On the 13th at the LKA champ show under judge Gordan Raul, although we were not entered we were very pleased to hear that the Rafa kids entered did us proud as usual. Debbie Prout’s Tikaani was placed VHC in Post Graduate Dog, Linda & Seth Jerman’s Malmo was placed VHC in Limit Dog and their girl Reina was awarded 4th place in Limit Bitch and Gaby now owned by the Justami Kennels was placed 3rd in Open Bitch. Well done to all who entered some nice placings there.
At the Ringwood Rally this weekend Adam & Louise’s Salem was highest placed Malamute – Well done to you some great working results already. Thanks to Rachel for keeping us updated on Salem’s working places.
On the 19th at Bristol Open show, judge Meg Purnell Carpenter awarded Debbie Prout’s Tikaani 1st place Graduate and BEST OF BREED. Tikaani then went on to be placed WORKING GROUP 4. Well done!
At Chepstow Open show on the 20th breed judge Mel Hardy awarded Rafa 1st Open and BEST OF BREED. Debbie’s Tikaani was placed 2nd in Open and took the RES BEST OF BREED. Rafa later went on to win the WORKING GROUP under judge Ann Hardy, shortlisted to the final 4 for Best In Show and was awarded Best Veteran In Show by judge Meg Purnell Carpenter. What a way to end this years show season for Lapema!!!! Our gratitude as always to the judges on the day and also the committee members and officials, who were so kind with their compliments on Rafa and his son.
Would just like to thank all our friends for their constant support of us and our dogs in 2009 and all judges who have shown their appreciation for our dogs during the 2009 show season – Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year – see you all on the circuit next year and wish you all lots of luck in 2010!
MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to Debbie Prout and Tikaani who after winningBEST OF BREED & WORKING GROUP 3 at Shepton Mallet Open show on the 30th December have managed to gain Tikaani's Show Certificate Of Merit just turned 19months of age 5 days ago!!!!! Tikaani (Icewolf A Touch Of Darkness) was bred by Rachel Robb and sired by our own Rafa, he is also litter brother to our own Torres. Tikaani is the first Rafa progeny to gain this title (subject to KC confirmation) and their are only 21 other Alaskan Malamutes with this title. We are so very proud of you both and of the acheivements that you have worked so hard to gain Debbie, the Lapema / Icewolf combination seems to be a winning one ; ) !
On the 8th at an ASBA working event at Losley Park, Rafa/Icewolf son Salem won his class out of 14 class entries. Well done to Adam & Louise and of course not forgetting Saffie & Zeus who I believe also ran.
On the 14th Tikaani owned by Debbie Prout won his Post Graduate class, Best AVNSC and WORKING GROUP 2 under judge Mr. E. Paterson – well done!! The following day on the 15th, a Rafa/Chayo daughter Kura owned by Kat Copley-Holland won RES BEST OF BREED at Bolsover & District – well done Kat. Also today over at Thruxton Rally, Rafa/Icewolf son Salem won his class again!!! Well done to Adam & Salem some fab results already! To top the weekend off nicely on the 15th, our own Rafa won BEST OF BREED under judge, breed specialist Avril Roper and then went on to win the WORKING GROUP under judge Anthony Rees. As always, our appreciation to all judges for some great results. Fantastic weekend for our lines, both in the show ring and on the working side. Well done to everyone.
At Plymouth & District Open show on the 21st, judge Lyn Hall awarded Debbie Prouts Tikaani 1st in the Graduate class & BEST OF BREED. Tikaani then went on to win WORKING GROUP 3 – well done!!
At the New Forest Rally which took place over 2 days on the 21st & 22nd November, Adam & Louise had some more great results with Rafa/Icewolf kids. Salem won his class on the Saturday & came 3rd on the Sunday which gave Adam & Salem 2nd place overall for the whole weekend in their class. Salem also won 2 trophies this weekend, one for the fastest single Malamute & one for the fastest Malamute team. Well done again on these fantastic working results. Salem’s buddies Saffie and Zeus also ran at this rally.
