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/