News - 2010

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11 December 2010 - West of Scotland Cat Club

 

What a fantastic way to end the year - a Best in Show win and a new grand title!  Special congratulations to:

- Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, who had a 'red card' day, winning the Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, her fourth Imperial Grand certificate, 1st prize in both her other classes, Best of Variety Foreign neuter and Best in Show Foreign Exhibit. Clever girl Xaria!

 

- Grand Premier Dushenka Stanislav, exactly one year on from his first ever show, Stan won his seventh Premier Certificate and his third Grand Premier Certificate and title - that's my boy, Stan!

 

I also had my own neuter boy Ch&GrPr Dushenka Xander there on exhibition, and was delighted to see him win best decorated pen too!

 

Many thanks to Heather and Richard, and Karen and Darren, for looking after Xaria and Stan respectively, and loving and showing them so well.  I am so very proud of them.

 

28 November 2010 - 'Blue Special', Wassenaar, The Netherlands

 

I was one of ten UK 'Russian Blue' people visiting this show, which included a presentation on the Russian Blue breed by senior judge Anne-Marie Marien.  It was great too to meet all the Dutch members of RACCS and have a good chat with all of them.  They were very good about explaining the different show system to me as well - it was my first time at a European show, and all very confusing it seemed to my GCCF eyes!

 

I was honoured to help handle one of five kittens who were judged the Best Short Haired Litter in show (and deservedly so too as they were absolutely stunning), especially as these lovely babies were nieces and nephews to my own darling Teddycakes. 

 

 

20 November 2010 - GCCF Supreme Show

 

Our annual trip to the NEC in Birmingham for the premier cat show, the GCCF's own Supreme Show, the feline equivalent of Crufts. Tasha and Ziva both managed very creditable 2nd placings in their classes, but my Supreme star has to be Xaria, Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, who won the UK Grand Premier Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter.  Xaria is the first ever Scottish-bred Russian Blue to win either of these awards at this prestigious show, and I have no shame in admitting I absolutely cried my eyes out with pride when the judge announced the results.  Her owner Heather was similarly overwrought, although she had even more reason than me for her tears, having just achieved another breed first with her Tiffanie neuter, now the first-ever UK titled Tiffanie. All show wins are special, but winning at the Supreme is beyond special.  Thank you Heather, Richard and Xaria. (There is a cat in there - enjoying the sight of all her huge rosettes!)

 

 

Xaria being awarded Best of Breed   ... her great-niece Ziva in her pink boudoir ...                 ... and her mum Tasha on sparkling silver and black

 

14 November 2010 - Royal Canin top breeder competition

 

We just got word today that we were the Top Foreign Breeder for September in the Royal Canin competition, courtesy of all the wins achieved by Yzzy, Xaria, Tasha, Ziva, Stan and Zach.  Well done again to all of you!

 

 

6 November 2010 - Ulster Siamese & All Breeds Cat Club show

 

Taking early starts to a whole new level, we left home just after midnight and headed off down the coast for the ferry to Belfast - the start of a 24 hour round trip without seeing a bed. All great fun, but it took most of Sunday to recover!  Congratulations again to sweet Xaria:

 

- Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, who again won the Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter and another reserve Imperial Grand certificate and another 1st prize in a side class



 

23 October 2010 - Yorkshire County Cat Club show

 

It was another very early start, but it's always worth visiting this friendly show for the shopping alone!  Congratulations to our winners today:

- Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, who won the Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter and another reserve Imperial Grand certificate and another 1st prize in a side class

 

- Champion Troika Ivan Tsarevich, my sweet Teddycakes won his seventh Challenge certificate, and as usual had great fun demanding cuddles from everyone he could get his paws on

 

- Champion Dushenka Tashabella, who won two 1sts and a 2nd

 

- Dushenka Zivabella, who won another 1st prize, and two 2nds.

 

 

 

Happy, relaxed Teddycakes

Photo (c) Sean Farrell - thanks again Sean!

 

 

9 October 2010 - Cumberland Cat Club show

 

Another great day today with cats I own and/or bred winning Best of Breed Russian Blue Adult, Kitten and Neuter again!

 

Special congratulations to:

- Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, who won the Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter and her third Imperial Grand certificate and another 1st prize in a side class

 

- Champion Troika Ivan Tsarevich, my sweet Teddycakes won Best of Breed Russian Blue adult again and the reserve Grand Challenge certificate, plus 1st prize in two other very strong classes

 

- Dushenka Zivabella, who won 1st open, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and 1st prize in all her other classes too - a 'red card' day.  Well done little Zivvles!

