North of the Harbour Shows

from January 2022

Book reviews

SHOWS

12 -13 November 2021

WORDS: Tom Mangan, President The North of the Harbour All Breeds Kennel Club Inc PHOTOGRAPHY: Dana Russo, Jess Fynmore, Talia Kelly Weather and the Grounds

At an outdoor show it all depends on the weather. The forecasts were not encouraging but the weather gods decided not to throw their worst at us. We thank them! There were some occasional strong gusty winds that took out a couple of gazebos – a scary and horrible experience for those affected, but no driving rain!

The grounds looked amazing. Many thanks to the DOGS NSW Ground Staff, Chris Gedzyk, Matthew Tyme and Dave Hayes and the DOGS NSW Grounds Committee for providing such a beautiful venue. Everything was done well with a cheerfulness that could not be surpassed. Well done guys!

Our Sponsors

The generosity of our sponsors in 2021 has been truly impressive. Just to list them is to see who are some of the leaders in the network of support that keep breeders, exhibitors and shows going: BlackHawk, Di-Vetelact, Dog News Australia, Easy Dogs, Oz Grooming World, Plush Puppy and World Class Hounds. Thank you.

The COVID Check -in

Another big thanks goes to Andrew and his local Rural Fire Service team, who made our COVID check-in process smooth, friendly and reliable. I hope everyone contributed to them generously. The North of The Harbour Club will be making a substantial donation and thanks to exhibitors and visitors who accepted this small extra burden with good grace and a smile. Thank you.

The workers

With so many jobs to be done, North of The Harbour is lucky to have a committee of workers. Jobs, like helping with ring set-up, putting together the Stewards’ packages for 21 groups (3 shows), setting up and maintaining the Club information and hospitality tent, organising and running the COVID check in, getting the prizes out to the rings and selling raffle tickets. It all takes work and this Committee all worked very hard. Kudos guys!

Thanks also to our show business manager John Bryson of Easy Dogs, who worked quietly and constantly in his corner to ensure show records were accurate, making results and certificates available in good time. John was greatly helped by Noeleen Marmont, always a generous helper and worker at shows, working hard to bring the judges’ slips to John asap. Thanks to Noeleen and John.

Shirley Donaldson and her team worked their usual magic, making sure the judges (23 of them) and stewards (8) were not starving. Then we had the Club Snacks Division, ably led by 1st Vice-President Sylvia Gartner. A special mention is due to Jenny Maruca and Debbie Grilk, who in addition to everything else, did heroic frontline duty mopping up in the public ladies. Not the most glamorous job, but as they say, somebody had to do it and these beautiful, glamorous ladies grabbed a mop and bucket and did it. Thanks also to new DOGS NSW Board member and NOTH Club 2nd Vice-President Angus McIlrath, doing his excellent Mr Fixit thing, with questions and requests coming at him thick and fast.

It was great working with Belinda Beves and the Junior Handler State Finals. They had a busy and fruitful afternoon and we even shared the portable microphone as well as a few lamingtons.

DOGS NSW Office support

With all the postponements and changes happening due to COVID and other random events, I can’t express enough appreciation for the patience and work of the DOGS NSW Office. It can be a problem to name names, you always leave someone out, but I would like to thank especially Anthony Khamis, Shireece Buddee and Abby Davis.

Judges & Stewards

Twenty-three judges worked tirelessly and skilfully across three shows over the two days, to provide their informed opinions. They said they enjoyed the quality and presentation of the exhibits. I believe they had fun, which after all is a big part of what it’s all about.

Seven trainee judges at our Open Show had an opportunity to work hands on for their course requirements. The current Judges Training Scheme has not been an easy one for them or for the course organisers, given the disruptive impacts of COVID.

Like the soldiers they are, the team of experienced stewards turned up for duty at one show after another. Chief Steward Stephen Oliver did a great job with them. Efficient, friendly ring stewards are so important in making a show an enjoyable experience for exhibitors and judges.

The dogs

There were beautiful ANKC registered purebred dogs everywhere. Meeting that Azawakh on a casual walk around – what can I say? Entrancing elegance from North West Africa.

The top 10 breed numbers, combining the entry numbers at the two championship shows, were:

1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – 53 2. Pug – 49 3. Cocker Spaniel (English) – 36 4. Border Collie – 34 5. English Springer Spaniel and Whippet (equal) – 32 each 6. French Bulldogs and Golden Retrievers (equal) – 27 each 7. Shetland Sheepdog – 23 8. Finnish Lapphund – 22 9. Griffon Bruxellois and Jack Russell Terrier (equal) – 21 each 10. American Staffordshire Terrier & Bernese Mountain Dog (equal) – 20 each

The top 5 entry numbers at the Open Show were:

1. Cocker Spaniel (English) and Border Collie (equal) – 17 each 2. Finnish Lapphund – 14 3. Bernese Mountain Dog – 13 4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel (equal) – 12 each 5. Jack Russell Terrier, Australian Shepherd and Shetland Sheepdog (equal) – 9 each

Thank you

Finally, a great big thanks to the breeders, exhibitors, judges, stewards and workers who made these shows possible and have given us hope for the future.