Spring definitely smiled on the DOGS NSW 3 Day Spring Fair, with glorious sunshine welcomed by event organisers and exhibitors as we participated in three busy days of Conformation Shows and SprintDog™ trials.

I was lucky enough to be included in the ‘Advance’ gazebos hosted by Royson Valore (Rustufarion Pulis) and his partner Todd. A huge shout-out must go to them for the amazing company and gourmet goodies, and to Suzy Ladanyi (CH Rustufarion Turning Point) for her support, both ringside and beyond with my team. My time in the conformation ring has been pivotal in creating some great friendships with fellow Group 5 exhibitors, as well as exhibitors from other groups, and it is these friendships that make conformation showing just that little bit more fun.

After finding out I had been invited to share the Advance gazebos, I was delighted to be able to extend the hospitality to fellow Cardigan exhibitors Susan Hadley (Bethwyn) and Bronwyn Downie (Robrych), who had travelled from interstate and country NSW. We had been chatting in the lead-up to the Spring Fair, so it was lovely to be able to share the space, enjoy the company and cheer one another on throughout the weekend.

Cardigan exhibitor and Sydney local Julianne Vanderwey also joined us for time and conversation under the big top, which led to one of those wonderful it’s a small world moments. To her delight, as she and Sue chatted, they discovered that Julianne’s mother — now an incredible 102 years old — had, many years ago, been mentored by one of Sue’s older friends. What are the chances? It was a lovely reminder of just how small our world can be, and of the unexpected connections and friendships that dogs have a wonderful way of bringing together. Such a small world we share, glued together by dogs.

With 11 Cardigans on show, there was plenty of competition to enjoy but, just as importantly, plenty of camaraderie ringside. I thoroughly enjoyed cheering everyone on, not only among the Cardigans & Pembrokes but all across Group 5, and sharing such a great weekend with fellow handlers and exhibitors. It was a vibrant and exciting long weekend!

Our Pembroke cousins were also very well represented by Club President Liana Bettison (Aziah), and Club Members Donna Borg (Nesbo), Michelle Pratley (Scottholme), Victoria Lee (Velcalle), Renay Cochrane (Begrayced), Michelle Young (Fergwyn) and Robyn Smith (Curvo). A total of 18 Pembrokes were exhibited, from the cutest Baby Puppies right through to the Champion Class.

For the Cardigans, one of our highlights on Day 1 – the CACIB Show was Bronwyn being awarded Group 4th with CH Bethwyn Misty Memories, Griffin, who is co-owned with Sue, as well as Puppy in Group with his son, Robrych Walking in the Mist, Brynn.

For the Pembrokes, Liana had a terrific Day 1, being awarded Group 1st with CH Aziah Be What May (AI), Ocean.

The Day 2 Crufts Qualifier Show brought more success, with Liana awarded Runner-Up in Group, again with CH Aziah Be What May (AI), as well as Puppy in Group with Aziah And So It Should Be (AI), Reed. Very excitingly, Reed then shone in General Specials, going on to win PUPPY IN SHOW!

Day 3 saw no Group placings for either of our Corgi breeds, but we certainly tried our best and did so in great company. Congratulations to all our exhibitors for turning up, supporting one another and showing our best!

I must mention here Royson’s exciting boy, Freddy – CH Rustufarion Up N Ready, who had an absolutely cracking Spring Fair. Freddy won Group 3rd in the CACIB Show before going on to win BEST IN SHOW at the Crufts Qualifier Show! He then backed that up with Group 1st in the FCI Show on Day 3. What a weekend — huge congratulations to Royson and Freddy!

During the Spring Fair, DOGS NSW also hosted three SprintDog™ trials and, call us mad, but Victoria, Michelle and I were among those juggling dogs between the SprintDog™ track and the conformation rings! I had Iago down at the sprint track and my show girls up at conformation, so there was certainly plenty of running around.

We weren’t the only Club members taking part in SprintDog™, with Donna Borg and Amy Keenan also running dogs across the weekend. It was fantastic to see so many of our Club members and their dogs enjoying another discipline alongside the conformation events.

While I was stretched all over the place, I managed to successfully compete in both disciplines, and that was very much due to the support of fellow SprintDog™ and conformation exhibitors who messaged and rang to let me know where I needed to be and when. A big thank you to Victoria, Donna and Michelle, as well as whippet owner Fran, for helping me keep everything together across the weekend.

Iago ran his little legs off, earning three more qualifiers towards his next SprintDog™ title.

I’d also particularly like to thank the DOGS NSW SprintDog™ Committee and volunteers for their flexibility and cooperation in allowing exhibitors like me to compete in both SprintDog™ and Conformation at the same venue on the same day. Being able to move between the two disciplines takes a lot of coordination, not only from exhibitors but from those running the events, and their support was amazing.

All in all, it was a fabulous three days of dogs, competition, friendship, sunshine and plenty of running between rings and tracks. Congratulations to everyone on their successes, and thank you to all those who made the 2026 DOGS NSW Spring Fair such an enjoyable weekend.

Please see below for the full results from the DOGS NSW Spring Fair 2026!

By WCCNSW Editor Melinda Mills