by Karl DonvilBrabo (Antwerp 2007)
The first show this year to lose entries, although only a few, is Antwerp. While last year we had 1543 dogs, this year it was only 1500. Funny was that on Saturday there were hardly 435 dogs to show, all the rest was on Sunday. Saturday had Group I (Shepherds), Group IV (Dachshunds), Group 5 (Spitz and Primitive Breeds) , Group VI (Scenthounds) and Group X (Sighthounds). The weather that weekend was splendid and warm and as this was announced, it was normal that there were very few visitors and resulted in disappointed stand holders.
Perhaps this was not the only reason why the show was less successful. Even while this is an international title show (CACIB), in my opinion too many Belgian judges officiated, 11 to 25, to be more specific. They represented 10 different countries.
Mr.N.Sedyh from Russia had 56 dogs on Saturday, but for Belgium a nice number of Barzois, 26 in fact. He was the best scoring judge that day.
A completely different situation happened on Sunday where the very same judge had the second best score of 113, when he was much appreciated by the Leonberger owners, having 33 specimen of the breed in the ring. Best scoring judge was Mr.A.M. Pogessi from Italy with 129 dogs. He was popular amongst the Bouledogue Français owners, having 31 in his ring, but has also 24 Pugs and 20 Shih Tzus. Mrs.A.Paloheimo from Finland had 75 dogs to judge. Her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, were the best scoring breed as 51 showed up for her. Second best Scoring breed was the Newfoundlander, judged by Mr.J.Van Hummelen from Belgium, with 47 dogs. Mrs.L.Brown from England had also a very high score, judging 106 Terriers on Sunday. She shared the group with Mr.F.Devitt from France who ended up with 82. Mrs.A.Castro from Spain had the Curly Coated, Flat Coated, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, all together 78. The Belgian judge Mr.P.Roosenboom had 83 to judge on Sunday, 37 of them Bulldogs, a very popular breed over here nowadays.
I have no good explanation why Saturday was rather disappointing. If Saturday would have be as good as Sunday, this show would have been one of the best. I suppose that the foreign judges were more famous for the breeds they judged on Sunday and not so for those of Saturday. In other words, it would have been better if the committee would also have invited a few more specialists in the breeds of Saturday. Inviting judges is not easy at all. Most clubs need help for this and are advised by breed clubs or have experienced members and judges in all the breeds in their committee. If this is not the case they need to rely on the international judging lists and try to compose a panel, without knowing if they might interest exhibitors.
It is very important to analyze catalog's, visit shows and talk to as many judges and exhibitors as possible, in one work, doing “Field Work”.
Last year the main ring was already changed and made better, but I was not very happy with the podium. The concept was very much alike the one in Luxembourg, but the colors were not such a good choice. This,combined with the ugly podium that is too much used in Belgium and the fact that it was surrounded by piles of bags with dog food and extra gifts in plastic bags in the background and also in the foreground, gave it a very messy impression.
It unfortunately had no style at all.
All group winners were invited to compete on Sunday for Best In Show, no best of day like in several other shows. It was the Multi Champion Whippet “Daydream Di Mahana”, bred and owned by Mr.Dominique Delabelle from Belgium. He was judged on Saturday by Mr.A.Campagne from France. Mr. Deschuymere made him best of Group 10 and Mr.Dewilde had the honor to judge Best In Show made him the ultimate winner. Mr.Delabelle was presented by a mini motorbike, a gift from the main sponsor.
One of the advantages of this slight setback is that it is easier to do better the next edition then to stay on top. The situation is not dramatically at all, but if Saturday was as successful as was Sunday, this could have been one of the best scoring shows in Belgium. Turn it into a Challenge, I would say.
