Sponsored by Pedigree, these shows are very popular with exhibitors, giving them the chance to win two sets of CCs on a single weekend. A team of foreign judges, mostly from Australia, made the long trip to South Africa to officiate, along with several local judges.
It turned out to be a great weekend for the “girls” with the top awards at both shows being won by bitches.
On Saturday it was the turn of Transvaal Midlands Kennel Club where Maurice Le Cussan from Australia judged Best In Show. The Gundog group was won by the buff American Cocker bitch SA Ch Quasar’s Ringside Gossip owned by Misses Brookes & Archuleta and bred in the USA by Miss Archuleta. Australian judge Nina Beiberitz’s choice for the Herding group was the locally bred Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Darroll’s SA Ch Castle Douglas Mossdale of Highleigh.
South African judge Percy Green awarded the Hound group to the Whippet bitch, Kelly’s SA Ch Cottoncove High Society, locally bred from UK import SA Ch Barnesmore Soldier Blue of Glenbervie.
Owner-bred
Canadian judge Richard Paquette awarded first place in the Terrier group to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier SA Ch Vangershire Redvers Buller, while the South African owner-bred Pekingese SA Ch Riebeeland Born Tovy was the choice of Australian judge John Thompson for the Toy group.
Completing the line up were the Bulldog, van der Merwe’s Ch Mervander Galloon, which won the Utility Group under Wendy Paquette, and the Dobermann von Oettingen’s Ch Hysand Viceroy, the choice of Belgian judge Liliane De Ridder for the Working group.
After putting the seven dogs through their paces, Mr Le Cussan awarded the top spot to the American Cocker bitch - well worth the long trip from Cape Town for her owner - with the Whippet bitch in reserve.
Best Puppy in Show was the Toy group representative, the Pekingese Riebeeland Double Trouble, owner bred by Mrs Stroebel. Transvaal Midlands also hosted a special event for veterans. This is always a popular competition allowing exhibitors to bring out their “golden oldies”. This year the winner of Best Veteran In Show was the eight year old male South African bred Rottweiler Ch Von Sophia’s Serge, owned and bred by Mrs Langen, and handled by Sue Carter.
The
show ended with a dinner and disco which was held in a large marquee on the
show grounds. Sunday saw the turn of Witwatersrand Kennel Club, with a few exhibitors clearly showing the signs of the previous evening’s festivities.
