Albert Einstein once said, “If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it”. I think those words sum up the 2010 VCOI specialty. It was a year of many changes to an annual event that perhaps was seen as a traditional endeavor, which brought very little to the VCOI but was deemed necessary. However, in 2010, we had a new vision for what the event could be. An absurd idea, that seemed almost impossible at times, but one that came to fruition with the help and TLC of our club members.

The 2010 VCOI Specialty show became a record breaking event that allowed for: new classes to compete within, regional competition with all time highs in entries and a VIP hospitality tent to socialize, cool and entertain competitors.

Our Sweepstakes entry had an unheard entry of 26, and our regular classes had a whooping 52. Vizslas came from Minnesota–Oklahoma–Colorado to try their best to be the Best! With the high volume of entries, the show provided both 4 and 5–point majors, which can be extremely elusive for our breed. Key to having such an influx in entries this year was the decision to split the puppy classes. By splitting the classes, competitors were able to select the appropriate age group in which to compete which is vital; especially for our breed in which Vizslas tend to mature at different ages and a few months difference can make a huge impact on the level of maturity which is required in competition. Not only did the increase in entries provide a higher level of competition but it also meant that the VCOI was able to earn more funds to cover expenses. The club only earns on the amount of Sweepstakes entries, so ensuring that we have high numbers is key in making this a profitable annual event.

With more classes available for competitors an increase in sponsored trophies was necessary. A big “thank you” goes out to all of those who donated funds to provide competitors with beautiful, handcrafted trophies by George Haines as a token of the event. We even had folks asking if there were more trophies to sponsor! This is only reflective of the faithful camaraderie that our club has and the dedication of members who want to participate in making our club best in class. Please visit the Specialty Web Page to see a list of everyone who donated this year. Hats off to you and your contribution!

Finally, we had the addition of the VIP Tent. The tent provided hospitable amenities to those competing in the form of crate space, an area to socialize and network with friends, competition and other VCOI members, as well as the dining hall for a sponsored luncheon and the Steddum Raffle. Special thanks goes out to our luncheon sponsors: JNEK Vizslas– The Engelsmans and friends, Susan Gervais, Lorie and John Connell, Aaron and Lucia Whitfield, Erin and Corey Zarse and Sarah Bultemeier as well as the VCOI for chipping in funds in order to provide the VIP tent. I think this is a definite “must” for future events as it provided such a positive addition to the experience. Aside from the above, the VIP tent also gave attendees ringside seats for the Sporting Group Competition in which we all rooted for our favorite Vizsla: “Winston” the Best of Breed winner! Owned and Bred by Cathy Gallagher and shown by Chris Hajek.

More thanks goes to participants in the Steddum Raffle. We had some aggressive raffle dealers, Jill Hoffbeck along with my hubby Jeff, who did a most excellent job of selling tickets for “The Couch Potato” framed and matted by Pam Spurgeon. We raised $185.00 from this raffle!

It‘s important to note that none of this would have been possible without the open–mindedness of Kathy Harmer who warmly welcomed the “newbie” who brought with her tons of “absurd” ideas! Together, we really made this event come to life and I can’t wait to start planning next year’s specialty!

Here are the results of the 2010 VCOI Specialty Show!

Friday Results
Judge: Mr. Donald Booxbaum – 23 Entries
Winners Dog and Best of Winners: Sizzlevilles Ramblin Rambo
Reserve Winners Dog: JNEK Cooper’s Hawk
Winners Bitch: Hilldale’s Khloe
Reserve Winners Bitch: Kick em Up Morgan LeFey
Best of Breed: CH Renaissance Girls Gone Wild
Best of Opposite: CH Sir Winston Of Sienna Pointe
Select Award: CH Woodland’s Copper Scout
Select Award: CH Zeeva

Saturday Specialty Show Results
Sweeps Judge – Ms. Pat Berger – 26 entries

Best in Sweeps: JNEK’s Teton Mountain Man (Sire: CH Skipfire's Mountain Milo — Dam: CH JNEK’s Empress Gidgette — Owner: Aaron–Lucia Whitfiled)

Best of Opposite: JNEK’s Red Burning Ember (Sire: CH JNEK’s Chairman of the Board — Dam: CH JNEK’s Shooting The Breeze — Owner: Sarah Bultemeier)
Best Veteran Sweeps: CH Prairie’s Cobalt Blue VCD1 JH AXJ
Best Opposite Veteran Sweeps: CH Mehagian’s Zip–A–Dee–Doo–Dah SH AXP OJP OAP OA

Regular Classes Judge – Mr. Ken Murray – 52 Entries
Winners Dog and Best of Winners: ReMark’s Addicted To Coffee
Reserve Winners Dog: JNEK Crimson Pride
Winners Bitch: Hilldale’s Khloe
Reserve Winners Bitch: Priden Joy Lady Rickenbacker
Veteran Dog 7–9 yrs.: CH Sunnyside’s Harbor master JH
Veteran Dog 9+ yrs: CH Nordic’s Hot Digity Dawg JH AX OAJ NAP OAP NJP
Veteran Bitch 9+ yrs: CH Copperfield Front Paige News
Field Trial Dog: NGDC NAFC DC AFC Crimson’s Twenty Gauge Ruger SH

