WINDROCK

Our lovely Windrock Toni The Tiger  "Toni " gave us an especially wonderful Valentine's gift this last weekend! 

 This fire red brindle full sister of "Awesome Amber" (MBIF NFC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC Fch)  proved that she is isn't bowing down to her famous sister's reputation.

Toni made good on her intentions to garner some glory of her own by winning back to back 5 point major wins at the giant CKC/Plum Creek KC shows. She clearly dominated the competition this weekend by winning Winners Bitch, Best Of Winners, and Best of Opposite both days for 10 points!

The Colorado Kennel Club also sponsored health testing and Toni was heart cleared by the OFC cardic specialist. Toni has passed with flying colors one more of those all important health exams!

Youngster "CJ" (Windrock Calamity Jane) had a nice start at these shows. She was Best Bred By and Reserve Winner's Bitch to Toni on Saturday.

Meet Windrock Calico Sue! "Taylor" is one of the best show bitches that WINDROCK has raised to date, and people still can't believe we let this one go!

Colin and I often entrust our very best to aspiring fanciers and breeders who have the passion and vision to be future guardians of the greyhound

"Taylor" recently won WB two days at the Palm Springs Hound Show in California.

 "Taylor"  is owned and handled by Heather and Shawn Elrick. 

WINDROCK has cause to celebrate!  2009 will go down as one of the most memorable years EVER!  Once again, keeping with proud tradition WINDROCK greyhounds are in the Top 10 rankings in both the show ring AND on the coursing field.  We are very proud of the many noteworthy Champions and the high accolades they earned this year. Permit us the pleasure of recapping some of the highlights from 2009!                                         

Winner of 2 National Titles in 2009!   

The one and only MBIF NFC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC Fch!! 

 Amber's first National win was Best Of Breed at the ASFA National Greyhound Specialty. Her second National truimph was being judged by a four judge panel as  the AKC's National Field Champion for 2009. 

 The National was over all sighthound breeds and  was the largest to date in AKC history!                                                                                     

On Top In Canada~For The Third Straight Year! 

Can Ch Windrock Blue Sky Morning won  Reserve Best In Show honors and multiple group wins in 2009. 

 "Ryan" is again Canada's #2 Greyhound and stasrted his quest for his AKC Championship in grand fashion by winning  back to back majors on the WSCS weekend in Lompoc, CA.

This beautiful blue brindle has been  exclusively owner~handled by Sheila  Ehmann to all of his wins. Ryan is fully mature and ready to make his mark in 2010.

 Another GCA National Specialty Win For WINDROCK!

 DC Sobers Ippolito's  lookalike son, Windrock Wild Sensation SC is awarded WD,BOW and an AOM by the incomparable Michelle Billings at the 2009 Greyhound Club of America National Specialty.

 "Cole" also won a Group One from the classes and earned his SC title.

WINDROCK bred or owned greyhounds have won specialty majors at the last 3 consecutive GCA Nationals.

Another year's maturity should look especially good on this commanding youngster!

Watch for this rising star in 2010!

  DC Windrock Hocus Pocus SC Fch, DC Sobers Ippolito SC and DC Windrock Luck Be A Lady Eldomar SC all joined the elite ranks of a select few by earning AKC Dual Championship titles  in 2009. 

DC Windrock Hocus Pocus "Wicked" (pictured right) was Runner-up to overall Grand National BIF honors in 2009!

Greyhounds DC Windrock Luck Be A Lady Eldomar SC, DC Windrock Hocus Pocus, Ch Windrock Platinum Edition JC, Ch Windrock Wild Party, Grp. placing Can Ch Windrock Wild Thing, and UKC Ch Windrock Wild Temptation JC all became show Champions in 2009.

 Pictured on the left, Can. Ch Windrock Wild Thing "Lacey" won multiple group placements enroute to her Championship.

  She is one of three littermates to finish show championships in 2009 . Lacey won a 5pt Hound Show major win in 2009 and has a great start for her AKC Championship.

The lovely blue fawn UKC Ch Windrock Wild Temptation JC, "Lilli" became a UKC Champion and won Res. Best In Show while doing so.

She was one of five WINDROCK greyhounds to earn coursing titles in 2009 and is the charming companion of Sharon Couzin.

  The speed and agility demonstrated by DC Sobers Ippolito SC,  "Ayden" laid to rest the myth that "big dogs can't run". 

 Not only did this handsome Italian attain his Dual Championship in fine fashion, he further distinguished himself by winning both the Master M'Grath and Fullerton Cups the day after the ASFA Greyhound National.  He was a strong contender in ASFA events last year and needs only ONE point to finish his ASFA Fch.

Ayden also sparkled in the showring, he won an AOM at the WSCS and was undefeated in Stud Dog Classes.  He is the sire of multiple group, specialty, champion and field titled get in 2009.  Other WINDROCK greyhounds did exceptionally well in GCA Specialities~DC Windrock Luck Be A Lady Eldomar, Windrock's Fat Tuesday SC both won Award of Merits as did WINDROCK owned DC DM Summer Squall Of Scatpack Fch.

We thank all those talented greyhounds and their owners for helping to make 2009 one of the best years ever!

 This was the President Ford's offical Christmas Card in 1975!

It has been a long favorite with Colin and I as it reminds us of the old homestead.

It's Christmas Eve. Feeding's done, cattle are content. Big white snowflakes are dancing, adding to the foot of snow already blanketing the ground.  I made a batch of popcorn for the hounds and hot "Tom and Jerrys" for us.  Colin and I are going to enjoy a quiet Christmas Eve at home while the kids happily crunch popcorn. 

We wish to all a Merry Christmas !

