News and Updates 2012

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August 12, 2012 - At the Mid-Atlantic Hound Association of Central North Carolina AKC Lure Trial in Reidsville, NC, Shimmer added another Best of Breed to her collection on her first time out as a special. Congratulations!

July 21, 2012 - After a cold front hit and changed the weather from sweltering to a relative state of seeming freezing First's daughters headed out to Hanover Shoe Farms for an AKC Lure Course. Shimmer finished her AKC Field Championship by taking another Best Of Breed! Congratualtions to Frank and Wendy, the happy owners and the breeder, Bonnie! Well done!

July 13 and 14, 2012 - Booker and I attended the River City Cluster of Dog Shows and had a great time. Booker fulfilled a dream and took part in the Meet The Breeds event where he got to meet a whole lot of people who were gracious enough to pet him. While that was the highlight of his weekend, I was thrilled when he took the points (well, the point) by going Winners dog on Friday (Bexar County Kennel Club show, Michele Billings was the judge) and Saturday (Comal County Kennel Club show, Gerardo Bernard was the judge).

June 16, 2012 - Up in the land where summer doesn't start in April and performance events for dogs can be held outdoors in June, the Tortoise and Hare Coursing Club held an AKC lure trial. First (Celeritas Bellatrix at Silkenswift, GRC) participated in Veterans, taking first. Two of her daughters, Bounce (Silkenswift Bounce Into First Dawn) and Shimmer (Silkenswift Shimmer In The Night) competed in Open. Shimmer took second to her sister, Bounce, who went on to take Best of Breed. Congratulations to the girls and their owners!



June 17, 2012 - Today the girls moved from lure coursing to straight racing at the MAIGC LGRA races in New Jersey.

June 3, 2012 - Today Bounce (Silkenswift Bounce Into First Dawn) came in third at the Lehigh Valley Coursing Club LGRA races. Nice to see her running so well at this age. She is doing better than her mother, First, in this venue.

June 2, 2012 - Shimmer thrilled her owners by not only repeating her May 20th performance and going Best of Breed, but continuing on to take Best In Field at the Carolina Lure Coursing Society. This is the second of First's kids to take a Best In Field. Congratulations Frank and Wendy and Bonnie! Best wishes for continued love, fun, and success with your girl! Since I am pretty much stuck here at home, it is fun to be able to post the successes of Flyte's grand kids, :-).

May 20, 2012 - Today, First's daughter, Shimmer (Silkenswift Shimmer In The Night SC), took Best of Breed at the AKC trial held by the Mid-Atlantic Hound Association of Central North Carolina. Congratulations to owners, Frank and Wendy Erdman, and Breeder Bonnie Dalzell.

April 22, 2012 - Today at the Baltimore County Kennel Club show, Bounce (Silkenswift's Bounce Into First Dawn), From First's second litter, took WB for a 3 point major under Judge Jane Treiber. Congratulations to Renee McCartin, Bounce's adoring owner and Bonnie Dalzell, Bounce's breeder.

March 31 and April 1, 2012 - The Potomac Valley Borzoi Club held an LGRA race this weekend and two of First's children took part. On Saturday, Silkenswift Tolyan, (aka Tolyan, from First's first litter) tied for third/fourth with Jansen for 2.25 GRC points and Silkenswift Bounce Into First Dawn (aka. Bounce, from First's second litter) came in fifth and took a half a GRC point. Then on Sunday, Bounce came in third for 3 GRC points. Great running kids! Congratulations to their owners and breeder!

March 10 & 11, 2012 - On Saturday and Sunday Booker and I attended the San Antonio Kennel Club shows in San Antonio, TX. I was quite pleased when Booker took Winners Dog and Best of Winners under judge Anne Katona. On Sunday, he took Reserve Winners Dog. We had a great time.

On Sunday, Silkenswift Carrot's Margarita (First's puppy from her first litter) attended the Tortoise and Hare Lure Coursers ASFA trial at the Hanover Shoe Farm in Littlestown, PA. She did a super job and took Best of Breed. Congratulations, Mary!

March 3, 2012 - Shimmer (Silkenswift Shimmer Into Night), First's daughter from her second litter went to the Metropolitan Atlanta Whippet Association AKC Lure Trial in Georgia and came away with a Best of Breed and a major! Congratulations Wendy and Frank!

February 24, 2012 - Its official! The certificate for Lightning's championship title came in the mail today. We actually counted all the points right and everything. Thank you Shae Beck for your expert presentation and loving treatment of my girl.

February 21, 2012 - We are mourning here at Celeritas at the passing of Sartre. He was the most noble king of the kennel and guardian of my heart. Cause of death was various complications due to old age. I am thankful that I was graced with almost 13 years with Mr. Sart and blessed that he was happy and enjoying life until the day of his death.

