THE OTHER KENTUCKY DERBY!
4 days in October saw the CKCSC USANational Specialtyhosted in Louisville, Kentucky. The events included a Gala, 3 conformation shows, obedience, rally and agility trials, sweepstakes for Puppies and Veterans. Childrens' Handling, Health Clinics, Seminar, Parade of Champions, Banquet, Live & Silent Auctions. Enjoy some of the moments revisited...
On the Friday evening of October 9th 2014, the grand ballroom of the luxury Crowne Plaza hotel in Louisville, Kentucky was the site of CKCSC USA Third Annual Top Twenty Gala 2014. The evening was glamorous, there was excitement in the air and everyone gathered together, mingling with many Cavalier enthusiasts who they do not normally get to see often, imbibing on the liquor of their choice and snacking on the variety of dishes offered.
Alison Matos diligently checked everyone in, handing out the Program and the ballot for each person to vote in the People’s Choice, as more and more people arrived to participate and enjoy this annual spectacular. Ricky Perkins was responsible for the design and printing of the Program, Arm bands and Ballots.
Anne Eckersley began the Top Twenty Gala by explaining the purpose of the Gala. She talked about it being an annual celebration of the very best Cavaliers and about getting together as top breeders, under one roof, to talk dogs and to actually see so many extraordinary Champions being shown. The event was not about showing and winning – it was about the camaraderie of our membership, it was about supporting our club, it was about the honor of actually having a dog invited to the Top Twenty and having the opportunity to celebrate with fellow breeders. Anne continued to stress the importance of watching the stunning Cavaliers we had the fortune of observing during the Gala and that we needed to all strive towards their quality, whilst at the same time preserving their outgoing, happy attitude and working towards the longevity of the breed. This in turn raises the bar to produce top quality, healthy, happy Cavaliers.
The Top Twenty Gala is a competition of the year’s (October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014) most successful CKCSC, USA, Conformation Cavaliers. They were formally invited to enter and participate in an event that was judged by three mystery judges from three different categories :
1) Licensed Cavalier Breeder/Judge (Michael Levy, Pascavale Cavaliers, UK) 2) CKCSC, USA, Breeder with an in-depth knowledge of the breed (Paula Campanozzi, Luxxar Cavaliers, USA)
3) Licensed all-breed judge, not a breeder nor owner of Cavaliers(Melinda Lyon, Lair O’Lyon West Highland White Terriers, USA)
The names of the judges were kept secret (not one person knew who the judges were!) until right before the table judging commenced.
It was such fun to hear Anne Eckersley introduce each judge with a few comments about each of their personal lives and individual involvement in dogs and judging. Each judge was given a score sheet to fill out for the Table judging and then for the Movement judging. Scores were accurately and confidentially tabulated by Jaime Redniss and Breda McCarty.
There was excellent participation in the event with 19 entries, a few of whom were unfortunately unable to attend. The evening began with Liz Greak and Barbara Comer lining up each exhibitor as they entered the ring one at a time until the entire group of Cavaliers was in the ring. They all filed out and each dog returned to the ring, one at a time, to be judged.
The first two dogs were shown for exhibition only. Ch Forestcreek Double O Seven JW’s owner/breeder Dr. Kevin Cline felt there was a conflict of interest with one of the judges and he opted to withdraw his dog from the competition. Ch Chadwick Leura JW’s owner/breeder Anne Eckersley was running the event and the rules disallow dogs owned by the organizers to compete.
As the dogs were being shown, some door prizes were given out. The three judges were asked to choose the “Best Dressed Person at the Top Twenty” – this was their final judging assignment. The last door prize was given to that person who was unanimously chosen by our three judges – it was Dr. Bruce Henry who they considered to be “dapper”!
