DANE OF THE YEAR 2013
SHOW REPORT
On the 3rd Sunday of October each year all roads for Great Dane lovers lead to
Ryton on Dunsmore and The Sports Connexion for the Dane of the Year show - the
Breeds UK Specialty Show.
This year was the 61st show and the turn of the Great Dane Club of Wales as hosts.
Together with the Northern GDC and the Midland and West of England GDC the
three Clubs continue to support and sponsor this prestigious show.
As is usual with the GDC of Wales, there was a Welsh flavour evident with the large
Welsh Dragon declaring "Croeso" to all. There is of course an overriding Great Dane
flavour, with posters, banners and the impressive gallery of photos of 56 of the
previous winners hung along one side of the hall. Special thanks go to Judith
Middleton who looks after these and brings them to the show. Hanging them and
later packing them away is a considerable task for Judith and helpers.
Along with the GDCW, the NGDC and M and W also had tables displaying a variety
of "goodies". Also joining in on the day were the Great Dane Breeders and Owners.
Their table being manned by Eric Bailey, who had brought along a considerable
amount of Dane memorabilia. They, along with the South Western, The Great Dane
Club and East of England were most welcome. The Breeds Rescue was represented
by the National GD Rescue. Cyril Bishton had, what is by now, his traditional pitch
and photographer Alan Walker arrived hot foot from the Champions Stakes finals the
evening before.
A lovely selection of prizes were on offer in the raffle and our thanks go to all who
kindly donated, with particular thanks to Sue Shadbolt who had donated a watch and
bracelet for a separate raffle. Tickets sold very well, so a big thank you is due to all
who bought on the day.
Thanks go to our main sponsors Royal Canin who had donated bags of their
products for class winners and the principal winners and also to Sylvia and Geoff
Burton, Ann Shepherd, Cyril Bishton and everyone else who gave donations towards
the rosettes for their donations.
At ringside it was good to see Sylvia and Geoff Burton, Gwen Herbert and Tony
Pearce enjoying the day and still supporting DOTY. Also enjoying a day out were
Steve Bell and Trevor Jones who have not been too well of late - our good wishes go
to them.
Judging was underway at 9.30 a.m. with Marie Day having an entry of 67 Dogs to go
over. Adam Chappell had some 73 Bitches to assess. The overall entry was 140
exhibits making 209 entries from 83 exhibitors. A very pleasing entry and one of the
highest this year for two of our younger Breed Specialists to run the rule over.(It is
hard to believe that between them they have over 60 years experience).
With both judges having completed their task in good time, the two rings were
transformed into one and the unbeaten exhibits, starting with the Dogs, were
announced as they entered the ring.
Having moved them all again, Marie pulled out five for further consideration:Joopstar the Viscount (Harli) Vanmore Super Ken of Preveli (Fawn), Eddanes Rule
the World Dinahtron (Fawn), Vanmore Raphael ( Fawn)and Akura Hugo the Brave
(Black), with the nod going to Raphael owned and bred by Laurence Morgan-Evans.
Reserve Best Dog and Best Puppy Dog going to Viscount, owned and bred by Gary
Gough and Terry Gorman. Marie had kindly donated super engraved glassware
depicting head studies of Danes she has handled to win Best Dog, Res Best Dog
and BPIS at DOTY which were presented to today’s respective winners.
Adams unbeaten bitches were then brought into the ring and once all had been
moved, he too shortlisted five:- Ch Bourntwyn In My Dreams JW (Fawn), Tamzdane
Jamaican Me Crazy JW ShCM (Harli), Beizjan Lochsong (Fawn), Ch Danelyn She's
Got The Look for Tantallon (Imp AUS) (Fawn) (AI) JW and Highesteem Love Affair
with Dorneywood (Imp NOR)(Fawn)
From the shortlist Adam selected Elaine and Richard Hydes Love Affair bred by
Messers Karlsen and Sopp in Norway with Res Best Bitch going to In My Dreams
owned and bred by Mandy and Chris Bithell. Best Puppy Bitch was Audrey
Farquhars home bred, Stroma the Candidate. Adam had generously donated
champagne for BB and BPB.
The judges were unable to agree who should be DOTY, so it was the over to the
Referee Colin Richardson who declared that the honour should go to the dog –
Vanmore Raphael.
Both judges agreed that RBIS would be Love Affair and The Candidate BPIS.
Tradition has it that the GDC of Wales presents the principal winners and judges with
brass Miners Lamps. It was then over to Alan Walker to record the event as he has
done for many years.
To round up, grateful thanks go to the various helpers, the sponsors and not least
the exhibitors and visitors who continue to support this marvellous event and we look
forward to seeing you all at The Connexion on the 19th October 2014 when the host
will be the Northern Great Dane Club.
Rick Day
Show Manager