It was noticed still in the end of the past, XX^th century: while we are on the way from Moscow to Kolomna to visit an exhibition of sheep-dogs of Central Asian and Caucasian breeds organized by Animal Fanciers’ Club "BLAGO-CONVENT" at the Holy Trinity New Golutvin convent, a rain knocks at the bus windscreens, the sky is gray and cloudy. When we arrive in Kolomna (within 100 kms of Moscow), and there is a warm sun, light clouds in the blue sky. This happens several years running. The weather on the way to Kolomna is always important, as, first of all, exhibitions take place outdoors, on a copse edge, not far from magnificent walls of the Kolomna Kremlin. The rain won’t spoil an exterior of dogs of CASD and CSD breeds, but their owners and spectators are certain to feel uncomfortable. Let’s recollect, during how many exhibitions in Moscow stadiums the rain spoiled both mood, and results...

But here, to Kolomna, more and more dog owners, as well as just visitors rush in the middle of autumn in the course of time.

 The thing is that this exhibition (Club Champion Candidate (CCC)-RCF) is a good cause for its organizers, and they always try to prepare for it zealously and carefully. It also proceeds deliberately, without fuss and delays; records are kept precisely, owners with there dogs enter the ring in due time.

CASD and CSD breeds are serious, but not all their owners are exemplary and conscious citizens. Some of them respect and educe mainly malice in their dogs. But even "the spiteful" steady down and get restrained here, in the shade of birches gold plated by September.

In fact that laconic and even simply silent presence of sisters - nuns who actively participate in this exhibition playing different roles - both in rings, and with dogs, and as expert assistant, and anywhere else where it is necessary to make something in such a quick manner just to prevent this fine action from failures. That kind of presence constrains everything bad in each of us, and softens our tempers. Therefore regional monobreed CASD and CSD exhibition in CC CCC rank "Autumn legend" after several years of its existence is known as having by right another unique title among CASD and CSD owners: "legendary".

Such was this time, on September 16, when not only inhabitants of Moscow suburbs neighboring Kolomna, but also participants from Alexandrov, Ramenskoye, Ryazan, Voskresensk, Zaraysk, Smolensk, Yaroslavl, the Vladimir region and even from near abroad arrived there: such were guests from Batumi (Adzharia, Georgia) who came with "Caucasian" Basmach (producer Yagodkina, owner Abashidze) and cub Gerda (owner Abashidze).

Strict, but impartial experts: E.Kuplyauskas, Zoran Brankovich (Yugoslavia) M.Ovsyannikova, and also helping them sisters-nuns worked evenly, precisely, with a kind smile not usually typical for them.

Tatyana Pekareva - sales manager of Joint-Stock Company "OST-ALKO" - the general sponsor of the exhibition - deserved a special gratitude.

There were a lot of traditional fine rosettes, and the prizes created by sisters of the convent - unique creations of potter's workshop, can be called real masterpieces in our worldly manner. The winners got forage packages "Trapeza (Meal)" from the official sponsor.

Hegumene Xenia – Mother Superior of the convent was giving prizes with her peculiar cheerful and kind smile, as if she was pleased with each opportunity to award each winner like her "native" dogs.

There were different competitions - the most popular was "How alike we are!” There were competitions of agility type, but the most important, there were pleasant meetings behind the rings. For example, Natalia Smirnova (the owner of "Yaroslavl Senate" kennels) happened upon her "little cub" which grew a huge dog, but immediately recognized its "mum". CASD has fine memory. We also came across Olga Golovina; our readers must have seen her in a picture in the report on one of former exhibitions in Kolomna made by our magazine. Olga brought to this exhibition juvenile handsome dog Urbay (9 months) - the son of magnificent Tse-Bai {owner I.Kobtseva), the grandson of legendary Agakhan. It became "honours" in Junior class, and we awarded it a very beautiful rosette - our traditional prize of "Cat and Dog" editorial staff – “Hope of the XXI^th century".

The exhibition was over before dark. Nobody hurried up to leave, though many of them were in for a long way back home. But two rings still became empty gradually, caravans of automobiles were leaving the stadium; owners of more than 200 dogs unwillingly abandoned this wonderful place. Meanwhile, golden leaves from old birches, lindens, and maples were silently and smoothly whirling and falling on the ground. They weren't dry and didn't rustle underfoot at all, but were lying like a bright mild carpet. It stifled last steps, and we, who were the last to live, were could hear warm silence which we hoped to break again a year later - coming to the future exhibition "Autumn legend - 2002".

In the pictures:

1. Champion of Russia. The winner of Champion class, the Best male dog, Best Breed Representative, Club Champion Candidate Orthodox Convent Zhasur Tibet (owner  "Convent " kennels).
2. СС, the winner of Open class Ak-Bilek (owner A.B.Kuzovkov, Moscow}.
3. СС, the winner of Open class, prize-winner of "Cat and Dog" editorial staff – 1999 Laksheri Lakza (owner R.Nureev, Moscow).
4. СС, the winner of intermediate class Zadira Aman (owner N.Smirnova, "Yaroslavl Senate" kennels, Yaroslavl).
5. СС, 3 exc. in intermediate class Jacque - Bash (owner S.Nechaev, Smolensk).
6. The best junior emale dog Orthodox Convent Bajburi {owner I.A.Danilicheva).
7. The Best cub William Vindans (owner Grezov, Moscow).
8. СС, 2 exc. in Champion class, Champion of Russia Kirim from Klovy (owner Макаренко, Smolensk).
9. Urbai (owner Olga Golovanova, Moscow) - the prize-winner of "Cat and Dog" editorial staff – “Hope of the XXI^th century" –, 2 prize in Junior class, the son of Tse-Bai, the great-grandson of glorious Agakhan.
10. Hegumene Xenia hands over a prize of the Holy Trinity New Golutvin convent "Sympathy of the convent " to Irina Kobtseva, the owner of Tse-Bai.
11. The best veteran dog Gekcha (owner "Convent" kennels, A.Ermishin).
12. СС, 2 exc. in intermediate class Akhtar ("Алабай” kennels, I. Berchansky, Kolomna).
13. 3 exc. in Open class Bakhus (owner Mikoyan’s meat-packing plant).
14. A traditional memorable photo. From left to right: Hegumene Xenia, experts M.Ovsyannikov, E.Kupljauskas, Zoran Brankovich (Yugoslavia) and Orthodox Convent Zhasur Tibet.
15. 2 exc. in Open class Orthodox Convent Kumtash (owner "Convent" kennels).
16. Best Breed Representative, Club Champion Candidate, The Best male dog, the winner in Open class Basmach (owner Abashidze, Batumi, Adjaria, Georgia).
17. The best veteran Poemma Green (owner "Convent" kennels, Rekunov).
18. The Best cub Gerda (owner Abashidze, Batumi).
19. Winners of the competition "How alike we are!" CSD Revaz (owner Nina Molodtsova). Bogoroditsk, the Tula region.
20. The winner in Cub class, 2^nd prize in comparison of cubs (owner Solodov, Moscow).