nouvelles - 05/10/2008 Budapest European Dogshow Day 3 - Hongrie
par Karl DonvilBudapest, European Dogshow 2008
A few Dramatic mistakes cast a shadow on the immense success of the biggest European Dog Show so far.
Most of us will probably remember the rumours over a year ago, concerning the troubles in Hungary on whether or not the European Dog Show in Budapest could be organised or not. The case was even brought to court. In the end the Hungarian Kennel Club got green light. A lot of time and energy was spent, but the case had a reversed effect. In very short time no less then 14925 dogs were entered for the European title and another 8000 were entered for the specialties shows. All this took place in only 3 days.
In 1993 Hungary had already organized the European Dog Show with an entry of 6600 dogs and in 1996 it had the honour to hold the World Dog Show in conjunction with Austria.
I was a big challenge this time as never before such a number of dogs and handlers needed to be hosted and a team of judges to be invited.
Although the area and the halls were large enough for such an event, the infrastructure was not enough to receive such a number of cars. There was only one two-way road leading to the halls and parking places and this caused a massive bottle neck in the morning and evening resulting in hours of cueing. Many exhibitors, aware of the possible problems, still heavily underestimated the problem and lost hours, blocked in traffic. No police to guide all this, no security able to handle the problems, nothing. Many people were desperate. Some travelled thousands of kilometres to end up in a cue, less then a few kilometres from the halls. Nobody was able to give some information or didn’t speak anything else but Hungarian. As if this was not enough, once arrived at the vast showground, there was little or no information available and again hardly anybody from the organization that spoke a few words of English or German. Some halls were far apart, as were the rings for the breed specialties. Exhibitors were expected to run around in search for their ring. Once arrived in a hall it was even there often a question of good luck, as the ring numbers were not ordered in the most logical way but numbered in rows of two rings and that could cause serious confusion. On Saturday, the only rainy day, I met a man, desperately standing in the rain with his (once) groomed dog in his hands, almost bursting out in tears, begging me to help him show the way. I couldn’t help him either. Without a map and a program it was hardly possible to find one’s way and if you arrive at a show you don’t have your program or catalogue yet. If you don’t know where you can get it you are lost.
In the evening the same problems started over gain in the other direction, sometimes even worse as every driver needed to pay cash before leaving the parking. If every 50 cars there is someone who is out of cash and needs to look for someone to help him, he holds up the cue and before you know you are stuck again for hours. A better option was the train or subway as there was a stop right at the entrance of the showground. But it is no excuse to say that in the communistic age there were hardly any cars and that train or subways was a better choice. Exhibitors not only have dogs with them, but also a lot of things for grooming and other stuff. And if you come from another country the train is no option anymore. This only counts for the visitors but not for the exhibitors. Most of this could have been solved with the help of the police and well trained security people and with tickets to leave the parking place instead of cash money. On the showground one big map right after the entrance, indicating all the rings and a red dot to show where you were would have helped enormously. Simple solutions can prevent enormous problems.
Once on the showground and installed the problems were over. The halls were vast and could house big rings. Inside some of them the light could have been better, but this we see in other places too. It was clean too and there was enough space to walk the dogs on the green lawn in between the halls, something that was certainly much appreciated by the dogs. On Saturday it was different due to the rain, but at least the dogs could have a walk outside, and the whole weekend the outside temperatures were good to very good. The bright and spacious main hall was reserved for the stand holders and the main ring. As 4 October, World Animal Day, was one of the show days, special attention was paid to the different Hungarian Animal Rescue Organizations, who could have a stand and the show also welcomed schools on Friday (for free!). During the event one pavilion was reserved for an International Cat and pet show.
The main ring was covered with a blue carpet and properly fenced. On one long side was the public gallery. The opposite side was reserved for the VIP’s and judges. One short side was for the press and at the other end two big prejudging rings were located. A good idea as one is usually not enough for events like this. Judges have more time this way to have a better look at the dogs and also more space to make them run. The positive effect was there, as no time was lost in the main ring and the time schedule was well respected, notwithstanding the delay due to the cues in the morning. There was even time enough to bring not only the veterans, but also the babies and puppies in the main ring. This was certainly one of the better ideas.
As usual several demonstrations and presentations were held in the main ring. I was positively surprised to see, for the first time in my life, a PAR-agility competition, Agility for disabled people. The fact that the handlers were disabled didn’t affect the fun for the dogs in any way. Both master and dog enjoyed the competition and the public was clearly moved.
The Press was not so very happy. They were seated on one short end of the main ring and it was very difficult to make any proper photos during judging. There was no podium in the main ring and the winners were lined up in front of the judges. Most handlers use to hold their dogs on their left making almost impossible for the photographers to take a picture of the winning dogs in the main ring. They needed to do their photo shoot outside the ring in the photo corner. It was reserved for the Press only but usually occupied by exhibitors taking photos of their dogs on the podia. As if this was not enough, just anyone could mix up with the professionals to take a private shot and some winners even didn’t turn up for the photo-shoot. It can be so simple if we only take a look at the way Press facilities are organized for Football. A walking line around the main ring between two fences, reserved for Press only, is the most effective solution. Thus a minimum of security people is needed; no interference from the public and all photographers can walk around the ring without disturbing the program. If then the podium is placed no too far from the fence, there is even no need for them to go into the ring, shots can be made from a good angle, nothing is missed and the show can go on without disturbance at all, simple solutions for maximum satisfaction!
When the Press asked to at least line up the winners diagonally in front of the judges AND the photographers, the answer was that the judges were the honourable guests and the winners should be posed in front of them and their could be no question to reserve one side of the judges area for the Press, which was a much better position, even while this area was more then 50% empty.