 The AKC National Lure Coursing Championships were held on Dec 5th and 6th in Florence, Texas on the beautiful Double-H Ranch.  The 2009 National was the largest in AKC history and was a huge success thanks to the combined efforts of the working memberships of The Afghan Hound Club of Austin and the Tulsa Sighthound Association. The best sighthounds of all breeds attended the two day event held on the picturesome Double~H Ranch property.

  Stride for stride, our "Doobie" in yellow runs with the excellent running greyhound "Santa Anna" which is from the famed Windyglen Kennel of Don and Sally Papin.

Santa Anna was BOB on Saturday!

 They're OFF and Running~

 The final runoff for Best Greyhound was held between Saturday's BOB winner~ Santa Anna in blue, Sunday's    BOB winner Amber in pink~, and Ayden in yellow who was the high scoring dog (non BOB winner of the two days)    All three greyhounds ran a beautiful course. Amber was the overall "Best Greyhound " winner of the National and Ayden tied for second with Santa Anna and was the High Scoring Dual Champion!  As an added bonus, WINDROCK greyhounds took home the Breeder Stake awards for both days!

THE BEST OF THE BEST

The 2009 AKC National Lure Coursing Champion 

 MBIF NFC 2009 Windrock Candle In The Wind SC FCH!!

Pictured in the photot from left to right is one of the AKC National lure operators, Gary Runyan, AKC Lure Coursing Rep, Bob Mason and Judge Laurie Soutar. WINDROCK's Kim Fritzler is kneeling holding the newly crowned National Champion, MBIF NFC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC Fch!  "Awesome Amber" lives up to her nickname!

 Amber's National Championship ribbon is almost as big as she is!

 Our amazing runner can now lay claim  to a new title!  She is now MBIF NFC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC FCh! "NFC" stands for National Field Trial Champion!

Owing to Kim's back surgery, Amber only ran in a mere handful of field trials this year. Yet, she was Top 3 ranked in 2009 for BOTH ASFA and AKC rankings which is a brilliant achievement considering the most of the top contenders  have competed in many more events.

Even with very limited partisipation, our Amber is very close to both her LCX and LCM.

We are hoping to pursue Amber's AKC bench championship in 2010 and are planning a litter for her in 2011.

 This year's competition was the fourth running of the ASFA National Greyhound Specialty. The event is hosted by the Southeastern Greyhound Club and was held on the beautiful Bear Creek Farm which is located near Moreland, Georgia.

 The ASFA National  trophy table was a work of art in itself. There were many costly and beautiful items. The lucky winners win the right to honor the trophy in their homes for one year and then it is returned for the next year's winner. Trophy donations by generous donors made possible lovely keepstake trophies which the winners keep!                 

Competition by the hounds was fast and furious!  Our Ayden digs in and throws turf to make the turn and to keep up with pink dog. In lure coursing dogs are identified and scored by the colors they wear.  Our greyhounds get very excited just by the SIGHT of their coursing jackets.

The Runoff for Best Of Breed ~

The keen competition for the ASFA National Champion Best Of Breed winner narrowed down to these three!

The Veteran Stake winner is the black on the left. "Echo" has had a sterling career. 

The Open Stake winner is the greyhound in pink--Kelly Fidler's "Cleopatra". She is #1 in NOFA and a winner of the Grand Course.

 Amber and I are on the far right.  Amber has some nice wins and was the #1 greyhound in AKC coursing for 2008,  but she would have to run well today and make no mistakes to have a chance of winning The BEST OF THE BEST . . .

 2009 ASFA Greyhound National Best Of Breed~

 MBIF FC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC Fch

  "When I saw Amber at the national specialty she was the very image of my picture
of the ideal wasp waisted lure coursing/open field Greyhound bitch with that
look in her eye that no one has ever put into words.. She made everybody else
look bad."

Bob Jahn, owner of many #1 hounds

2009 marks the 14th running of the Fullerton Cup.

The event was also held at the Bear Creek Farm, thanks to generous hosts Hal and Linda Barry.

 This was my first time attending a NLLC event. 

Not familiar with the format ,  I was a bit confused at first.  My greyhounds weren't the least  bit fazed, they got to RUN again, so it was a GREAT day by their way of thinking!

The 2009 Fullerton Cup was judged by Arron Atmore!

 Arron  Atmore has been a coursing enthusiast since he was a boy.

He became a licensed slipper as a teenager, and ultimately rose to the pinnacle when he was appointed slipper of the 2001 Waterloo Cup at the age of 31.

 He and his wife Frances breed and own coursing and racing Greyhounds, and are the proud owners of Suncrest Tina, winner of the 2000 Waterloo Cup.

Off the field, Arron is an architect and Frances is a veterinarian.

 At the NLCC-sanctioned all-breed Fullerton Cup meeting on Sunday, October 25, Arron judged all breeds ~ from the back of the Parker's 17 hand Thoroughbred!

Arron is very experienced in the brace elimination running format and point tally scoring system, and brought a unique perspective to the lure coursing field. 

 I was excited by the experience and could visualize many exciting possibilities.

 Astride his mount, Arron had advantages of improved vision from a higher vantage point, and the ability to quickly change position on the field. 

  Here is our Wicked and Javelin running after the drag lure.

Note that neither wear coursing jackets, neck collars are worn instead and I liked this~ colors could be slipped on and off in a flash!

The hounds are slipped in braces.  Wicked is identified by a white collar, Javelin by red. 

 Judge Atmore signals the winner of each brace by displaying a flag of that hound's neck color. The winning hound then earns the right to advance to the next flight and is matched against another hound which was also successful in winning its brace runoff.

This brace elimination format is much like what is seen in team sports, like basketball playoffs.

The difference is not only is a hounds speed and agility important, but also endurance and how cleanly the hound follows the lure.

Points are awarded for "run up"`~the hound that reaches the first turn the first. Penalties result by hounds "cheating" or cutting the course which results in no points being awarded. 

