What an amazing weekend. If you’ve been reading our news, you’ve heard about and seen pictures of Stoli. Stoli belongs to our friends Liz and Tim, but sadly we lost Liz in March to Leukemia. Her dream was to have Stoli show at Westminister next year, so Tim has been making sure Stoli goes to as many shows as possible to try and get him ranked this year.
Thursday night, Karma’s co-owner Tad took Karma down to Albuquerque with his dogs as he’d be showing Stoli in two back-to-back specialties on Friday, followed by All-Breed shows Saturday – Tuesday. Little did we know that Tad and Stoli were about to make AKC history!
On Friday, Stoli and Tad took Breed to win Stoli’s second Specialty Show! In the afternoon show, Stoli went Best of Opposite. The big news was that Stoli picked up two majors towards his Grand Champion title. We were all pretty excited and Jenny and Marc were anxious to see everyone in the ring on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday, Zeke picked up his second major and four points going Winner’s Dog with Steffie Cheng. Steffie has become part of the family and loves our red kids as if they were hers! Zeke loves Steffie equally and performs perfectly for her in the ring. The judge literally couldn’t take his eyes off Zeke, in fact, we were talking ringside that we thought he might put Zeke up for Breed. After the Vizslas, Tad and Stoli went in the ring where they came out with a Breed win, and Stoli’s 3rd major necessary for his Grand Champ title.
Sunday, the judge picked Stoli-Doli for another Breed win and another major! Wait a minute! Stoli is on the verge of getting his Grand Champion title in back-to-back succession! The AKC rep said there was an Akita who was in contention, and few other dogs on the West coast who might be able to do the same thing, so we held our breath, crossed our fingers, and hoped the next two days went well for Stoli and Tad. Jenny and Marc kissed Karma goodbye and left her with Tad for the remainder of the show. Stoli got extra kisses and then it was off to Denver.
Monday seemed to take forever to find out how they did. Stoli and Tad earned another Breed win, this time under Bonnie Clark. Now the phone lines went crazy. It was confirmed, the only other dog that could earn the Grand Championship was also at the show, the Akita. And the Akita was being handled by a professional handler. So crazy, Stoli might be one of two dogs who finish their title on the debut weekend of the Grand Champion system. Tomorrow would tell. For now, Monday was Stoli’s fourth birthday and he definitely deserved a celebration! So after a stop to get some presents, birthday hats, and pie, the gang headed back to the hotel. Tim, Tad, Pat, Jacqueline, Steffie, and Alison wrangled birthday hats and dogs and were able to sing Stoli a very happy birthday!
Tuesday just couldn’t come fast enough. Was Stoli going to do it? Stoli and history were next….and they did it! Mrs. Gloria Geringer picked Stoli for Breed which finished Stoli’s GRAND CHAMPION TITLE! Turns out the Akita didn’t win, making Stoli the Nation’s first Grand Champion!
We couldn’t be more thrilled with the weekend’s results. Liz spent years trying to find the perfect sire to breed to Gavi. Her dream was to get the versatility back in the Weimaraner (apparently their breed has a very distinct difference between field and show) and Stoli is her masterpiece. He was the first (and probably still the only) Weim to have both a Best in Show (BIS) and a Master Hunter (MH) title. And Liz’s legacy continues with Stoli’s Grand Championship. Westminister, here you come!
More about the Grand Champion Title: https://www.akc.org/press-releases/american-kennel-club-announces-new-grand-champion-title/
The AKC’s write up of Stoli’s big win: https://www.akc.org/press-releases/weimaraner-stoli-leaves-paw-prints-in-akc-history-books-as-first-akc-g/