After a tour of eight competitions we are at last catching up with posting our news.

The return to competitive showing started with a new venue to us, and the introduction of new Kansenji dogs at the Blackpool show. Nothing has been as normal, basically going straight into championship level competitions without any usual ring-craft club etc. that was affected by Covid. Even the chance of just practice is scarce away up here in the North, so as rusty or inexperienced as we all were, we are delighted by our achievements and a number of notable firsts for the Kansenji pack.

I won't list every result, but these are the headlines:

• A first time out with a team of 4, soon to be 5 Ridgebacks, including the first dog competing from Kansenji as Kibo and Hayley join Noor, Kali, Indy and soon Zara in the ring (when old enough).
  
• All consistently in the tickets with 14 firsts leading the other placings.
  
• Two best veteran in breed.
  
• Twice with two Kansenji in the challenge together.
  
• All qualified for Crufts 2022, with just Zara to add to the team.
  
• First time for showing three together in KC Breeder competition, 3 results bagged and needing just 10 points for Crufts.
  

But that's just half the enjoyment, it was also great to have the motorhome out and see everyone in our Ridgeback community after so long. Too many to list, but you all know we love our times together from all over the country. The tour also created opportunities to visit family, practice monsoon camp site survival with Rob & Heidi, see another Stefanie master class and catch up with my old tormentor Gordon, (the pool attendant from Spain lol).

All round, very well done to everyone on your results and just competing in this challenging time of year. Also special thanks to judges, stewards and organisers without which non of our sport would be possible. And to my Kansenji pack, I couldn't be more proud.