The first Championship show of the New Year was held at the magnificent Burgess Hall in St Ives, near Huntingdon, England. The east of England was blessed with a weekend of sunshine whilst the rest of the country was suffering snow and sleet showers. The 74 dogs that were entered were clean and dry and this suited the well-appointed venue with its wall to wall carpeting. Surely this is the best venue in the UK that allows a dog show of this size.

The Judge was Dawn Adcock, a former secretary of this progressive Club, and although she was feeling very poorly, she soldiered on and completed her stint in a very thorough fashion.
The first Class was Veteran and how nice to see the Kirsch family from Germany taking the first prize with an upstanding male, Argovian A Step Back to the Roots. A presentation was made to Tony Steele, the Secretary of the Midland Club to celebrate his 60th Birthday and being the “Best Veteran” secretary. All were invited to enjoy a slice of his two birthday cakes.
The show resumed and the Best Dog was another from quite a distance, Ch. Barkshire Born in the USA with Brinkley. Pam Tomes imported this young dog, now living in Essex. Reserve CC was the Wilkinson’s Pockethall Buckle my Shoe. Both these dogs are 2½ years old and only a day separated their births. Minor Puppy Dog winner was Pouchymo Private Rooney, Puppy Dog 1st Molyneux Magic Moments, Junior Dog 1st Brinkley Sir Jonny, Special Yearling Dog 1st Dalewood Dumbledore at Cloudnine, Novice Dog 1st Mellowdee Showman, Graduate Dog 1st Gojolega Ready to Rumble, Post Graduate Dog 1st Beauvallon Philanderer, Limit Dog 1st Pockethall Buckle My Shoe, Open Dog 1st Ch. Barkshire Born in the USA with Brinkley.
The lunch break was used to draw the enormous raffle with a Hotel Break, Champagne, wine and flowers on offer. Thanks to all who contributed so generously to the raffle.
The Junior Handling class was lacking in numbers but high in quality, so sad that few youngsters are following our hobby. Wonderful prizes had been donated by Joyce Hudson to at least 8 places. After a roast Sunday lunch Dawn Adcock resumed judging with her Minor Puppy Bitch, won by Holanje Suzi Q. Puppy Bitch 1st Molyneux You’re Sensational, Junior Bitch 1st Audhelm Blue as the Heather at Almaritha, Special Yearling Bitch 1st Quemerford Simply Summer, Novice Bitch 1st Elliebell Calendar Girl at Shaggybo. Post Graduate Bitch 1st Dalewood Pipsquek, Limit Bitch 1st Kerjalee Silver Laces at Wookeymill, Open Bitch 1st Kerjalee Silver Bangle at Twopec.
The Challenge Certificate went to yet another long distance traveller; Kerjalee Silver Bangle at Twopec had made the crossing from N. Ireland and looked a picture. The Res. CC was Zottels Encore, who was 2nd in a very strong Open Bitch Class of 13. The Best of Breed was the Bitch and the Best Puppy in Show was Holanje Suzi Q. The ring ran smoothly all day thanks to Maureen Barton, Kate Howlett and Val Zaza, around the ring Ronnie Burns and Angela Owen sold raffle tickets and looked after the money and the administration. Andrew Little looked after the exhibitors and their comfort and Show Manager Ray Owen kept the announcements coming and added his banter to the friendly atmosphere.
Dave and Nina Lenton manned the Bottle Stall all day and the profits of £85 were donated to the Tsunami Relief Fund. Trevor Mills is doing a sponsored slim in aid of the DNA profiling of the OES. We went to the Sports Centre next door and he was weighed in at 22st 8 lbs. At the Midlands Show in December we will see a slimmer Trevor and a fat bank balance for DNA research into our breed. Contact Trevor if you wish to sponsor him. It is for the good of the breed and the perfect vehicle for Breed Clubs to show their worth and for us all to support.
On a sad note, a notable absentee was Mrs Bentley from Newark in Nottinghamshire who died a few days before the show aged 44. We all signed a card of condolence and dedicated the show to her memory.
This was a fabulous show with a great atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie and a lovely way to start the 2005 show season. The bar was open all day serving a varied menu of food and drink, and the venue offered an indoor exercise area. The East Anglian OES Club invite you all to their Open Show at Marks Tey in Essex on 22nd May, just a week after the Euro Show. The Judge will be Sue Adcock (no relation to Dawn) and you will enjoy another fun day with lots of interest. Phone Ray Owen for a schedule in April when the sun will be a lot warmer in Essex.