A Day Out at Southern Counties Dog Show, by Melanie Thomas
This is an outside show at the end of May in Newbury Show Ground. The showground is easy to access, just on the M4/A34 junction, however its still quite a drive from my home in Hastings. When I entered I planned to drive up and down in a day, I entered the Male Veteran Breed Class, Veteran Stakes and Good Citizen Stakes. When you enter these shows, you do not know the order of judging, or when you need to be there (this you only know a week or so before hand). So, guess what, my first class (Veteran Stakes) was at 9am, with normal judging starting at 9.30 and Bolognese 3rd breed in the ring. I thought in for a penny, in for a pound and booked at Airbnb about half an hour from the show ground. Also against me, and everybody else, was a heat wave and temperatures in the 30 degrees leading up to the show. I arrived at the Airbnb and it was still a heat wave, but luckily it broke overnight and the temperatures on the day were so much better. It was very difficult to park near the accommodation and it was a busy area, which was stressful with the dogs all my overnight bag. I managed to work out the codes to get in and all was eventually well (although a little warm).
As the Veteran Stakes class was at 9am, quite a few entries were absent and Harry was placed 2nd winning £20 prize money. So, that was a great start to the day especially as the show was outside and Harry shows better inside and he hadn’t been to a show since last year (just ringcraft which is inside). The Veteran Stakes Class was open to all toy & hound dogs over 7 years old.
As I stayed over, I took my older girl Lily with me and she behaved really well and settled nicely in the buggy. Thanks to Dennis & Carol for keeping an eye on her when I was in the ring. It’s Harry that plays up when Lily is about as he is very protective and doesn’t like being parted from her. The Coton De Tulear classes came before the Good Citizen Stakes in the Best in Show Ring. By this time more people had turned up and the ring was full for the Good Citizen Stakes. This class is open to all dogs who have passed any of the Kennel Club Good Citizen assessments any age, even champions. Harry was short listed, so I was very please with this. The Champion Stakes was taking place in the ring next door and I was happy to see Ir Ch Donocielo Michelangelo owned by Dennis & Carol Mulligan being placed 2nd and also winning £20, well done Meko!
Although the show is outside, there are marques for shelter. I didn’t have to wait too long for the Bolognese breed classes to start. Harry was the Best Male Veteran (out of 1), Harry’s litter sister Belstown Beloved Amee at Arkadian was overall Best Veteran in Breed. Our Breed judge Steve Bennett was chatty telling me that he once thought about a Bolognese himself. Our judge went over the dogs well, seamed to check for the correct features, there was plenty of room to move the dogs and the conditions in the ring were fine. It was mostly cloudy but not too hot for the dogs. I’m glad I made the effort to do the stakes classes, otherwise I would of just come first out of one!
Chris & Brian Thatcher had a great day winning both Best Dog with Kobanyal Pelyhes Odin with Devonia an import from Hungry and Best Bitch with his daughter Devonia’s Florence. Best of Breed went to Devonia’s Florence, who looked lovely and went on to represented the breed fabulously.
Mark & Diane Whateley won Best Bitch Puppy and Best Male Puppy with brother and sister Arkadian Ferrari Vittorio & Arkadian Laferrari. The male puppy won Best Puppy in Breed. Overall numbers were not good with 10 males and 6 females actually shown on the day. Its not the same when you don’t have dogs in your class to compete against. It was nice to see Deana Mee who brought her youngster Lyckalotte Tabitha and her veteran Little White Wonder Unica Felice. Deana also lives in the South East and like me only travels to a few shows. It’s amazing to see Mia Mulligan my Lily’s litter sister still attending shows (as a spectator) with her extended family. Lily & Mia are over 15 years old now and from my first litter of Bolognese. It was nice to see Amy Lovell showing Devonia’s Anzio and Vikki Marshall helping her mum with the handling.
The M25 was a nightmare on the way home and it took me 4 1/2 hours to reach Hastings, but mission accomplished, got home in one piece, first show ticked off and £20 to spend on dog treats.
I don’t live in the best location for dog shows (on the south coast), I’m also less confident driving long distances and I’m retired so have to keep a tab on my spending. However, I feel I should make the effort and attend a couple of shows a year (and Crufts) for the next 2 years after which my only show dog will be retiring from dog shows and so will I. After over 20 years showing Bolognese, I’ve done my bit!
