Crufts Day 2 Show report
Good evening from Day 2 of Crufts 2008 – the ideal place for a celebration of all that is great and good. But enough about my birthday, let’s talk about the dogs instead.
We’re now at the half way mark of this year’s show and it has already provided many of the perennial displays of canine excellence that visitors have come to expect and enjoy - and a few new delights too.
In the breed rings there may have only been one group being judged today, but with over 5,000 Gundogs competing across four of the halls, you wouldn’t have known it. The Gundog group has over 2,000 more dogs entered than its nearest rival at the show, hence its worthy honour of standing alone each year.
Once all of the best of breed winners had been selected, Patsy Hollings had the difficult decision to make in selecting just one dog to win through to the Best in Show competition. After her deliberations, Patsy chose the American Cocker, Sh Ch/Am Ch San Jo’s Born to Party, owned by Mrs M and Miss M Boardman from Donabate in County Dublin, and they will now fly the flag for Ireland on Sunday night.
During the day, the NEC Arena played host to a range of traditional favourites alongside one event making its debut at the world’s greatest dog show. There were several Agility competitions to get visitors’ pulses racing with their fast and furious action, and a great Heelwork to Music competition to enjoy.
The new event hoping to take its place in the hearts of Crufts visitors was a 2km display race of Cani-Cross, which sees handlers running alongside a dog over a set course. The exhibition race began in the Arena before taking a circuit around the lake in the grounds of the NEC. Amongst the competitors taking part were two of the BBC’s Crufts presenters, Ben Fogle and Matt Baker but they didn’t fare too well, finishing in the last two places, well behind the winner, Olympic running hopeful, James Thie.
I’m not the only one celebrating a birthday at Crufts this year and the Arena also played host to a special display by Pets As Therapy, which is marking its 25th anniversary at the show. Over the past quarter of a century, the charity has been bringing comfort, companionship and therapy into the lives of thousands of patients in hospitals and residential homes, and fully deserves its moment in the spotlight today.
Elsewhere around the show, there were several appearances by some familiar faces from the small screen. TV vets Scott Miller and Marc Abraham were both in attendance at a variety of press launches for trade stands and charities and Victoria Stilwell of It’s Me Or The Dog fame was also on hand to do her bit.
Continuing the tall tail of the 30 foot plus Gromit outside the show, I can confirm that he is still very much in attendance and didn’t move a muscle during the shower I got caught in whilst passing him earlier. With such good training and dedication to his duty, you can see why he’s been chosen as the new face of the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme.
With two whole days of the show left to go, there are still plenty of pups and a feast of four-legged fun to enjoy before Sunday’s fabulous climax. Tomorrow sees the judging of the Working and Pastoral groups take place, so why not come down and join in all the excitement of Crufts 2008?!
- Date:
- 07-Mar-08
- Last updated on:
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