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KC
shake up for open shows
As
widely rumoured in the last few weeks the Kennel club has announced
its proposals to address the ailing open show scene. From January
2004 general canine societies will be restricted to one show
per year without any ‘target’ class averages and there
will be a new strata of Premier Open Show, best of breeds at
which will qualify for Crufts show in the year 2005.
Issued Friday last and entitled ‘General Canine Society
Open Shows’ the press release read:-
‘these days, Society in general and dog owners in particular
demand not only value for money, but also quality of service.
Furthermore, consistency of standards is also expected as a
matter of routine.
‘With this in mind, the General Committee of the Kennel
Club, through its Show Executive Sub-Committee, has been reviewing
its show policies and the number of dog show licences issued
each year as well as the number of dogs entered at these shows.
Whilst the following new measures only affect General Canine
Society Open Shows, the Kennel Club’s review of the show
diary is continuing and is now turning towards an analysis of
the breed club open show calendar where similar changes may
be introduced at a later date.
TOO MANY OPEN SHOWS – LOW ENTRIES
‘It is well recognised that the UK show calendar has a
very high number of shows and that many of these shows are not
well supported. The low ratio of exhibitors to available classes
has generally had a detrimental effect on the competitive nature
of dog shows across the board.
‘In turn the incidence of such small classes has tended
to reduce the value of the awards given. It is surely more satisfying
to exhibitors for their dog to be first in a class having beaten
six dogs - as opposed to winning over two dogs, one dog or no
other dogs at all!
‘Following a great deal of consultation through the dog
press, Kennel Club Liaison Councils, seminars, the Canine Events
Conference and general correspondence, the General Committee
has agreed to implement new show date allocation criteria and
to introduce a new category of open show.
NEW SHOW TYPE - PREMIER OPEN SHOW STATUS
‘The General Committee wishes formally to acknowledge the
achievement of those good open show societies which continually
schedule successful, well attended shows.
‘Therefore a new category of open show titled the Premier
Open Show, which carries with it a Crufts qualification for
those dogs declared Best of Breed, will be available to societies,
whose shows have regularly achieved an average class entry of
5 plus dogs. Each qualifying Best of Breed will receive a certificate
(which the Kennel Club will provide to the Society), confirming
Crufts qualification. In order to qualify for Crufts the breed/classification
must schedule more than three classes (five classes for Stud
Book Band E breeds).
‘Applications for Premier Open Show status will be subject
to General Committee approval.
Details will need to be provided of the show venue and its facilities,
the show management structure, the facilities provided for exhibitors,
judges and trade stand holders, as well as any other features
of the show which add to its success.
NUMBER OF OPEN SHOWS PERMITTED
(effective for all shows held from 1st January 2004)
‘All General Canine Societies may apply for one open show
per year. The current "three entries per class" requirement
will no longer apply to this show if the society organises only
one open show per year.
‘However, should a Society wish to schedule a second open
show in any calendar year, it must show that it is able to attract
a competitive entry. Therefore, a second open show licence will
only be granted if the society's two most recent open shows
(at the time of application) have achieved an average class
entry of 4 dogs or more. The General Committee has agreed a
dispensation for open shows held in Northern Ireland that the
average class entry will be set at 3.5 for the second show date.
‘No General Canine Society will be eligible to schedule
more than two shows per year.
EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
‘This new approach will be effective for General Canine
Society open shows scheduled in 2004. Show Societies will already
have received show date application forms for 2004 open shows.
‘For those Societies which have already forwarded their
requests, the Office will research the class averages of the
two most recent open shows and will contact society secretaries
to confirm how many show licence application forms will be issued.
‘For those society secretaries who have not yet forwarded
their show date application forms, before making an application
for a second open show date, a check of the Society’s last
two open shows should be made. If the average entry is 4 dogs
or above for each show, then the second show date application
can be made.
‘If neither or only one of the most recent open shows has
reached this total, then the society will be eligible for only
one open show licence during 2004.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
‘In making these decisions the General Committee has been
mindful of the devastation of the dog show calendar last year
due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak, and the consequent
effect on show entries. Therefore, if a Society finds that its
class average for last year’s show(s) is below 4, the class
average for the equivalent show(s) in 2000 may be used.
HOPED FOR EFFECT ON OPEN SHOW SCENE
‘It is believed the introduction of these measures will
have a two-fold effect on the show scene. The removal of a number
of poorly attended shows from the calendar will lessen the number
of shows in any one area on the same day by making more free
show dates available.
‘Consequently, a rationalisation of the number of exhibitors
at each open show should be achieved.
‘With the introduction of new eligibility criteria for
a second open show, those societies no longer eligible for two
open shows, will be able to concentrate all their resources
and efforts on their one show to increase that show’s competitiveness
and attendance. This will also, it is hoped give judges valuable
hands on experience.
‘Through the above initiatives, it is hoped that the objective
of providing quality canine events can be achieved, and that
the value of awards won will be enhanced. Of course, this is
a long-term project, but with the support and enthusiasm of
exhibitors, judges and show organisers, it is thought that there
will be widespread benefits in the years to come.’
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