Issue: 02/08/2024
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I have received several comments querying the ethics of showing, some from people who have Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and some from people who do not have Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, they all notice that there seems to be a pattern. Could this be one of the reasons why entries are dropping?
What a full weekend, with almost too much going on. Getting to Leeds Championship anyone from the south west was a nightmare with many exhibitors held up in slow traffic along the M6. Awarding CCs for the first time was Mrs Anne Ward. 27 dogs entered, 12d, 15b. BOB & BCC Middleton & Mayhew’s SH CH, NL CH, INT CH Arnac Bay Hebe Wgc Ew’22 ShCEx; RBCC Pont’s SH CH Dancing Diva; DCC Boyles & Boyles’ Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus By Bleyos JW; RDCC & BV Barker’s SH CH Next Generations Chesepi Range Rider (IMP USA); BP Hewitson’s Melseed Don’t Stop Believing. I was very pleased to see in the Eukanuba/Leeds City Puppy Stakes from an entry of 73 Kirst Watts with Oakmarsh Little Acorn was short listed to the last 7.
The next day it off to Hampshire Gundog, thank you to Kirsty Watts for sending me the results. 7 dogs entered, 2 were absent. The 5 that were present were all bred by Kirsty, well done on a good effort.. Breed judge Mr David Hutchinson. BOB & BP & Reserve in Puppy Stakes Watts’ Oakmarsh Little Acorn; RBOB Watts’ Oakmarsh Freedom SGWC; 2nd in Open Stakes Oakleaf Manor Bay of Oakmarsh JW (IMP DEU). Kirsty also came 3rd with Vixen and Eiche in The Brace.
Those who not at the shows were almost certainly at the huge CLA Game Fair, held this year at Bleinheim Palace, one of the regular and most popular venues for the CLA. There is so much to see, do, shop and eat that it takes the 3 days to cover it all. The gundog section has become bigger and bigger every year, with many of the events you are able to enter on the day. This will account for the large number of dogs that accompany their owners to the fair. It is disappointing that the exhibition of sporting dogs has dwindled from 3 groups – hounds, gundogs and terriers, to just 1 marquee with several mainly gundog breeds strutting their stuff to the public. CBRC working test secretary and committee member Dave Rigby organised the Chesapeakes on behalf of the Club.
On the Saturday was the European Teams Challenge competition, where teams of dogs who would have had to have qualified in their own country came to compete. Congratulations to Italy who won and to Germany who again came second. A very big congratulations to Katherin Golze in the German team who, with just a few points off the overall winner, was the highest scoring minority breed with Penrose Peat Bog Fairy. This was again the most remarkable achievement, last year this dynamic duo was awarded the Commentators Choice Trophy. Next year’s CLA Game Fair is in July 25th to 27th at Ragley Hall.
Not everyone is interested in gundog work or the show ring, Wendy Houlton is one of these people. Wendy said her challenge is to work all of her dogs through the 3 levels of Good Citizen. Well done on passing Silver with “Hell on Paws” Ellie – Penrose Time To Rumble.
Please keep sending me any news or results.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com