SHOW DAY – Windsor 2025, by Melanie Thomas
I can report a hot day for Windsor 2025, but some cloud and a breeze helped exhibitors (and the dogs) as did staying undercover in the marques. Bolognese were 3rd in the ring, so I didn’t need to leave home till 9am (result). It’s a bit of a walk from parking the car to the show ground at Windsor, but I let my boy Harry walk as the ground was dry as a bone! After I got a coffee and settled myself in I sat by the ringside to watch the breed before which was the Coton De Tulear. I recognized a few exhibitors for the Cotons and attended the Judges Training Day for this breed a few years back. Windsor is a lovely show which still has benches making everything a bit more dignified (no justling for space to settle). I find Windsor a friendly show in a lovely location quite near to my home and I heard that they were even serving cream teas!
Attending were the usual group of dedicated Bolognese exhibitors. Numbers were low with only 6 bitches and 8 dogs being shown. Deana Mea brought her granddaughter Eve and Mark & Diane Whateley their puppy Fin who is related to my girl Lily. Bette Hopkins left at 5am to get to the show for her Brace (4th place) and Veteran Stake Classes. Our breed judge was Mr T Moran, who wasn’t particularly known to us. There were no puppies entered. Best of Breed was Dennis & Carol Mulligan’s Donocielo Michelangelo with his son Donocielo Mattia taking Reserve Best Dog. Bette Hopkins Enjanicka Toscana Ti Adoro did well with Reserve Best Bitch & Best Veteran. Full results can be found at www.fossedata.co.uk. My boy Harry is only weeks away from his 7th birthday (which will make him veteran), but was in the Limit Class this time. Harry behaved well, but it wasn’t his day for results, never mind, it was a day out he seamed to enjoy. I managed to take some random shots of the day, which people enjoy seeing both in the UK and around The World via our website and Facebook Page.
I popped over to The Kennel Club stand to ask a few questions about our imminent move away from being a rare breed. There are rules about class eligibility which do not apply to rare breeds, but will kick in for us next year and I wanted some clarification on this. The Kennel Club lady was very helpful and when I was there came across the lovely ‘photo back drop’ they set up, so I took advantage of getting a nice picture. By the time I headed home it was getting noticeably hotter, but once on the road the air conditioning saved the day.
