Denmark - Five days, Three Airports, Two dog shows, Three hotels, Four lifts , Several gremlins & a near miss with a Volcano Cloud!

I was absolutely delighted to receive my first overseas judging appointment from Denmark. Plus I got the bonus of two shows in two days, one in both Jutland and Zealand. The hospitality and friendliness of The Danish Cairn Terrier Club being second to none. Travelling with my Chaperone (Mary Middlehurst) we flew to Copenhagen then on to Aarhus airport in Jutland. We were met at the airport by Charlotte Mikkelsen who took us to our first hotel which was in a lovely converted old margarine factory – She later took us out for a very enjoyable meal. The following morning after a good breakfast the plan was for the show manager (No names) to pick us up in the morning around 9:15am to take us to the show – Judging was to start at 10am – When no one had arrived by 9:45 we were getting a little worried –but knowing they couldn’t start without me…. we just waited!

Mary on the look out!

 

BIS DKCH Cale Hill’s Carl – BOS DKCH  Nordcairn Brown Eyed Girl

I was impressed by the quality & condition of the Cairns on both days but especially in The North. I really do think our breed in Denmark is in safe hands, there are some very impressive & good stud dogs about, which bodes well for their future.  

 

Both shows being outside we were blessed with good weather on both days – the rain just starting on day 2 as I chose my line-up at Roskilde.

 

I was delighted with my Top Winners on both days.

BIS DKCH Bristle Cairn’s Gerly – BOS DK Ch Mcalister’s East Street Boy

  

The baby class

My two winning Junior Handlers

Rikke & Mille

Day one – Was held in the North at the Danish National Equestrian Centre situated in the beautiful & extensive grounds of the Vilhelmsborg estate in Aarhus.. Our ring was surrounded by the exhibitors colourful gazebo’s, then beech hedging, the grass had been cut so it was ok for assessing movement, a really pleasant and picturesque place to judge. My classes went from baby class (3-6 months) to veteran & then Champions class (I wish we had one!) The Babies & Puppies were all of good temperament, very well schooled and most behaved on the table. Except for one rather naughty girl who didn’t behave at all – (Ah! I thought just a typical Cairn Puppy) after judging all the male classes we had 2 Junior handling Classes. Both won by girls (Signe and Sofie) who were so in tune with their charges it was quite awe-inspiring to see. Then a young girl came into the ring with her 5 month old pup Mille to do tricks. Much to everyone’s delight she had her performing Sit, Stay, Wait for treat, Roll over & High five  As I gave her a prize Ghita Jensen (Millie’s breeder) shouted across “Not bad for your naughty Baby class puppy” .I replied that perhaps young Rikke, should also handle her in the ring!

As in the UK the male classes were not very big but I found quality in both sexes, no obvious bad mouths, generally good coats and only a few with that rear over angulation that I feel spoils the outline and rear movement. Tail sets were varied, some seemed to be a little low which again spoils the outline. Movement was on the whole very good, there was plenty of drive & very good side action. A couple of otherwise lovely exhibits had sloppy fronts & one was particularly wide and just a few too close at the rear. But I really was happy with the overall condition and felt it superior to a similar entry at our equivalent level show. In the UK As I judged the dogs my critique was typed up by my scribe. Only till after I had judged all the classes (Apart from puppies) did I choose my top winners. Placing 12 dogs in order, I found the thought of this more daunting than actually doing it and once I got into it I managed to do my final placing

My main winners were

DKCH Cale Hill’s Carl, the most striking red dog with those desirable dark points and such ring presence, I was so taken by his superb head and expression, excellent mover, a good strong male who took his class & BIS with ease and was to me, the best Cairn of my trip, I absolutely loved him!  - My RBIS and BOS was a beautifully feminine well presented grey brindle DKCH Nordcairn Brown Girl In the Ring – another good head and expression – lovely balance, smart mover, elegant reach of neck making a beautiful outline.

My baby classes winner was an outgoing wheaten boy Cairnrush Bolt with lots to like, moved well, excellent mouth, good head and eye, wish I could have brought him home! 

BIS Puppy was 8 month old Linjas Starlight a very attractive & sound dark bitch who moved with such confidence for a youngster. I will follow her career with interest.

Selecting my winners day one

 

After the show we were driven south to Roskilde by Ghita to our 2nd hotel the Scandic – we arrived a little late only to find the restaurant was closed. Mary & I said we would be ok with a sandwich and salad but Ghita was having none of it and made the receptionist find a restaurant in the town to book a table for us all, in spite of Ghita’s sat nav ignoring the one way system we eventually had an enjoyable meal - too late for puddings, but perhaps a good thing!