Fullerton Cup Winner~2009

 Dual Champion Sobers Ippolito SC

The 2009 Fullerton and Master M'Grath winner was our DC Sobers Ippolito SC!  The Master M'Grath is awarded to the high scoring greyhound of the day.  Many knowledgble fanciers have commented that for a "big dog"  Ayden sure runs well and has great agility. That he does. We fondly call him "the flying boxcar" .

 Ayden is shown with John Parker and Judge Arron Atmore.

The Wild Bunch Ran WILD At The National!  The GCA National was held on Wednesday, Sept 30, 2009.  The two supporting Hatboro Shows were held on Oct 1st and 2nd.  The National weekend boasted the largest greyhound entries in North America for 2009! This year the GCA National was judged by the esteemed Michelle Billings.

 WINDROCK retires yet another GCA perpectual trophy by virtue of DC Sobers Ippolito's get winning the Stud Dog Trophy!  To retire the trophy three wins were required. Previous Stud Dog winners for WINDROCK include our much loved BIS/SBIS Ch Greystone's Barcelona and his sire, BIS/SBIS Ch Shazam's The Journey Begins JC. Pictured left to right is Ayden sitting with Kim, new Ch Windrock Wild Party with owner Lou Adams, Windrock Wild Card JC with co-owned Carol Halliday, Windrock Wild Wood Weed SC with Dad Colin, UKC Ch Windrock Wild Temptation JC with owner Sharon Couzin, and Windrock Wild Sensation SC ~ all members of the Wild Bunch!

                                                Cole is following in his Dad's footsteps

  Windrock Wild Sensation SC,  "Cole" was awarded WD,BOW for a 5 point major. He was also Best Bred by and won an Award of Merit!  Earlier this year, Cole won a Group One from the classes!

 Thursday, Hatboro KC, day after GCA National:  Littermate Silly (Windrock Wild Applause) won the Bred By class for bitches, and her blue sister Windrock Wild Wood Weed SC won the American bred class!

  Windrock Toni The Tiger expertly handled by Lou Adams was fourth in a huge open bitch class! This was the only day Toni was entered . . . oops! At the GCA supported entry Hatboro shows on Thurday, the results were almost a repeat of the National!  On Thursday, Oct 1, 2009

1st and 2nd in Open Dogs were taken by brothers Blu and Oreo, Blue went on to RWD to a 5 pt major. In bitches, Silly won the Bred By Class and Doobie won the Open Bitch class and was WB for a 5 pt major!

At the Friday Hatboro GCA Supported Entry, WINDROCK's stars sparkled even brighter~

Windrock Wild Party, "Blu" was 1st in Open dogs with brother Windrock Wild Card, "Oreo" 2nd.

Blu went on to WD,BOW for a 5 pt win which finished his AKC championship in grand style! He was expertly handled to all wins by owner Lou Adams!

In bitches, littermate Windrock Wild Applause, "Silly" won Bred By, in fact she was undefeated in that class all three days!

Sister Windrock Wild Wood Weed SC, "Doobie" repeated her previous day's Open Bitch 1st and was WB again!

 Doobie now has three supported entry major wins and is within a couple of points of both her AKC  bench and field championships!

 The Wild Bunch youngsters dominated all three days~winning an astounding 4 of the 6 majors offered!

WINDROCK's "Dream Team" lure coursers had an outstanding showing all three days!  All three days Best Of Breeds were won by WINDROCK coursers. Amber was BOB on Friday and Sunday and Wicked held off stiff competition to win BOB on Saturday.

The Grand Valley Kennel Club sponsors an annual Health Fair which we support annually, We are pleased to report that we tested the following greyhounds for CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) and all passed with flying colors!

DC Windrock I've Got A Secret SC, "Whisper" (soon to be nine years young!), her sister DC Windrock Mamma Mia SC LCX Fch "Naughty", Windrock Wild Wood Weed SC "Doobie", Windrock Wild Applause "Silly" and DC Sobers Ippolito SC "Ayden".

Naughty was totally eye clear at  almost NINE years of age!  Most older dogs show some age related anomaly.  Below is a direct copy of her CERF certificate. CERF stands for Canine Eye Registration Foundation.

 Her sister, "Whisper" has a small age related cataract, not uncommon in dogs older than 7 years of age. Dogs of any breed that have cataracts BEFORE age seven are often afflicted with "JC's" or Juvenile Cataracts which is an inherited eye disease that can progress to premature blindness. This is why CERF reports are so important to responsible breeders and why so many WINDROCK greyhounds are found in the CERF database!

 Can Ch Windrock Blue Sky Morning   DOB 8/24/2006   (CERF)

Windrock Viva Las Vegas JC (OFA/CERF)  x  DC Windrock Mamma Mia LCX FCH (OFA/CERF)

 Ryan is just three years of age and is entering his prime. Owner-handled by Sheila, the pair recently                      won Reserve Best In Show honors in Canada!

Multiple Group placing Can Ch Windrock Wild Thing

WINDROCK WILD PARTY 

DC Sobers Ippolito SC  x DC Windrock I've Got A Secret SC   DOB 12/13/07    CERF

This is a wonderful snapshot illustrating perfect sidegait in a greyhound! "Blu's" new boss, Lou Adams is doing a superb job of properly presenting a sighthound and Blu's timing and extension are exactly what we like to see!

Blu is one of Ayden x Whisper's Wild Bunch kids. He is a elegant male with tremendous sidegait and was one of the standouts in his litter. We predict a bright future for this up and coming blue brindle youngster in Lou's capable hands.   Shown a handful of times, Blu has multiple BOB wins from the classes and is just a few points from an AKC bench Championship. He very well could be the first AKC Champion for his dam Whisper.

