New Zealand
I had the honour of being asked to judge the Auckland Provincial GSD league (APGSDL) Championship show in New Zealand on 31st May - 1st June. This was obviously a great and exciting opportunity. Below is my account of our trip along with the results and photographs.of the class winners
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Having been asked to judge at the
Auckland Provincial 2 day show in New Zealand, the weeks running
up to it, were full of questions, I have to thank the committee
for all of their answers, and the time factor made things a
little difficult - both Loraine and I telephoning each other at
least once in the wee small hours without thinking about it from
the other side of the world.
Zep and I travelled out on the 27th May, from Heathrow - such
excitement at finally getting on with the flight. At times,
during the organising of the trip, it felt like it would never
be fulfilled, as the S.A.R.S. virus was around, and flights were
being cancelled at short notice, and Singapore was apparently a
"bad" place to stay en-route etc., and then when our flight was
finally booked, we found a call from our travel agent to tell us
that we could no longer go out on that flight as not enough
people wanted to go, and the plane was not full enough to make
it worth the journey !! We were transferred on to a later flight
- and then imagined a flight so full from 2 flights merging that
it would be really packed - not so, we had a great time, with a
whole four seats each to stretch out on and sleep - well sleep
for me, as I can sleep on a clothes line on a windy day, but I
think poor Zep only slept in fits and starts and spent some time
of the night looking at me probably with my mouth wide open and
snoring ! I awoke coming into Singapore, and after a few hours
there, was back for my second siesta on to New Zealand. The
flight was 23 hours in total, but there was so much room, it was
not a problem.
We arrived and were met by Loraine and her husband, and the
president of the club Kay. We met, and were taken to the KIWI
International Hotel, by Loraine and hubby, and given their car
for the days that we were there so that we could go Tiki-Touring
if we wished, this was a very lovely gesture, and we appreciated
it very much.
I had to reflect on meeting judges from abroad ourselves at my
own club, and felt that it may in the future be good if we made
such an event of the airport arrival - it made us feel very
special, and started the trip beautifully.
The next few days were spent having a good look around Auckland.
We went on the Auckland Touring Bus with a guided tour of
Auckland realising that we need much more time than we had to
see such a beautiful place, but we moved fast and saw as much as
possible.
We moved so fast one night Zep forgot his seat-belt while moving
from the kerb-side to a parking lot, and before we knew it
Nick-Nick were behind us - its a universal sound, and the colour
is the same blue flashing as well !!
$150 fine was asked by a really attractive blonde WPC - and Zep
was more than willing to pay on the spot, but for my twisting
his fingers off underneath the bags and telling the officer that
we would send it in, as she had said that this was permissible
too - I had other ideas, Zep is so damned honest !!
However, when we moved off with our ticket in hand, we found
ourselves being chased again !! This time we pulled into a
garage forecourt and it was the same crew - this time the male
pc came out and handed Zeps driving licence to him,the nice
blonde WPC had forgotten to give Zep his licence back - and told
us as much as we needed "Have a good time in NZ - you wont be
chased if you go home and dont pay your fine" How kind we
thought and headed back to the Kiwi Hotel.
Time for judging....... Wow what a culture shock........ picked
up by Loraine, and taken to their own grounds. Auckland
Provincial have a great team of helpers in their committee and I
think their club, of people that are not on the committee but
are committed, if you know what I mean - they all were busy bees
making the day special and organised.
They have their own club-house, and coffee was on as we arrived.
Much seemed the same as our shows, it was eerie to be the other
side of the world and turn up at a GSD show with the same scene
exactly - trailers - GSD`s exercising, - groups getting their
seating sorted and having coffee etc., - great atmosphere.
I was introduced to my steward, who was just great, and put me
at ease right away, I was a little concerned that I hadnt judged
a baby puppy class ever, and the difference between a real
little raw youngster and a 6 month old is vast - but I was
looking forward to it, all the same.
I had a voice recorder and paper and pen, and was ready to go -
when I was introduced to Cherie - - wait for it - my
STENOGRAPHER !!! Cherie, bless her was there and ready to type
down my critiques of all dogs for me, as I said it to her. That
threw my little plans a bit, and it was all set up really well.
I talked to Cherie and felt that it would be better if I wrote
down my critiques and then gave them to her one by one to type
in the ring tent.. then she would be one behind each time, but
would get it down without me having to speak really slowly
(difficult for me !)
Well - off we started, and it seemed to be going well, I began
to write properly having been called into the tent several times
to de-cypher things for Cherie, and each time I looked at her
critiques, I thought
"Great, this will be so lovely when I come to write up - she is
going to give me a copy, and it will be virtually done"
When I critique a dog on paper, I then go home, and get it to a
more "flowing" critique to send off to the press.
Imagine my horror, when I went off to the loo, and wondered what
everyone was having a look at by the caravan - Yes, you`ve
guessed it, my critiques were appearing - warts an all - on the
front of the caravan, because thats how they do things over
there !!!
My verbal critiques were received very very well it seemed, but
it sure made me buck up my "flow" regarding my written critiques
when I realised that the competitors get them right away and I
wondered what would happen in the UK with a handful of
exhibitors that we have that constantly disagree with the judges
critiques, if they got them "posted" up for all to read - I`ve a
feeling that a high powered hose would be necessary to get them
sorted !!
However, the N.Z. crowd were really great - the atmosphere was
wonderful, and the standard of the exhibits very high. There is
a great sense of friendship around the ring - professional
handlers are not apparent, and each pal helps each dog - which
gives an overall impression of a very relaxed atmosphere at
Championship level.
I have put down my placings of the animals, and pictures of them
too after this, but please be aware that these dogs were not
stood to the perfection that "our lads" get them to do in the UK
- therefore, they were excellent animals, that could have been
more photogenic ! !
I finished my two days, and thoroughly enjoyed my judging -
afterwards was the trophy and medal awards, and I was asked
various questions about the UK GSD scene, and this was done in
the club-house - following that, we had the option of dining
out, or getting a "chinese" in and having a good old natter - we
opted for that.
Great Company - Good food and wine, and a good time was had by
all.
For any of our new found friends that are reading this in New
Zealand, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your great
opportunity and companionship whilst I was there - we wont
forget you, and will certainly come back at one of your shows to
have a look from the outside of the ring this time - many many
thanks Best wishes from Mo and Zep also sends his very best
wishes....
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Males Baby Puppy Dog - 5 x VP, 4 x P
Minor Puppy Dog - 5 x VP
Puppy Dog - 4 x VP, 4 x P
Junior Dog - 1 x VG+, 7 x VG
Open Dog - 6 x EX, 1 x VG, 1 x G
BEST DOG CH OAKWAY GRAND SLAM |
| Females Baby Puppy Bitch - 10 x VP
Minor Puppy Bitch - 9 x VP, 2 x P
Puppy Bitch - 4 x VP
Junior Bitch - 3 x VG+, 9 x VG, 5 x G
Intermediate Bitch - 5 x EX, 6 x VG, 1 x G
NZ Bred Bitch - 2 x VG+, 3 x EX, 2 x VG
Open Bitch - 2 x EX+, 6 x EX, 4 x VG
BEST BITCH DER INGOLSTA DIRTY
DANCA BEST IN SHOW DER INGOLSTA DIRTY
DANCE BEST NZ BRED IN SHOW CH OAKWAY
GRAND SLAM
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