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Judges-Reports – W i n d h u n d F e s t i va l D o n au e s c h i n g e n 2 0 1 6 Ausstellungen | UW 10 | 2014 | 33 JOCECLYNE GAGNÉ | CAN (Starkeeper Irish Wolfhounds) What an absolutely wonderful showcase of sighthounds the organizers put together on August 13 and 14 this year at <strong>Donaue</strong>schingen, Germany. I had heard previously from a number of my European (and North American) friends that this was a show not to miss for anyone in the Sighthound world. The atmosphere is relatively relaxed, camping on site is encouraged, and I observed that people seemed to be having a very nice time visiting and exhibiting their beautiful hounds. I had been told that this was the largest sighthound show in Europe ( likely the world I am thinking) so I was quite excited when my invitation to judge arrived. I was even more excited when I learned that this was the largest entry for the show in its history with a combined entry of 1440 hounds participating! I mentioned to my friend Barbara Arndt that I was judging at this show, and she immediately said she wanted to join me on this trip. We travel well together and I am always happy for Barb’s company, so I checked in with the show organizers, and we confirmed our plans. Barb is a long time Afghan breeder and also a dog show judge. I enjoyed having Barb share in this sighthound adventure and here is what she had to say about our time at this festival: In August I had the pleasure of attending the Sighthound Festival in <strong>Donaue</strong>schingen, Germany. The hospitality was outstanding, the show facility is wonderful and the quality of the Sighthounds was excellent with a record entry of over 1400. From the opening ceremonies with a wonderful display of dressage with 2 Spanish horses, riders and escorts to a parade of the Mediterranean breeds escorted by their handlers in the traditional dress of their regions, the show was a total joy for me and I am so thankful that I was invited to attend. The Show Committee and workers are to be commended for putting on a first class event. I would definitely recommend to anyone with a love of Sighthounds that they take the first opportunity to attend this show!! Every year I am told the club chooses to highlight one or more breeds at their festival. This year the Mediterranean breeds were the featured ones, and so the main ring entertainment before the judging and throughout the 2 days included the wonderful horses and riders in Spanish gear, Spanish dancers and of course the parades of the Mediterranean breeds… I have never seen so many varieties of Podenco together in the ring at one time! So that was a real treat for me. It was also wonderful to be able to speak to the judges who were specialists in these featured breeds, from Portugal and Spain, and I enjoyed our conversations and discussions about the key features of these Mediterranean sighthounds. All of the members of the judging panel were wonderful people and we shared a passion, in that we are sighthound enthusiasts, breeders and judges. There were many good conversations and discussions, and of course we had some good laughs together as well. My compliments to the show organizers for pulling together such a talented group of international judges. We were gathered from the United States, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Germany. The show committee was a truly hard working group. The ring stewards and secretaries who worked with me over the two days were skilled and organized, and made it possible for me to focus on my job of judging. Olaf Knauber is incredibly talented with a microphone. He is the master of improvisation and kept us all informed and entertained throughout the two days of performances and judging in the main ring. Angelika Heydrich made us all feel welcome, and was organizing constantly, ensuring trophies and prizes were where they needed to be. My great friend Julie Huebner looked after all of the judges with great diligence. She ensured we had plenty to eat and drink, and that we were comfortable. One memory that will stick with me forever, is the phrase that our lovely hostess Julie used, whenever there were questions about the show or the agenda : “This is a live show”. She employed that saying many times over our two days together, whenever there was a problem, a delay, a change in the schedule. That phrase makes me smile, and it will always bring back fond memories for me of a time spent enjoying sighthounds and their people in the German sunshine. I was also very happy to be re-acquainted with Beatrix Casanova of Switzerland (another club membr) who collected Barb and I in Zurich, and arranged for some lovely sightseeing on our return journey after the show. We shared our happy travels with Jim Sillers, the judge from the United States who was visiting with Beatrix and her husband. eventVet Das Tierarzt-Team für Ihre Veranstaltung eventVet Das Tierarzt-Team für Ihre Veranstaltung We were blessed with good weather – although it was a little warm at times in the sun. The quality of the entry overall was excellent and in most breeds there were spectacular hounds that exemplified the best qualities of the breed. I was most fortunate to be able to go over my own breed, and was happy to have an entry of 38 Irish Wolfhounds. On the first day, I was thrilled to see my Breed Winner in the main ring go not only Best Veteran in Specialty, but 4th Best in Show. My deerhound entry was also large, 48 entered and of excellent quality – and I found my winner in the Junior bitch, who I later learned was imported from England. On the Sunday, my largest breed entry was in the Greyhounds, and I had some absolutely beautiful hounds in the 62 I was assigned to judge. My breed winner was especially pleasing – an exquisite typical bitch put together so well and lovely to look at both standing and moving. She was the breed winner on both days of the show. I enjoyed every moment of my time at the <strong>Donaue</strong>shingen Sighthound Festival. This celebration of sighthounds is a world class event and I hope to be able to attend again in future. 33
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