The Kennel Club: First Ever Open Show Winner Title Goes to Bichon Frisé

Automatically awarded once a dog wins both new-style JW and ShCEx - One of a number of new titles on offer at open shows

A Bichon Frisé, OSW Manoir’s Mr Moonlight JW ShCM, belonging to Claire Bayne and Marilyn Smith of Gorebridge, near Edinburgh is the first ever dog to be awarded the new Open Show Winner (OSW) title.

This award was introduced by the Kennel Club at the start of 2019 among a series of measures designed to improve the open show scene. Other measures introduced have included the Show Certificate of Excellence (ShCEx) and Veteran Warrant awards as well as breed supported entry classes.

The OSW title is a special award given only to dogs which have won both the new-style Junior Warrant (JW) title, launched last year, and the ShCEx award. The owner does not need to apply for the OSW certificate as it is sent to them automatically by the Kennel Club once the two qualifying titles have been successfully claimed.

For dogs which qualify for the OSW title, the letters ‘OSW’ may be used before their name on show entries and in catalogues.

‘Aero’ was bred by Kennel Club Assured Breeder Pauline Johns by Dutch/Bel/Int Ch Manoir Hooray Henry ex the US import, Judges Choice Free Spirit at Manoir. Claire says she and Marilyn will always be grateful to Pauline, “who has always been there for help and support”, for entrusting Aero into their care a year ago.

He qualified for the ShCEx award by winning two BIS, 13 toy groups (including BIS at both Scottish Toy Dog and Blackpool & Fylde Toy Dog) as well as 18 other group placements and nearly 50 BOB and/or Best NSC. He has since won another group as well as a RBIS.

Claire said Marilyn approached her a few years ago to handle a few of her older dogs and their friendship has grown from there and now they have the renewed interest of Aero who is just two years old. At championship shows, he has won one Reserve CC and Claire and Marilyn now intend to campaign him more in the hope of winning his champion title.

On attaining the OSW award, Claire said: “It was a wonderful feeling – he is my first dog that I have owned to gain his JW so that was special in itself, but for him to make history in being the first dog ever to gain his OSW title is incredible. Delighted is an understatement!”

Just to prove that Aero has more than one string to his bow, he sometimes takes part in grooming competitions with Sarah Lydon who is his regular groomer. Claire says they make a wonderful team and have picked up some prizes together including first place in Pure Breed Scissor in the Groomteam Scotland Team heats and third place in the Champion Class at Premier Groom.

On the new OSW award, Claire said: “I think it is a super idea – especially for the exhibitors who go to mostly just open shows. It is a challenge to gain the OSW title and one which can be worn with pride when achieved. There are people who are in dogs for a number of years who perhaps haven’t achieved a title at the beginning of their dog’s name – this new award gives them the opportunity. It is inclusive of new and established exhibitors alike and I think it is a step in the right direction to encourage more entries at open shows – obviously there are other factors that would affect this, but it is a positive change in my opinion.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club sends huge congratulations to Claire and Marilyn on the achievement of the first ever OSW award with Aero. 2019 marks the start of a number of measures designed to improve the ‘dog show experience’ for exhibitors at open shows and the enthusiasm of Claire, Marilyn and other competitors augurs well for the future of such events in the UK.

“It will be interesting to see just which breeds claim this title as the year unfolds. 2019 is shaping up to be a very exciting year indeed for the British open show scene.”

There is an Open Show Winner FAQ document on the Kennel Club website at bit.ly/2VDN98s. All enquiries should be directed to email sass@thekennelclub.org.uk.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Apr 24 2019. Filed under World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.