Mag 1

My first Crufts experience

When my young bitch qualified for Crufts 2002 at Bath Championship Show 2001, with a 1st in puppy bitch, I was ecstatic.

I had never been to Crufts before, as a spectator or an exhibitor, and even attending lots of Championship Shows, including the Ladies Kennel Association Show in December 2001 which is also held at the NEC, did nothing to prepare me for the enormity of the greatest dog show in the world.

5 massive halls jam packed with anything & everything doggy, vast green carpeted rings and thousands of people & dogs. A truly awesome event.

I had worried that, with a time restriction of 4 pm on the removal of dogs, I might get ‘a bit bored’. No chance! Time whizzed by and I didn’t even have time to leave Hall 4, to explore further, all day.

I love to ringside and watch my chosen breed’s judging, so I was in my element.

I was also very lucky that my bitch was being handled by her breeder. I honestly don’t think I could have overcome my nerves and stepped into that enormous double ring myself.

What an experience though, to watch her ‘show’. She was in a fairly big class of 13 super quality young bitches. (Well big for our breed anyway!)

When the judge picked her out of the line up 1st it was such an amazing feeling. With tears of joy in my eyes I raced around the ringside to take a photograph that I will treasure, with the memory, for ever.

What do I think of Crufts? It is, without doubt, a truly amazing experience. Will I be going again? You bet! You never know I may even get the chance to look around a bit this year.

So, if you get the opportunity to go, as a spectator or exhibitor, don’t pass it up. There really is nothing quite like it. Maybe I’ll see you there?

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