Received some fantastic news on the 22nd – Rachel & Anthony Robb’s Canadian import Star has been confirmed in whelp to our own boy Rafa. This is a repeat mating of the litter, which produced outstanding puppies who have grown on to mature brilliantly and do very well in both the show ring and the working side. The previous litter progeny include our own gorgeous boy Thorn (Icewolf A Touch Of Frost De Lapema) and Kim Jebson’s stunning red girl Shelby (Icewolf A Touch Of Class For Austmans) Congratulations to all at Icewolf on your exciting news!!!
At the Nordic Open show on the 28th judge breed specialist Mo Boyd awarded our Rafa and Fibi both 2nd places in their open classes and Debbie Prouts Tikaani 1st place in Limit. Not a show we have ever done before but being so local it will be one we will be supporting in the future.
On the 29th at Stroud and District Open show judge breed specialist Mike John awarded Debbie Prouts Tikaani 1st place in the Post Graduate class. Well done Debbie and Mr T a real red weekend for you! We are very please to hear that Icewolf/Rafa kids Saffie & Salem, owned by Adam Johnson & Louise Cursons are to be included on the official AMCUK 2010 calender, with their buddy Zeus also owned by Adam & Louise. The club must be over run with photo’s for consideration and congratulations to you for being one of the lucky ones!!
At SWKA Champ show on the 10th judge Mr Sigurd Wilberg awarded our own Rafa 2nd Open Dog & RES BEST DOG – handled by Geoff Corish. Thank you Geoff for your efforts – you and Rafa seem to be connected better and better each time. Our Fibi, handled by Kerry won her Open Bitch class and was awarded RES BEST BITCH . Mike handled our Thorn to 3rd place PG Dog – thank you Mike & Kerry handled our Torres to VHC Junior Dog. Well done also to Debbie who was placed Res in Junior with her Tikaani at this show and the following day at Okehampton & District Open show Tikaani wonBEST OF BREED & went on to win the WORKING GROUP
On the 11th at the first rally of the season at Buttersteep Rafa/Icewolf kids had a brilliant start to the working season. Salem, owned by Adam Johnson and Louise Cursons won the M1 class and Ruby, owned by Alan & Louise Burgess was 2nd in this same class. In the scooter class S1 Salem took 4th place, Ruby 6th and Adam & Louise’s Saffie took the 7th place spot out of a total of 21 dogs! Well done guys we are so pleased to hear of your fab working results and it’s good to see that Rafa can sire well for both the show and the working sides. Here at Lapema we are so happy with the standard of pups bred by combining our lines with that of Icewolf – keep it up all!!!!
At Midland Counties on the 22nd Judge Anthony Rees awarded our Fibi 1st Open Bitch & BEST BITCH – this is her first Best Bitch since undergoing major life saving surgery in May of this year following her severe uterus infection, making her awards a total of 6 Res Best Bitches, 8 Best Bitches, 1 CC and 3 Res CC’s. Still not back to full fitness and at the age of almost 8 we are immensely proud of how Fibi is recovering, it is a struggle for a dog of any age. We hope for Fibi to back to 100% for next years show season. Our Thorn was also placed Reserve in Post Graduate Dog with Debbie Prouts Rafa son Tikaani coming in closely with VHC in the same class. Although Rafa and Torres were not able to attend we still flew the flag! Another Rafa daughter who has been absent from the ring for a while, Chayo Chasing Dreams owned by Mr J & Mrs L Corkhill was also placed 3rd in the Open Bitch class, nice to see Gaby back in the ring and with a very good place in the top bitch class for a girl just turned 2years old – well done to all. As always our appreciation to the judge on the day for thinking so highly of our kids, especially Fibi.