February 19, 2012 - Booker and I went to play at the Guadalupe Valley Kennel Club shows in San Marcos this weekend. We had a lot of fun, Booker worked to confirm the rumor that dog shows are designed to bring lots of people who like to pet dogs together so that lots of dogs can get petted, especially Booker. He also took Reserve Winners Dog to the major under judge Dr. Carol White-Moser which made me quite happy.

January 29, 2012 - Lightning traveled to Louisiana for the Mardi Gras Cluster in search of that rare beast, the major. At the Alexandria Kennel Club show Lightning took the major to finish her conformation championship under Murrel Purkhiser. At least, I hope everyone counted correctly and no one was absent! So I give a resounding "Hooray," until this can be confirmed. What a nice way to end the first month of the year.

January 21 and 22, 2012 - First started the year out in an exciting way by going to the Carroll Kennel Club and Annapolis Kennel Club shows taking Winners Bitch and Best Opposite Sex both days under judges Edward Hall and Jeffrey Pepper.

November 6, 2011 - Robin and Sammie attended the ASFA Region 7 Invitational competition and walked away with Best of Breed on Sunday gaining 8 more points toward his ASFA field championship.

October 8, 2011 - First had fun at the Mid-Atlantic Italian Greyhound Club's LGRA races today going third as she slowly adds points toward the possible attainment of her SGRC.



At the same time her son, Peyton (Silkenswift The Star Quarterback, SC, CGC), was participating at the OKI Gazehound Association of Ohio's AKC lure coursing trial. He not only won his stake but went on to take Best of Breed to complete his AKC Field Championship! So now he is FC Silkenswift The Star Quarterback, SC, CGC. Congratulations to Kristen, who is obviously having a lot of fun with this boy, and to Bonnie Dalzell, his breeder.

September 10, 2011 - This weekend, First went racing and managed to eek out a fraction of a GRC point by going third at the Count Basie Racing Association LGRA meet in Wall, New Jersey.

September 5, 2011 - First went to Hanover, Pennsylvania and took second place in open at the Mason Dixon Ibizan Hound Club AKC lure trial and picked up a point.

July 16, 2011 - Well, Lightning is back in her home town to attend the River City Cluster of Dog Shows. Today, at the Bexar County Kennel Club show, Ms. Jane Roppolo awarded her Best of Winners.

June 19, 2011 - Lightning attended the Kennel Club of Texarkana on Sunday. Dr. Donald Gill awarded her Winners Bitch.

June 17, 2011 - It is a heartbreaking day here at Celeritas. My Poofy Princess, Porphyry, died suddenly during the morning. I gave the dogs their usual morning breakfast and Porph scarfed hers up then ate Hay Luz' left over food, too. This is something I usually do not allow, but for some reason I didn't stop Porph. Then I did some chores and left to meet with friends. I returned and noticed Porph wasn't in the place she can usually be found at that time of the day. I walked around the house and found her where she usually sleeps in the mornings. My sweet girl had passed while I was gone. I will update the text of Porph's page when the pathology report comes back.

The beauty of a soul is measured by lumens of love. It will be long before I become used to the darkness.

June 12, 2011 - On the way back to Texas, Lightning stopped off in Louisiana to compete in the Acadiana Kennel Club. Dr. Klaus Anselm awarded Lightning Winners Bitch.

June 5, 2011 - Lightning took a day off then strutted her stuff at the Riverside West Kennel Club of Greater New Orleans. Ms. Nikki Riggsbee awarded Lightning Winners Bitch and Best of Winners.



June 3, 2011 - Lightning went to the Northlake Kennel Club of Greater Covington, LA and took Winners Bitch under Michele Billings.

April 30 and May 1, 2011 - On Saturday, Peyton took another five point major at an AKC lure course in Ohio! Congratulations Kristen and Bonnie! Then on Sunday, Peyton took third, taking away one more point toward his Field Championship. I have to admit that since I have not been able to take the dogs out much since last fall it has been nice to see the Flyte grandkids doing so well.

April 16 and 17, 2011 - Four of the Mir/Flyte kids celebrated their fifth birthday on Friday by attending lure courses over the weekend. Robin took Sammie to the Sunshine State Coursing Club of Central Florida looking for the one last point he needed to finish his AKC Field Championship. Unfortunately, there were no other borzoi there. Sammie ran well, but there were no points, so Robin decided to compete for best in field. Sammie ran against a Whippet and an Ibizan Hound. He blazed his way to that last point the hard way, taking a five point major by going Best in Field! What an awesome job, Sammie!!!! Thank you, Robin for doing so much with Mr. Sammie.



