I’m sure that the weather forecasts (especially for West Yorkshire) must have alarmed many members last weekend; but fortunately storm Dennis didn’t start to make an appearance until the show was over and the majority of exhibitors had packed up and started on their way home.
The Club has often had to change the date of its Open Show and AGM in February; usually due to the villages’ panto or because the local school’s half term dates have changed. Next year’s date is still unconfirmed due to this uncertainty. This year for the seventh time in as many years, it was held on a Saturday. I know that it definitely makes life harder for those who have to work Fridays, but whether it has any effect on show entries or attendance at the AGM, I don’t know.
A few years ago the Club was left a very generous legacy from the estate of the late Carolyn Smith, who was DW’s Isle of Man correspondent for many years and as a Club, we are deeply indebted to Carolyn’s bequest. It is (amongst other things) being used to permanently fund class entries free of charge for members and due the Club now holding its July show in conjunction with Leeds Ch show – it is the February show which now offers free class entries for members.
The meeting was opened at just after 10.30am with welcoming speeches from our retiring President Sheila Mac, who is stepping down after serving many, many years on the committee and newly elected Chairman Colin Barton. They were then followed by Secretary Ian Stubbings, who gave his customary extremely comprehensive Secretary’s report. Sheila Mac presented the Club’s Annual Trophies and then presented the Congratulation rosettes, which the Club gives to members who have recently made up a Champion. For those members who ‘won’ a rosette but weren’t at the AGM, they will be handed out at Crufts.
There was some discussion from the floor about the eye testing which is being held at both club’s Ch shows this year, where it was reiterated why it is so important that the oldies get tested. As a breed, we can’t say that we don’t have any eye problems unless we have the data to back the statement up.
But with no really contentious items on the agenda, it was all done and dusted for another year just in time for lunch. The Keeshond Welfare report from Caron Bell & Val Tew was read out by Ian after the meeting had closed.
The Special Award Classes were held first and were judged by Linda Morton, who had an entry of 22 dogs with 7 absentees; with an amazing 9 keesies present in the Open class. Special Junior Dog or Bitch was won by Mel Harris’ Kichigai boy Is Back In Town for Watchkees, the Special Post Graduate Dog Or Bitch by Dawn Gregory’s Amikirs Doubly Delicious (AI) and the Special Open Dog Or Bitch class was won by my Flatmeer Flaithri handled by Sue Pattison.
Sally Pointon was the Club’s judge for our open show in the afternoon and had drawn an entry of 42 dogs with 11 absentees, most of which were bitches. Best Dog and Best in Show was Natasha Hickson’s Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonley (Bert von Ricara (imp Den) x Kichigai Special Edition) and Reserve Best Dog was Mel Harris’ Kichigai boy Is Back In Town for Watchkees (Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees x Kichigai Lilac Wine) from Junior.
Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show was Nicola Kerr’s Caraspitz Good Luck Charm (Vanstrand Thunderball x Zandvoort Field of Dreams) from Limit. Reserve Best Bitch was Karin Hickson’s Kichigai Uptown Girl (Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees x Kichigai Lilac Wine) from Junior.
Best Puppy was Gill Brunt’s latest import, Divnyi Drug Dar (Imp Rus) (Cinerus Arctic Prince Of Star x Divnyi Drug Gusja Lebed) and Best Veteran was Miles, Cullen & Brown’s Ch Rossvale’s Legacy for Lekkerbek handled as usual by Joan.
All three of the Club’s shows this year are again being sponsored by Happy Dog, who generously provided 1k bags of food for all class winners and large sacks for all the main winners and Sheila Brown donated some lovely hand-painted glass specials for the main winners.
Sue Pattison was selling tickets for a laden raffle table and raised £94; whilst in the kitchen Nicola & Christina Barton, helped by Steve Brown, Debbie Palmer and Nicky Potts were kept busy selling hot food and home-made cakes and they made a tasty profit of £146. Christina Wilkin was the £25 Lucky Catalogue number prize winner.
Judging was over by 4.30pm which gave most people time to get home before storm Dennis really got going. Although I gather that several of our intrepid travellers had an ‘interesting’ (but safe) journey home.
Anji Marfleet