Best Of Breed: BISS CH Sir Winston Of Sienna Pointe (Sire: CH Pirok Tegla MH — Dam: Sunnyside Dawn's Charisma JH — Owner: Cathy Gallagher)
Best of Opposite: CH Kirches Csinos Penni
Award of Merit: CH Sunnyside’s Harbor Master JH
Award of Merit and Select: CH Hilldale Blu Raisn A Rukus Riley

Sunday Results
Judge Mrs. Judith Goodin – 41 Entries

Winners Dog and Best of Winners: Magnolia’s Divine Comedy (Sire: CH Sunnyside’s My Pal Pagageno JH — Dam: CH Heartsong Remembrance RN)
Reserve Winners Dog: ReMark’s Addicted to Coffee

Winners Bitch: Remark’s Oakleaf Fine N’Dandy (Sire: CH Oakleaf's Dandy Dalton SH — Dam: CH Remark's RU Gonna Go My Way JH — Owner: Janet Veit, DVM and Brian Schumacher)
Reserve Winners Bitch: ReMark’s Coffee In the Morning
Best of Breed: CH Renaissance Girls gone Wild
Best of Opposite: CH JNEK’s Little Deuce Coupe
Select: CH Woodland’s Copper Scout

Select: CH JNEK’s Empress Gidgette (Sire: BIS MBISS VBISS CH JNEK’s King Ralph JH ROM — Dam: CH JNEK's Royal Elegance JH ROM — Owner: Susan and Dave Gervais)

Special thanks to our sponsors who helped make this event a success!!

2010 Specialty Show Sponsors General Trophy Fund Donors are:
The FitzSimmons Family and Sizzleville Vizslas
BEST OF BREED – Cathy Gallagher, Sienna Pointe Vizslas
BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX – Jodi & Dan Cieslak, Tru Vizslas
BEST OF WINNERS – Linda & Jim Busch, Busch Vizslas
WINNERS DOG – Michelle Princer, Toni’s of Winnebago
RESERVE WINNERS DOG – Mike Dalby
WINNERS BITCH – Kathy Harmer & Sue Barnes, Polar Kap Vizsla
RESERVE WINNERS BITCH – Jan Cox, Heartsong Vizslas
PUPPY DOG CLASS, 6 MOS. & UNDER 9 MOS. - Cheryl Peterson – In Memory PridenJoy’s Nordic Ruddy Duck “Drake” 1–8–08 to 4–26–08
PUPPY DOG CLASS, 9 MOS. & UNDER 12 MOS. - Dave & Susan Gervais
12 MOS. & UNDER 15 MOS. DOG CLASS – Nancy & Charles Chadwell
15 MOS. & UNDER 18 MOS. DOG CLASS – Connie & Rick Forner
NOVICE DOG CLASS – Kathy & Jeff Engelsman, JNEK Vizslas
AMATEUR OWNER HANDLER, DOG CLASS – Pam & Mark Spurgeon, In Memory of our Lovely Little Girl Madison
BRED BY EXHIBITOR DOG CLASS – Pam & Mark Spurgeon, Crimson Sky Vizslas
AMERICAN BRED DOG CLASS – Kathy & Jeff Engelsman, JNEK Vizslas
OPEN DOG CLASS – Greg Hedien
PUPPY BITCH CLASS, 6 MOS. & UNDER 9 MOS. – Dennis & Patty Nowak
PUPPY BITCH CLASS, 9 MOS. & UNDER 12 MOS. – Dave & Susan Gervais
12 MOS. & UNDER 15 MOS. BITCH CLASS - The FitzSimmons Family
15 MOS. & UNDER 18 MOS. BITCH CLASS - Brian Gingrich, B.G. Gun Dogs
NOVICE BITCH CLASS - Mara Dana Fizdale
AMATEUR OWNER HANDLER BITCH CLASS - John & Megan Looby
BRED BY EXHIBITOR BITCH CLASS, Amanda Lounsbury Kosanda.
AMERICAN BRED BITCH CLASS - Eric & Shelly Kliefoth
OPEN BITCH CLASS - Linda & Jim Busch, Busch Vizslas
VETERAN DOG CLASS, 7 YRS. & UNDER 9 YRS. – Kathy & Jeff Engelsman, JNEK Vizslas
VETERAN DOG CLASS, 9 YRS. & OLDER, – Jodi & Michael Kast, In Memory of our Dear Bentley
VETERAN BITCH CLASS, 7 YRS. & UNDER 9 YRS. – Kathy & Jeff Engelsman, JNEK Vizslas
h VETERAN BITCH CLASS, 9 YRS. & OLDER - Bob & Rae Ann Jones, Sizzleville Vizslas
FIELD TRIAL DOG CLASS - Kim Barker
FIELD TRIAL BITCH CLASS - Michel Berner, Mira Vizslas, AKC Reg’d

Hospitality Luncheon Sponsored By
JNEK Vizslas and Friends
Kathy and Jeff Engelsmann, Susan and David Gervais, John and Lorie Connell, Aaron and Lucia Whitfield, Sarah Bultemeier, Jodi Kast, Erin and Corey Zarse