My family acquired our first beagle in the early 1970's. We later registered her as Countess of Cleveland (Tess). In 1975 my parents suggested that I would like to take Tess to the local exemption show. Little did we know at the time the trouble that would cause. My parents mated Tess to Bartek Baffler and we kept one pup - Lady Tia of Davistock. Tia was my first show dog. Needless to say she didn't make much of an impression on the local scene but she did serve as a useful apprenticeship. Around this time Janet Callendar (Burnhart) took me under her wing and proved to be an inspirational mentor. Over the next few years I showed Flurrie of Korwin, Burnhart Flaxen and the home bred Legin Farmer. Ch. Bayard Adam
The 'formal' pedigree show held little interest for me but I was thrilled to bits when Tess won the 'Sit up and Beg' class.
I then had a short break to attend university. During this time my parents moved to Lincolnshire. Fortunately there was a 'little Lady that bred beagles' in the village. That Lady proved to be Marion Spavin of the World Famous Dialynne Kennels. I was fortunate to spend a few months helping out at the Dialynne kennels. The experience has proved to be invaluable.
Shortly afterwards I went to work for Jill and the Late Trevor Peak (Bayard). I stayed there for 8 fruitful years. During this time I had the pleasure of co-owning Ch. Bayard Adam - my first Champion. He was Top Beagle Dog - 1991 and won the Hound Group at Driffield.
I then had some more time out for my second stint at University. During this time I concentrated on showing the Pharaoh Hounds. In 2000 I handled Annavah Medusa, Beagle Club Top Puppy Bitch, 2000, for Lynda and Pam Havard before joining Jill Peak in partnership with the Bayard affix for a short time. During this period I owned Ch. Bayard Truthful, the CC winners Bayard Orchid and Bayard Tenacity and the top RCC winning Bayard Goes All Day.
Ch. Bayard Truthful
I currently own three beagles: Rosanka Gabor, Ardvreck Cornflower and Ardvreck Bacall .