I took Hay Luz and Booker to Wylie, TX and met Ella and Luther to attend the Trinity Valley Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Texas AKC lure trial. On Saturday, there was a three point major in Open, but no points in the Specials stake. Luther bested his brother, Booker (who took fourth), by taking first in Open. Hay Luz had fun running even if she was all alone. She conceded to her brother making him Best of Breed at the Saturday trial. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday, with one less point. Luther went Best of Breed once again, Booker took fourth once again, and Hay Luz had fun running once again. We are all very pleased with Luther's enthusiastic performance. Best of all, it is unanimous, this was the best birthday present, ever!

April 4, 2011 - Peyton took part in the LGRA race at the BCOA National Specialty. He ran well and took 3rd place out of a field of 22 borzoi. We are proud of this boy!

April 3, 2011 - Peyton (Silkenswift The Star Quarterback) took Best of Breed at the ASFA trial being held at the Borzoi Club of America National Specialty. Congratulations Kristen and Bonnie on this exciting win!

March 28, 2011 - First's son, Peyton (Silkenswift The Star Quarterback) attended an AKC lure course in Ohio and took a five point major. Congratulations owner Kristen, and breeder Bonnie.

March 12 and 13, 2011 - Littermates from First's litter, Brandy and Peyton, went to their first lure coursing trials this weekend. On Saturday, Brandy (Silkenswift Brandywine At Kalabria) braved the mud and took NBQ. On Sunday, Peyton (Silkenswift The Star Quarterback) tied for first in open. He forfeited to the eventual BOB winner. Congratulations to Kari and Kristen, it sounds like both you and the dogs had a great time!

January 27, 2011 - Lightning went to Louisiana to take part in the Mardi Gra cluster. At the Baton Rouge KC show on Thursday under Prudence Hlatky Lightning was awarded Winners Bitch.

January 22 & 23, 2011 - At the Fort Bend KC shows Lightning took Best of Winners and Best Opposite Sex under Judge Anne Savory Bolus on Saturday. Then on Sunday, she did a repeat again taking Best of Winners and Best Opposite Sex under Ms. Pat Trotter.

Looking forward to what the new decade holds.

December 11 & 12, 2010 - Well, when Lightning went to Dallas for the Greater Collin KC and Texas KC shows she made quite a consistent showing. Lightning took third out of six each day in the Open Bitch class.

December 4 & 5, 2010 - Lightning went to the Conroe KC shows where she competed against a huge entry of bitches. On Saturday, she took second in the Open Bitch class under Potter II. On Sunday, under breeder judge, Pat Murphy, Lightning took first in open bitch and then ended up reserve Winners Bitch to the Bred By Bitch. I am really impressed by how well Lightning is doing.

Sammie's Booty from the AKC National Lure Coursing Championship.
The Amberlie/Phenanthrene Memorial Trophy.

November 28, 2010 - Sammie takes Best of Breed again over Weston the current #1 Borzoi in ASFA and AKC coursing at the NLCC! Then he had to beat Weston again to get Best Borzoi in Event. Robin says the whippet put on an absolutely stunning run to take the Best in Event award. I am sure that whippet's people are on cloud nine.

Way to go Sammie! And thanks to Robin and Al for taking this boy so far! You guys are wonderful. Sammie also finished his SC title during the NLCC and the points he won at this event put him one point shy of his AKC Field Championship.



So while Sammie was running so beautifully at the NLCC, Lightning was strutting her stuff at the Cen-Tex Kennel Club shows. Today she took Winners Bitch and then Best Opposite Sex over two lovely bitch specials under breeder judge Shirley McFadden.

November 27, 2010 - Robin and Sammie took a trip to Reidsville, North Carolina to participate in the AKC National Lure Coursing Championship being hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Hound Association. Sammie was the only open competing, so he had the boring job of running around the field all by himself twice. But then, Sammie got to compete against the awesome Weston for best of breed. And Sammie won! WOW! Sammie!

November 21, 2010 - Lightning headed up north to the shows in Chickasha, Oklahoma and took Winners Bitch and Best of Winners at the Canadian Kennel Club on Sunday under Ms. Anne Savory Bolus.



At the SOMOS races in Jacksonville, Florida, another hot dog was added to the mix. Tony, from Renee McCartin's NCIS litter, tore up the field, beat Sammie and Kyrie in the last race. This placed Tony second while Kyrie eked out a first and Sammie took third. Nothing like an exciting race and watching a young dog begin to come into his own.

November 20, 2010 - Sammie went to the NOTRA races in Jacksonville, Florida hosted by the Southern Most Sighthounds. He was second to that speedster, Kyrie.

November 13, 2010 - At the Cypress Creek Kennel Club show held in the Houston Farm and Ranch Club, Lightning took Winners Bitch under Ms Paullet DeLong.