At Driffield Championship show held on the 1st the judge Mr Richard Kinsey awarded our Thorn 3rd place PG, Rafa 3rd place OD and Fibi 2nd place OB. Debbie Prouts Rafa son Tikaani was placed 3rd in Junior and won the Yearling class – well done to you! Not only did Kerry handle all four of our dogs she had a very hectic weekend stewarding at Driffield Championship show, again she very much enjoyed her appointment and huge thanks to Roger for his support taking her along with him. After starting stewarding in July of this year Kerry has managed to gain 7 days of stewarding experience mostly at Championship show level – alot of travelling but well worth it.
On the 3rd at South West Working & Pastoral Breeds Open show, Debbie Prouts Icewolf/Rafa son Tikaani won yet another BEST OF BREED after winning Yearling under judge Mrs C Goldby. Tikaani was also shortlisted out of 16 entries in the group down to the last 8 – massive congratulations again to Debbie and her boy Tikaani.
Massive well done to Kerry again after being approached & offered her 2nd judging appointment for Alaskan Malamutes!!! Due to Kerry’s willingness to travel, she is able to judge 2 Open shows in 2010 as the societies stipulate that there must 12months or 100 miles distance between shows and with her first appointment being held in Snaith and this one in Bromyard she is able to accept. Kerry’s 2nd judging appointment is Cheltenham & District CS Open show to be held at Bromyard Equestrian Centre on the 29th August 2010.
At City of Birmingham on the 5th the judge awarded Rafa 2nd in his first outing in the Veteran dog class after turning 7 in August of this year. Other Rafa kids had a very good day with our own Torres being placed VHC in Junior dog just behind his brother Tikaani, owned by Debbie Prout who was placed 4th, Seth & Linda Jerman’s Rafa boy Malmo was placed 2nd in a very strong Post Graduate class and their Rafa/Fibi girl Reina awarded 4th in Post Graduate Bitch. Well done all some good results for our lines again.
Richmond this year was judged by Karina La Mare who awarded our lines with some very good places. Our own Torres was awarded 3rd in Junior just behind his litter brother Debbie Prouts Tikaani. Linda & Seths Reina was placed 3rd in Post Graduate Bitch. Our Rafa was handled on the day by his professional handler Geoff Corish who took the award for Reserve Best Dog after being placed 2nd in the Open Dog class behind the current breed record holding Malamute. In the short time that Rafa & Geoff have been working together we are very pleased with the results. Progressing up a notch on their second outing together – fingers crossed for a bright future!
Kerry had her first Champ show stewarding appointment at Darlington Champ show and among other breeds she was lucky enough to be able to steward the Alaskan Malamutes. It’s a rare opportunity to steward your own breed and thank you to Roger Cruden for taking Kerry along to be his junior steward. The judge Breed Specialist Jo Sugden awarded Rafa/Icewolf son Tikaani 2nd Junior dog handled as always by his owner Debbie.
On the 26th the Alaskan Malamute club of the UK held their annual championship show – this year was the 50 year anniversary show and WOW what a day for Lapema and their extended family!!!! The dog judge Breed Specialist Jill Broadberry of Hyteton Malamutes awarded our own Rafa 1st place Veteran Dog & the Reserve Dog CC – Rafa then went on to win Reserve Best In Show out of an overall entry of 222 malamutes and Best Veteran in show!!! Our other kids too had an amazing day – Chico was awarded 2nd place Open Dog which gives him a Stud Book Number and lifetime Crufts Qualification, Thorn was awarded 1st place Post Graduate dog out of a massive class entry of 25 first time out in this class, Torres was placed 4th in the Junior class with his litter brother Debbie Prouts Tikaani being placed VHC, Fibi, handled on the day by Anthony Robb of Icewolf Malamutes, was placed 3rd in Veteran Bitch by bitch judge Breed Specialist Chris John of Cristakell Malamutes. Rafa/Icewolf daughter Shelby (our own Thorn’s litter sister) owned by Kimberley Jebson was placed 2nd in a strong P.Grad bitch class, the biggest class of the day. We had such an amazing day and are over the moon with our dogs achievements on the day. We would like to thanks both judges and also the referee Roger Cruden for making this club show such a memorable show for us and our kennel – this is a show that won’t soon be forgotten that’s for sure! All males were handled by Kerry Jelfs.
