49 Breed Notes – BUBA 2023

Keesies were scheduled first in the ring at BUBA with a 9.30am start and for most exhibitors to say it was a chilly start was an understatement. With thick ice on windscreens, temperatures as low as –9° and dense fog, it wasn’t surprising that there were many accidents on the roads. Apparently, there had been a major accident on the road out of Uttoxeter leading to Stafford Showground earlier which caused the road to be closed all day. Diversion signs led everyone back through Uttoxeter to the A50, where they promptly vanished, leaving everyone at the mercy and vagaries of their satnavs.

Like many, I ended up with almost a 20 mile, 40 minute detour along mainly single track lanes before finally emerging opposite the big hall on the hill just down from the venue. A scenic tour, which whilst very pretty with the trees covered in a really thick air frost, was something that I could definitely have done without and which had to be repeated for the journey home, as the road was still closed. Fortunately, the committee were aware of the various road closures and had delayed the start of all judging by half an hour.

This year, for the first time, there was no benching at BUBA’s Ch show; the empty spaces under the balcony being allocated for grooming and cages. This is all well and good, but if you are showing multiple dogs, don’t have cages and there is nowhere ‘to tether them’, it doesn’t make life easy unless you have someone to hang on to them for you. Outdoor shows on grass aren’t a particular problem as you can use a ‘dog screw’ to attach dog leads to; but a concrete floor is a different matter. I can understand the reasoning behind doing away with benching, but personally, I do think that an alternative should be provided. Does anyone have any ideas or views (apart from the obvious – ie use a cage) of what the options could be?

Our judge was Gill Brunt (Zandvoort) who was finally awarding CC’s for the first time (lockdown had cancelled her first appointment) and she had drawn an entry of 55 Keesies with 15 absentees. All the classes were filled apart from both Special Beginners and with judging starting at 10.00am it was over by 1.00pm.

Winning his first big green card with Best of Breed from Post Graduate was Sue Lindsay’s Mezanda Mystic Starman (Ednaaron Moonlight x Mezanda Melys Sparkle) with the RDCC going to the winner of open, George and Sharon Rose’s Ch Rossvale Endeavour to Esorkees (Zandvoort Purrsonal Life x Ch Rossvale Hidden Destiny) handled by Steve Brown.

It was a crowning 3rd CC with Best Veteran for Nicola Kerr’s Caraspitz Good Luck Charm (Vanstrand Thunderball x Zandvoort Field of Dreams) bred by Shirley & Tom Johnson. Kizzie’s first CC was a long four years ago at Darlington in 2019 from Espen Engh and her 2nd came this year at Crufts from Sheila Jakeman. The RBCC went to second in Veteran, Sean and Vikki Marshall’s Torrikees Made In Heaven at Devonia (Ch Winklestar Hadar x Ch Torrikees Victoria’s Secret) Vikki also got Best Puppy with her Devonia’s Hakuna Matata (Serenaubach Lleuad Titan x Devonia Black Pearl)

After judging had finished, there was a ‘bench’ party which had been organised by Natasha and Karin Hickson. Plenty of delicious food and drink had been brought along by everyone, resulting in laden tables, a great atmosphere and time to chat.

Schedules (with on-line entries only) for the NoEKC’s February Open show are now available from Cavalier Impressions. Due to our original booking clashing yet again with Thorpe Willoughby’s village panto, it was a last-minute change for date and venue and is now being held on Sunday 18th February at Netherton Village Hall. I know that some of you (or rather your satnavs) had difficulty in finding the hall; so if you want to get in touch, I can let you have directions – it really is easy to find!!

Anji Marfleet