31 Breed Notes – Leeds 2023

At Leeds our judge Jeff Luscott (who last judged us at Richmond in 2018) had drawn an entry of 29 dogs with 4 absentees. Keesies were scheduled to be first in the ring at 9.00am; but due to the judge getting delayed by the roadworks on the A1, judging eventually started almost an hour late. There were no entries in Junior Dog, Post Graduate Dog & Special Beginners Dog or Bitch classes and it was still over and done with by lunchtime.

It was a second CC with Best of Breed for Mel Harris’ Amikirs Lover Boy for Watchkees (Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees x Ch Amikirs Bubblelicious) with the RDCC going to winner of Veteran, Natasha Hickson’s Ch Kichigai’s Only The Lonley (Bert von Ricara (imp Den) x Kichigai Special Edition) from Veteran.

Keeping the awards ‘in the family’ the BCC went to Wendy McKean’s Ch Kichigai It Takes Two at Yawren (Ch Neradmik All About The Boy for Watchkees x Kichigai Lilac Wine) with the RBCC going to her litter sister, Karin Hickson’s Ch Kichigai’s Uptown Girl JW both from open.

Best Puppy was Michelle, Tom & Caroline Gate’s Winklestar Alsephina via Lacetrom (Vivids Majestic Prince of Winklestar (Imp USA) x Winklestar Serendipity) handled as usual by Michelle Wright.

On the following Tuesday was Otley’s Premier open show, held for the 3rd year at its ‘new’ outdoor venue. Lovely rosettes, prize money, flowers around the showground. With large, flat rings with short grass, ample parking next to the rings with plenty of space for gazebos etc, a good selection of trade stands, a photo booth and the chance to take the Points of the Dog seminar.; it’s not surprising that they got a bumper entry of almost 1200 dogs. This well organised, friendly show goes from strength to strength and puts many of the larger Ch shows to shame. It’s not surprising they won the Pawscar Open Show of the Year award last year.

There were Keesie classes with 9 entered for judge Frank Whyte. Gill Brunt got BOB with Zandvoort Up An Purrsonal and Antonia Atkinson won BP & RBOB with Winklestar Regulus. David Alcorn was judging the Group and the well supported AVU classes; Gill & Shadow got UG 4, Antonia & Bobby won AVU Puppy, W. Daphnis got a 2nd in AVU Limit and my Flatmeer Fleurette 4th AVU Veteran. Olympia also got a third place (and £5 prize money) in the AV Veteran stakes under Jean Byrne.

For many exhibitors though, the highlight of the day (and for which the sun finally came out) was the Companion show held in the afternoon in aid of the local hospice. It was very generously sponsored, with rosettes and prizes down to 5th place and every entry getting a bag of treats. My young Dallas had her first taste of showing, she got a 4th place in the Baby Puppy class and in the ‘Dog the judge wants to take home’ class, the judge said that she has 3 Spitz breeds and hasn’t the energy for another, which is why she gave Dallas 2nd place instead of taking her home!!

Anji Marfleet