AMCUK 2009 - Rafa winner of RBIS, RDCC & BVIS - pictured with Dog Judge Breed Specialist Jill Broadberry, Bitch Judge Breed Specialist Chris John & Referee Breed Specialist Roger Cruden. Photo by Alan Seymour
Kerry has received some exciting news – she has been offered her first judging appointment! The appointment is to judge 3 classes of Malamutes at Pontefract & District CS Open Show on the 7th February 2010. We are all very excited at Kerry being offered an appointment so soon after being accepted onto the AMCUK C list for judging.
Welsh Kennel Club on the 22nd was a very special show for us at Lapema Kennels as it was Rafa's debut in the ring with his new best friend, professional handler Mr Geoff Corish. It was the first time Geoff had been hands on with Rafa after only one brief encounter for introductions at Three Counties champ show back in June. Rafa took to Geoff immediately and has seemed to have made an impression with both Geoff & Michael, they have recognised Rafa's super qualities not only in his all round stunning apperance & construction but also in his outstanding temperament. We can see already from just one show that this is sure to be a winning combination of a superb specimen in a dog and the talented handling and ring presence that Geoff has. We are ecastic that Geoff & Michael are so keen to be involved with Rafa & that Rafa himself took to both of them so well. Thank you Geoff for all your efforts - it does not go unappreciated. Geoff will be handling Rafa at selected shows from now on as the 'practice run' went so well with Rafa being awarded 3rd place open dog behind two UK champions by judge Liz Cartledge. Rafa / Icewolf kids also had a good day with Debbie's Tikaani being placed 3rd JD & our own Torres placed VHC in the same class, Kim Jebson's Selby winning a very strong JB class with 15 entries & Kat's Rafa / Chayo girl Kura being awared 3rd in a massive PG class with 30 entries. Well done all, keep up the good work we are very proud of you all.
Bournemouth Champ show on the 10th, was judged this year by Noel Melling. Even though the weather wasn’t with us for the whole day and we had a few down pours it was a nice show. Debbie’s Tikaani was placed 3rd in Junior Dog with our Thorn handled by Mike being awarded 4th in the same class, so lovely to see Rafa kids being consistently placed in the cards. Rafa himself, was awarded 2nd place Open Dog but unfortunately just lost out to the Limit Dog winner, the lovely Nero for Reserve Best Dog. Fibi seemed more back to herself again and was placed 3rd in Open Bitch. Fibi has been on a course of antibiotics again last week for a slight infection after her pyo back in May but now seems to be getting back to full health and enjoyed herself as always at the show.
At Paignton Champ show on the 3rd under breed specialist Kath Howarth (Hawkams) we were over the moon to qualify our Thorn for Crufts 2010. Although he gained 3rd place in Special Puppy Dog at Crufts this year due to it being a special class it was only the 1st place dog that qualified. Kerry’s husband Mike handled Thorn to his 2nd place in Junior Dog, the first time Mike had been placed so highly at a Crufts Qualifier – well done Mike you did a fantastic job, looks like first time you will be handling at Crufts is next year with Thorn!! The Junior class seemed to be a good class for Rafa kids at this show – Thorns 2 half brothers Torres & Tikaani were also placed well, Debbie’s Tikaani actually winning the class and our Torres being placed VHC. Rafa is very proud of his kids in the ring. Also our Fibi and Linda & Seths Reina received good placings.
We were unable to attend Leeds champ show on the 26th but Debbie and Tikaani flew the Lapema/Icewolf flag and were awarded 3rd Junior dog out of a very strong class of 10 entered under Judge Christina Chapman. Well done guys. Due to the fact that Kerry has now taken a further interest in the kennels by judging etc. we needed to make sure that she could use the Lapema affix on anything official like judging. Kerry is now registered with the Kennel Club as having an interest in our kennel name. Although she co-owns 3 Lapema Malamutes and handles all the show dogs, the affix has to be officially changed to include Kerry.
