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2024 IKC CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS
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It was certainly a ‘Summer Fete’ atmosphere at Lurgan Park on Saturday, 22nd June, where the innovations were many, brought in by a new Secretary and an enlarged, enthusiastic committee. There is nothing like a new hand at the helm, and when Diane Ritchie-Stewart took over the role as Secretary at Portadown & District Canine Club last October, the committee may have felt that a whirlwind had joined the club. Diane is a strong minded, modern woman and I guess some of them may have felt a bit overwhelmed when she decided to ‘up-market ‘this well-known Canine Club, that has served the Portadown district for many decades. This was their 17th Championship show held under IKC rules, the Club having become affiliated to the IKC in 2001, the second club in Northern Ireland to do so, holding their first Championship show on 13th November, 2004. Prior to that, only open show status was available from the KC London.

Following political changes in Northern Ireland, several clubs decided to de-register from the KC in London, and affiliate to the Irish Kennel Club, Bangor being the first club to do so in 2000, followed the next year by Portadown. Portadown has had various venues for their Championship shows, the previous being the (very expensive) Eikon Centre in Lisburn, Co Down, where they went back to back with their neighbouring club, Banbridge. Then, happily, the liaison with Portadown and Lurgan Council began and they have been resident in this lovely park for the past few years, firstly on a weekend flying solo, then, two years ago when Banbridge decided to ‘change partners’, Portadown acquiesced and they formed a back to back partnership, albeit at different venues. This year a team of judges from Great Britain were joined by one Estonian judge and some homegrown talent, to officiate for Portadown and attracted an entry of just under 870 dogs, a fair number considering the general downward trend in entries on both sides of the |Irish Sea since shows returned after ‘Covid’.
Photos: Alex Douglas
Video: Tracey Douglas
Report: Joyce Crawford-Manton
A strong committee had worked hard to set up in Lurgan Park on the Friday, with weather a bit on the damp side, though they managed to put in place all their little extras for the show on Saturday morning as well as collecting their travelling judges and dealing with the usual last minute queries from exhibitors. The committee is to be congratulated on hosting a show that saw the exhibitor come first at all times; with various ‘spot prizes’ throughout the day, reminiscent of a country fete, and which were enthusiastically accepted by the winners - who would not like to win £50 just on a ‘spin of the wheel’ group raffle ?? and these were called for each of the ten groups.  Judging by the comments during and after the show it was highly approved of by the exhibitors who thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful, spacious, rings situated on a wide, flat expanse of ground surrounded by the various marquees housing both judges and trade stands and bordered by established trees forming a woodland background. The show ran very smoothly, with Groups starting at just after 1.p.m. in the large, double Best in Show ring, and concluding at just after 4.30.p.m. Congratulations to Chairman & Show Manager, Paul Keenan and his trusty assistant, Alec Stewart, who is a ‘dab hand’ with the lawnmower, President & Vice Chair, Paul Martin, Treasurer, Melanie Craig and a well gelled committee who worked so well together, with Secretary, Diane seeming to be everywhere at once.  It won’t be a ‘Mid Summer’ show next year as another club has taken this June date for ’25, but Portadown will surely announce when it will be well in advance and it will doubtless be as successful a show as this year’s…….
A little bit of canine history was made when Heather Arrell’s Sussex Spaniel, Sh Ch Eald Stone Calf with Heapen, having taken the breed and Group 8 under Spaniel specialist Lee Cox, well known and successful exhibitor and breeder of the Vanitonia Clumbers and Poodles, and currently Secretary of Bath Ch Show, went on to clinch Best in Show under another well known English breeder and exhibitor, Gavin Robertson, who, with his wife, Sara, is responsible for establishing the PBGV breed in these islands under their famous Soletrader affix. Many people will remember ‘Jilly’ aka Ch Soletrader Peek A Boo who was Best in Show at Crufts 2013 and really put this charming breed on the map. And in Ireland we all knew Buddy – S. Buddy Holly, whose human was Cathy Neill who took him to IKC Dog of the Year in 2018, and who took his US title and BIS at Westminster last year.
But enough of the judges -  ‘Bentley’, still only 20 months and bred in England by Val Davy, won his first group at the Irish Kennel Club at Patrick’s Day Ch Show, followed by Group thirds at Combined International and Hibernian, a runner up spot at Drogheda and a fourth spot at Cork, this BIS win adding more to his points, making him the Top Group 8  Dog on the Irish Canine Press/ ROYAL CANIN Top Winners’ Leaderboard, where he has a strong lead so will doubtless be heading to compete in the Irish Kennel Club Top Dog finals for 2024.  Bentley has also had some good wins under the RKC, taking the Reserve CC at Crufts from Junior under Patsy Hollings, and Richard Stafford also gave him the Reserve C.C. at the May Scottish Kennel Club. He was also crowned Northern Ireland Gundog Pup of the Year back in January.