October 23 and 24, 2010 - Well, Sammie ended the summer doldrums in style as he usually does by taking first at the races in Camden. Run fast and love life, Sammie!

August 15, 2010 - First attended her first lure course at the Jersey Rag Racers Whippet Association AKC trial. She took first in the open class to take a three point major.

August 6, 2010 - First's daughter, Brandy (Silkenswift Brandywine at Kalabria), follows her impressive Best Puppy in Specialty Show win at the Delaware Valley Borzoi Club Specialty with the winning of her first point. Brandy went Best Of Winners over a mature dog at the Roanoke KC show under Mrs. Robert D. Smith. Congratulations Kari and Bonnie!

July 3, 2010 - I have added a page to my website to show off First's pups sired by Silkenswift Carrot Ironfoundersson, SC. They were born on November 9, 2009. You can check the pups and the father by clicking here.

June 19 & 20, 2010 - This time First really does finish her GRC and gathers more points toward her SGRC. This was at the MAIGC races in New Jersey. I can tell you, from a visitor's perspective, this is an awesome club! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

June 12 & 13, 2010 - Well, contrary to the previous announcement, First has not yet finished her GRC. I guess I miss counted her points. First garnered one more point toward her real GRC on this weekend at the Granite State Greyhound races in New Hampshire.

May 9, 2010 - The first of the puppies from the Silkenswift litter by Silkenswift Carrot Ironfoundersson, SC (Carrot) and out of Celeritas Bellatrix at Silkenswift GRC (First) has hit the show ring. And what a debut! At the Delaware Valley Borzoi Club Specialty, Brandy (Silkenswift Brandywine at Kalabria), took Best Puppy in Specialty! She is a pretty red and white girl with a dramatic black mask. I wish Brandy's owners years of fun and enjoyment.

May 1 and 2, 2010 - I took Lightning and Booker to the Lone Star Borzoi Club Saturday and North Texas Saluki Club Sunday ASFA trials. I met Ella and Luther there. On Saturday Booker ran with his brother so that Luther could become certified to run in ASFA trials. Luther passed his certification run with flying colors and then went on to tie for second in a field of nine open borzoi. Ella forfeited the placement so Luther walked away with a third place. Lightning played in singles and had a great time.

On Sunday, Luther and Booker competed together in a smaller open class. At the end of prelims, Booker was second and Luther was third. Ella had to pull Luther due to a mild injury but Booker managed to eek out a first placement. Lightning got to play in Singles again. All in all a good weekend.

March 27 and 28, 2010 - First attended the PVBC LGRA races and picked up another GRC point on Saturday as well as finishing in a tie for third with Dillon and Serrano for .334 NRC points. On Sunday she managed a second place to finish her GRC title!

March 20/21, 2010 - First attended the PHONE races and picked up two GRC points and a fraction of an NRC point. She placed sixth on Saturday and third on Sunday.

March 6 and 7, 2010 - First went to the COBRA races this weekend. She was fifth in a field of eight on Saturday and sixth in a field of nine on Sunday. She picked up another half GRC point on Saturday. Slowly, slowly, First inches toward her GRC, LOL.



The same weekened - I took Hay Luz and Booker to the AAWC lure trials being held in McKinney, TX. Miss Hay Luz took first in Specials and Booker pulled out a third in Open at the Saturday AKC trial. Danika beat Hay Luz for BOB. On Sunday, only Hay Luz got to play. This time she ran in the ASFA trial. She was first place out of six field champions. Hay Luz forfeited the BOB to Danika.



And now for the fun run - The new proto ASFA club, BLSHT, held a Fun Trial on Saturday. Ella took time off from her business to bring Luther to see if he would run. Luther did indeed run and he ran better than either of our wildest dreams. Luther thought it was the best thing EVER! He even tied with Arrow the Afghan Hound for first place in the singles stakes, winning a fun toy. Way to go, Luther, and congratulations Ella.



Last but not least - Sammie completes his SORC!

February 13 and 14, 2010 - On Saturday, Sammie was second to Marie Sollitt's Kyrie in a field of 8 borzoi at the SOMOS race in Jacksonville, Florida. This gives him another 1.5 points toward his SORC.

January 30 and 31, 2010 - Robin sure knows how to start the new year off right! She took Sammie and Ryder to the SOMOS Race Meet in Jacksonville, Florida and came back with some tired,but happy dogs. On Saturday, January 30, 2010, Sammie took first over 14 other dogs for 4 points (Ryder was second). On Sunday, Ryder took first with Sammie and Kyrie tying for second and two points. This gives Sammie six more points toward his SORC title.

Ya'll come back, now. Hear?

Click here for access to the News and Updates page for 2006-2009.