On the 19th at Evesham & District Open show Kerry had her first stewarding appointment with Judge Dieter Sprung. Breeds stewarded for were, Bullmastiffs, Leonbergers, Keeshonds, Tibetan Spaniels and AVNSC Working. Kerry was lucky enough on the day that the judge was also judging the Working Groups so she stewarded for both the adult and puppy groups. Alot of great experience all in one day. Kerry enjoyed the experience very much and has several appointments for stewarding lined up for the rest of this year.
At East Of England champ show although we were not able to attend it was lovely to see such nice results for our extended family. Two Rafa daughters bred by Rachel & Anthony at Icewolf gained great places. Scarlett owned by Rachel & Anthony was placed 1st in Junior Bitch and Shelby owned by Kimberley Jebson (Austmans) was placed 2nd in the same class. Scarlett also challenged very hard for the RES BEST BITCH but unfortunately was not awarded this. Debbie Prouts Tikaani also did well by winning 3rd place in the Junior Dog class. Our homebred Reina owned by Linda & Seth Jerman was placed 3rd in Limit Bitch. Some great results there for both Lapema & Icewolf kennels.
Well done to Debbie with Tikaani who won a very strong Junior dog class at Windsor on the 5th. Lapema Malamutes also enjoyed some nice placings on the day. Very enjoyable sunny day but Rafa & Fibi are at present praying for rain – the heat here has been unbearable at the past few shows.
Kerry had sent in an application to the AMCUK to be considered for the Alaskan Malamute judging list and after the meeting of the Judges Sub Committee this month, Kerry was advised that she had been accepted to join the C List as a Breed Specialist. This means that Kerry can apply for judging appointments for Malamutes at Open Show level. At Blackpool champ show on the 28th Fibi was awarded 1st place in Veteran Bitch by breed specialist Barbara Stanier. This was Fibi’s first time out in the Veteran class as although she turned 7years old in January this year there aren’t that many Veteran classes available. We are very proud to see Fibi looking so superb in the ring and all this just 7 weeks after undergoing major, life saving surgery after suffering a pyrometra, at her age this recovery is unreal. Fibi is an inspiratio.
On May 4th at West Country Open Show Judge Pauline Amphlett (Sybasprinter) awarded a Rafa son owned by Debbie Prout, Tikaani, 1st Graduate & BOB. Tikaani then went on to win both the adult working group and the puppy working group. At the 150th Birmingham National 150th Anniversary Champ Show on the 9th , Judge breed specialist , Ms Sue Ellis (Chayo) awarded Rafa the RES DOG CC out of a total entry of 153 dogs. Rafa was unlucky on the day to come up against some stiff competition, in particular the DOG CC & BEST OF BREED winner who had travelled from abroad and is a successful show dog & prolific sire. He carries numerous titles from different countries. To be awarded the reserve behind a dog of this stature neither came as a surprise nor disgrace. Rafa himself proved to be a prolific producer also on this day as the following results of his progeny endorse, he continues to produce an amazing type. Our Torres won PD, his litter brother Debbie Prouts Tikaani came 2nd PD and 4th JD, Our Thorn was placed 5th JD, Linda & Seth Jermans Malmo was shortlisted out of 16entries in LD, Rachel & Anthony Robbs homebred Scarlett (litter sister to Torres and Tikanni) won PB and Linda & Seths Reina was placed 4th PGB out of a massive class entry of 29, the biggest class on the day. We are immensly happy with the results from the day and express our gratitude to the judge .
At Bath Canine Society Champ Show on the 25th judge Helen Burke awarded Rafa RBD, his progeny also had some lovely results including our Thorn and Torres who were placed 3rd out of Junior and 4th out of Puppy. Thank you also to Mike who helped out with the handling with Thorn on the day. Linda & Seth were also very pleased with their Rafa kids on the day Malmo & Reina who were awarded 2nd & 3rd in there classes & Debbie’s puppy Tikaani was placed 5th. Last time out in Puppy for Torres and his littermates – in with the big kids now! A lovely day had by all with some fantastic weather to match. Thank you to our judge on the day for some nice results for our kennel & our extended Malamute family. .
