par Karl DonvilMouscron 2007
Another congratulation for the committee of this show which can no longer be called a small show. The spectacular growth of the entry numbers has not completely stopped and ended this year again higher then last year although only with 25 entries. The maximum capacity is almost reached and the committee is forced to be inventive in order to find a place for all the exhibitors. They hired cages that are slightly smaller in size and made more room for people who prefer not to put their dogs in cages. The total entry number was 1650 dogs.
The hall is relatively small, a rebuild former factory, but everybody agrees that the hall is one of the brightest in Belgium, with nice natural light. Of course there is no place enough to have demonstrations as the main ring is only build after the regular judging and just before the start of the main program. Nevertheless the show attracts lots of visitors because the halls are situated next to two supermarkets. Shopping people take advantage of this to have a look on what happens inside or come back on Sunday being curious and reminded on the dogshow, an excellent publicity for the show! On the other hand on Saturday it is extremely difficult to find a good parking place nearby. It doesn’t seem to bother the exhibitors very much as they come from far as Mouscron offers quick connections, situated very close to the highway and to France. No wonder that French exhibitors like to jump over the border to try to win another title and complete their Belgian or International Championship.
But we may not forget that the committee has made serious efforts to compose a sounding list of international reputed judges. 17 judges officiated, coming from Spain, Portugal, UK, Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, France and as far as Argentina.
Saturday attracted the biggest entry with 1105 dogs to judge. Mr.Deschuymere (B) had a nice entry of 41 English Bulldogs. Mrs.Molinari from Portugal has a total of 70 dogs Record holder on Saturday was Mr.T.Thorn (UK) with a total entry of 101 of which a nice score of 20 Fox Terriers smooth, good for Belgian standards. Mrs.Mach from Switzerland had 60 dogs to judge, 37 of them were Newfoundlanders. Mrs.Vanbrempt (B) had a remarkable number of 21 Dogues de Bordeaux, while Mr.Vanhoenacker (B) had 29 Leonbergers and 30 Bernese Mountaindogs. Mr.Paollilo from Argentina had 38 Great Danes to judge on Saturday but made a much better score on Sunday when he judged shepherds ending up with 75 dogs.
Mrs.Molinari was also more successful on Sunday with a total entry of 103. As an all-rounder she judged breeds out of different groups. Mr.Terry Thorn had the highest score over both days ending up with no less then 191 dogs. On Sunday he was invited to judge the British shepherds and the German Shepherds. Mrs.Mach did all the poodles on Sunday ending up with 55 in total. Mr.O’Hara from Ireland was a big hit on Sunday with 99 Retrievers of which 49 Goldens and 39 Labradors. Mr.Huidebro from Spain had also over 90 dogs on Sunday, no less then 42 of them were Afgans. Mrs.Desserne from France was only judging on Sunday but ended up with no less then 134 entries, all Companion dogs.
Mrs. Molinari judged the Yorkshire Terriers on Saturday. Her winner, Qoccle’s Oliverlightsome, owned by Mrs. Pollini Nicoletta (IT) went on to win Best of Group, a choice of Mr.T.Thorn. This dog is a multi-Champion and was finalist at Crufts last year. On Sunday Mr.Vanbrempt was on turn to judge Best in Show and, although the general quality of the finalists was very high, she didn’t hesitate to make this dog Best In Show.
I am very confident that the next show of Mouscron will be another success and I will not be surprised if there will be a “numerus clausus”. Note already the date of the next edition in your agenda, 25 and 26 January 2008, the 35th anniversary.