Colin and I are honored that accomplished fanciers Lou and Linda Adams have selected our WINDROCK Inc greyhounds as the foundation to build their greyhound program on. We will do our level best to help them succeed! As breeders we maintain it is what you leave behind that matters . . .

 We have been showing dogs for over 14 years. We have had AKC Champions in Samoyed, Great Dane,  Otterhound,  and Rough Coated Collie. 

Samoyed BISS Ch. Snowsong’s  Major Investment  "Major" has been shown as a special for the past 6 years.  He has won 6 Best in Specialty Shows, multiple Group wins and 5 Awards of Merit at our National Specialty with 900 plus entries.  He has also been BOB at the Westminster Dog Show in New York and the AKC Invitational.   He  has sired 15 champions to date and 2 of which have been the    #1 Samoyed’s for the past four years.

My wife and I are extremely excited to be able to start showing Greyhounds, and having WINDROCK as the foundation. Windrock Wild Party (aka Blu) at our first show in Greenville, So. Carolina  took Winner’s Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed from the classes over the #4 Greyhound in the country.

Our Blu likes peppermint candy, croissants, books, newspapers, napkins, picture frames, shoes, candles, sleeping in the middle of the bed cross wise, his eggs scrambled, bills unopened, and of course shredding. And we love him anyway!

Grp placing Can Ch Windrock Wild Thing 

DC Sobers Ippolito SC  x  DC Windrock I've Got A Secret SC    CERF

 Inland Wilderness Hunt Club AKC Trial

Best In Field over a 100+ entry was our "Amazing Amber", #1 in AKC LC in 2008!!

 Western Combined Sighthounds Specialties (WSCS)~ 2009 

We've just returned from our 2009 Lompoc adventure. WINDROCK had a termendous showing-some of the results are briefly listed below:

Ch Sobers Ippolito SC wins an AOM and the Stud Dog Class at the GCA Specialty and finishes his DUAL Championship title!  Windrock Wild Wood Weed JC is RWB at the specialty and wins a 5pt major in the GCA LC. At the Lompoc supported entry she is WB for a 4pt major!  Windrock Wild Sensation JC is RWD at the GCA Specialty and picks up 2 Senior Coursing legs!  Can Ch Windrock Blue Sky Morning wins back to back WD,BOW for 8 pts at both the Lompoc KC specialty supported shows. Puppy Windrock Calico Sue wins RWB to a 4pt major at the Sunday Lompoc show.  DC Windrock Hocus Pocus SC Fch wins the Coursing Bitch class and the Field Champion Stake at the GCA Lure Trial.  DC DM Summer Squall of Scatpak SC FCh wins Best Veteran, Best Dual Champion and an AOM!!

 DC Sobers Ippolito SC x DC Windrock I've Got A Secret SC   dob 12/13/07

It's True! There was a very wild weed in the form of WINDROCK's beautiful solid blue bitch "Doobie!"  aka Windrock Wild Wood Weed JC! A full sister to our Windrock Wild Applause "Silly", Doobie had a wonderful showing out at the WSCS.

 At the GCA Western, she was RWB to a 5 pt major and also was the Best Bred by in show.This was her first out since the National here a year ago and Kim certainly had her hands full with Doobie who was of the opinion that stacking and slow trotting around the ring was BORING, it was time to RUN! Fortunately Judge Gail Burnham saw Doobie's quality through her puppy antics.

The next day Doobie wasn't entered in conformation, but instead had her wish to run fulfilled at the GCA Lure Course--she won an open stake for a 5pt major, narrowly edging out her father Ayden who came in second. 

At Lompoc KC on Sunday found Doobie back in the ring where she won WB for a 4 pt major!  Her 1/2 brother Ryan was WD,BOW and puppy Windrock Calico Sue was RWB!

 Competiton was fast and furious at the GCA Lure Trial on Saturday, the day after the Specialty judging.

In this course, Ayden in blue is strongly challenged by the pink dog and you can just see Ayden's son Cole behind the pink dog!

It was a great turn out with a good number of Greyhounds running.

We are grateful to Gail Burnham and Sheila Grant, for without them, greyhound lure coursing at the GCA Western  would not be a reality!

                           New Dual Champion Sobers Ippolito SC

 Ayden is now in pursuit of his ASFA Championship!!  Ayden was bred by the famed Sobers of Italy and imported by WINDROCK.  He has proven to be an excellent sire but most importantly, he is our "bestest buddy!"

RFKC July 11, 2009.  Today was a very special day for WINDROCK!  FC Windrock Hocus Pocus SC Fch, "Wicked" following in the footsteps of her illustrious mother, DC Windrock Mamma Mia LCX, Fch, joined the ranks of elite few by earning the title of DUAL Champion!! 

 Wicked is one of 5 Champions for Mamma Naughty, and we were elated that she completed her bench champion title with a strong 4pt major win over some lovely bitches. Wicked finished her AKC Championship entirely from the Bred By class with 3 majors! "Elvis", pictured below, is Wicked's brother!

Wicked is as keen as they come and  she is a favorite subject  with photographers. These photos show why!!

New Champion Windrock Platinum Edition  

Windrock Viva Las Vegas JC x MBIF DC Windrock Mamma Mia LCX Fch 

 There were several reported sightings of ELVIS on all four days of the Apple Blossum Cluster, May 22,23,24 & 25th at Kalamazoo, Michigan!

The rumors are true! Elvis WAS in Kalamazoo! We received an excited phone call from Jackie Vano. Her blue fawn "Naughty" son "Elvis" was rockin' and rollin' the entire four day run of the shows and won FOUR consecutive majors and three BOBs!

Excellent showing for this commanding youngster. When queried about his exciting wins and new AKC Championship status, Elvis had but few words~"Thank you, thank you very much!" and then he was GONE !

