Winner Amsterdam Show 27-11-2011

De Winner Amsterdam is each year the highlight of the Dutch showing season. My first Winner was in 1975 and I believe, since then, haven’t missed one.  For years, the judging for Bobtails and Beardies was done in the Amstelhall. This year only the bobtails were judged here. Our Beardies were in the Europahall, 400 meters away. Both judges started exactly at 09.30h with both breeds. That was a problem! And that, after I had got up at 03.45h to be at the Hall just before 07.00. According the homepage of the Winner, the doors would open at 07.00. Well, they didn´t! We had to wait outside until 07.30, before the doors were opened. In fact rude behavior towards the exhibitor. The Bobtail judge had 21 dogs, of which 7 males, before it was our „Doro´s“ (Jadore aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal) turn. The Beardie judge had 25 Beardies and before it was Guffies turn, there were 17 dogs. So with a small sprint  over 400 meters (in recordtime), doable. Well, it didn’t work! Mr Jan de Gids judged the Bobtails and took his time, whilst Mr. Nyman from Denmark judged the Beardies in no time. There was no other option than to give Doro to Chris Beirendonk. She again, was willing to show Doro.

By mobile phone, I was informed by Eef Martens that the Youth class bitches where in the ring already. So a spurt thru the halls had to be made. In the Youth Class were 5 bitches. 3 beautiful examples, one that didn’t want to stand or run and one that should not have had more than a Good according to my opinion. The three beautiful ones were Marja Eilers-Ojevaar’s “Clan of storks Yahtzee”, a daughter of Enfieldand two litter sisters. Marieke van der Wouw’s “Firsprizebears Jane Fonda” and Ingrids “Firstprizebears Jade Jagger“. One more round was for 2 dogs a problem, as they only wanted to jump. The dog that jumped and should have had a Good according to my opinion, won. Marja was second with Yathzee, Marieke with “Jane Fonda” third and Ingrid got a Very Good 4 with her beautiful “Jade Jagger”. It took my breath and I feared the worst, because I had to still show Lilly and Guffie. I am sure that I was not the only one who was surprised after these placements. BUT: a judge is always right. Eef Martens, proud owner of Guffie (“Clanyard Bay Mac Guffie“), was nervous. Not me and therefore I was allowed to show her. A real pleasure this dog. This was also the opinion of the judge, Mr. Gunnar Nyman from Denmark and made her 1^st in the In Between Class. In the Open Class was only one dog before our Lilly (Ch. Firstprizebears Helen Hunt, Winner 2011 and Winner of Group 1 at this Show) had to take it up against 3 other bitches in the Champions class. Also here, Mr. Nyman proved his knowledge about how a good Beardie had to look and our “Lilly” won. Now we had a problem, as I can’t show 2 dogs simultaneously and Eef was much too nervous. Marja Eilers-Ojevaar recognized the situation and offered her help in showing “Lilly” for the Winner Title and Best Bitch. I have to admit that I had a bit of a bad conscience, because I should have shown “Lilly” as she carrying our Kennel name. However, this day, Guffie had the better chances in the Big Ring and therefore this decision.  The decision seemed to be correct. “Guffie” Best Bitch and Best of Breed, Winner Amsterdam out of the In Between class at only 23 months of age.

Marja, had with her Mark and the very good looking puppy male “Clan of Storks Kaliber”, again, a super team in the ring. “Dodge’s” nest sister “Clan of Storks Kookiedoh” also won the Puppy class. Both are children of our “Hitchkock”.

It was 12.00 hrs and the waiting started. The big ring was supposed not to start efore 17.30 hrs. Marja and her bunch had taken care of nice snacks and made sure the mood was good. This made waiting attractive.

In the big Ring Mark with “Dodge” was very successful this day and became 3^rd Best in Show out of all puppies.

“Dodge” while running.

Photo’s of Dodge by van Scheven. All other pictures by Eef Martens.

As assumed, around 17.30 we were in the Big Ring in this oh so giant Group. Mrs. Karlsdotter from Sweden was the judge and “Guffie” was in the selection amongst the last 8. We were satisfied. Tired we arrived in Maaseik at approximately 20.30. What a day!