surprised when that one bitch turned out to be Marley and we won the class. Jolie was then called out to
compete for reserve against Action Drama Queen under referee Phil Brodeur. Phil chose Jolie for Reserve
Colored Bitch. I believe this was the first time that littermates have gone Best and Reserve in the same
Silverwood class. (Littermates have won different classes at Silverwood several times and in 1971, littermates
won the Silverwood Trophy and Runner Up.)
So on to the Trophy Round - I had been shocked to win Colored Bitch, but I knew that as winner of the largest
and in my opinion, the most competitive class in the show, we probably had a good shot at winning the
Silverwood Trophy. Marley continued to show her heart out and sure enough, we did. As her breeder, I also
won the Bramblemere Gay Carolynda Trophy for Breeder of the Silverwood Winner and since both Marley’s
parents were born in North America, we also won the Irene Mann Trophy for Best Second Generation North
American born Bull Terrier. Although I love and appreciate all my co-owners dearly, I will admit there’s some-
thing cool about being the sole owner and breeder of the winner so all the loot was mine!
Later that day after Silverwood, Phoebe and Sport got to have a family reunion with their sister Isla (eye-la) who
now lives in Wisconsin with Graham and Karen McGrath. Isla has taught herself to do back flips to retrieve her
favorite rubber bone in mid-air, which is pretty amazing; that girl needs to go into show business! That evening
at the banquet Brianne and I picked up ROM certificates for Jolie and Marley. Another highlight was a visit by
Captain Jack Sparrow who amused us by stealing the silverware and other charming pirate tricks.
Like many Silverwood winners, I decided to pull Marley the next day and sit and relax at ringside. I was pleased
to see Jolie go BOS in Coloreds to another Michigan-bred dog, Dale & Chris Schuur & Judy Schreiber’s Ch
Old Forge Tug McGraw at Chevalier, ROM who was Best of Variety.
I’ve since found out that Marley and Jolie’s parents, Ch Silmaril Scarlet Knight and Nuance Nonconformance
(Anna Nicole) will be recipients of the Stud Dog and Brood Bitch trophies for 2008.
After the show on Sunday I attended a judging seminar for breeders and got Marley a discount echocardiogram
at the BTCA sponsored health clinic. We had dinner and stayed with Mike’s sister and brother in law that night
and headed out the next morning to our planned destination near Jonesville, NC at a Super 8. That was a great
dog-friendly hotel, we could park outside the door, had an ample room for four crates and a big, flat grassy area
nearby. The temperature and the gas prices were both a lot lower on the way home, and all went well. Tuesday
morning we were once again up early and got home again around 6.
This was a wonderful experience, I got so many hugs and congratulations, cards, gifts, even flowers afterwards.
Needless to say we’re glad we decided to go!
And I have to finish by giving my heartfelt thanks to Douglas Rose who was willing to sell a Bull Terrier to a
fourteen year old Bully-crazed girl and encourage my interest in the BTCA, to Drue King for my foundation
Brood Bitch Emeritus and Versatility Award winner Ch Westbrook Walking Song, C.D. ROM, TT and to Kevin
Gardner and Paula Grecco for coming up with Ada when my breeding program was fresh out of bitches. My
husband Mike Briggs also deserves credit for supporting my obsession with these dogs and helping me achieve
more than I could on my own.
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