Early morn on May 18, 2009. Every other thing in the house is fast asleep and has been that way for HOURS.

 It is a fact of Nature that expectant Mom seems to put off delivering until the LAST possible instant. Javelin stares at me, while I stare at her, and Time inches by oh so slowly .

 Javelin looks at me expectantly. She KNOWS something big is about to happen, surely I am there to handle it for her?

 Yet, when the Time came, Javelin's motherly instincts kicked in just fine.  Look at this little blue fawn darling!

 OK, so this isn't news about our WINDROCK crew, however, this May 2009 marks a milestone of which I am very proud.  I (Kimberly Fritzler) have been a employee of UPS for 20 years this May.  I am a seniority driver with my own route and I have great customers that know they can count on me. It is a tough job, to be a UPS driver~the hours are long and the working conditions are strenuous and demanding. A successful driver has to be in top physical and mental condition and has able to work effectively and SAFELY under pressure to get the job done. I have had a great career at UPS and am honored to work with some of the best people in the delivery business!

**UPDATE** Jan 2010. After MAJOR back surgery by noted surgeon Dr Larry Tice, I am glad to say that I am once again behind the wheel of "Big Brown." I may be one of very few UPS delivery drivers with hardware in my back to gain necessary medical clearances to make a comeback.  I am most grateful for the advances in modern medicine, the surgical skills of Dr. Tice and the opportunity to return afforded to me by UPS.

The Rocky Mtn Borzoi Club hosts annual AKC trials at the Zoiboy place owned by Tom and KC, and it is always well attended affair as the membership work hard to make it a great event.

WINDROCK had a great showing on Saturday with first timers Cole and Doobie earning JC legs. Competition was very keen in Greyhounds and we were delighted that Ayden won the open Stake and his second major. With this win, Ayden is very close to his Field Championship. Amber was BOB. The next day, which was Mother's Day, the WINDROCK kids tried very hard to make the day special for their Mom and they succeeded! Cole and Doobie earned JC titles and Doobie went on to win the Open Stake for a 5 pt major AND BOB!!  A brilliant showing for this youngster.

Naughty's 6 month puppies had a wonderful time, meeting for the first time Borzoi, Afghan Hounds, Salukis and so many other dogs and people! 

After this weekend, our WINDROCK crew will stay home while we look forward to welcoming new little puppies which will be arriving very soon.

For all those special Moms out there, this one's for YOU~

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who have children that are bit hairy than others and walk on four paws!

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick dogs in their arms, wiping up barf laced with edible and inedible things and saying 'It's okay baby, Mommy's here.'

Who have sat on the floor for hours on end soothing dogs who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with dog hair on their suits and poo bags in their purse, coat pocket, pants pocket and all other pockets.

For all the mothers who make their own dog food and treats.

And all the mothers who DON'T.

This for the mothers who help the new mothers deal with the loss of their litter. And the mothers who help them cope when they are given new homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections consists of ribbons and photos.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns off, sweated gallons and swatted away bees to watch their precious prance into a ring and achieve 2nd place and then jump around as though they had won best in show.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their dogs in the park and firmly tug the leash to get their attention.

And for all the mothers who count to ten because they realize how animal abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who go to the special pet stores to collect the proper treats, food and toys no matter that it take 3 stops and 50 stoplights.

This is for all the mothers who taught their dogs to sit, come and stay.

And for all the mothers who opted for sit.

This is for all the mothers who teach their dogs agility and obedience and actually understand that it needs to be FUN!

This is for every mother who automatically sucks in their breath when she can't see a leash on a dog in the non-fenced front yard.

Then relaxes when she realizes that the dog is sitting on it.

This is for all the mothers who took their dog to the vet assuring them that there would be no needles only to be told they need a blood sample.

For all the mothers whose dog has gone missing and was returned because she had the forethought to have chip put between its shoulders.

What makes a good Mother anyway?

Is it patience? Compassion? Ever available treats?

The ability to answer the door, hold back the dog and deal with a phone call all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you walk out the door to your job every Monday through Friday knowing that 2 eyes are boring into your back?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread when you hear the sounds of heaving at 2:00am?

Years later, the guilt that won't go away when you have no other choice but to put your friend down?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so this is for you all. For all of us...

This handsome blue fawn lad is Windrock Sin City Playboy JC, RA, aka "Andretti". He was so named by owner Lisa Stine because "he is wicked fast and low on the corners!".

Andretti is a versatile greyhound!

He has won a specialty BOSweeps and is needs just a couple of legs for his Rally Excellent title.  He is currently in training for BOTH  Novice and Open obedience.

In addition to having a well-rounded portfolio, Andretti is a wonderful ambassador for the breed.  He is proof positive that a greyhound can succeed in just about any endeavor. We join Andretti's legions of fans in wishing him good luck in whatever ring he pops up in!

This happy girl  is FC Windrock Luck Be A Lady Eldomar SC. "Dee" is Andretti's full sister! and is also owned by Lisa . 

Dee made short work of her AKC Field Championship and is but a major away from obtaining her conformation championship. With any luck she will join elite Dual Championship status yet this year!

Both Dee and her brother Andretti have been owner -handled to all of their wins by Lisa in tough California competition.

WINDROCK is a firm advocate of the owner-handler and we are very proud of Lisa and her greyhounds.                                                                   

FLASH!!  A NINE year old daughter of our late, great BIS/SBIS Ch Shazam's The Journey Begins JC (#1 Greyhound in 1996 & 1997 ) won Best Veteran enroute to an Award Of Merit at the Greyhound Club Of America Southern Specialty!  

 "Miss TueZee" didn't stop there, she also won the Veteran's Stake at the Lure Course!! Huge congrads to Windroc's Martigra Fat Tuesday SC and her Mom Elissa Thompson who owner-handled her to these great wins!

