15 November 2019 Breed Notes

What a very sad time for the Papillon fraternity with the passing of Cathy Urquhart (Blackpark). Cathy passed away peacefully at home on the 30th October aged 69 years. My sincere condolences and thoughts go to Gordon, family and friends. Cathy will be very much missed at the shows both in the Papillon and Maltese breed rings.

Funeral service at Reading Crematorium South Chapel on Tuesday 19th November at 12:15pm. Flowers welcome, donations to: Papillon Rescue and Maltese GME Fund sent C/O Tomalin & Son, Anderson House, 38 Reading Road, Henley on Thames RG9 1AG. Tel 01491 573370.

Carol Lees (Lafford) has written a lovely critique for Cathy.

Catherine P. Urquhart (Blackpark)

It is with great sadness that I sit down and put pen to paper in writing my memories of Cathy.
I first met Cathy in 1984 when she contacted me looking for a puppy, I had a litter of Shih Tzu’s at the time and she was interested in having one with a view to showing, indeed she ended up taking two thus beginning a lasting involvement with the dog show scene. She had some success with the breed producing a number of puppies under her Cathees affix and later in the 1990’s as Blackpark.

She was a Lincolnshire girl from the village of Navenby situated between Lincoln and Grantham, had attended the nearby Sir William Robertson High School in the ‘60’s and became absolutely devoted to her dogs and the newfound interest in dog shows. However, as we know when attending dog shows we meet people, so dogs weren’t the only thing to capture Cathy’s heart about this time, a certain exhibitor of Papillons, one Gordon Urquhart came into her life and in 1988 they were married.

Starting married life in Dunfermline, Scotland with Gordon as secretary of the Papillon Club of Scotland, Cathy continued to show her Shih Tzus alongside the Papillons. It was always a mystery how Cathy navigated her way to shows, travelling via Perth to reach Edinburgh, even driving through the tolls on the Forth Road bridge without stopping. This was typical Cathy, often getting lost. Eventually around 1991 they moved to a village near Henley- on- Thames to be closer to Gordons’ mother Isabelle before finally moving into Peppard Farm.

Cathy was very much at the forefront of Blackpark breeding, showing her wedding gift from Gordon, Blackpark Gigi. Later she bought Gaystead Velvet Knight and made him up in just four shows. She made up many UK champions and many Blackpark Papillons have gained their titles worldwide. Blackpark was the top winning Papillon kennel in 1991 and 1992.

Also, whilst attending the shows she discovered other breeds, fell in love with Maltese and was introduced to Tom and Eva Lamb of the Lamsgrove Maltese and Yorkies. Cathy’s next acquisition was no great surprise, it was a Maltese bitch by the name of Lamsgrove Love Story to Blackpark with whom she had several good wins around the shows including 2 Res CC’s. A further Maltese followed and she never lost her love for this breed whilst continuing to show the Blackpark Papillons along with Gordon and his late mother Isabelle.

Cathy returned to showing Maltese when she saw I had a bitch puppy which was looking for a home and insisted that home should be with her. It was a good decision as the puppy became a Champion winning 5 CC’s and was top winning Maltese bitch in 2015, she was Ch Lafford Photo Finish at Blackpark (aka Zerox). Cathy was very proud of her achievements with the Maltese and has produced some quality puppies by combining old English and German lines.

In addition to being a skilled and devoted exhibitor Cathy was also a respected judge, awarding CC’s in Papillons and having the honour of judging that breed at Crufts in 2017. I know she was disappointed at not having had the opportunity to award CC’s in Maltese, a breed she also loved dearly.

A familiar sight around the major dog shows in the UK, when not beside the show ring Cathy could be found at the HUB International trade stand, the company she and Gordon had owned and run since its’ foundation in 1991. HUB International had the honour of being awarded PAWSCARS Trade Stand of the year in 2015.
It is most fitting that the latest Papillon champion, Champion Blackpark Patricia, gained her title at the recent Midland Counties Show, even more significant as Patricia was Cathys’ middle name.

Rest in Peace dear Cathy, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Carol Lees

with contributions from Mary Whitehill

Northern & Eastern Counties Papillon Club Held their Open Show at Carlton Village Hall, Goole. Philip Lovel was the judge for the day and I hope he had an enjoyable day judging the butterflies and moths. From reports I have seen it was a lovely show, the club always give their heart and souls making the day perfect for the exhibitors. Apparently the raffle table was full to the gills and a super hamper donated by Lesley Morton was on offer. I have seen a video of the puppy walk and the youngster seem to be a having a whale of a time, not sure the handlers were of the same opinion. It is always fun to see the little ones taking the floor for the first time, always an exciting time with thoughts of what the future show year may hold. Wendy Sweetbriars secretary of the club had a busy birthday but the committee made sure the day was special for her. A tribute book was set up for Cathy Urquhart, which will continue at the two upcoming club shows, so exhibitors have a chance to comment.

The principal winners for the show were as follows. Estelle Kirk must have been over the moon taking BIS & BB with Ablazzor Angel Delight, RBIS/ BD/ BOS Susan Lanson’s Cantoverde Captain Casper JW, RBD Lizzie Morley and Robert Hitchcock’s Elfuago Bombastic, RBB Carol Lees’s Lafford Golden Child. Caroline Lee- Slater and Kewley’s were awarded the following BPIS / BPD Graycaz O’Theo, RBPIS/ BPB Graycaz Eh Reka, BMPIS Magic Sunrise Gold DJ (Imp LAT), BPHIS Queenie Bruce and Amanda Bruce- Bostock Tijuana Mayhem, BVIS Liz and Alan Bartram’s Conisluck The Red Baron. Finally Lance Morley was awarded Best Junior Handler. Congratulations to everyone who achieved their goals for the show.

Carolyn and I had a pleasant day at Midland Counties Championship Show meeting up with friends and exhibitors. We also enjoyed our time browsing the trade stands. Luckily on Toy Day the weather was kind but I believe the remaining days included floods by the Police Training and held up commencement of judging. The Papillons were judged by Espen Eng and he found his winners to be as follows. I think everyone would agree the highlight of the day was Cathy & Gordon Urquhart’s little girl Blackpark Patricia being awarded her third cc and taking the crown of a Champion title. Cathy and Gordon must have been delighted. BOB/ DCC Kirsty Miller & Evan Ryan’s Ch Feorlig Smart Pants JW SHcm, BP French’s Soleona A Diamond In The Sky, RDCC Brown’s Rumble Bumble Daydream Believers, RBCC Miller & Ryan’s Ch Feorlig Smart Cookie.

At the North Scotland Toy Dog Open Show Pam Taylor had a thrilling day with her youngster Pamhurst Aria winning RBPIS. The breed judge was Michelle Swine (Balzathar) and the group judge was Mr John Swinge.

Take care travelling to the shows as winter and icy condition are hastily approaching. Who would have thought we would have three inches of snow the first week of November. The weather changes by the day from torrential rain, sunshine and then snow. Global warming certainly needs to be addressed and not put on the back burner.

Enjoy the shows and keep warm and safe.

IRENE ROBB