2013 Show Report
Wed 4 September 2013
The lovely grounds of Crix in Hatfield Peveral opened its gates for thousands of people and their dogs of all shapes and sizes on Bank Holiday Sunday for the third Essex Dog Day, coming to enjoy a day of competitions and spectacle. And a record of an few pounds short of £60,000 was raised for PARC-Essex, the play and resource centre in Great Notley Country Park for children and young adults with additional needs.
The previous afternoon had seen the worst weather to hit Essex all year with torrential downpours and flooding but miraculously the rain disappeared overnight, the showground dried and the sun shone. As Essex Radio DJ Dave Monk on the microphone said “I’ve come in my white shoes and they’re still as white as when I set out !” He was commentating on a dazzling succession of demonstrations in the main ring throughout the day. Jemima Parry Jones drew one of the biggest audiences as her huge birds of prey wheeled and swooped over the crowds in a breath taking display of falconry.
The Crufts, World and Open European Champions, Top Lodge Dancing Dog Display Team waltzed and fox-trotted around the ring to music with their canine partners. David Seamark and his sheepdogs gave a master class in control of flocks of sheep and geese. As a contrast Helena Romanes Troup’s entranced the audience with their beautiful choreography and dancing.
Competition was keen among owners and hundreds of dogs in the two competition show rings, the agility, obedience, scurries and flyball courses and the lake. The cup for Best in Show presented by The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre was won by a rescue dog from Romania called Lucky which also won Best Rescue Dog. “It’s the first time she’s won anything” said her owner Rosie Bell from Maldon “and now she’s won twice. We were going to find her a good home after training her because we thought she’s too big for us but then we couldn’t bear to part with her”
Some came to shop for their pampered pets in the many stalls selling doggie treats, beauty products and gourmet dog food.
Others had come to marvel at the huge variety of breeds to be seen around the show ground and the specialist “Meet the Breed” tents. “I’ve bought Wellington, my Slovakian Long Haired Pointer to meet some others of this breed” said Mary Lee from Saffron Walden “We got him as a rescue dog from Portugal earlier this year and he hasn’t seen a single one since then.” And owners wanting their puppies to learn to socialise with other dogs brought them along to meet all the other dogs at the show.
Children were spoilt for choice with the adventure activities and donkey rides too. The bars were popular in the August sunshine and the variety of food, both cold and sizzling hot, proved irresistible to appetites sharpened by walking round the show.
There were waggy tails all round as competitors, owners and visitors went home happy after the end of a friendly and successful show.