 

 

2 October 2010 - Russian Blue Breeders Association (RBBA) show

 

It was the RBBA's Silver anniversary show and took quite a feat of co-ordination and co-operation but we had Dushenka cats at this show for the first time in 21 years! Many thanks to Stan and Zach's owner Karen, who let me borrow her beautiful boys for the weekend, Lenny who drove us all down to Oxfordshire and back again, and Jane who put us all up for the night.  It was a lovely evening, and really set the mood for a lovely day at the show too. 

 

Tired, happy and proud as both boys did us proud again...

 

- Premier Dushenka Stanislav won his second Grand Premier certificate, the 'Boy & Marley Memorial Trophy', the '1993 trophy in memory of Harry Eccles' and the 'Furbell Cup in memory of GrCh & UKGrPr Furbell Mousekin'

 

- Dushenka Zerachiel won his kitten Open Class, another two x 1st prize, only being beaten by the kitten who went on to win overall best in show. He also won the 'Ardram Cup', Denillanne Wine Goblet', and 'Furbell Cup in memory of Ch Furbell Secret Affair'.

 

Not forgetting the photo competition, where we won the 'Click of Cats' category with a photo of a pile of Dushenka cats and kittens, and 'Most Relaxed' category with a lovely photo of a crashed-out Zach.  Plus, Stan won his owners some choccies in the lucky pen number competition!

 

 

Congratulations too, to Teddy's litter sisters who both had great days with Phoebe becoming Grand Champion Troika La Bayadere, and Eli, Champion Troika Eliana Pushkina, picking up another Challenge Certificate.

 

25 September 2010 - North West Cat Club show

 

It was another really good day today with cats I own and/or bred winning Best of Breed Russian Blue Adult, Kitten and Neuter!

 

Special congratulations to:

- Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, who had a 'red card' day, winning the Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, her  second Imperial Grand certificate, 1st prize in both her other classes, and being short-listed for Best of Variety.

 

- Champion Troika Ivan Tsarevich, back from his summer break, my darling Teddycakes won Best of Breed Russian Blue adult, his sixth challenge certificate, second grand Challenge certificate, and 1st prize in another very strong class

 

- Dushenka Zivabella, who won Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and another 1st and 2nd prize in side classes.  Even better, she was nominated for best in show too!

Xaria, Teddy and Ziva - unfortunately the lighting wasn't good for taking photos

 

18 September 2010 - Scotia Cat Fanciers show

 

I was cheering on Karen's two lovely boys today, who both had great days, and were happily posing for their adoring audience all afternoon! Congratulations to:

 

- Premier Dushenka Stanislav, who won Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, another Premier Certificate, the reserve Grand Premier, and another 1st prize

 

- Dushenka Zerachiel, who won Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and 1st in all four of his classes - a 'red card day'.  Zach is only just 6 months old, and looks as big as his mother already!

 

 

11 September 2010 - Wyvern show

 

Four lovely girls with us today, representing four generations of Dushenka cats, and four sets of lovely results to match!  My darling girls took Best of Breed Russian Blue Adult, Kitten and Neuter, a Best of Variety win and a new title.

 

Special congratulations to my precious little miracle Yzzy:

- CHAMPION Dushenka Ysabella, who won her third Challenge certificate and title

 

- Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, who won the Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, her  fifth reserve Imperial Grand certificate, 1st prize in both her other classes, and Best in Show Foreign Neuter

 

- Champion Dushenka Tashabella, who won Best of Breed Russian Blue adult, and two further 1st prizes

 

- Dushenka Zivabella, who won Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and three x 1st and one x 2nd prize in her four classes

From left to right above: Yzzy, Xaria, Tasha and Ziva

 

28 August 2010 - Teesside show

 

I had two of my girls with me again today, Tasha and Ziva, plus Heather and Richard were showing Tasha's daughter Xaria.  A good day was had by all, with all three girls very happy and purry all day long, and also doing very well in competition, so many congratulations to:

 

·    Ch Dushenka Tashabella, who won her second Grand Challenge Certificate, plus a further 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in her four classes, and small trophy to commemorate her win.

 

·   Dushenka Zivabella, who won 1st in her open class, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in her three side classes, and the Kolokol trophy for best Russian Blue kitten. 

 

·    Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won another Premier Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter against very strong competition, plus another reserve Imperial Grand Premier Certificate.

 

 

14 August 2010 - Chester & North Wales show

 

I just had two girls with me today, Tasha and Ziva, both of them having pretty good days.  Congratulations to:

 

·   Ch Dushenka Tashabella, who won her 9th Challenge Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue adult, reserve Grand Challenge, and a 1st and 2nd in her other two classes.

 

·    Dushenka Zivabella, who won two 1st prizes and a 2nd, in between entertaining herself and all onlookers by wrecking her pen repeatedly and then demanding loads of cuddles for her cleverness!

