Windsor 2022

If you are looking to visit a U.K. championship show that has class, style, location and history, then it has to be Windsor. The show is located in this magical town with its royal heritage, and held in the late Queen’s front garden, Home Park. You have the famous castle overlooking the showground, and the famous River Thames.

What could be better?

In days gone by, this used to attract so many overseas visitors, especially from the U.S., maybe not so many this year. The show was cancelled in 2021 due to Covid, and it does have a lot to answer for. However, this year Windsor also coincided with the Greyhound World Congress, and so attracted so many Greyhound enthusiasts. I did see Bo Bengtson and Paul Lepiane wandering the rings on one of the days.

There was sad news for the society when their Patron, The Lord Buchan, sadly died. A great loss for the society. Plus, long-time secretary Iren Terry retired after a 30-year stint, though she will stay on the board.

This year the weather in the U.K. has been unusually hot for us, very hot, but this year there was a new layout with one very large marquee, and so getting out of the hot sunshine was a blessing.

This year the show, held June 30 through July 3, still attracted an entry of 7,300 dogs, which is very good considering fuel costs have risen sharply here, plus of course Brexit!

Dr. Ron James judged Best in Show, and he should have had seven group winners to choose from. However, he does sit on the board of the Kennel Club, and the Toy Group winner, David Guy’s Griffon Ch. Donzeata Royal Attraction, had to withdraw, as he is also a member of the board. Board members are not allowed to show under each other.

Best in Show, Standard Poodle Ch. Huffish Rewrite The Stars With Atastar (Swed Imp), owned by Mr. P. Langdon, pictured with Professor Steve P. Dean BVetMed MRCVS DVR (President), Best in Show judge Dr. Ron James, Jonathan Wolstenholme (Royal Canin) and Kerry Rushby (Our Dogs). Photo Alan Seymour.

So, from his six group winners, Ron chose Philip Langdon's black Standard Poodle, Ch. Huffish Rewrite The Stars with Atastar. “Jake” was bred in that famous kennel of Lotta Sandell in Sweden. He is at this moment the top Non-Sporting dog, with a total of 26 CCs and several group wins to his credit. The last time Ron James judged Best in Show, his winner was also a Standard Poodle — Jake’s mother! SU Ch. Da Maya Huffish Copyright Woman, who also won a BIS under me at the Welsh Kennel Club.

Reserve Best in Show, Smooth Fox Terrier Ch. Kanix Quintus, owned by Mrs. K.S. Wilberg, pictured with Professor Steve P. Dean BVetMed MRCVS DVR (President), Best in Show judge Dr. Ron James and Jonathan Wolstenholme (Royal Canin). Photo Alan Seymour.

Taking the reserve spot was Kari Wilberg’s Smooth Fox Terrier Ch. Kanix Quintus.

Best Puppy in Show, Doberman Pinscher Krieger’s Highland Fling, owned by Mrs. J. Bisland, pictured with Mr. Gerald King (Chief Steward), Professor Steve P. Dean BVetMed MRCVS DVR (President), Best Puppy in Show judge Mrs. Anne Macdonald and Jonathan Wolstenholme (Royal Canin). Photo Alan Seymour.

Reserve Best Puppy in Show, Clumber Spaniel Vanitonia Soloist, owned by Mr. Lee Cox, pictured with Mr. Gerald King (Chief Steward), Professor Steve P. Dean BVetMed MRCVS DVR (President), Best Puppy in Show judge Mrs. Anne Macdonald and Jonathan Wolstenholme (Royal Canin). Photo Alan Seymour.

Winner of the Herding Group was the Pembroke Corgi Ch. Penliath Bill Me Later, owned by mother and daughter Chris and Niki Blance. She is currently the top Pem Corgi for the year and was winning her 21st CC and BOB. The Blances work closely with that great Corgi kennel, Coventry, of Bill Shelton and his partner in the U.S., whose story l told here in a recent column.

Hounds was won by the Norwegian Pharaoh Hound Simon Tien Hanson’s Int. Ch. Dk. Swedish Ch. Bazinga Gonna Be A Mighty King, who became a U.K. champion on the day as well.

Gundogs were won by a Curly Coated Retriever Sh Ch Brightmeadow Never Say Die, winning his 30th CC — quite a record.

A Bouvier won the Working Group, Ch. Sennah vd Vanenblkhoeve.

One notable win was in Leonbergers, when Julie Coles’ Russian Averkate Kassandra of Simden was finished on the day. What was important was that this gave the breed its 100th champion. The breed was granted CCs in 2002, and this is only the second bitch ever to win a group!

Best Veteran in Show, Bichon Frise Ch. Bobander Too Kool For Skool JW, owned by Mrs. C. Wyatt, pictured with Mr. Gerald King (Chief Steward), Professor Steve P. Dean BVetMed MRCVS DVR (President), Best Veteran in Show judge Mrs. Irene McManus and Jonathan Wolstenholme (Royal Canin). Photo Alan Seymour.

Reserve Best Veteran in Show, Bullmastiff Ch. Hyerdunscar On A Mission With Coulbymoor JW, handled by Mr. Bill Warren, owned by Miss J.A. Davies, pictured with Mr. Gerald King (Chief Steward), Professor Steve P. Dean BVetMed MRCVS DVR (President), Best Veteran in Show judge Mrs. Irene McManus and Jonathan Wolstenholme (Royal Canin). Photo Alan Seymour.