news - 21/02/2015
Hoogstraten 2015 - Belgium
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by Karl Donvil
Hoogstraten 2015
A few weeks ago I received an unusual mail from the committee. With much pride they announced an impressive number of entries. In 2013 the show had 1619 entries, two years later 2377 dogs are in competition, amazing! Last year the hall with the main ring was divided so that the available space was reduced drastically. There was hardly space to move around. It was now decided to bring the main ring to the entry hall and regroup a little. And that was a splendid idea.
The president explained me that after closure date a large number of entries showed up and that caused troubles, but after a meeting with the board it was decided to accept these dogs. I also think it was the best option. People enter their dogs not just for fun, but in order to win the necessary but missing titles. Plus the fact that refusing them would cause frustrations and bad publicity and all the trouble with refunding etc. So 2377 was more than were expected but the club proved that they were able to handle such a number without any problem. It didn't affect the show at all. Some judges were somewhat overloaded but they all accepted it and there was hardly any delay.
The catalog was well made, although I missed an overview with statistics. I received it by mail, but it would be nice to have it also in the catalog. It adds to the prestige of this splendid show to show off with lots of nationalities. 1279 Dogs were Belgian dogs, the Netherlands had 636 entries. The border to the Netherlands is only a few kilometers away from Hoogstraten. France had 200 entries and Germany 187. 29 Dogs from the United Kingdom and 11 from Ireland were also entered. For Ireland that is a lot, but I think they came along with the several Irish judges that were invited, hoping to have an increased chance for a good result. The other dogs came from Italy (2), Poland (2), Spain (4), Ukraine (1) and Russia (3).
There was only one buffet/bar compared to previous editions but that proved no problem. Some exhibitors complained about the fact that they had to park far away from the halls. I don't see why. The halls are part of one of the biggest fruit& vegetable auction halls of the country. It is a vast complex with plenty of space to park. Indeed that was not always nearby but the connection roads were flat and in concrete and easy to pull chariots and other show stuff.
22 Judges were invited representing 10 different countries, 10 from Belgium, 3 from Ireland, 2 from the UK, and one from Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Poland and Austria each. If we keep in mind that 9 judges only officiated one day of the weekend then it 's no wonder that most had a big job to do. It is also a sign that the committee made a splendid choice when they composed the list. In the catalog, and that is remarkable and a good idea, we could already find the provisional list of judges for next year. Last year they did it the first time and maybe that was the key to this unexpected succes. It helps people to plan ahead. Suppose the judge is OK, then they put it already on their show-planner. But it also permits to plan which dogs they can enter, what type a judge is known for, etc. I really think it's a good idea that should be followed by other shows too. It's another idea that is born in Hoogstraten, alike the carpet tiles for the main ring instead of plain carpet.
Mr. Westren Walace from Ireland had 169 dogs, on Saturday Sighthound breeds and 82 entries, on Sunday all the Dachshunds, 87 all together. Mrs. Iren Naarits came all the way from Estonia. On Saturday she had 33 labradors and a totla of 64 entries. On Sunday she had 94 dogs to judge, Spitz breeds and Companion breeds. Mr. Ferdinando Asnaghi from Italy judged shepherd breeds on Saturday, 86 entries. On Sunday 48 Bulldogs were co-responsible for a total of 99 entries. Mr.Carsten Birk from Denmark had a relax Saturday with only 26 entries but Sunday, on the contrary was almost a nightmare for him. He had 38 Rottweilers, 68 Great Danes and 17 Dobermanns. Mr. Peter Drury was invited for the Golden Retrievers only, but that was a good bet. He had no less than 77 in his ring, and that was the most popular breed of this show. Mrs. Rita Mc Carty Beattie from Ireland was also a good investment for the show. She had 119 entries on Saturday, all Herding and Terrier breeds, on Sunday she had 73 entries, including 45 Chihuahua's. Mr.Günther Ehrenreich from Austria had a total score of 158. Saturday brought him 34 American Staffordshires and 31 Flat Coated Retrievers. 42 Chinese Cresteds and another 51 Companion dogs were his main course for Sunday. Mr.John Jacobsen from Norway was on term on Sunday only but made a good score with 29 Newfoundlanders, 44 Leonbergers and some other breeds, good for a total of 81 entries. Mr.Bas Bosh and Mrs.Myriam Vermeire had also busy Sundays with 81 and 93 entries. But no one did better than Mr.Jeff Luscott from England. He was a fantastic investment with an impressive score of 279 dogs over the weekend. On Saturday he was not finished before the main ring started but it caused no problem in the end as all the classes that came first were already judged by him. He had 150 entries, including a phenomenal number of 64 Border Collies and 33 Shetland Sheepdogs. On Sunday he was an itsy-pitsy more relaxed as he had "only" 129 dogs to judge, all Primitive and Spitz breeds. Worth mentioning are the 43 Japanese Akitas, a breed that seems to become more and more popular over here.
Best In Show judging was an honor offered to Mr. August Dewilde. Laura Rump from the Netherlands was send to the 3rd place with her Rhodesian Ridgeback "Mafinga Hombarume". She entered her 2 year old male in Intermediate Class judged by Mr. Jean-Pierre Achtergael from Belgium who also judged the group. 37 Rhodesians were entered. Mrs.Radstok Marion, also from the Netherlands, entered her Lhasa Apso "Close To Perfection Next To You" in Champions Class males to be judged by Jeff Luscott. 11 Lhasa's were entered. Mr.Dirk Spruyt made this 4 year old little champ win it's group. The 29 Bearded Collies were judged on Saturday by Mrs.Rita Mac Carry-Beattie. She picked out "Beardie Connections Kenji", multi BIS winner in Belgium, to go to the main ring. Kenji was judged here by Mr.Norman Deschuymere and won the group. Owner Otto Rinus , again from the Netherlands, came back on Sunday as there was one chance on 10 to become Best In Show. But famous Kenji had no problem to beat the rest and climb to highest podium. Kenji knows who will probably judge him next year.
It would be great if the judges list for next year would be on the website too. This website is very good and informative. It's address is http://www.schaalderkempen.be. Have a look and enter your dog. The show is earlier than this year (it changes every two years), on Januari 9 and 10.
Text and Photos: Karl DONVIL
Results: Paula Dictus and Karl Donvil
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