par Karl DonvilGENT 2016
For the second Gent held its show over two days. For many years, this is edition 46 of this bi-yearly show, this show was a one day show. The Flanders Expo Halls were big enough to hold 2000 dogs at once. But this formula had several disadvantages. There were a lot more judges needed and trade stand holders were not so happy as they needed to build up everything for only one day and they risked to reach less public. On the other hand, the visitors were able to see all the breeds in one day, while often they miss their favorite breeds as on the other day or needed to come back again. But the decision is made, in the future this will always be a two-day show alike all the other shows. There was only a very slight increase of entries, 1966, to be exact. And the committee dreams of crossing that border of 2000 again. Why not, there is plenty of space, part of the main hall is not even in use. The committee considers to make this show a bi-yearly CACIB show and every other year a CAC show. That would help I think. It is much easier for an exhibitor to schedule a show every year than every two. No need to ask yourself if there is a Gent-edition this year or not, and that will at least provide several extra exhibitors.
Gent has one disadvantage, the access roads to the halls are rather complex and confusing and if you miss an exit, you need to make a big tour again. Once inside these (possible) troubles are over and you find a spacious hall where it is easy going around without bumping up and hundreds of "sorry's" or "excuse me's" . 30 Trade stands were set-up around the rings. No more cages makes a big change. The rings were set-up in blocks so that running around was not possible. In the front of the halls was the main ring that was divided in a block of 9 rings. The middle two had only one side open for spectators excluded the entry for the ring. But I suppose this was not a problem as I heard no complaints. As the main ring served as a block of rings, there was no demonstration ring. A pity maybe, and something to reconsider for the future. It always adds value for the visitors and space is not a problem here.
Dogs came from 13 different countries. Belgium had the majority with 1105 entries. The Netherlands followed with 336, then France with 279 and Germany with 143. Exhibitors of the United Kingdom like Belgium shows more and more and that shows here too. 82 Crossed the channel and I start to recognize more and more as regular participants with familiar faces. Two dogs came from as far as Greece and that is rather unusual over here. The 20 judges invited for this show, represented 8 nationalities. 10 Of them were Belgians and 9 out of these only judged one day. That means that the foreign judges were all occupied on both days. Irish judges prove to be popular again, 3 were invited here. Mr.Meeremans from Belgium judged on Saturday only and had 70 entries. 36 English Bulldogs were co-responsible of this good number. Mr.Declercq was another successful Belgian judge. He judged on Sunday only. He had 73 dogs in total , and here it were the Border Collies to which he owes this success. They were the best scoring breed of the show with 42 specimen, along with the Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Mr.Güllix from Germany had 173 dogs over the weekend. He was recordholder on Sunday when he had 112 dogs to judgeincluding 30 Aussies and 24 Swiss White Shepherds. Mrs.Lafay has the French nationality. On Sunday she had 40 French Bulldogs and 34 Pugs and on Saturday she was day-record holder along with Mr.Finney from Ireland. They both had 100 dogs. Mrs Lafay judged Molossers while Mr.Finney took most Sighthounds for his account. Mr.Finney had 100 entries on Sunday too, including the 42 Ridgebacks and that results in his overal top score of 200 dogs. His wife Mrs.Finney came along as she is a judge too. On Saturday she judged all the 62 Dachshunds and on Sunday she had again a high score with 86 entries, thanks to wtoo popular breeds, the 41 Chinese Cresteds and the 37 Chihuahua's. Mr.Pedersen came from Holland for 53 dogs on Saturday and 70 on Sunday, all Shepherd breeds. Mr.J. Sastre judged 39 Labradors on Saturday. 115 Dogs welcomed Mr. Bexon from the United Kingdom. On Saturday it were all the Cockers and Springers, 73 all together. Mrs.Rooney from Ireland is a regular guest in Belgium. She had 140 entries. On Saturday she was most busy when she had 31 Leonbergers and a total of 78 dogs to judge.
Best in Show judge was Mr. Leif Wilberg from Norway. He had 60 dogs on Saturday and 90 on Sunday. All Group winners of Saturday had to come back and be placed. His 3rd place went to the Lhasa Apso "Close to perfection next to you" from Mrs.Radstock from Holland. They were judged earlier that day. This 6 year old bitch was entered in Champion Class. There were 5 in total to be judged by Mrs.Pillement-Heijden from Holland. Group judge was Mrs.Degryze. The winning Labrador of Mr.Sastre came from his country, Spain. It was the 3year old dog "Kowalski San Jose", bred and owned by Luis Anton Parreno, 39 were entered. Kowalksi was entered in Open Class. It was Mr.Sastre again who made him Best of Group. The Best In Show dog multi-winning and multi-BIS winning dog, "Bearded Connections Kenji". Owner Otto Rinus entered him in Champion Class to be judged by Mr.Declercq. Mrs.Rooney was the Group judge. Kenji is now about 5 years and still his career doesn't seem to be over. It will probably not be the last time I will see him climb the highest podium. Maybe it will be in Gent next year, if there will be a CAC version. Maybe that is why the catalog doesn't mention the date, leaving every option open.