 WINDROCK sends special congratulations to the SBIS winner,  Ch Quicksilver Sierra's Jaguar bred by Hillery Knopell and owned by Dr Shelley and Bill Hempel! 

 The International Kennel Club shows are some of the biggest shows in the Midwest.

WINDROCK bred greyhounds had a great showing, winning 3 out of the 4 sets of points.

"Oreo" pictured here at right was WD,BOW on Saturday handled by his good friend and co-ownerCarol Halliday. This was this stunning black and white boy's first out and he sure turned some heads.

Oreo is sired by our Sobers import "Ayden" out of WINDROCK's lovely Dual Champion, Whisper. He is one of several exceptional puppies just now making thier appearance in the ring. Check out his sister "Lilly" below right!                                   Windrock Wild Party

 ELVIS  was seen at the  International! 

There were numerous reported sightings of the King and a lucky photographer snapped this photo!

 Windrock Platinum Edition aka "Elvis " is a lovely blue fawn male that was WD,BOW on Sunday.

 Elvis is a son of our formerly #1 ranked MBIF DC Windrock Mamma Mia SC.

He is a littermate to  #1 ranked Can Ch Windrock Blue Sky Morning, Ch Windrock Scarlet O'Hara, BIF FC Windrock Hocus Pocus  SC FCh and Ch Windrock Ring Of Fire.

Elvis has LEFT THE BUILDING . . . not to worry, he'll BE BACK!!

                         Windrock Platinum Edition

 Windrock Wild Temptation, fondly known as "Lilly" by her owner Sharon Couzin was RWB on Saturday but won the points by going WB on Sunday! 

Lilly is just about as pretty as little girl greyhounds come!  Note her gentle curves, low hocks and  overall balance.

Ozing type, Lilly more than any of her sisters, she resembles her highly regarded Mum, our beloved "Whisper", Dual Champion Windrock I've Got A Secret SC.

This budding little girl will someday become a beautiful rose.

                                                                        Windrock Wild Temptation

Well, THAT'S a bit misleading!  Actually our greyhound litter named after ABBA songs turned EIGHT years young on November 11th!! To celebrate the occasion, we allowed Cassandra, Whisper and Naughty to chase the little cottontails around the property--all enjoyed the sport, even the cottontails who escaped totally unscathed!  Those veterans had the speed and dexterity that would make young coursers Wicked and Amber blush for shame . . . 

 Colin who is a master chef (or should be) prepared for all special goodies to enjoy. Dog cookies shaped like postmen, liver biskets shaped like packages with UPS stamped on them, hamburger patties shaped like cows, etc.

The girls look fantastic and have lost none of their youthful enthusiasm.  Presented for their annual check-up, our vet remarked," They don't look a day over three and are as strong and fit as a two year old. If all dogs were as these, half of the vets in the country would be out of work."  

 We join our girls in wishing all the ABBA littermates world over and their people the very best on this special day!

 Ch Windrock Go Go Gadget JC CC, better known as "Gizmo" has a portfolio that few, if any greyhounds can rival!! Not only is Giz currently Top 10 ranked in AKC conformation lisings for Group and BIS wins, this multiple Group placing greyhound has just won the 2008 Whitetail Cup which was held Oct 19th. By virtue of this wonderful accomplishment, Gizmo also finished his Open Field Coursing Championship title! 

 To the best of our knowledge, we don't believe that there has been a Top 10 ranked AKC greyhound that is Coursing Champion --certaintly not one pursuing both venues at the SAME TIME!   Gizmo is still hitting the AKC show rings and at the same time participating in  NOFCA and chasin' those jacks!  Gizmo is a good sire! He's the daddy of our incredible MBIF FC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC Fch.  who was #1 AKC LC Greyhound in 2008.

WINDROCK is deeply grateful to Phil Allen who has given Gizmo the opportunity to be one the best of the best in BOTH the ring and on the coursing field!!  Gizmo was co-bred by Anne Sheridan of Cashel Farms.

Some of Life's most golden moments are those enjoyed in the company of good friends and great running dogs!  We had a wonderful three day adventure in Falcon, CO-- the site of this year's Grand National! The CLCA folks work very hard to make the Grand National a premier event and it is tradionally well attended annually by devote coursing enthusiasts. Contestents earn the right to compete for the Best In Field marathon by running 2 of the 3 days and must earn BOB honors one of those days.

Windrock greyhounds managed to stay off fierce competition to win two coveted Best Of Breed ribbons running against some of the very best running greyhounds this side of the Mississippi! 

Windrock also swept most of the kennel and breeder stake awards for greyhounds! 

Our Amber, last year's overall BIF winner, truly runs where no greyhound has gone before! This phenomenal little hound was a hare splitting second in the overall Best In Field run-off by only ONE point.

 Amber's  BIF score was an impressive 156 and veteran courser Tipsey was third overall in standings and right behind Amber with a score of 155!

 Some of the most competitive breeds, like whippets, did not have their BOB winners in the Best In Field run. These courageous hounds had given so much of themselves in winning the Best Of Breed qualifying honors that their owners did not want to further exhaust and possibly risk their charges by allowing them to compete in the mile long course.  The Field Ch Whippet Stake had 16 worthy champions in it!  WOW.  

Whippets weren't the only breed with awesome competition and most of the breeds in attendence had impressive runs. The Greyhounds had two AA winners from Wonderland race track competing and one of these incredible speedsters was BOB on Saturday!  Fantastic duels were also seen seen in Borzoi and Afghans courses. There were others--I didn't get to watch them all!

It was exciting to see these game dogs battle each other for supremacy on demanding native terrain courses. Many of the winners had to give everything they had to emerge victorious.

 A couple of the BOB winners participating had a much easier go of it, running solo and unchallenged by competition --one of them put in a nice performance to win Best In Field honors. 

