MAREMMA SHEEPDOG CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN OPEN SHOW - 23rd October 2010
Although Patrick and I have attended other Club events this year, and have observed the Maremmas being exhibited at various shows - starting with Crufts - the Open Show on 23rd October was the first Club Open Show we have been to and we were very much looking forward to it. I was especially pleased, therefore, to be asked to be a Steward at the Show, with Nikki Downes.
When we arrived at Baginton Village Hall (an excellent venue for Shows and Seminars, with plenty of parking space, grassed areas for exercising the dogs, a large Hall and well equipped kitchen) the Officers and Committee had clearly been hard at work for some time, tea and coffee were being served, and I was delighted to see that, as we were blessed with good weather on the day, the Show Ring had been set up outside. Most of the exhibitors were busy getting their wonderful dogs ready for judging by Mrs Christine Griffiths - a very experienced former Maremma owner; I think it is always especially good to have a Breed Specialist judge your dog.
There were 17 dogs shown, for 26 entries. I thought that was a good entry by comparison with the numbers of Canaan Dogs (my current Breed) shown but I understand that the number of Maremmas being shown has declined and so it may be that you would have expected more entries (I'll try to do my bit to help increase numbers when our puppy is old enough to be shown!)
As a newcomer to your Breed I was enthralled watching the dogs being shown - probably to the detriment of my stewarding (sorry, must do better!) - and was very impressed by the dogs, their temperament, and the spirit of friendship amongst the exhibitors.
After the Show everyone went into the Hall to find beautifully laid tables and that your Committee had been busy preparing a delicious pasta meal for us all, served with crusty bread, grated cheese, salads, red or white wine, followed by a wonderful selection of home made cakes, a special Diamond Jubilee Cake with a Maremma decoration on it, and coffee and tea.
Attractive Diamond Jubilee Crystal awards were presented to the Best in Show (Nerina Della Kesalko), Reserve Best in Show (|Ch. Ursabianca Correlli), and Best Veteran (Milwyr Pygmalion) and other awards were also presented. Everyone attending the Show received a special Diamond Jubilee pen and there was a splendid array of raffle prizes to be won. I was also pleased to see a selection of Club goods to buy and now have my Maremma ring clip ready for use.
Patrick and I had a wonderful day (he enjoyed helping in the kitchen - I must cultivate this talent at home) and went home very happy and convinced that the day we discovered the Maremma, at 'Discover Dogs' in November 2009, was a lucky day for us. We have been received into your Club with friendliness and given helpful advice - advice we will be particularly grateful to receive as we raise our puppy and learn about living with a Maremma- and we look forward to participating in future Club events and playing our part in supporting the Club.
Thank you to the Officers and Committee for organising such a happy and successful Show. It was fun.
By Barbara and Patrick Gold