EUROPEAN
Manchester Terrier Happening By Ella Eva | Photos by Sandy Krijgsveld |
www.manchester-terrier.ch/
The 20th Manchester Terrier Happening was held July 8-11, 2011 in Werdenberg, Switzerland. It was organised by Esther Schellenberg of the Alpenrein Manchester Terriers and the organising Committee in- cluded Esther, Astrid Gamper and Monkia Goldie who was in charge of the catering, finding sponsors, fund raising and cashier. Astrid spent the weekend on her computer counting up the scores, manning the office and organising the games.
The event drew an entry of 104 dogs, one of the largest ever, and was held in an equestrian school in Werdenberg. The area in which the games and show were held was a huge field, completely securely fenced so that the dogs could all be let off the lead to run and play with each other in total safety and freedom. Then there was a large indoor riding school in case of wet weather. Remembering that most of the dogs were entire and so were the bitches, it says a great deal for the tempera- ments of the Manchesters that are being bred in Europe that there were no fights and no stand offs between dogs or bitches. There were even 12 week old puppies running round free in bright, sparkly harnesses. They were looked after by the dogs and people there.
Saturday started with a parade of the countries taking part. All were introduced and a photo taken of them. The first day was focussed on games and competitions. Those who took part earned points towards the final score on the Sunday for the overall winner. The tests included agility competitions like the tunnel as well as others that tested the handler as well as the dogs. Imagine trying to weave round obstacles with the handler holding a tray in one hand with a toy car on it, which they were trying not to let fall, and the dog on a lead in the other hand. There was a variation on the sack race, which the dogs found amusing.
In the afternoon there was racing against the clock. By then it was windy and the tapes marking the course blew around, putting off some of the dogs who just ran under them and finished the race outside the marked course. Even the pups took part, on the lead and heavily bribed, of course. We were royally fed a hot lunch and dinner every day with the wine from Esther’s father’s vineyard, each bottle with a special label for the Happening.
On Saturday evening Peter gave a talk on the breed, which was the same as that given for the Kennel Club’s Judges talks. Of course, not everyone spoke enough English and Ingrid Cartensen translated for him. Ingrid is Canadian by birth, now living in Switzerland and owns two Manchester
Terriers of Esther’s breeding. They both managed manfully as the weath- er had deteriorated with rain and thunder, cutting off all the electricity at one point. It took a lot of work and preparation as some words that we use everyday, like turn of stifle, hocks etc had to be looked up and translated into German. I really do not know what we would have done without Ingrid as she wrote out the critiques on every dog as you have to do when judging in Europe. Most people spoke a little English which was a relief as my German is non existent and my French rusty.
Sunday was the dog show proper with classes for the baby puppies, all the way up to Veteran and a special class for Pet Dogs, for those who do not show but wanted to compete for points for the overall com- petition. Peter judged the dogs and I did the bitches and I am glad to say that we agreed on our final winner, the dog out of the Open Class, X-Pected Dine Mites Tequilo de Borek, owned by Miroslav Simunsky of Czechoslovakia and bred by Kirsy & Eric Kahrs of Norway [X-Pected Dine Mites Robin Hood X X-Pected Dine Mites Nobodys Darling]. He was also the winner overall.
My Best Bitch was Mia von der Spree owned by Nikola Gross of Ger- many, bred by Lother Holst and Harry Fruth also of Germany [Filou von der Spree X Alexis von der Spree-Aue] and very lovely she was too, but the dog had the edge. The weather had disintegrated completely by then and we had to judge in the indoor arena. Most of the dogs coped very well with the thunder, but it did affect some of the bitches’ per- formances.
The only competitor from the UK was Carol Wicker with her brace. She had crossed by the channel tunnel, stayed with a French friend and mo- tored over with her. The journey to the 2013 Happening will be even longer, it is being organised by Irena Piotrowska and will be in Poland, 400k south of Warsaw.
The standard of Manchester Terriers in Europe is outstanding. There are some very clever breeders over there who work hard at finding studs and matings that ensure the breed is as diverse as possible. The tempera- ments are excellent. We went to the first Happening that Raf de Winter organised all those years ago and the quality has improved as well as the numbers.
It was a wonderful weekend, beautifully organised by Esther and her team. There were so many helpers whose names I did not record, but thanks to them, you made for a faultlessly run and organised show.
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BLACK & TAN | SPRING 2012
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