Congratulations to all the wonderful dogs and great people who made this Grand National an event to remember !

 Ayden went on to prove that not only is he a very sound and correct representative of the breed, but he can run ! Form and Function! 

 At the GCA NATIONAL SPECIALTY LURE COURSE  Ayden jumped right from the breed ring on to the coursing field!

He won a five point major by winning the open stake at his first lure coursing  trial!  Ayden was also the highest scoring AKC Champion in Trial!

 This was a nice victory over some very good coursing dogs.  Huge congratulations to Ayden's breeders, the reknown SOBERS kennels of Italy!  Ayden's #1 ranked cousin, BIS/SBIS CH Sobers Galathea at Grandcru was BOB at the National and won both Hound Groups at the supporting Lompoc KC shows.

 MBIF FC Windrock Candle In the Wind SC

 Amber Got the Bunny!!!

  Amber wins BEST OF BREED at the Greyhound Club Of America National Specialty Lure Trial!

MBIF Windrock Lookin' Better Every Beer SC FCh 

Whisper won the Coursing Class in 2007 at the WSCS  and Tipsey repeated the win in 2008.

At the 2007 GCA National, DC Windrock's Josie Wales won the Coursing Bitch class. 

At WINDROCK we strive to breed for good looking and functional greyhounds, a difficult task at best.

Tipsey was the Coursing Bitch Class Winner at the 2008 GCA National!!  

Judge Knut Fr. Blutecher had this to say about her:

1st: " FCH Windrock Lookin' Better Every Beer SC, strong and feminine brindle bitch made on lovely sweeping lines. Strong head, excellent eye, well made neck, nice topline, well developed body, nicely angulated both ends, stands and moves a bit too broad and could need some longer legs. Nice mover from side."

  At the Inland Wilderness WSCS AKC trial, MBIF FC Windrock Lookin' Better Every Beer SC was BOB, repeating her 2007 win! Tipsey hasn't gotten older, she's just gotten better! She can still show those young upstarts a thing or two!     

DC Windrock I've Got A Secret SC, "Whisper" repeated her Best Dual Champion win from 2007 and by doing so, retired yet another of the GCA's Perpetual Trophies.

We are thrilled to have this beautiful trophy. Whisper's sister, Karmen won Best Dual Champion honors in 2004.

 WINDROCK will be sponsoring a new Best Dual Champion trophy in honor of our beloved Karmen.

Colin and I like to think that Karmie would have liked that .

                                   WINDROCK greyhounds have retired SIX  GCA perpetual trophies!

   Icing  on the cake was the fantastic showing of Mum Whisper's Wild Bunch kids at the GCA National.  The three sisters, left to right, Thing, Silly and Doobie  garnered the top three placements in a very impressive 6-9 month puppy class.  Far right-black puppy Cole won his class too! Class placements were left to right, starting with Doobie (blue puppy)  as the 1st place winner. It was the first time that any of these pups had stepped foot in a show ring and we were so pleased to see them behave! 

Special thanks to handlers Sheila Ehmann (pictured with Thing), Elaine Summerhill, Joan Garth and Don Ide (pictured wth Silly) for being brave enough to tackle the Wild Bunch outlaws ! 

Judge Knut Fr. Blutecher had this to say about the Wild Bunch from his written comments

Puppy 6-9 months Dogs

1st. Windrock Wild Sensation.  Beautiful black young man, in great balance, liked his size, type, excellent outline, head, lovely dark eyes, long neck, nice clean shoulders, strong topline, well made underline, nicely boned and excellent strong hindquarters, and lovely free side gait for his age. Needs to develop more depth and forechest in the time to come.

Puppy 6-9 months Bitches  Again a battle between litter mates!

  1st. Windrock Wild Wood Weed, balanced blue girl of excellent type, size make and shape, lovely frame to build    into. Very balanced. She has a very nice head, sweet expression, long neck, excellent topline, well made body for her age, nicely angulated, excellent bone and feet and she was the best mover in the class.

2nd.Windrock Wild Thing, a lovely brindle sister of the winner, who pressed her hard! Lovely quality, type and outline, excellent size to length. I loved her at once she entered the ring. Excellent head, eye, neck, topline, well angulated hindquarters, well made body, needs more time in front, nice bone and feet.

3rd.Windrock Wild Applause, another high quality young girl from this litter, lovely well made white and black, quality all through, super head, strong well made neck, topline, nicely angulated both ends, a very playful one on the move. She really enjoyed herself!

 
 A future star in the making, Windrock Wild Sensation--far right, a look-alike son of Ayden was undefeated in his two 6-9 month puppy class shows. Look at this boy's beautiful head and dark eyes (pictured below)

 As Breeders, we were hoping that our greyhounds would be well received at the National, but this recognition far exceeded our wildest dreams.

 Watch for our little darlings to follow the footsteps of their illustrious parents in the future. We had many offers from people wanting to take them home with them . . .(they would soon bring them back--these puppies are evil and rotten to the core!)

And now? The Wild Bunch puppies are out playing in the irrigation ditch, tormenting innocent frogs and rolling in the mud. They have forgotten all about their National Specialty adventure. I think they are happy to be home. We are glad the judges only see them in their Sunday Best!!                                                  

MBIF FC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC

 Amber finished her AKC Field Championship in a flash with 3-5 pt major wins and 2 Best In Field wins!   I don't know of many greyhounds that can rival that feat!

      In May of 2008, Amber won her 4th BIF.  A week later she was BOB at an AKC show.  This is our goal in breeding--beautiful, functional and  healthy greyhounds that win  honors in  the ring and the field in addition to the most important job of all--being a full time best friend!

At the Greyhound Club of America National Lure Course, Amber ran against some very good running dogs, including powerhouse Ayden who had won the open stake for a 5 pt major.  In this lofty competition she won Best Of Breed!! 

