even more impressive, two Cocker Spaniels earned junior hunt test legs, proving once again the breed’s ability to do the job it was originally meant to do while remaining a merry companion. The inaugural Barn Hunt also drew interest from a number of exhibitors.

The 2018 National marked the first time in ASC history that the club honored the top owner handled Cocker Spaniels in the country with the Owner Handled Top 20 Invitational.

It was a sparkling evening with breeder judge Calvin Ward, top handler Linda Pitts, and multiple group judge Lewis Bayne handling the judging responsibilities. They selected the best of the owner handled dogs by awarding top honors to GCH Mardi Gras Black Tie Affair handled by Rosemary Logrie, who received $500. The People’s Choice winner was Mariecel Torres-Young, handling GCH Conquest’s This Moment I Own It!, who was awarded $200. The panel of judges presented a special Judge’s Choice award to GCH Quasar N Icon Too Moxie for My Lead, handled by Roxana West, for the quality of the dog’s conditioning and grooming. Mrs. West received a complete set of the show’s DVD collection.

Friday night was party night with one of the most popular social events of the weekend. Quick change artist (and show chair) Stephanie Kaul wore multiple costumes as she hosted the ASC’s first ever LipSync Challenge! As competitors sang and danced their way through the evening, the goal was winning a championship belt that would be the envy of the WWE! The duo of Linda Donaldson and Bonnie Pike took home the top prize.

And after all that was done, there was the regional specialty on Sunday, judged by Carla Mathies. Her Best of Breed winner was also GCHB Clerwood Silhouette Speed of Light.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the members of the Mid-Michigan Cocker Spaniel Club who ran an ASC Agility trial at Purina Farms the weekend before the National to make sure that site would be available for our use for the 2019 National. The runs were filled the entire weekend, and the trial even made a slight profit! Thanks to the Mid-Michigan Cocker Spaniel Club for taking this on!

Plans are underway for the 2019 National, which will be held at Purina Farms, as well as the 2019 ASC Flushing Spaniel Show in Knoxville, TN.

Volunteers are always welcome to help with any of our shows or other activities.

Keep hugging those dogs and having fun with them – keep it merry!!

Diane Kepley, President