A mixture of unpredictable events saw many absentees from our ring on Friday at WKC. Lorna Murray was driving down from Roxburghshire, a journey which would normally take 7 hours. Unfortunately Lorna’s vehicle decided it did not want to go! Even with a quick repair man, who was able to fix it, the journey delayed them so much that they did not arrive to Builth Wells until after 9pm. They found the gates to the campsite closed and nowhere else to pitch up. After a few phone calls they found friends who were staying in a hired lodge who were happy to accommodate them for the night.
Kirsty Watts also had vehicle problems, planning to leave Essex very early Friday morning it was impossible for her to find a mechanic at that time of night and so missed coming to WKC altogether. Kirsty said she was really disappointed as her passion is to compete in the AV Breeders competition which she does exceedingly well in with her Oakmarsh team.
Another one who could not exhibit was Deb Herring, having travelled from Ropley, found that her dog was unsound with a bruised toe when she got to the show. Deb who is always smiling stayed to support the breed and watched the showing. She well rewarded seeing one of her puppies win BP.
Third CC breed in the ring, we were behind Tollas & Field Spaniels. We were outside under the shade of the massive tented structure, which covers most of the top arena area. For anybody who visits the Royal Welsh Show this is where the cattle and sheep are exhibited. This was my 50th year of attending WKC, so I decided to steward instead of exhibit. Arriving at the ringside around 8:30 to inspect and prepare it for a 9:00am start. The judge for all 3 breeds was Mr Espen Engh (Norway). Mr Engh has been judging and exhibiting in the UK for many years, this was his first time to award CCs in Chesapeakes.
No sooner had I arrived at the ring when I saw long-time breed specialists Dot & Derek Hards. No longer competing but as interested in the breed as ever. Both well into their 80s they have holidayed for 2 weeks at Builth Wells coving the WKC weekend for over 30 years. Sadly they’ve said this is their last year as Derek is suffering sever back problems. Another breed specialist who came to join Dot & Derek was Kate Biss. Kate and husband Russ were also part of the group who would stay the 2 weeks. Avid dual-purpose exhibitors they no longer have any Chesapeakes. Kate said their local shoots had closed, age and the loss of their dogs all added to their decision to change breeds. We all spent time reminiscing about times past, when Wendy and Dave Howitt and also Mandy Maklin would all travel up from Kent to holiday together. Wendy was a former CBRC Show Secretary, Funday & Seminar organiser. She would raise money at fun events to fund the amazing prizes that would be awarded all the way down to VHC at The Club Specialty Show (an Open Show in those days). Mandy Maklin was also a good fund raiser for CBRC Rescue, which she organised.
Mr Engh received an entry of 26, one was NFC. 9d, 16b, 7a. BOB, BCC & BV Middleton & Mayhew’s SH CH INT CH MULTI Arnac Bay Hebe WGC EW22 WW24, handled by Joy Middleton in Breed & Group, handled by Emily Evans in Veteran Group; 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 James Newton; RDCC Hayes & Hayes SH CH Tideflight Floki, handled by Michael Craig (of Team Highflyers); BP Baxandall’s Battsrock Ashes To Ashes For Sharbae; SB D/B Royle’s Battsrock Are You Ready, who also was placed 5th in The Special Beginner Group & 5th in The Good Citizen Stakes.
We were lucky in the end to get a Chesapeake into the Group, judging had started at 9:00am and without a break Mr Engh, myself and my co-steward worked and were on the go until gone 4:00pm. It was hot, it was dry, it was dusty. We were the last ring to still be judging, almost all exhibitors and spectators had long gone. I must admit by the end of 3 CC breeds I was beginning to feel slightly fatigued, with only 1 cup of tea all day and no refreshments. Stewarding is extremely interesting but can be very exhausting, it is a thankless job!
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com