par Karl DonvilNew Year Show Hoogstraten celebrates its 35 show. (1569 photos!!!!)
The first show of the year in Belgium in 2008 is again Hoogstraten and it was really close to New Year again, 5 and 6 of January. Last year there was a spectacular increase of entries but the show was end of February. This year there was a drop down in entries to 1775 dogs compared to 1911 last year. Perhaps it was too close to New Year and Christmas, one of the most expensive periods of the year. Another factor is possible the risk for cold weather and dangerous roads. It are usually such small factors that play a part in the success of a show.
But still, Hoogstraten is one of our biggest shows in Belgium and very popular for Dutch exhibitors as it situated very near to the Dutch border and on the highway Brussels-Antwerp-Breda-Rotterdam-Amsterdam. Hoogstraten is a very rural town and famous for its vegetables. Every year the first Belgian strawberries are sold in the big auction halls of the town. At this very same place the Dog Show is held. The halls are only available in the winter and perhaps that is the reason why the show was planned so early this year. As the halls are not meant for this kind of purpose, it means a lot of organization to turn them into show halls. They need to be cleaned and disinfected after the show and they are not the brightest ones as day- and sunlight is avoided to preserve the fruits and vegetables. Despite all the efforts of the committee the halls will always make a dark impression as the photos of the main ring show.
There was finally a better podium for the dogs and traditionally, the organization offers every year something else but the traditional cups. This year Luminarc vases were on term. Especially for traditional winners a relief, as stylish vases are useful. Cups can be impressive, but one can only use it to put in or on top of cupboards and many end in a carton box on the loft or in the basement or are given away or dumped after a while.
26 Judges from 10 different countries were invited to judge. Besides the 9 Belgian judges, two came from Ireland, two from the United Kingdom, 4 from the Netherlands, two from France, also two from Denmark and Slovenia and one from Spain, on from Germany and one from Luxemburg. Saturday was a busy day for Mr.Chapiro Boris from France who had the highest number of dogs to judge, 129! No wonder if you have the Afgans (32), the Bull Terriers (21), the Staffordshire Bull Terriers (18) and the American Staffordshire Terriers (53), all popular breeds. Mrs. Lleton Lillian from Denmark had 89 dogs in her ring, all Terriers. Mrs.Hickey Frances had a busy day too. She had all the Collies, the Border and Bearded Collies and the Aussies, 74 all together. Mrs. Watkins S. and Mrs. Reynolds C., both UK judges, were both invited to judge on Saturday only, as breed specialists. Mrs.Reynolds had 48 Labradors, while Mrs.Watkins had 63 Golden Retrievers. On Sunday it was again Mr.Chapiro Boris who had the highest score, 88 to be specific. We all know that the French Bulldogs are very popular nowadays, but who had expected 52 specimen. Mr.Jo Schepers from the Netherlands had the second best score. He ended with 83 dogs in his ring, all companion dogs, including all Poodle varieties. Mr.Gerry Hickey had 78 entries, 6 Mastiffs, no less then 27 Bullmastiffs and 45 Rhodesian Ridgebacks, another very popular breed in our area. Mrs.Vos Kathleen was invited on Sunday only and for one breed only, the Rottweiler. With 69 specimen, she was the breed record holder of the show.
Best In Show judges were Mr.August Dewilde and Mr. Norman Deschuymere, both well known judges. The idea of using two judges for this job is plausible and can give some surprising results. 3th BIS went to the famous Bernese Mountain Dog, “Emerson van ‘t Stokerybos” owned and bred by Delrue Vandewalle. The very same dog won BIS at Kortrijk and is a multi-champion. Emerson was entered in Champions Class under Mr. Herman Gerhards from Germany. And Mr.Gustaaf Van den Bossche made him Best of Group. 2nd BIS went to the nice Golden Retriever “Eyop’s Early Charm” , a bitch entered in Open class. Eyop’s going to be 3 years old this year and is bred and owned by Mrs. Gribble Edlyn. Mrs.Watkins S.from the UK made her Best of Breed. Mr.Walter Van den Broeck made him Best of Group.
Mr.Ruiz Rodriguez from Spain was invited to judge the Teckels on Sunday and chose the Miniature Long Haired Teckel “I’m Tom Tom of Queenshill” as Best of Breed. Tom Tom is entered in the Working Class and is almost 3 years old. This male is bred and owned by Mrs.Hense J. from Holland. When Mr.Norman Deschuymere saw this dog while judging the group, he made him immediately Best of Group. I don’t think it was very difficult for him to convince Mr.August Dewilde to crown him Best In Show as I had the impression there was a rather quick agreement. It was only since last year that also on this very same show a Dachshund won BIS. Although usually Dachshunds have fewer chances to win this award, Hoogstraten proves it and gives hope to the owners.
No reason for all the others not to come back next year to compete. See you there!
