38 Breed Notes – Darlington 2023

At Darlington there had been a change of judge with Michelle Wright (Lacetrom) (awarding CC’s for the 2nd time, her first appointment was at Border Union in 2019) replacing Geraldine Clark several months ago. Michelle had drawn an entry of 29 dogs, but nearly half (11) were absent; there were no entries in Puppy Dog and both the Junior and Post Graduate Bitch were absent.

The weather was a complete about turn from the sun and heat of the previous week; overcast but dry upon arrival, with a few light showers during the morning. The ring was very uneven, up and down in all directions, difficult to negotiate and with the grass getting slippery as the morning went on. The plastic marquees can be very cold and damp first thing making a cool autumnal start for Keesies who were first in the ring at 9.00am; with judging over and done with by 10.40am

Winning his crowning third CC with Best of Breed was Sharon & George Rose’s Rossvale Endeavour to Esorkees (Zandvoort Purrsonal Life x Ch Rossvale Hidden Destiny) Morse won his 1st CC last year at SKC from Caron Bell (Allforus) and his second last summer at the Welsh Kennel Club from Krishna Austin (Chotahkees). The RDCC went to the Junior winner, Antonia Atkinson’s Winklestar Regulus (Vivids Majestic Prince of Winklestar (Imp USA) x Winklestar Serendipity)

At her first Ch show winning her first big green card with Best Puppy, was Michelle Queen’s Serenaubach Kiara at Martellkees (Elegant Sharm Galantnyi Kavaler x Serenaubach Auroras Dance) and the RBCC went to the winner of Limit, Antonia’s Winklestar Daphnis (Vivids Majestic Prince of Winklestar (Imp USA) x Ch Winklestar Anthe with Valindale)

The carpark layout was different this year which apparently made getting out of one’s space challenging to say the least. Some exhibitors had to wait ages until the vehicles in the opposite row moved as there wasn’t enough room to turn onto the very narrow lanes left between the rows to get out. Just what you (don’t) need having left home at the crack of dawn!

The recent weather we’ve been having is keeping us all on our toes, with the temperatures being in the mid 20’s and sunny one day and then dropping down into the low teens, wet and windy the next. This weekend is the autumn equinox and the nights are certainly drawing in, but the hedgerows are still full of hips, haws, nuts and berries, as are the hollies and ivies – I just hope they’re not harbingers of a long winter.

Anji Marfleet