At Chippenham & District on the 5th judge Debbie Scott awarded Tikaani 1st in Graduate (4 entries) Best Puppy and RES BEST OF BREED. To date at Open shows, Tikaani has had 8WPG placings, won 9 BPs & a Reserve Best of Breed! Excellent record – Well done Debbie & Tikaani!
At Working & Pastoral Breeds of Wales Champ show on the 18th we had a very good day. Under judge Jill Peak, Rafa was awarded RES BEST DOG & his son Torres (Icewolf A Touch De Lapema) was awarded BEST PUPPY IN BREED. This was Torres 3rd show and his first experience of a group ring and he coped fantastically. Our Thorn and Fibi were also awarded very good places today as were all our dog’s extended family who entered.
On the 19th at Leominster Open Show, Debbie Prout’s Tikaani was awarded out of the any variety classes BEST PUPPY,BEST OF BREED, PUPPY WORKING GROUP 2 & WORKING GROUP 4 under judge Janet Forshaw – fab results!
At Worksop & District Open Show on the 15th Malmo (Lapema Gomez De Royito) won BOB and Reina (Lapema Reina Una Stella) won RES BEST OF BREED under judge Mr D Weller. Both dogs are owned by Linda and Seth Jerman.
At Bridgewater & District on the 29th Judge Tan Nagrecha, awarded Tikaani 2nd in Graduate (6 entries) BEST PUPPY and PUPPY WORKING GROUP 3 Well done to our extended family for all your placings!!!!
Tikanni (Torres litter brother) owned by Debbie Prout, won AVNSC Junior at Cheltenham and District Open Show under judge Chris Quantrill. Tikanni then went on to get PUPPY WORKING GROUP 3 . Well done Tikanni & Debbie.
Tikaani, a Rafa son owned by Debbie Prout and bred by Rachel Robb at Icewolf, added another 3 best puppy and WPG placings to his record. 14/2 Working and Pastoral Breeds Society 1st Puppy, BEST PUPPY and PUPPY WORKING GROUP 4 Judge LizBurns 15/2 Gloucester & District 1st AV Puppy, Puppy WG3 Judge Chris John 28/2 Swindon & District 1st Junior, BP, WG2 Judge Jacquie Norman
What a start to 2009 for Lapema & our extended family. At Worcester & Malvern Open show on the 3rd, Tikanni (Icewolf A Touch of Darkness) a Rafa son bred by Rachel Robb & owned by Debbie Prout, won AVNSC puppy and best puppy under judge Jim Peach he then went on to win PUPPY WORKING GROUP 3 under judge Jim Peach
At Taunton & District Open show on the 4th, Tikanni again won AVNSC puppy under judge Jan Lefevre he then went on to win Puppy Group 4 under judge Jan Lefevre. Thank you to Rachel & Debbie for keeping us up to speed on Tikanni’s progress.
At Boston & District Champ show on the 9th, Rafa won BEST OF BREED under judge Ann Hardy out of a total entry of 67 dogs. He then went on to the Working Group and judge Betty Baxter found Rafa worthy of being awarded WORKING GROUP 2! Betty Baxter writes “Group 2 went to a most handsome Malamute, strong & well constructed dog, broad chest, good topline, strong masculine head, excellent legs & feet, moved with power & drive”. We are over the moon with this placing."
At the Gothenburg National Show, Sweden, Demi (Chayo Step Ahead) a Rafa daughter owned and bred by Sue Ellis and being shown in Sweden by Pernilla, won her 1st BEST OF BREED and CAC and then her 2nd CAC on the 2nd Day. Demi is just 11mths old – what an achievement! Thank you to Sue for keeping us up to speed on Demi’s progress abroad & well done to Pernilla for handling her – keep up the good work!