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Open
shows: why it was time to act
The Kennel Club has issued a list of frequently asked questions
with specific regard to the restrictions now being placed on
general canine society open shows. The move comes as OUR DOGS
receives more letters about the proposals, and two weeks after
the announcement of new Kennel Club initiatives to improve the
open show scene.
From January 1st. 2003 gone is the need for open and limited
shows to provide wet weather accommodation. They have also reversed
the points for the Junior Warrant award back to the original
points count, with these being gained at either Open Shows and/or
Championship Shows.
The only restriction is that at least three of the 25 points
must be gained at a Championship Show with CCs for the breed
and at least three points at an Open Show or Championship Show
without CCs for the breed. to encourage exhibitors to enter
Open Shows a new Certificate of Merit is to be established.
The Show Certificate of Merit would allow dogs a further qualification
to achieve at Open Shows and the title ‘ShCM’ could
be used after the name of the dog on show entries and in catalogues.
The changes come as part of the Kennel Club’s on-going
commitment of listening to ‘dogdom’s’ suggestions
and recommendations to help improve and promote canine events
in general. The initiatives are designed to be of assistance
to Open Shows in particular.
‘A number of clubs and individuals have written, or telephoned,
to seek clarification on various issues concerning the recently
published changes regarding the number of open shows permitted
for each general canine society’ says the latest press
release, which arrived at our offices too late for inclusion
in last week’s issue as we went to press earlier than usual.
Falling entries
The
Kennel Club is anxious to improve the level of competition
at open shows and simply cannot allow the status quo to remain,
with its crowded open show calendar and falling entries all
round. Many exhibitors have expressed their support of the
recently announced rationalisation of the open show scene
and agree that ‘to do nothing’ is not an option.
The press release goes on to feature a list of the most commonly
asked questions along with the Kennel Club’s answers.
They have also attempted to explain more of the background
thinking behind the KC General Committee’s decisions.
‘It is inevitable that changes of this kind will bring
criticism but it is generally recognised that many of the
changes announced recently, were long overdue’, says
the release.
See page Kennel
Club Factfile for full details
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