In my (personal) opinion, the principal guests are the exhibitors! Without them, no show! They are the basis of the pyramid and should be taken care of in the first place. Whatever the judges say or how nice the Press writes, it makes no sense to lie as there were 8500 witnesses on the show, the exhibitors! If they are happy and treated correct, they don’t mind how well the VIP’s are taken care off.
I suspect that you will think now that this show was a complete disaster. Not at all! But all these faults and problems had so much impact on the event that the souvenirs will in general be reserved to those who won a title. They could have easily prevented all this and at almost no extra costs. It was a matter of organization, emphasis on the wrong details, and (infra-) structure. I talked and discussed with lots of people, friends, colleagues, visitors, strangers and judges and all agreed about this, some more, some less. But there is no way you can veil the facts and frustrations while there are 8500 witnesses, the exhibitors!
Since the first FCI European Dog Show in 1990 and many World Shows and other big events, a lot of experience has been build up. It is time now that the FCI appoints an officer in charge of such events and Press matters, someone who is in charge of helping organizations, someone who will check if a country is technically able to organize events like this, before they run for a nomination. A check list should be drawn up with minimum requirements, advised requirements and welcomed requirements. Such a person could prevent that things like this are repeated. After every event of such a kind, an in depth report should be made and discussed with the FCI observers (that exist already now) and some obligatory observers of nominated organizations. The FCI owes that to the exhibitors who travel thousands of kilometres, pay a lot to enter their dogs (from 40 to 80 EURO depending on the class and deadline of payment) and come to make a chance to win a title.
As mentioned already, no less then 14925 dogs were entered, a new record. 58 Countries were represented. Hungary was best represented with 3459 dogs. Next was Russia (no surprise!) with 1901 dogs. Italy was the 3rd most important country with 1633 entries. Dogs came as far as from the USA, Canada, Thailand, Japan, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Korea (even from one from North Korea), Taiwan, and Hong Kong. A big surprise was the no less then 15 dogs entered from Burundi! Is this the first time that all continents were represented?
If we look at the TOP 10 of the breeds we find the American Staffordshire Terriers on the first place with 327 specimen followed by the Dobermanns (273) and the Labradors (265). 4th Place is taken by the Cane Corso, which sounds unusual as this breed is less popular in many other countries and relatively new on the show scene.
Although the Arab Emirates didn’t have any entries on this show, they had a trade stand, presenting their canine police team and rescue dog team. Their stand was one of the most visited during the show as many gadgets were distributed and presents given to children. They also offered several trophies in the main ring.
In order to judge all those dogs in 3 days, a small army of judges was needed and in order to give it the necessary international representation they were invited from no less then 35 countries worldwide, a prestigious achievement! Mr.Tamas Jakkel was, alike Kenneth Edh for the World Show in Stockholm, the main speaker during the 3 days and the BIS judge. He was presented with 10 top dogs on Sunday for the final judging, no less then five of them were from Italy, two from Russia, one from Slovakia, one from Thailand and one from Hungary.
His choice was brave as choosing a Welsh Corgi Pembroke is very unusual as this breed is not the most glamorous one, but it was a top dog and I think no judge disagreed with him and the audience seemed very happy too. Alike the first place, the 2nd place went also to a dog from Italy, a nice, happy blond Labrador Retriever. Thailand went home with the 3rd place, won by a fantastic Pomeranian. The 4th place was reserved for the French Bulldog who came from Russia.
The Hungarian Kennel club is in the running to organize the World Dog Show in 2014. I can only hope that, if this will be the case, they will learn from their mistakes. It are small, essential things, no details. Overlooking them results in chaotic situations. Even with the most prestigious panel of judges, the most impressive prizes and the best accommodation available, there is no show without the exhibitors with their dogs. Pleasing 8500 exhibitors is at least as important as pleasing 100 judges! Let us hope that they make a good check list, read all the critiques and learn from it. Let us also hope too that the FCI will appoint by then an officer to help them to prevent mistakes. The Hungarian people are very friendly, hospitable and proud and there is no doubt that it will certainly go better. They deserve another chance and I look forward to be there again with even more dogs on show.
Text: Karl DONVIL
Results: MEOE (Hungarian Kennel Club website)
BEST IN SHOW RESULTS
BEST IN SHOW RESULTS 03-10-2008
Junior Handling - 9 - 13
1. Hilde-Marie Frederiksson- Kleinspitz
2. Tóth Beatrix - Fox Terrier
3. Záhonyi Ábel Dorottya - Pointer
4. Korózs Dorina - Fox Terrier
Junior Handling -14 - 17
1. Goda Jurgilaite - Pomeranian
2. Krausz Ágnes- West Highland Whire Terrier
3. Juraj Steviar - Barzoi
4. Bazdetini Dor - Carin Terrier
Junior Handler -Day Winner
1. Goda Jurgilaite - Pomeranian
2. Hilde-Marie Frederiksson- Kleinspitz
Couples
1. Irish Setter - Yvonne Hill Decoster (B)
2. Bedlington Terrier - All. To Colacoda di Gammella R. (I)
3. Wire Hungarian Vizsla - dr. Zsedényi István (H)
4. Bracco Italiano - Balogh Katalin (H)
Breeders Group
1. Glor na Gael - Irish Wolfhound Juhász Csilla és Tibor (H)
2. All. To Colacoda di Gammella R. - Bedlington Terrier - All. To Colacoda di Gammella R. (I)
3. of Skyrocket - Magyar vizsla - Varga Nikoletta (H)
4. Finnsky - Skye Terrier - Rolf Dahlbon (FIN)
Progeny Group
1. Cobyco Center Piece - Whippet - Tomasz Wolanczyk PL
2. Bükkaljai Vad?z? Basa Erdélyi Kopó, Balogh Eszter H
