door Karl DonvilMechelen 2011, hot and sultry!
It is clear that there is a noticeable revival in entries on most shows and Mechelen is not an exception to this. With an increase of almost 6% there were now 1767 dogs entered for this show. Notwithstanding the bad summer it was a nice and warm weekend. On Sunday it was even sultry and even talking was enough to start sweating. Funny as it wasn’t even that warm, but it was very humid.
The Nekkerhalls offer good accommodation to organize a dogshow and I think that this influences the success of this show too. The huge parking around is so convenient and appreciated and the space inside is pure luxury. The only bad thing is the awful acoustic, but that is not so important and it is bearable if the sound is not too loud. This show is only 14 days away from the European Dogshow of Leeuwarden but it doesn’t seem to affect the entries at all. Exhibitors came from 13 different countries and from as far as Norway, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Italy, Swiss, Letland and 11 from the UK.
The success of a dogshow depends mostly from the balanced choice of judges, at least that is my theory. This show is once more a perfect illustration to this. From the 22 judges that were invited there were only 6 from Belgium, the rest represented 10 other countries. Of course Belgian judges should be given the possibility to judge in their own country, certainly if they judge new breeds or are new on the scene. Making a fair chance to win a title is the first thing exhibitors are looking for. In the second place they want different titles and judges to complete their championships and this is not possible if always the same judges are on term. Mechelen has well understood this and made a fine selection and most of the judges were busy to very busy. Mr. Asensi Peinado from Spain was one of them with a nice entry of 111 dogs over the weekend. Mrs. Deridder Liliane , one of our all-rounders had a total of 113. On Saturday she had two Belgian Mastiffs to judge. This breed is not yet recognized by the FCI. Mr.Walter Jungblut from Germany scored 141 dogs, 89 on Saturday and 52 on Sunday, when he had 41 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.One of our new judges, Mr. Marc Van de Meutter from Belgium judged 45 dogs on Saturday only but it was a long time ago since we had 18 Boxers in the ring. Paul Jentgen from Luxemburg is often on term in Belgium. He had 137 dogs in total and especially on Sunday he was busy judging 90 entries. Hansen Birthe had 105 in total. This good result had to do with the success of the Rhodesian Ridgebacks who were numerous with 42 specimen. Mr.Istvan Csik from Germany had a total of 119 breeds, Terriers on Saturday and Companion dogs on Sunday. Mr.Nenad Davidovic from Serbia ended with a total of 128 dogs, the 25 Siberian Huskies on Sunday added to this success. The record holder amongst the judges was without any daubt Mrs.Cathi Di Giacomowho came from the States to judge no less than 172 dogs. Her busiest day was Saturday when she judged 95 dogs, 31 Shar Peis and a fabulous number of 64 Great Danes. She held the day record and the weekend record. A special remark must also go to Mrs.Dian Degryze from Belgium who judged on Sunday only but finished with 82 dogs in her ring, including 44 Chinese Crested dogs, a breed that enjoys an increasing popularity over here. Mrs.A.Daoust from France had the breed record. She counted 47 Chihuahua’s in her ring. Mr.George Hennessy was invited to judge the 40 Goldens but was replaced by Mr.Rudy Feyaerts from Belgium. Mrs.Sue Wilkinson, also from the United Kingdom was present on Sunday to judge her 43 entries. Not very much perhaps but if I tell you that it were 24 Dalmatians and 19 Irish Wolfhounds than it sounds already a lot better as these breeds are usually not so strongly represented. Mr.Augudin Rodrigues from Spain was also judging on Sunday only, but with 84 entries his invitation was a good investment. He had 37 French Bulldogs, 24 Pugs and 23 Border Collies.
Not the youngest but certainly one of the most experienced judges of the panel is certainly Mr.Seamus Oates from Ireland. He was granted the honor to give the groupwinners a last round and examination and pick out the overall winner. His 3rd BIS was the German Shepherd dog Henzo Vom Beverenkant, a 3 year old male that was entered in Open Class under Mr.Paul Jentgen. Mr.Davidovic send him later to the finals. Henzo is owned by Luc Van Herwegen from Belgium. Runner up to BIS was the Bichon Frisé Manoir's Shot In The Dark, entered in Champion Class under Mrs. Cathi Di Giacomo and made Groupwinner by Mrs.De Ridder. Shot is a UK dog, owned by Pauline Johna and is 5 years now. BIS was the Bernese Mountaindog Icarus van ‘t Stokerybos, owned by Delrue-Vandewalle. This 2 year old male is bred and owned by Delrue-Vandewalle at the world famous kennel “van ‘t Stokerybos”. He won BOB under judge Palle Hansen from Denmark and BOG under Mrs.Liliane Deridder. This young male joins the long list of winning dogs of this kennel and we will certainly hear more of him in the next coming years and probably next year again in Mechelen. Find out on 18&19 of august 2012!