This is a momentous win for the breed, Bentley making history as the first Sussex Spaniel to take an All Breeds Best in Show in Ireland and, dare I say, these islands. One of the most ancient breeds of Spaniel, they were one of the first breeds recognised by the Kennel Club in London, back in 1872, they are now, sadly, on the Vulnerable Breed list, but hopefully with the dedication of just a few dedicated breeders, the Sussex Spaniel will be revived. It is actually in the USA where they are strongest, and a Sussex went BIS at the prestigious Westminster Ch Show back in 2009, and at the grand age of 10, showing the longevity of the breed.

Bentley was without his owner on Saturday, Heather fulfilling a judging appointment in England, but he was left in the safe hands of friends Madeline Marsh and Fran Devanney, the latter taking him to top the group and Madeline handled him to his victory in Best in Show.
Reserve Best in Show spot went to the Pomeranian, Sean Carroll and James Newman’s Ch Belliver The Lost Boy for Toybox, homebred from their Ch GB Ch Toybox Devils Advocate ex Misteriya del Esto Yanka Atamanka Toybox.  ‘Gino’ was just back from winning his second CC at Border Union, his first coming at City of Birmingham last year. Currently topping Group 5 on the Leaderboard, Gino, who had earlier won the breed and group under Joan Duffus, successful Samoyed exhibitor of long standing and also a previous committee member and Assistant Secretary of Portadown, has so far this year, a Best in Show from Fermoy International, plus Group seconds from Hibernian, Drogheda and Munster Canine with third at CCC National. Gino also made his mark on the show scene last year finishing runner-up on the Group 5 Leaderboard.
Third Best in Show under Gavin Robertson was another one of Aidan McKiernan’s top winning English Setters, this time Sh Ch & GB Sh Ch Bushbane Celtic Rant, homebred out of GB Sh Ch Bournehouse Secret Admirer and Bushbane Celtic Miracle.  Group 7 judge, Lee Cox obviously liked him a lot as he had previously given him his, I believe, 6th CC at Manchester earlier this year. Three years old ‘Rant’, and his litter sister, ‘Banter’ have collected a good number of CCs and top awards between them and ‘Rant’ last year was Best in Show at the IKC Celtic Winners International, and BIS 3 at the IKC St Patrick’s Day Int. Aidan doesn’t show at all the Irish shows as he is a busy boarding kennels owner but his Bushbane English Setters have certainly make their mark both at home and across the water over the years.
It was the French Bulldog, Josh Henderson and partner, Olivia Timms’ homebred Ch & GB Ch Olijah Total Knockout, just three years old and out of GB Ch Chelmbull Moon Pilot and Hr Ch Eastonite Moana. ‘Toga’ has shared top honours on one of his few trips to Ireland this year with his kennelmate, Ch Chelmbull Stary Seas for Olijah, who pipped him to the post at the Irish Kennel Club Celtic Winners International Ch Show in March, by winning Group 9 and BIS 4. Josh and Olivia currently have three Frenchies on the Group 9 ICP/Royal Canin Leaderboard.


The show was sponsored by GAIN Pet Nutrition
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