Issue: 09/08/2024
Now the dust has settled I have had time to reflect on this year’s CLA Game Fair. It is a great coming together for anyone with working dogs. The CBRC Working Test Secretary, Dave Rigby, did a good job organising and manning the breed stand in the parade of gundog’s tent. As always this is a magnate for anyone visiting the fair with a Chesapeake.
As far as I am aware a Chesapeake has never been selected to be part of any of the 4 home nations international team event, which normally runs on the Saturday and Sunday. The first day of the fair was always given over a different type of competitive challenge. The first day now focuses on the HPR breeds working test. A huge well-done Sharon Pinkerton who bred two of the GWPs competing in these tests. The second day of the fair now sees the familiar European Challenge competition with teams of 3 dogs from 7 different countries competing. Each team would consist of 1 Lab, 1 Golden and 1 AVR – Chesapeake, Curley Coat, Flat, IWS or NSDT. This year there was 1 Tolla, which won the commentators award, impressing the judges in its flash and style, 2 Chesapeakes and 4 Flatcoats. Italy won the team prize for the second year in a row, an amazing achievement, with Germany again coming second, followed by Belgium with Ireland as runners up. Last year of all the dogs competing Kathrine Golze with Yose – Penrose Peat Bog Fairy, was the first Chesapeake to receive the commentators trophy for the dog that impressed the most, catching the eye of the selectors for her overall performance. This was truly wonderful showing the outstanding ability of the breed. At the last minute I was terribly disappointed, tickets in hand, not to be able to go to this year’s fair. Waiting anxiously to know how everyone had done you cannot imagine how thrilled I was to hear from Kathrine that coming close to being top retriever overall they won their section for AOR. This was a big wow for the breed. It takes a lot, not just the years of work training but great courage to walk out and perform at your best in front of an international audience of many hundreds if not thousands of people. There was also a Top Lab and a Top Golden. When Kathrine came to stay for a few days after the fair it was time to celebrate big time. I think I am right in believing that Yose has been the only Chesapeake since the 80s to win Top in her section as an individual. Kathrine now tells me she has reached the top and plans to stop, but Yose is just 4 years old, I hope she will reconsider and compete again next year flying the flag for Chesapeakes.
Replacement judge Mr Richard Morris did a very good job of judging at NGA. We have very many new judges awarding CCs where their depth of knowledge in the breed is not always apparent. It was much appreciated to watch a judge who had obviously studied and has much knowledge of the breed over many years. 32 dogs entered, 14d, 18b, 5a. BOB & BCC Middleton & Mayhew’s SH CH Arnac Bay Hebe Wgc ShCEx Ew22, handled by Emily Evans; RBCC Thompson’s SH CH Arnac Bay Harvest, handled by Gemma McCarthey; DCC Hayes’ Tideflight Floki; RDCC Murray’s Sea’nland Master Of The Sea For Riverrun, who travelled over from Ireland; BP Morris’ Penrose Visual Impact, 7 month old and short listed in Puppy Group; BV Thompson’s Arnac Bay Gamble (8 years), again handled by Gemma McCarthey; BSB Corcoran & Jones’ Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila. I would like to thank Kirsty Watts and Jo Coppin who stayed behind for over 8 hours from the time of breed judging for my baby to go into the puppy group, one of the youngest if not the youngest puppies there.
Big, big congratulations again to Kirsty Watts and her Oakmarsh team of puppies winning the Breeder’s Stakes and £25. She thinks this may have put her into the top ten all breeds.
More news from Kirsty – Oakmarsh Land Of Promise and Oakmarsh Little Acorn passed their KC GC Bronze at 5 and 6 months of age respectively. Oakleaf Manor Bay Of Oakmarsh (IMP DEU) passed her KC GC Silver in July.
Additional results from Hampshire Gundogs, Oakmarsh Land Of Promise was 2nd in AVG Puppy Stakes from 17 entries, winning £15 and 4th in AVG Junior Stakes, 26 entries winning £5. Co-owner Amy was thrilled to win prize money with Peanut, the judge was Mr Andy Scourfield, who showed a good interest in all the Chesapeakes. Oakmarsh Freedom handled by Naomi, new to the ring, was 3rd in Special Working, judge Clair Sharpe. Oakmarsh Laural was VHC in AVG Special Beginners from 13 entries, winning £3. Handled by owner Laura Blaber, judge Julie Bateman.
Leaving the show at gone 6:30 it was long day, I was glad to be on my way home. My car thought otherwise and decided it had done enough and refused to go any further. Finding a breakdown service on a Sunday evening requires a lot of patience, falling into bed at 1:30 in the morning.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com