This, the 25th Year of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, saw us back to Breed Specialists for our Championship Show. Jenny Littlejohn of the Skiivolk affix & Tracey Pittock of Cheechako drew between them a phenomenal entry of 350 exhibits giving 417 entries. Throw into the pot a brand new Show Manager and the day was set to be interesting.

Show morning found the weather bright but chilly, ideal for the dogs out in the carpark. The long haul travellers and stall holders were about early and after a couple of near disasters and then a very fast dash down the motorway Andy Noble arrived, professing his eternal grateful thanks to Nicky Steele for getting him there.

With everything ready the Show opened at 9 am and everyone trooped in to sort themselves out ready for judging at 10 am. Two spacious rings were laid out (with 38 in the largest class they needed to be big) and the new Club Tablecloths helped brighten up the room.

Our thanks for the day must go not only to the judges for their stirling work in slogging their way through so many dogs, with only a short lunch break, but also to our 4 Stewards. Diane Gale & Nicky Steele had offered very early to attend, however even up until the Friday evening we were still searching for two more Stewards to help out. Thanks especially therefore to Sue Blake who had been looking forward to watching the whole event and looking after the extremely well behaved Ellie and Andy Smales who had to juggle both Stewarding & Showing.

As it was the 25th year some special touches had been added, new place cards, rosettes for everyone, as this proved so popular at the 2000 Show, a large cake and champagne for the principle winners. Sue & Ann did great work raising £200 for Welfare with the raffle and we also, thanks to Guy Redwood, took photo's of all the class winners to display on the site.

It was lovely to see our President Mr Pagliero OBE and he kindly said a few words and cut the cake, and also Jean Collins, one of our Vice-Presidents who always likes to support us.

Eventually the judging was over leaving us with 4 young homebred dogs as the principle winners, the oldest being only just 27 months. Dave & Jill Hemmins were so proud of Eekonoo's Zefram Cochrane taking his second CC, the third surely can't be far away, and then Best In Show. Ali Koops handled Forstal's Nikitinka to his second Reserve CC & then Reserve Best in Show. Two first timers to the green cards took the bitch places with Mr Kyles and the young (15 month old) Nuchkas Keziah Of Sky winning her first CC & BOS and Sarah Robinson handling Rigrunner Cirrus to her first RCC.

Mr Pagliero OBE was called upon in his Referee role to choose a delighted Wendy Drummond with Keriquel Sanu Taboche at Sasoolka as BPIS at her first ever Championship show and then at completely the other end of the scale the glorious 14 year old Aceca's King of the Road as BVIS.

The Show finally closed at 7.20pm with a pleasing number of people having waited to see the BIS. The patient Bonsai Tree traders moved in their stock, and everyone set off for home wondering what plans we can make to cope with the numbers next year. Our final thanks must go not only to anyone who helped, but also to the two Judges, Tracey & Jenny who tirelessly treated each dog & handler the same, no matter what time of the day they saw them. Well done.

Full results can be found here.

Author: Sarah Robinson