  

                                       My Baby class at Roskilde                   

View from the judges tent

 

Day two – A smaller entry than day one, but more lovely Cairns to go over, The coastal venue was really unusual being on a field in front of the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde with views of old ships in the distance. Apparently the committee managed to get the grass cut before I arrived to judge (Ghita also made sure I was there on time today). The exhibitors as on day one were very friendly and most exhibits were presented well and in good condition. A couple were in need of a new coats, I had two exhibits who had veterinary certs – one had front teeth removed but I still placed her first as she was the best in her class, the other had cut her face and had been shaved – she was so lovely in temperament and her owner was so in love with her and listened intently with smiles as I critiqued her charge. At the end of the show I was asked to present a “special prize” of a beautifully engraved glass to someone (Not a top winner.) I had no hesitancy but to award it to this lady. in one male class I had the most handsome red brindle who was a dream to go over  with movement to match. Alas his tail was carried far too proud and spoilt what would otherwise have been a perfect out line, what a shame.

Selecting my winners day two in the rain

My main winners were;

BIS DKCH Bristle Cairn’s Gerly – A super headed five years old wheaten with beautiful dark points, good mouth and in excellent body and coat condition. Moved with drive and plenty of verve. Loved her outline – My type of girl. 

BOS was Mcalister’s East Street Boy – Another super conditioned red boy, with good head and expression, well bodied and moved well. Good strong rear giving him drive. Liked him a lot, so not surprised when told after that he was the sire of my BIS the previous day!

My baby classes were Mcalister’s litter brother and sister, both very promising & sired by my BIS from Aarhus. I had only one puppy Tofthus’ Parisia but she was quality on the table, moved and showed well to fully deserve her BPIS.

Presenting my best Puppy gift

Presenting A special prize to a special Lady & her Cairn.

                                                                                               

   

                                                                       

Lunch with Mary and our Danish Friends

Judge & Show Helpers with their Thank You Gifts

 

After the show I was presented with a beautiful present that I will always treasure and will bring back memories of my enjoyable weekend of judging in Denmark. I also managed to snaffle (With permission off course) A Danish Terrier Club towel, two Mugs (One for Mary) plus two bottles of wine, one which was drunk as we relaxed in our third Hotel the Crowne Plaza on the outskirts of Copenhagen.

 

Whilst away I attempted to update the Midland site – Unfortunately the WiFi signals kept dropping (Those Danish Gremlins) just as I was updating pages. So sorry for the temporary loss of normal service.

 

As this was my first time in Denmark we had decided to stay another couple of nights to do a bit of sightseeing – Being a Holiday Inn Priority Club member one night was paid for by my bonus points! We were also given an upgrade to an exec room on the 20th floor.  On Monday the weather was still holding up and after we had worked out how to buy a ticket on the nearby Metro to the centre we had a lovely day in Copenhagen, We did all the touristy things like a canal boat tour – Bus Tour – The Crown Jewels etc – We also had a relaxing lunch at a very posh restaurant at Niehaven whilst some very upmarket young buskers played Jazz to us – Double Base, Drums & Saxaphon, it was delightful. On Tuesday morning I left Mary resting in our hotel and I went shopping in the large Shopping centre next to our hotel. By this time I had worked out the exchange rate and realised exactly how expensive it is over there but I enjoyed my “Window Shopping”. When I got back to the Hotel Mary had been texted by husband John to say some Northern Europe flights had been cancelled due to the Icelandic Volcano eruption ash cloud!

Canal Tour

Mind Your Head!

Spot The Mermaid!

                                                                                                                                                                             

Hans Christian Andersons House

Buskers

Beautiful Crowns

 

When we arrived at the airport we could see that Aarhus, Edinburgh & Aberdeen airport flights had been cancelled as well as most German flights. But luckily we managed to fly back to Manchester airport safely.

 

Oops….. I nearly forgot to tell you about the four lifts, due to our room being on the 20th floor whilst at the Crowne Plaza we always used the lift. On our second morning after breakfast we got in one of the four lifts to go up to our room. I pressed number 20 button and it didn’t light up, but the lift set off and stopped at floor 11 – it then set of again and went back down to another floor, I kept trying to press 20 but it wouldn’t have it – Mary getting a little annoyed by now said “Stop jabbing at it, just press it once!” – The lift stopped again and this time we got out thinking it must be a faulty lift – we got into the next lift to stop and it too wouldn’t go to 20th floor – This time it took us to the Exec Suites on the top floor (25) we got out and got in yet another lift which also wouldn’t stop at 20 but went to floor 13 – we got out and by now were quite beside ourselves and wondered if we were in a dream and if floor 20 didn’t exist –Then I realised we were now on spooky floor 13, Mary started laughing and we nearly became hysterical – finally the only lift we hadn’t used stopped and we got in – Suddenly I had a flash of memory seeing folks wave their room key cards over the bottom lift button when they got in (We must never have used an empty lift before) So Mary waved it over the button and hey presto we arrived safely, if not a little giddy from our journey at our floor!

 

Brenda M Shannon

                                                

If you want to see photographs & full results of the two shows  21st & 22nd May 2011 please go to http://www.cairn-terrier.dk/