29 March 2024 Papillon Breed Notes
Crufts 2024 has drawn to close, proving to be a wonderful success. What a huge team effort it was for Tom Mather and the Crufts committee organising every day to perfection. Crufts proved to be one enormous success for the canine world.
Papillons and Phalenes were this year on Thursday the first day, with it being a working day for most it was a quieter day for public admittance. I believe the weekend was buzzing and full to public capacity. When Glenn and I returned on the Sunday to watch the Papillon in BIS it was indeed extremely busy in all halls.
As always the halls were jam packed with so many trade stands, just about everything possible to view and I am sure many people just couldn’t get around all of them. One thing for certain the wallets were a lot lighter on the way home.
As in previous years we are so fortunate to have a corner ring at the back of Hall 5, with also the other luxury of every amenity close at hand too.
The stage was set and the green carpet laid for the commencement of one very special day. Our Crufts judge to take the helm for 2024 was breed specialist Glenn Robb of the Gleniren Affix.
The love affair for our breed started for Glenn in 1991 when he had just turned seven year of age whilst watching Jenny Scovell’s beautiful CH Caswell Copper Tiger take RBIS at Crufts. From that moment even at that young age he was smitten and I guess the journey had begun. Rising through the learning curve firstly of Junior Handler, then exhibitor and judge. Neither of us knew then or envisaged what a memorable journey we were embarking on. We are both very fortunate to have experienced together over the years such highs with our heart breed the Papillon/ Phalene. So all in all Thursday the 7th March I was sat ringside one very proud Mum.
Thank you for the folk that surprised me at the show with their presence. Three notably were Julie Dickinson-Franks who came all the way from Australia, Lynda Phillips from Scotland and Sharon Newcombe from the USA. Thank you also to everyone that took the time out of their day to come over to say hello. I am so grateful.
I know Glenn wishes to thank everyone for creating such a happy atmosphere around the ring. It was joyous to hear the applause and cheers for the winners, even other breeds heard your reactions and it was certainly infectious and noticed. We must try to bottle that for the rest of the showing year!
To all the exhibitors from the UK and overseas Glenn was so humbled by your wonderful entry of 182 Papillons for a midweek show, just amazing.
Glenn arrived looking very smart and dapper for his day ahead and with the help of his two very capable stewards the day went along perfectly.
The principal winners were as follows:
I am sure most of you are aware the Papillon under the Crufts Toy Group judge Dr Andreas Schemel was awarded the magical podium place of Toy Group 1. Huge congratulations from every one of us within the Papillon fraternity. DCC / BOB/ TGP1 a delighted Mrs A M Gudbergsdottir’s Is Ch Fashion First High Priority, BCC Jo Davidson-Poston’s import Elena Kolekcja Szuwarka Spinillons JW (IKC), Best Puppy Messers Carl & W Cooper’s Wilachans Bollie, Best Veteran Gabrielle Feldmann’s Int/multi Ch Elram’s Penelope Flower Girl Sui Ejw14 Ww19 Aw19 Amw19 handled by Joao Paulo de Costa. RDCC Mrs E & Miss W Trzybinska’s Man of Fortune Lalabay and lastly RBCC Sue Morrell’s Phalene Athene vom Schwabenhof for Temelora (Imp Deu).
Congratulations of course to all the principal winners but also to the exhibitors that received a class win and those attaining a class placement card. To receive these awards at Crufts is a major triumph on the achievement scale, something to be very proud of, for sure.
On the Sunday Glenn and I returned for BIS, what a spectacular occasion. The Papillon did everyone proud performing so well against all odds. Unfortunately just as the Papillon was put on the table there was a very loud demonstration with lots of noises and scuffles. Congratulations to his owner for keeping things calm and the wonderful temperament of this little butterfly. You made the breed proud.
So from here the show scene commences for another year. Good luck to everyone attending UKTD.
This will be a double show for the breed with The Papillon (Butterfly) Dog Club holding their first Championship Show at this venue. Previously it had been at Stoneleigh
The judge for the breed show is breed specialist Sue Stanbury (Inixia) who will now be judging both sexes. Unfortunately Hilary Joyce had to stand down from judging the bitches due to an operation scheduled in hospital. Wishing you speedy recovery Hilary and sending love.
UKTD could be a long day for everyone so butties and cuppa’s at the ready as this show commences after the UKTD judging concludes. The judge for this show is breed specialist Rosemarie Hobson (Rosenjon).
Take care travelling everyone and just enjoy every minute.
IRENE ROBB