Stella was Realta Irish Water Spaniels’ foundation bitch. She was:
Am CH Madcap’s Rising Star CDX, MH, CGC, WCX
Sire: CH CO-R’s Galway Bay O’Blu Max “Golly” CD, JH
Dam: Am CH Madcap Rowanberry “Rowan” CD, FdM
7/1/1994 to 1/16/2007
Stella
I entered into the world of Irish Water Spaniels in 1992. My first IWS was a fabulous boy, Ch Whistlestop’s Merry Greeley. He was Best of Winners at the 1993 IWSCA National Specialty, the first specialty that I ever attended. He had a great attitude, a lovely temperament, and winning looks. Unfortunately, I lost him when he wandered from the yard before the age of 2, never to be seen again. Let this be a lesson to all.
With very high expectations, I began my search for another Irish. I found the litter that met my requirements, strong in both conformation and performance, and put down my deposit… for another boy. That litter produced 9 girls and 1 boy. Since one of the breeders wanted to keep the boy, a confident little girl with a big future, Madcap’s Rising Star “Stella” came to live with me.
Stella was one of those truly “once in a lifetime” dogs. Her show career was short lived but very successful. She was WB/BOW the day after the 1995 National Specialty and was RWB the following day. She was ten months old.
In 1996, Stella only needed one point to finish. That point came in the form of WB at the 1996 National Specialty. Stella was as bright as she was beautiful. In addition to that distinction, she came home from the North Carolina Specialty as an All Arounder, going 3/3 in Novice B obedience, having high score in novice at the specialty.
Stella also went for 3/4 for her open obedience title. She was trained through utility, but we had not yet entered any competitions when she shattered her pastern and had to be retired. Other than one winter/spring trip with professional Rick Stawski of Fine Line Retrievers, Stella was completely owner trained and handled.
Stella was always a willing worker. We trained long and hard with the help and support of family and friends. With her championship out of the way, we were committed to working in the field. She earned her JH in the summer of ’96. She went 4/4 for her Junior Hunter title, 4/5 for her senior hunter, and 5/8 for her Master title.
Three years after being introduced to the field, she became the first IWS bitch to achieve the Master Hunter title (and only the third IWS). She held that honor for several years and now shares that distinction with two of her daughters, CH Realta’s SuperNova “Nova” CD MH WCX QAA and Am/Can CH Realta’s Just Do It “Nike” CDX MH RE VCD1 WCX NAP NAJP, and with grandson HRC Eire’s Murphee Mullownee MH.
Other get have earned titles in all venues earning JHs, senior titles, and legs, a Dog World award, advanced agility and tracking titles, VCD’s, and all around titles. With twelve of those accomplished dogs being champions, grand-kids are now doing more of the same… brains and beauty are her legacy. Without a doubt, she is one of the most influential bitches in the breed. She became a top producer and probably the most successful brood bitch in terms of her legacy of performance/field dogs.
She died with grace and dignity, at the age of 12 1/2 taking a piece of my heart with her and replacing it with a piece of hers. My “heart” dog.
Best of Breed, National Field of Champions Club, 2000
photo by Gregory Harstad
Stella, Winners Bitch, IWSCA National Specialty, 1996
photo by Baines Photo
Stella, Best of Winners, Cincinnati Kennel Club, Supported Entry in Specialty, 1995
photo by Baines Photo
Field work, with duck
Dock diving