 

 

 

7 August 2010 - Eastern Counties show

 

I wasn't actually at this show, but Xaria, aka Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, was there flying the flag for the family.  Xazzle won another Premier Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter again - well done little girl!  Whilst she was down south with her owners Heather and Richard I was at the Scottish Rexfest with their two 'curly jobs' Coimhlion and Amlach, causing confusion for everyone!

 

 

17 July 2010 - Edinburgh & East of Scotland show

 

It was off to Edinburgh today, to cheer on Karen's two lovely boys, who both enjoyed excellent days again.  Congratulations to:

·   Premier Dushenka Stanislav, who won 1st open, his fourth Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter against some very nice competition and his first Grand Premier Certificate at his first try.  Stan also placed very well in his side classes, and to top it all was nominated for Best in Show - well done to my gentle giant!

 

·  Dushenka Zerachiel, still only just over 4 months old, who won his open class, and a total of three 1st prizes and one 2nd prize. Zach was just as happy and relaxed as his Great Uncle Stan, and I was delighted to get some major cuddles from both these lovely boys.

 

10 July 2010 - Humberside and Lincolnshire shows

 

It was another good day, at this GCCF first - two all-breed championship shows back-to-back in the same venue.

 

·   Dushenka Zivabella, who on her show debut at not quite 4 months old, won two 1sts, three 2nds and two 3rd prizes.  Like her brother, she clearly enjoyed her day being cuddled by loads of people!  Special congratulations also to her father, Grand Champion Melkelter Merry Monarch, who won his title on the day. 

·   Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won another two Premier Certificate and a Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter


·   Ch Troika Ivan Tsarevich, who won another reserve Grand Challenge certificate

 

19 June 2010 - Lakeland Cat Club show

 

We had a fantastic day at the Lakeland show, with both Snoogles, Xander and Xaria doing very well indeed, Teddy having a good day, and on his show debut little Zach slaying them all!  Congratulations to:

 

·   GRAND PREMIER Dushenka Xander, who won his third and qualifying Grand certificate - Xander can now enjoy a well-deserved break from showing

 



Xander's grandson:

·   Dushenka Zerachiel, on his amazing show debut, winning four 1st prizes, Best of Breed Russian Blue kitten and Best Foreign Kitten.  Zach is a third-generation 'best' winner, following similar kitten successes by Yzzy and Xander. Zach was exactly 14 weeks old on the day - the youngest age allowed to compete at GCCF shows - and had a whale of a time, purring and posing like a true professional.

 

Xander's litter sister:
 ·   Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won another Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter and her first Imperial Grand Certificate - very well done little girl! 


·   Ch Troika Ivan Tsarevich, who won the reserve Grand Challenge certificate, his fifth Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue adult, clever boy.
 

 

29 May 2010 - Durham County Cat Club show

 

We had a great day at the Durham show, with both Teddy and Xaria doing very well indeed.  Congratulations to:

·   Ch Troika Ivan Tsarevich, who won his first Grand Challenge certificate at his first try, and also his fourth Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue adult out of a line-up of six beautiful cats
 

·   Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won another Premier Certificate, Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter and the reserve Imperial Certificate. 

 

Although not a Russian Blue, I have to congratulation Xaria's 'stable-mate' Annas, a very lovely black Tiffanie who made a bit of history today by becoming the first ever Imperial-titled Tiffanie.  Many congratulations to her proud owners, and also her breeder on this special achievement.

 

 

8 May 2010 - Nor'East of Scotland Cat Club show

 

I had a nice late start today as I was just visiting this show to cheer on Stan and Xaria - and what a great day it was too! 

 

Special congratulations are due to:
- PREMIER Dushenka Stanislav, on winning his third and qualifying certificate at his third consecutive show.  Very well done to you Stan, and your owners Karen and Darren.

 

Many congratulations also to

- Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella on winning the PC, Best of Breed and another reserve Imperial certificate. Her owners Heather and Richard had another ridiculously good day with their cats - see www.cagaran.co.uk!

 

 

17 April 2010 - Shorthair Cat Club of Scotland show

We had another lovely day today with both Teddy and Stan doing really well - I am so proud of both these lovely boys! 

 

Teddy (c) Krissi Lundgren

 

Specialcongratulations are due to

·    CHAMPION Troika Ivan Tsarevich, who won his third and qualifying Challenge Certificate, along with Best of Breed Russian Blue adult


Many congratulations also to

·     Dushenka Stanislav, who won his second Premier Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, along with a 1st and 2nd in side classes

 

 

27 March 2010 - Preston & Blackpool Cat Club show

 

We had a great day today, a lovely show as always, and some good wins too, so congratulations to:

 

·   Ch & Pr Dushenka Xander, who won his second Grand Premier Certificate and a 1st and 3rd in side classes - well done my precious boy. 
·    Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won another Premier Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, plus the reserve Imperial Grand Premier Certificate - clever girl!

