by Karl DonvilLommel 2012
It was an unexpected success, this small on day CAC show! The committee was frightened as only 50km away across the border with the Netherlands (Lommel is a border-town )in Tilburg was a CACIB show the very same weekend.Did it help or not, fact is that Lommel had more entries and more than it ever had before, 1353 dogs! I presume that those who showed on Saturday in Tilburg showed also in Lommel on Sunday.
But of course the new breeding regulations of the Belgian Kennel club helps a lot too. Herein is stated that both parents need to meet the minimum requirements for breeding, becoming a minimum qualification “good” on a Belgian show under a Belgian judge. A show like Lommel is the best opportunity to enter your dog if you need that qualification as on a CAC show you have more Belgian judges officiating. From the 24 judges composed of 8 nationalities, 16 were Belgians.
Notwithstanding the fact that the events hall “de Souverein” is big and modern, it is not large enough to accommodate all the exhibitors, commercial stands, rings and visitors at least not when it has to be done in one day. But outside it is a very nice area with lots of green around and enough space to set up several outdoor rings in tents. Of course it is very year praying for nice weather. While this year the weather forecast was not promising, rain did not spoil the party and even the sun was shining a lot without making it too warm for the dogs. Inside it was pretty cool and comfortable. And without incidents or dogs killed by the heath in cars, the day passed pleasantly for everyone. Some judges were really overloaded with entries and the committee asked them in advance if they needed help, but they all accepted. Star judge was without any doubt Mr. Gorjäo-Henriques Luis from Portugal, a Terrier specialist. He judged all the 154 Terriers except for the 39 American Staffordshires and the 17 Yorkies who were judged by Mr.François Vanaken from Belgium who had also 37 Chinese Cresteds and ended as 3rd most successful l judge with 118 dogs in his ring. Mr.Freddy Declercq who is also from Belgium had the 2nd place with 126 dogs. His 26 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 31 Border Collies helped a lot to reach this score. From Latvia came Mrs.V. Klucniece who had also a more than 100 score. She judged mainly group V breeds and a few Companion breeds and had 114 dogs to do. Mrs. Ingrid Hectors from Belgium had another good score. She judged a few popular breeds like the Bullmastiff (24), Newfoundlander (25) and Leonberger (30) and finished her day after judging 98 dogs and the puppies in the main ring. New judges were Mrs.Wilmsen Inge who judged 18 Pugs, Mrs.Anja Gregoire who had the Beardeds, 19 in total. Mr.Gino Decruy had 21 Afgan Hounds, which is a relatively high score. The best scoring breed, however, was the Bouledogue Français, one of the most successful breeds nowadays. Mr. Dimitry Van Raamsdonk , himself a famous breeder, set his first official steps as a judge and ended immediately with a super-score of 56. Let us hope he can continue his career in the same way. And let me not forget to mention Mr.D.Thibaut, president of the Royal Society St.Hubert (Belgian Kennel Club), who is a specialist judge for German Shepherds and who showed no less than 21 specimen the way to Lommel.
The choice for BIS-judge fell on Mr. Laurent Pichard who was invited from Switzerland and who was really worried not to catch his plane as he never thought the show would finish in time. Only the Terrier-judging went on while the main ring program started and Group III was postponed a while. The show ended well in time and there was even time enough for the official photo shoot. He had nice quality and some topdogs to choose from. His choice for the 3rd place was the Leonberger, a dog that is already used to stand on the podium. His name is Hakuna c. Bora z. Miloticek and he is owned by Bauwens-Roobrouck C. from Belgium. Mrs Hectors sended him to the main ring as BOB and Mr.Sanchez made him BIG. Hakuna is 5 years old and was entered in Champion Class in competition with 29 others. Second place went to the American Akita, Melodor Hotter Than Hell, another 5 year old winner, bred in the UK by Mclean Chris and co-owned by Nancy Daponte from Belgium. This bitch was entered in Champion Class too and judged by Mrs/.Klucniece and later in the group by Mr.Theo Leenen who made her BOG. Winner was the Welsh Corgi Cardigan “Gowerston Jazzsinger For Pemcadar”, also entered in Champions Class and bred in the United Kingdom and also a dog used to stand on the podium. He is only two years older and owned by Christine Sonberg from Belgium. Gowerston won the breed under Mr.Declercq and the group under Mr. N.Deschuymere. Christine showed also her famous Pug with success. She could return home with lots of trophies and more than happy. Her leaps in the air and her shouts of joy when she was pointed BIS were also worth an applause!
This was edition 35 of this show. I wonder if next year will attract as many dogs. It is very well possible as there is no European or World Show scheduled around that time. See you again on 09 June 2013, same place. It will be great as I have a feeling the sun will shine again.