While the scores were being tabulated there were the following Parades: Parade of CKCSC Champions. Parades of New Champions, Winners of Major Awards and Junior Warrant Title Holders (October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014) who celebrated their successes in their own Parades as a part of the Top Twenty Gala that evening
Finally – the scores were added and the results were in. The final three winners were announced after which third place was identified, then second place and then the winner. Below they are listed in winning order:
1. Ch Hidden Creek Hugo Boss JW 2. Ch Melrose Gold for Bonitos Companeros JW 3. Ch Turretbank Magic Spell
Top Twenty Gala winner was Ch Hidden Creek Hugo Boss JW owned and bred by Richard Green.
The list of Top Twenty qualifiers for 2014 can be found on the CKCSC, USA website under Events – CKCSC Top 20.
People’s Choice Award was determined from the dogs entered in the Top Twenty Gala (by our Club members who attended the event). Spectators completed a ballot, voting for their favorite at the end of the evening and placed the ballots in the ballot box. The ballots were tallied the following day and the winner was announced at the banquet on Saturday evening.
The winner was: Ch Turretbank Magic Spell owned by Richard Green and bred by Katie Sloane
and the prize for BEST DRESSED went to...
.....Dr Bruce Henry from Texas
SWEEPSTAKES...PUPPY AND VETERAN ....judged by Paula Ayers (Brookhaven)and aided and abetted by steward Ricky Perkins
Cruisin Mickey Mouse.....Best Puppy Dog
Iloo Dite Ilan Du Jardin De Claire Of Sumara, JW....Best Puppy Bitch and BEST PUPPY IN SWEEPS
both born in 2002 making them 12 years old and looking wonderful....
Angel's Pride Nautical Nancy of Chadwick.....BEST VETERAN BITCH and BEST VETERAN IN SWEEPS
Ch Dallarock Spellbound....BEST VETERAN DOG
Trudy Brown Albtecht Memorial Rally....JUDGE SYLVIA LYMER (LYMREY)UK
Toraylac Here's Hugo, Ch Rutherford Electra JW, Mimric Buffalo Gal, Ch Forestcreek Royal Harry, JW, Ch Melrose Gold for Bonitos Companeros, Ch Turretbank Magic Spell
Ch Forestcreek Royal Harry
Mimric Buffalo Gal....NEW ckcsc usa Ch
53rd Annual National Specialty....JUDGE ANNETTE JONES (TIMSAR) UK
Ch Pinecrest Flamin Gogh, BISS CKCSC USA, AKC GCH, ACKCSC National Award of Merit Clarmarian Kiss and Cry, Ch Hiddencreek Hugo Boss, Forestcreek Honey Rider, Ch Melrsoe Gold for Bonitos Companeros, Ch Turretbank Magic Spell, Ch Glencross Cailin at Shirmont JW
GCh Clarmarian Kiss and Cry
GCh Clarmarian Kiss and Cry
Mimric Buffalo Gal
12 years old .....Chadwick Jack in the Box
Elizabeth I Spalding Memorial Show....JUDGE BRENDA MARTZ (BROOKHAVEN ) USA
Ch Glencross Cailin at Shirmont JW, Ch Turretbank Magic Spell, Ch Chadwick Leura JW, Jayba Summer Shandy, Ch Dreamvale Tri Your Luck at Parkbury JW, Denham Superstorm JW, Marshelle Simply Irresistible,
and apart from the showing side, the Cavalier enthusiasts looked like they were having fun!
Show organisers extra ordinaire!...Ginger Harrison and Lana Adair
Sandra Moger, Michael Levy and Judi Geldermann
Amanda Tatum and her mother Betty O'Brian
Therapy dog parade
guess who? think Timsar and Pascavale!
Elvis is in the building with Nikki Parente, Barb, Kathy Gentil and Richard Green
Rescue Parade
Sandra Moger, Annette Jones, David Moger and Paula Ayers
visiting the resting place of Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC!
"Stuck on You" ...The King!
a little brag...on three of the days..there were four Majors and a Best Puppy awarded. On Friday under a UK judge, four of five were American bred. On Saturday under a UK judge, five of the five were American bred. On Sunday under an American judge, four of the five were American bred.
sounds as if it was a great event...thank you to all those who kindlysent pics....
almost up to speed...only the Humberside Open show to go...
14th November 2014