CH. Signet’s Study In Black, CGC
Michelle and Blackie
ended their Juniors career with a bang when they were picked from the Junior
classes to go to the Finals at Westminster on February 14, 2006. This is a
first for a collie junior because no other junior with a collie (rough or
smooth) has ever made it to the finals. All of Michelle and Blackie's hard
work paid off with this fabulous award!
Michelle, Blackie and judge Samuel McDonald
at Westminster 2006 after making it to the finals.
Watch
Michelle and Blackie in the
Finals and
Preliminaries 4
at Westminster 2006!
(you first see her in the middle of the video and on)
On November 24, 2005,
Michelle took Blackie up to Springfield, MA to show him in a limited entry
Junior Showmanship competition. Only 4 Juniors and their dogs were taken
to the Finals, and Michelle and Blackie were one of those teams. Judge
Andrew Batey put the four teams through the paces only to pick Michelle and
Blackie as the
Top Northeast Junior Handler of the Year 2005.
Michelle received a $1,000 scholarship to be put towards the college of her
choice (Univ. of Mary Washington) and bragging rights for the years to come.
Mary Beth O'Neill (L), and judge Andrew
Batey with Michelle and Blackie after winning Top Northeast in 2005.
Michelle and Blackie with Judge
Eric Ringle at the Westminster Kennel Club in Junior Showmanship, 2004.
CH. Signet's Study In Black, aka Blackie, was our daughter Michelle's Junior Showmanship dog. Michelle took over handling Blackie at his third show and promptly completed his championship in five consecutive shows, finishing with three back to back majors. This was a first for Michelle.
Michelle and Blackie have developed quite a bond which is necessary for the tough competition they faced in the Open Senior ring. Michelle took Blackie to the AKC/Eukanuba Invitational in December 2004 and they had a great time and made a wonderful picture together. It didn't hurt that Michelle lavishes him with special attention befitting the team that they are!
More recently, Michelle and Blackie won Best Junior Handler at the 2004 Collie Club of America National. The team has already qualified for both Westminster 2005 and the AKC/Eukanuba Invitational.
Michelle and Blackie with judge Hildy
Morgan after winning Best Junior Handler at the Collie Club of America's
National Specialty Show in 2004.
Grandsire: CH. Marnus Golden Ruler, ROM Sire: CH. Signet's Twice Is Nice, ROM, ROMX, AOM, CGC Granddam: CH. Signet's Hopelessly In Love, ROM CH. Signet's Study In Black, CGC (DOB: 09-15-01) (Littermate to CH. Signet's Time and Again)
Grandsire: CH. Marnus Showtime Dam: CH. Signet's Always and Forever Granddam: CH. Signet's Band of Gold