The annual Banbridge Championship Show for 2010 was brought forward to April from its previous November date of last year, and one would have thought that weather conditions would have been more generous to the committee at this time of year!

However, it was an ill wind which blew apart the plans of many shows throughout Europe, by blowing the cloud of volcanic ash into the region and scuppering the travelling plans of international judges, causing chaos for show organisers who frantically had to seek judges to cover the allocated breeds and groups. An unprecedented occurance for committees and secretaries of clubs and which, for Banbridge, meant an impossibility for six overseas judges to make it to Belfast for their appointment.

Secretary Jonny Anderson and his team, however, pulled out all the stops to make sure the show went ahead and replacement judges took on the unfortunate judges breeds. One exhibitor who must have been rather happy that the show went ahead was Ross Delmar, who handled his young 11-month-old male Smooth Fox Terrier, Shillelagh Smooth Operator, to top the entry of 1,200, courtesy of judge Maynard Collins. This was Baloo’s first group win, as it was for the other ‘final four’ who are all just over a year old.

A remarkable day for the youngsters with Yvonne Cannon’s Shih Tzu, newly crowned Irish Pup of the Year, Cloughlea The Demon Diva following up her great Easter Sunday win in Dublin with Reserve BIS here, Brian and Maureen Carroll’s Norwegian import Keeshond Arctic Kees Best Kept Secret taking BIS3 and Cathy Neill’s Miniature Schnauzer Kensbridge Krowd Pleaser taking BIS4.
Full report coming soon in Our Dogs

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