Springerspanielit ry

Jo Cunliffe, Kennel Fallenleaf

Having been brought up in a farming family I was always fortunate that dogs and ponies always featured in our lives. Life took over and my chosen career as a Nurse determined that neither were feasible hobbies although my love and interest for both never waned. Scroll forward more years that I care to recall, careers changed direction several times and I married my husband Geoff who had a working Springer Spaniel, Benji. Benji sadly left us very suddenly quite young and we were devastated and made enquiries to find another Springer. My search led me to Fran Glendenning (Plaiglen) which resulted in Bracken, Prowseman Air of Mystery, joining us. We were assured she was good enough to show so we applied for our affix of Fallenleaf . This is where we were married at Lake Tahoe, California by the side of Fallenleaf Lake under a huge fir tree which seemed very fitting for the chosen affix … and the rest they say is history.

Bracken had a good degree of successes gaining her stud book number and her Irish Champion title and together we learned so much …..I am grateful for everything she taught me … more often hampered by me as a very inexperienced handler – but we all need to start somewhere and by this time I was totally hooked. I recall my first time showing her at a Championship Show where she qualified for Crufts – I couldn’t have been prouder if she’d won the top award! We had a litter from Bracken sired by Dr Barbara Scorgies Sh Ch Border Heritage and I decided to keep two from the litter which proved another interesting learning curve. Fallenleaf New Kid In Town (Henley) and Fallenleaf Witchy Woman (Jazmyn) – Eagles fans will see the trend with the choice of names and I had immense fun with them both, Henley being the main show man. He gained his Irish Champion title and his Junior Warrant and again taught me even more. By this time my handling skills were improving

I was in awe of some of the stunning dogs in the ring at that time and we approached Nicola Calvert of the famous Calvdale kennels and Lily joined us. Calvdale Fair Cop was a different league and did me exceptionally well in the ring attaining her Junior Warrant with ease and having many excellent results at both Open and Championship show level. Lily’s career was sadly cut short and we had to say a very sad farewell at just 7 years of age and as anyone can imagine, we were devastated….. enter Holly aka Calvdale My Girl of Fallenleaf. Wow what a ride this girl gave me achieving her Junior Warrant at 9 months of age and being awarded the Reserve CC at Crufts from Junior under Ann Corbett (Trimere) She won her first CC from Junior and her 3rd and crowning CC at 19 months of age. Her string of successes were many both in the UK and Ireland and still winning CC’s from Veteran but most of all, as with all my other Calvdales, were and still are, the most delightful characters to live with – which to me is one of the most important attributes.

My current team are both veterans however one is semi-retired whilst the other is storming into veteran like a puppy. I now show frequently in Ireland and more recently we have ventured to Brussels which was an amazing experience and I am sure we will add more stamps to our collective passports. And who knows in the future we may hopefully add to the team.

In addition to my dogs and showing my other passion is travel and myself and my husband enjoy our vacations as often as we can. I also enjoy the paranormal and ghost hunting and visits to graveyards on some of our travels 😊 I am very fortunate that I can combine my passion for showing with my love of travel and do manage to cover many miles over the year with friends who have similar interests

I am extremely grateful to the club for this wonderful invitation and am looking forward immensely to judging your beautiful Springer Spaniels. In advance, I thank you for bringing your dogs for my assessment – most of all, I am sure we will have a wonderful day.”