There are two showgrounds I have always enjoyed driving to. The first is Builth Wells, for me the drive up through the Welsh hills is a love affair. The other is Edinburgh, this trip is however not as pleasant as it once was, the M6 has become so congested that driving is horrible until you are passed Blackpool. I always think from then on one can almost taste the clean air as the countryside opens up to the mountains of the borderlands and beyond.
Ever since SKC gave Chesapeakes classes I have taken to the road and travelled the 8 or 9 hour trip to Edinburgh. Over the years I, like others, have seen how SKC has changed � from the large marquees on the lawns housing benching and wet weather rings to now being permanently in the large exhibitions halls. There were always lots of shops and food vendors, my favourite was the butcher�s shop selling traditional haggis, I would come home with several for friends and family. The other things that have changed is there are no more benching with most people bringing their own pop-up crates. Exhibitors too have changed, I believe I am the only original Chesapeake exhibitor still showing and handling, so many people have come, gone or moved on. Numbers too have changed, almost always in single figures even once we had CCs in 2008, gradually numbers have increased the teens and now are in the 20s. The biggest change of course has been the amalgamation of the May and Autumn shows. Running two Championship show on top of one another must take an amazing amount of forward planning. Well done to the SKC committee who must be praised for their work and efficiency. It stills seems odd to have 2 shows and 2 judges just 2 hours apart, the results of both were nearly the same.
The first show for us was the General Championship Show, Mrs C Schofield judged without CCs – 21 dogs entered 9d, 12b, 7a. BOB & BD Mahon-Hunns, Hunns & Newton�s SH CH Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle JW, handled by Maddy Mahon-Hunns; BB Middleton & Mayhew�s Arnac Bay Jellicoe, handled by Joy Middleton; BV Pont�s SH CH Oakmarsh Dancing Diva VW; BSB Mellersh-Tett�s Oakmarsh Land Of Promise Of Roguehart.
Shortly after the General Show Mr H Fryckstrand awarded CCs for the first time in the All Breeds Show � 27 dogs entered 12d, 15b, 1 was nfc, 5a. The results were nearly the same � BOB & BCC & G2 Middleton and Mayhew�s SH CH Arnac Bay Hebe Wgc ShCEx Ew22, handled by Joy Middleton; RBCC Broomfield & Broomfield & Mahon-Hunns & Newton�s Glaneils Daydream Believer, handled by Cathy Broomfield; DCC Mahon-Hunns, Hunns & Newton�s SH CH Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle JW, handled by Joy Middleton; RDCC Playle & Thomas� Riptide Gentleman�s Relish, handled by Tilley Thomas; BV Pont�s SH CH Oakmarsh Dancing Diva VW; BSB Mellersh-Tett�s Oakmarsh Land of Promise of Roguehart.
There were no puppies at either show. It was very nice to hear that a Chesapeake had placed 2nd in The Group, this was amazing for the breed and for co-owners Joy Middleton and Christine Mayhew, what was more amazing was that Mrs Schofield, who judged the Group at the All Breeds show had earlier in the day placed Hebe 4th in her class at the General Championship show.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com