 

·    Troika Ivan Tsarevich, who again was pipped at the post by a very beautiful and mature champion boy (who made grand champion on the day - congratulations), and placed well in his side classes in-between cuddling everyone in sight, and enjoying games with a feathered toy - thanks to his 'Auntie' Donna for that!

Thanks again to Lenny and Lorraine for taking us the the show when they didn't even have a cat entered - a noble friendship indeed!

 

 

13 March 2010 - Lancashire Cat Club show and new kittens!


Rather a busy day today - many thanks to Lenny, Lorraine, Heather and Richard for dealing with the cat show whilst I sat at home with Yzzy. Firstly, congratulations to:

· Troika Ivan Tsarevich, who was pipped at the post in his open class by a very beautiful and mature champion boy, but as he was the youngest of all six adult males in the class I was absolutely delighted to see him win 2nd. 
 

·  Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won another Premier Certificate (her 10th I think!) and Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter against very tough competition, so well done again little Xazzle.

 

And the reason I couldn't get to the show... have a look at Yzzy's kitten page !

 

27 February 2010 - Coventry & Leicester Cat Club

 

I just had one cat entered today, and was delighted to see Xaria out again too.  Congratulations to:

· Champion Dushenka Tashabella, who at her first show in 8 months won two x 1st and one x 2nd prize.  Tasha was on sparklingly happy form, all purrs and kisses, as was her daughter....
·   Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won another Premier Certificate and Best of Breed Russian Blue neuter, as well as a 1st and 2nd in her side classes.

 

 

13 February 2010 - Scottish Cat Club

 

I couldn't enter this show as my own cats were out last weekend.  However, I was delighted to see two neuters of my breeding competing, and doing very well indeed.  Many congratulations to Stan and Xaria on their wins:

·   Dushenka Stanislav, had a great day, winning two x 1st and two x 2nd prizes, plus his first Premier Certificate - hopefully at least two more will follow! Congratulations to Stan and Karen.
·  Gr Pr Dushenka Xariabella, who won her 8th Premier Certificate, Best of Breed, and Grand Premier certificate as well as a 1st and 2nd in her side classes. Her owners Heather and Richard of Cagaran cats had a fantastic day with all five cats they had entered!

 

 

6 February 2010 - Shropshire Cat Club

 

Our first show of the year, and it was a pretty good start to the year as well.  Congratulations to my boys on their wins:
· Troika Ivan Tsarevich, my cuddly Teddy-boy, who won his second Challenge Certificate at his second adult show, aged just 11 months, in a really strong class of five cats.
· Ch & Pr Dushenka Xander, who won his 8th Premier Certificate

 

7 January 2010 - RACCS points winners for 2009

 

What a start to the year!  The RACCS (Russian and Abyssinian Cat Club of Scotland) annual points winners for 2009 have now been published - you can see the full results at www.raccs.co.uk, but here's the results that are making me gleeful!

- RACCS Top Russian Exhibit of 2009 was Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella, inheriting that title from her litter brother Ch & Pr Dushenka Xander, who was the 2008 winner

- RACCS Top Male Russian Kitten of 2009 was Troika Ivan Tsarevich, a title also won by Xander last year

Xander and Xaria's mum, Champion Dushenka Tashabella was third-highest scoring Russian queen of 2009 too!

 

Looking back over 2009…

It was another good show year, opening and closing with a new title-winner.  Over the whole of 2009, Dushenka Russian Blues won: five new titles; 36 certificates; and two were best in show/best of variety winners.  Special congratulations again to  

      ·         Grand Champion Dushenka Sophia Bella, on winning her Grand title

 

 and her grandchildren, who both won two titles over the course of the year:
·         Grand Premier Dushenka Xariabella – Xaria also won Best in Show foreign in November
·         Champion & Premier Dushenka Xander, who also won one Grand Premier and two reserve Grand Certificates

Other certificate winners included

·         Champion Dushenka Tashabella, who won a further two challenge certificates and four reserve Grand Challenges
·         Dushenka Ysabella, who followed up her Best Foreign Kitten win in August with two Challenge Certificates
·         Troika Ivan Tsarevich, my gorgeous new boy, who won his first Challenge Certificate at the last show of the year at just over 9 months old

Many thanks again to Lorraine, Maureen and Lenny Pontello of Pontaby Abyssinians and Ian Thomson of Saladin Abyssinians for helping us to get to and from shows, to Xaria's owners Heather McRae and Richard Gabb of Cagaran cats for showing Xaria so well, and to Clare Bandy of Troika Russian Blues for letting me have my adorable Teddycakes!