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Show Report - 2008 NCS National Show
Coven Village Hall, 2nd March 2008
Senior Judge: - Paul Spooner
Standard Classes It was an honour and a privilege to judge the 2008 National Show, with the top animals being exceptional! I made a start with the Young Standard Females. Twenty-nine in total were split into three colour phases and the first class judged were eleven Medium-Darks.
The first 1st ribbon of the day was taken by Kerry Bradburn for her Medium-Dark, which was a good sized young female with good conformation & clarity, and in show condition. This animal did very well for Kerry going on to take Best Young Female and Reserve Best Young Standard.
The Medium colour phase was judged next and were a disappointment with no awards being issued. This being a National Show, it was important that the minimum standards of quality be set at a reasonably high level.
Onto the Dark Class and 1st ribbon again for Kerry with a 4 ½ month youngster having good size, reasonable show condition and excellent veiling and clarity - excellent future potential, going on to take Reserve Young Standard female.
Twenty Young Standard Males were again split into three colour phases, with the six animals in the Medium-Dark class producing a 1st ribbon for Eddie & Richard Crutchley, having good size and conformation, good density, good veiling coverage, strong fur and excellent clarity - going on to take Reserve Show Champion.
In the Medium colour phase, six animals produced just one award, a 1st again for Kerry having good size, blocky conformation, good coverage and clarity.
In the Dark colour phase there was another 1st for the Crutchley’s for a chin a bit on the small side, but with good conformation, density, clarity and coverage.
A move onto the twenty-two Adult Standard Females enabled a split into three colour phases. Nothing outstanding in the Medium-Darks, with just a 3rd ribbon and three HC’s.
The Medium class proved better with another 1st ribbon from Kerry for a huge chin with excellent conformation, good clarity, plenty of fur, but just a bit open on the hips and out of condition. There was no 2nd ribbon to this but a 3rd from Sandy King.
The Dark class proved to be the best of the group with a 1st ribbon again for the Crutchley’s. This animal was of good size and conformation, good clarity although was slightly out of condition, but good enough to go on to take Reserve Best Standard. The 2nd ribbon to this, again from Eddie & Richard, was a real sparkler but again spoilt by lack of condition going on to take Reserve Best Adult Standard.
Onto Group D for the Adult Standard Males, which again were split into three colour phases. Seven animals in the Medium-Dark class produced a 1st ribbon for Kerry, of good size and conformation, bright but out of condition, going on to take Best Adult Standard Male.
The Medium colour phase produced another 1st for the Crutchley’s with a large and blocky chin which was bright but out of condition, still good enough to go on to take Reserve Best Adult Standard Male.
Finally the Dark class turned out to be the most frustrating class in the show, with niggling small faults and differences between a class of good quality animals, although they did not affect the higher awards.
Mutation Classes I started the Young Mutations with a class of four Pink-Whites producing a 1st ribbon for Heather and Steve Boncey. This chin was of good size, conformation and clarity, a little open furred, but good enough to take Reserve Best Young Mutation.
The next class of four Wilson-Whites were not to a good enough standard to win awards in a National Show.
Six Beiges could only produce a 2nd ribbon for Ron and Lyn Gardner, of good size, conformation and clarity but fur a bit weak.
Three Violets and three Ultra-Violets were again not of the required quality and three Brown-Velvets produced just one HC.
At last! The Black Velvets were a much better class, producing a 1st for the Crutchley’s for a chin of good size and conformation, excellent coverage and strong fur and going all the way, Best Young Mutation, Best Mutation and Grand Show Champion. The 2nd ribbon to this from James Buchan was also of good size, conformation and coverage. I didn’t know at the time but this one won the Scottish Show back in January - a very nice animal that I am sure will continue to improve, well done James! A 3rd ribbon and three HC’s made up an excellent class of Black Velvets.
Then came Group F, the Adult Mutations and the final group of the day. A class of four Wilson whites produced a 1st ribbon for Sandy King for a big, blocky white with good clarity.
A class of three Beiges could only produce a 2nd ribbon for Adele Robson for her chin with good size and conformation.
Five Violets produced a 1st ribbon for Debbie Cave having good size, conformation and clarity and strong fur.
Another 1st for Kerry Bradburn with her Pink-White, of excellent size and conformation but slightly down in clarity, going on to take Reserve Mutation, and yet another 1st for Kerry with her Black Velvet which was of good size and conformation, good coverage and strong fur - an excellent animal, going on to take Reserve Best Adult Mutation, finishing off an excellent show.
My Congratulations to Eddie and Richard Crutchley and to Kerry Bradburn. They set high standards for us all to strive for.
Paul Spooner (c) National Chinchilla Society Website Manager - Richard Crutchley, 2007 | |||||||||
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