Crufts 2015 – England is Dominated by a Russian Scot with an American at the Helm
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by Kerry Rushby
We find ourselves quickly telling each other that another Crufts has come and gone. Attending shows all over Europe and USA, I do feel that there is no better show than Crufts. It has its own buzz, pizzazz and extra factor that just nails it for the world of dogs. You have to see it to believe it!
This year the show attracted over 21,000 dogs from over 30 different countries of which 3,000 of the exhibit numbers came from countries other than the UK.
Achieving a childhood dream and judging the finale for Best was no other than ex-Chairman of the Kennel Club, and Border Terrier breeder and terrier group judge, Mr. Ronnie Irving (Dandyhow). Ronnie and his wife, Kate, endured many years breeding, showing and exhibiting Border Terriers with great success. Ronnie’s passion for dogs started as a young boy and when he met Kate the relationship blossomed with the passion for Border Terriers at the fore.
This show features five halls, under one roof, and four days of competition for seven groups leading to one dog claiming the Supremacy that is Best in Show at Crufts. All eyes this year favored the Terrier group for the top spot. However, the Terrier most expected to go all the way was upended by a surprise contender. As we say here in the UK, ‘Crufts is the demon of all dog shows! The favourites are flunked and the overlooked ones are the winners on the day!’
The Wire Fox Terrier ring held the main attraction on Hound and Terrier day as the judge Mr. L. Snow had a very exciting Open Dog class to assess, which consisted of some of the World’s Best Wires in one class. The Top Dog All Breeds in the UK, Ch. Travella Striking Steel, also the Crufts BIS favourite, was handled by Richard Allen. It was bred by Bill Browne-Cole and owned by Victor Malzoni Jr. from Brazil. There was also King Arthur Van Foliny Home, handled by Welshman Warren Bradley, bred by Rony De Munter and Dieny Uiterwijk from Belgium, and also owned by Victor Malzoni Jr. Intl. Ch./Am. Ch. Fox Creek JP Ideal Or Idiot, handled by Hiroshi Tsuyuki and also bred in Japan by Hiroshi, and owned by English Terrier fancier, Tony Barker was present. The excitement built as the Open Dog class approached. The ring was surrounded by spectators silent with anticipation. A gasp of shock reacted as the judge pointed at King for 1st place, with Fox Creek JP Ideal in second with 3rd place going to the top dog all breeds in the UK, ‘Oliver’. Warren Bradley celebrated with King at achieving the first goal in the competition. His partner and children watched on from the corner with utter joy at winning the class, whilst the other placed dogs waited for the cards, shocked but pleased with competing the best class in the whole show. It was a disappointing show for Oliver as their goal was to win Crufts after a successful couple of years in the UK. Sadly for them it was not the year! The CC was eventually awarded to King, and later Best of Breed. Would the King make it two in a row and win the Terrier group under Martin Phillips for a second year running at Crufts?
The final figures for the show completed a record, a total of 159,915 people attended Crufts, which was up from last year’s total of 159,426. More trade stands were allocated and more breeds were introduced. In 2015, three breeds gained CC allocation for the first time in the UK. Those breeds were: Bracco Italiano in the Gundog group, Havanese in the Toy group, and Tibetan Mastiff in the Working group. Interestingly enough, over 60% of Best of Breed winners were overseas exhibits. The show really is an international affair.
A handler, whose passion is dogs, came all the way from the USA to Crufts on Thursday to exhibit her top winning Scottie in the USA for owner Marina Khenkina from Russia. The breed judge was Geoff Corish, whose opinion the handler, Rebecca Cross, would admire greatly. Little did Rebecca know just how big the show would get for her! Topping the breed and beating the Russian male for Best of Breed, Rebecca and the Scottie bitch, Knopa, competed in the Terrier group under Martin Phillips, an expert in Norfolk Terriers. The crowds were sold with Rebecca and Knopa’s performance in the group and Martin had to agree – Rebecca and Knopa won their place for the Best In Show finale on the Sunday. Rebecca was beyond words. She was shocked and tired from her journey, but overwhelmed with the wonderful day. A full day of rest is all that Rebecca and Knopa needed to be ready to do it all again for Best In Show.
Other group winners at Crufts came included the Flatcoated Retriever from Sweden, Multiple Ch. Castlerock Simply Magic, the Saluki also from Sweden, Multiple Ch. Qirmizi Ovation, the Maltese from Italy, Multiple Ch. Cinecitta Sasha Baron Cohen, the Miniature Poodle from Norway, Ch. Montserrat Caballe, the Alaskan Malamute, Ch. Chayo My Prerogative coming from the UK and the Bearded Collie, Ch. Victory Wind’s Ghost Whisperer for Snowmead JW also from the UK.
Ronnie Irving had his choice amongst such wonderful exhibits and thanked the group and breed judges for selecting excellent specimens for his consideration.
No show would be complete with the anti-dog brigade firing up a storm and causing commotion during the finale of Best In Show, but with the expert, highly-trained security staff on the area of the main ring, the ASB were soon fireman-lifted out of the building. Each dog was asked to make a last lap around the ring before the winners podium boards were lifted into the ring and the Keddell Memorial Trophy and Kennel Club Cup were placed on the podium. The presenter of the official Crufts television program, Clare Balding, entered the ring as the winner was announced. Mr. Irving pointed in the direction of the Scottish Terrier, Knopa, with the Flatcoat in Reserve.
Rebecca’s joy was soon subdued as the anti-dog brigade jumped on her expert terrier handling. They decried her handling ability for picking the dog up from the table on to the floor by the head and tail. Whilst in the UK this technique is not the manner, it is not a rule and over 50,000 people signed a petition to ban Rebecca from her award, whilst it was the dog who was crowned Supreme Champion of Crufts and not the handler. We all watched Rebecca and Knopa do their thing, and regardless of anyone’s opinion about the lift from the table to the floor, Knopa performed flawlessly, steered by an enduring handler whose passion is showing and who’s heart belongs to the Scottish Terrier. The show dog community remained supportive during the difficult time, whilst she was still trying to remember that they just won the world’s biggest dog show at Crufts.
So once more, the famous green carpet, banners and Crufts memorabilia have been packed away. The Kennel Club continues to gain complaints about minor things but the show still holds as the World’s Biggest Dog Show, with literally the best dogs in town!
Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=79828
Posted by ralbee
on Jun 20 2015. Filed under Current Articles, Editorial.
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