2007 Grand National Best In Field Winner!   

The Grand National is considered one of the most demanding of coursing events in the country.   A description of this event follows; "The objective of the GRAND NATIONAL is to bring together the finest lure coursing Sighthounds from the continent and to provide for them a challenging test of their relative abilities on a demanding and extended series of courses. The emphasis wil be on the individual breeds with each Best of Breed winner running approximately 2 miles during the two-day period to earn this title. In order to match various breeds aainst each other in competition, there will also be a Best-in-Event run-off approximately 1 mile in length, depending upon field conditions. "                          

                                       Best In Field at The 2007 Grand  National !!                     

  Amber makes Greyhound History!

Amber is ONE of only TWO greyhounds to ever take Best In Field in more than THIRTY years at the Grand National !  Most greyhounds just do not have the conditioning and stamina to go the distance as the Best In Field run is  approximately ONE MILE in length.

Amber was just 13 months old at the time. We think she will REALLY be something with a little bit more experience and maturity. 

This was a most memorable run of shows. Barc won all four Hound Groups and two Best In Shows!  He really turned it on and showed his little heart out.  This BIS win was especially meaningful as it came under Judge Irene Bivin. It is my understanding that although both Bivins judge dogs, they rarely agree on the same dogs. Evidently Barc was one of the few exceptions to the rule! 

Laramie Wyoming holds many fond memories for me.  Many years ago I attended the University of Wyoming, received my BA and met the love of my life, my husband Colin in the rowdy Cowboy Bar! 

Best In Show In Alaska!!  A history-making first for a Greyhound!  Barc was the first and still the only Greyhound to ever take a BIS in our largest State!  This great win was under a man who really knows Greyhounds, he has owned a number of them, Dr Alvin Krause. 

It was an exciting adventure to go to Alaska!  It was January and  the snow capped peaks and rarefied air seemed so pure and  untouched. The coats on the double coated breeds like the GSD had to be seen to be believed. The quality of dogs was very high. Don't be beguiled into thinking that a trip to Alaska might result in an "easy" BIS win. It might have been that way once, but not anymore. 

It was quite the experience to be exercising Barc and have to yield the right of way to a gigantic bull Yukon Moose calmly meandering down the middle of the road in down town Anchorage, dragging a string of Christmas lights that were entangled in its huge antlers. . . . the locals told me that Moose are common visitors!!

About Alaska? Had I gone up there when I was 20 years old, I never would have come back.

 This was to be Barc's retirement show!  No matter what the outcome, Colin and I had previously decided that this weekend of shows would be Barc's last, except for occasional specialty shows as a veteran. Barc decided to go out in style--he won both Hound Groups and a BIS!!

This show was held in Roswell, NM site of the highly publicized UFO incident that occurred back in the Forties. There is a great Alien Museum in Roswell that is a "must see" if you ever find yourself down that way . . . 

Barc's only venture in the obedience ring resulted in a High In Trial!!  I don't remember what his score was, but I THINK it was in the high 190's.  It is amazing that he even qualified at all as a wasp bit him on the side during the long down. Barc's eyes got HUGE and he kept looking at his side, but he never budged!

This was a four day run of shows that drew all of the "big guns" in dogs, the top winning specials in the country with full time  professional handlers, all the "Names." Bubba won a very nice Hound Group and when I walked into the ring with the seven other finalists, I remember thinking that I was so outgunned. Every dog had scores of Bests, as they were the #1 of their breeds, and I was the only owner handler. I wasn't nervous. Really. I KNEW I didn't have a snowball's chance in Hell, so I went in determined to just let the dog have a good time.

Bubba showed beautifully yet I still wasn't expecting the impossible.  Nor did I think it unusual when the esteemed Mrs. Anne Rogers Clark came back directly to Bubba after examining the last dog.  She whispered in the dog's ear, "Don't move", and  with her hands carefully measured every part of him. Those watching knew exactly what "The First Lady of Dogs" was doing,

Best In Show under noted authority, Dr. Quentin LaHam.  This was the first of back to back BIS wins for Bubba this glorious weekend!

The dog fancy suffered a huge loss the day that AKC judges Dr Quentin and Betsy LaHam, husband and wife, were killed in a horrific auto accident. 

With this Best In Show win  under the late Eileen Pimlott, Bubba became one of the very few greyhound dogs ever to win back to back BIS!!! We believe he is the only one in the USA to accomplish this feat owner-handled! Bubba sired two greyhound bitches that won back to back BIS wins--#1 ranked BIS/SBIS Ch Huzzah Molly Malone did this remarkable feat more than once and ranks #3 all time BIS show winning greyhound in the US. Another Bubba daughter, BIS/SBIS Ch Greycott Happy Times, also #1 ranked and a Westminster winner repeated her sire's achievement by winning back-to back BIS. A family tradition of red, white and blue!

One of the best wins of Bubba's incrediable career!!

This was Bubba's #7 BIS win and also his last. We retired him from showing shortly after. We specialed him only two years. Bubba's record setting career was even more remarkable when one considers that we only showed the dog around our work schedules on weekends, we did not use the costly magazine adertising that is so prevalent today, nor did we have finanical backing. Colin and I are just middle class hard working folks that believed in our dog.

One of Bubba's better photos. An idea of the dog's solid front and long shoulder can be gained here. Another great dog person that has left us and crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Dr Asa Mays. 

I believe this was Bubba' first SBIS win. He won 6 SBIS, 2 of them being GCA Specialties.  Some very accomplished dog experts in this photograph. On the far left, holding the greyhound picture is Gail P. Burnham She has the reknown line of Suntiger Greyhounds and is a gifted writer and accomplished author. Sylvia Hammerstrom , judge, is without a doubt one of the most