Issue: 12/04/2024
I was terribly saddened to hear of the passing of Mark, husband of Caroline Griffin-Woods. Together for almost 30 years it was Mark who came up with the kennel name of Migwell. Caroline had thought of three choices but could not think of a fourth, for reasons only known to the KC they allowed the name Migwell “my girl”. Mark was always behind Caroline, supporting her in all her years in Chesapeakes and especially when she took on the job of show secretary, a job which she loved and did an amazingly good job of for many years. Like many of us who are passionate about a sport, hobby or pastime having a soulmate to back and support you is not just a comfort but is someone we come to rely on. Mark was Caroline’s shadow, always beside her but not recognised by others. Mark’s funeral took place on Monday 8th donations instead of flowers are to go to J Naylor, Comforts Avenue, Scunthorpe, DN15 6PN. This will be donated to the carer team who were fantastic at looking after him towards the end.
The dog world was a buzz with shows over the Easter holidays. The CBRC held a championship show, immediately followed by an open show and two special awards classes, all on the same day in the KC buildings at Stoneleigh. The CBRC CH Show judge was Mr Mike Blay KC, this was his third time awarding CCs in the breed, with an entry of 48 – 22d, 26b, 8a, a drop in numbers from last year’s anniversary show. BIS, BCC & BSW Mayhew and Middleton’s SH CH/NL CH/INT CH Arnac Bay Hebe SHCEX EW22; RBIS, BOSIS & DCC Mayhew & Murch’s SH CH Next Generations Arnac Arctic Storm (imp USA); RDCC Mahon-Hunns, Hunns & Newton’s SH CH Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle JW; RBCC Thompson’s SH CH Arnac Bay Harvest; BPIS Mahon-Hunns, Middleton & Haskin’s Susqudilla Bergelle Big Apple (imp USA); RBPIS & BJ Mayhew & Middleton’s Arnac Bay Jellicoe; RBJ Earle’s Penrose Tay; BVIS Mayhew’s SH CH Arnac Bay Flax; RBVIS Barker’s SH CH Next Generations Chesepi Range Rider (imp USA); BSB Corcoran & Jones’ Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila; BSD Mayhew’s SH CH/NL CH Arnac Weatherdeck Bouy; BBB Thompson’s Arnac Bay Gamble; Best Breeder Arnac.
The Open Show was judged by Ger Philpot with an entry of 41. BIS & BB Thompson’s SH CH Arnac Bay Harvest; BD, RBIS & BOS Boyles’ Pixierock Mr Tumnus By Bleyos JW; BP Allen’s Arnac Bay Juno; BV Barker’s SH CH Next Generations Chesepi Range Rider (imp USA).
As a matter of interest the largest entry any of the CBRC’s premier shows has received was in 2007, the year before we were allocated CCs. Dana Bleifer DVM (Quail Runs) came over from America to judge an entry of 92 – 23 of these were NFC!
It was most unfortunate that the CBRC shows clashed with two other gundog open shows – East of England Gundog Club, which had classes but no entries and The Gundog Club of North Wales which had 5 classes. I opted to attend the Welsh show. I have never been Ruthin in North Wales and thought this more of an adventure. Held at Ruthin livestock market it was the most accommodating of venues. The drive there was really nice, no motorways from south to north and when you got there it was like God’s own country with rolling mountains and grass covered hillsides. The venue itself was immaculate, a lot of good hard standing for parking and no distance to walk. Our ring was outside, which meant we could all park quite close. The atmosphere was very jolly, it took me back some 40 years when everyone, and I mean everyone, joined in. There was none of the team, pack or tribes we see or read about today – all praising themselves and pushing their dogs forward. Back then as today we owned and handled our own dogs, no multi owners or pro handlers, Ruthin was the same. Everyone was invited to join in a breakfast in the more than adequate market diner. I avoided this but could not resist the homemade steak and ale pie at lunchtime, it was worth the trip just for this. Kirsty Watts, Jo Coppin, Daren Davies-Jones, myself and many others all offered amazing sponsorship on behalf of the newly formed American Water Dog Club. Every dog entered received a goody bag and an Easter egg, plus many amazing prizes and rosettes. There was also prize money for BOB and BP. Jo Coppin and Daren Davies-Jones together made the most stunning deer horn handled thumb stick with a silver plaque on the shaft of the club and date. This was presented to BOB. Clashing with the CBRC there were a lot of absentees, however 27 dogs entered, which shows there is good support for another club. Of the 9 dogs that were present for judge Mr Jim Richardson is still a good number for a relatively small gundog club show.
I have become a founder member of the AWDC, this is the third club I have helped found. The other two now award CCs or run Open A/V all age qualifiers – success I can be proud of. I am still a member of 4 breed clubs and 2 field trial clubs, although when I was competing in field trials, I was a member of almost 30 more. If anyone would like more information or would like to join/support the AWDC please contact Kirst Watts on oakmarshchesapeakes@gmail.com
BOB Morris’ Baymoss Tweed of Penrose; RBOB Morris’ Longmeadow Barnegat Bay’s Surfer At Penrose (imp USA); BP Niemczuk’s Penrose Union Gold – shown for the first time and handled for the first time by 13-year-old Viktor Niemczuk; BV Morris’ Penrose I Dream A Dream; RBV (totally out of coat) Coppin & Davies-Jones’ Dallandor Jocasta. In the variety classes under the same judge Kirsty Watts with Oakmarsh Freedom SGWC won the Chairperson’s Special Working Gundog Stakes.
More results have been flowing in. Well done to Wendy Houton and Ellie, Penrose Time To Rumble, passing her Good Citizen Bronze. Wendy said they will now work towards silver. Her previous Chesapeake bitch, Penrose Call Me Ellie, gained bronze and silver and her dog Barney, Penrose Xport Agent, has bronze, silver and gold.
Well done to Madeleine Cummings, Ireland, at the St Patrick’s two days shows. At the first show Aurora, IRE CH Penrose Realta Eriu, won BOB, CACIB & the Green Star at the Combined Canine Club International All Breed CH Show, judge Mr D Haddock (USA). The next day was Combined Canine Club National Show, Aurora again won BOB & the Green Star. Her ring number of 666 made me smile. The judge was Kitty Sjong (Denmark).
Kirst Watts was at Herts and Essex Open Show. BOB Oakmarsh Freedom SGWC; RBOB Oakmarsh Indian Dream Maker For Cravessa. Judge was Andrea Kiddle. Kirsty tells me that she has been busy this past weekend gaining her multiple choice breed standard examination and breed appreciation day for Cocker Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels. Kirsty said she is looking forward to awarding CCs for the second time in Chesapeakes and for the first time in Spanish Water dogs at Darlington later this year.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com