World Show in Geneva/Switzerland from 23 to 25 August 2023

I was not aware that there would be so many “Firstprizebears” Bearded Collies at the World Show in Geneva/Switzerland.

On Wednesday the judging of the Bearded Collies was parallel to my Bobtails, unfortunately this was also the case on Wendaye, the day of the World Show.

But on Friday at the special show the Beardies were judged after our Bobtails and I could witness everything.

This travel story is about our Old English Sheepdogs:

World exhibitions are always something special. I have been to many world exhibitions in the last 50 years. It is always a gamble whether you win. A lot depends on the judges. The Worldshow in August 2023 was in Geneva, Switzerland. At the beginning of the year I had thought about whether it would make sense to take part in such a big, exhausting and expensive event again. I was able to convince my best travelling companion (apart from my dear husband Paul) to accompany me: Chris Beirendonk.

A 4 day trip. On Wednesday there was the Grand Prix CACIB Show judged by Mr. Doedijns from the Netherlands. The World Show took place on Wednesday, judged by Mr Mark James from England. On Friday a Breed Special Show was attached, which was judged by the well-known breeder Mrs. Christina Bailey of the “Zottel” OES from England. She is a breed specialist, having bred well over 100 OES champions herself and produced many famous dogs. Her judgement carries weight.

Last week Tuesday morning was the day. At 7.30 Chris was standing in front of the door with “Viv”, who was entered in the junior class and the big show luggage. I had the same, but “Uschi” was entered in the champion class and had clothes for 3 show days.

The weather forecast was that it would be between 36 and 38 degrees and it was. That’s why we had some ventilators in our luggage.

We left on time at 8 o’clock in the morning.

Together 134 years of life90 years of passion for our beloved Old English Sheepdog

1600 km distance there and back

and 2x the spirit of 25 years

On the way, we stopped in France to let the dogs out. The asphalt in the car park was so hot that the dogs had to put on their socks. Around 5 pm we arrived at the hotel, which was only 5 km away from Palexpo in Geneva. It was hot….. Car unpacked, dogs fed and everything planned for the next morning. The halls opened at 6 a.m., the judging started at 9.30 a.m. That means: the alarm clock goes off at 4.15 a.m., dogs let out, styling of Conny ( Conny always needs much longer) and Chris. Departure at 5.30 a.m. At these Giga events you always have to be there very early, otherwise the space around the rings is quickly occupied.

We reached the hall very quickly, but about 100 m before we were stuck in a traffic jam for 35 minutes. This traffic jam got longer and longer and there was chaos on the motorway at the airport, which is opposite the halls. Several taxis with passengers arrived too late, etc. Many exhibitors arrived 1 hour to 1.5 hours late. It was chaos. Parking (20 euros per day) was well arranged and the way to the hall entrance was short. Around 7 a.m. we stood at the ring with our entourage and could relax a bit.

So far so good, the beginning of our journey to the World Show.

Now the results of our Bearded Collies:

Altogether between 45 and 50 Beardies were entered per show

23.08.2023 Grand Prix Show Geneva/CH, judge Mrs. Judith Korocz-Papp/HU

Ch. Firstprizebears Q’Jennifer Lopez” owner Marita Gintere Excellent 2 in Champion Class

Amy Winehouse Firstprizebears , owner Marita Gintere, very promising 1 in puppy class

Ch.” Firstprizebears Tina Turner” owner Justina Masiule, Excellent 1, CACIB, CAC, Best Bitch, Open Class

Ch. Firstprizebears Patick Duffy” owner Michael Knuchel, Excellent 3 Champion class males

Best of Breed “Ch. Ovation de Chester”, Best Bitch Ch. Firstprizebears Tina Turner and the Youth Winner and Veteran

24.08.2024 World Show, Judge Mrs. A. Ingram/IRL

Ch. Firstprizebears Patick Duffy “owner Michael Knuchel, Excellent Champion Class Males

Ch. Firstprizebears Oscar de la Renta, owner Mrs. Müller, Excellent 1 Veteran Class

Ch. Firstprizebears Q’Jennifer Lopez” owner Marita Gintere Excellent 2 in Champion Class

Amy Winehouse Firstprizebears , owner Marita Gintere, very promising 2 puppy class

Ch. Firstprizebears Tina Turner” owner Justina Masiule Excellent 2, Open class

Ch. Firstprizebears Rhianna, owner Echiavarra Visitation, Excellent, champion class

unfortunately I don’t have more photos from this day. This is “Ch. Firstprizebears Rhianna“.

25.08.2023, the day of the special show on the occasion of the World Show. The judge was Mrs. Christina Bailey/GB a famous breeder from England. She bred the famous “Zottels” OES and has bred a litter of Bearded Collies. This together with Mr. Bernardi under the kennel name “Chesnut”. So she is a breed specialist.

It turned out to be a very special day for us!

Ch. Firstprizebears Patick Duffy “owner Michael Knuchel, Excellent 2 Champion class males

Ch. Firstprizebears Q’Jennifer Lopez” owner Marita Gintere Excellent 1 in Champion Class, Best Bitch with CAC

Jenny’s daughter

Amy Winehouse Firstprizebears , owner Marita Gintere, very promising 1 puppy class

and her half sister

Ch. Firstprizebears Tina Turner” owner Justina Masiule Excellent 1, CAC, Open Class and new swiss Champion

Daughter Tina Turner and Mother Q’Jennifer Lopez

It was a wonderful day, which once again confirmed that our breeding was world class. We have stopped breeding Bearded Collies in 2021.

from left to right: Conny with “Q’Jennifer Lopez”, the judge Mrs. Bailey, Marita Gintere with “Amy Winehouse”, Goda with “Tina Turner” and Justina, the very proud owner of Tina.

Maybe the kennel name “Firstprizebears” will stay in the conversation, with the help of Conny “Tina” Justina and Goda.

Imrpessions