"Crufts 2004 " by Takemi Sugimoto

Crufts 2004, the biggest dog show in the world was held in Birmingham in England for four days from March 4th to 7th. There were more than 21,000 entries and 120,000 visitors this year.
NEC hall was crowded and lively with them like last year. Whippet, CH.COBYCO CALL THE TUNE(Male)won Best in Show and Scottish Terrier, CH.RAGLAN ROSE MAIDEN AT RIO (Female) won Reserve Best in Show.

Terrier Group including Airedale Terrier was judged on the last day, March 7th Sunday. I was lucky that I could visited Crufts again. Although I had only a four-day trip and my schedule was very tight, I was very satisfied to watch the show and meet lots of my friends again.

Mr.Matsubara, who is a member of our club, and I arrived at the Heathrow Airport in the evening on Mar.6th . We rented a car and left for Jaideled Airedales which is Maple's mother's home. It has been ten months since I visited them last. Martin, Alaine, Mr.Matsubara and I went to the pub together and enjoyed dinner and talking. Tomorrow they are showing the female, Lucky(Jaideld Gypsy Lady Luck)at Crufts. She is almost three years old and she has the same parents as Maple. She is excellent and has had two CC already.

The judging of Airedale Terriers started at 9:00 am. Ninety entries were supposed to be there,
but actually eighty entries were there like last year. Veteran class of the male group was judged first, then Puppy class, then Junior class, then Post graduate class, then Limit class, then Open class. After that, Best Dog and Reserve Best Dog were selected from the first placed dog in each classes except Puppy class. The female group followed male group. Finally, Best of Breed was selected between Best Dog and Best Bitch.

BOB was CH.GARLAND SWEET CAROLIN JOKYL(female) and BOS was BRANDED JAZZ KING OF JOKYL. Jokyl Airedale Terriers won BOB for three years in a row, besides, Jokyl also got BOS. They proved themselves to be marvelous breeders again this year. Lucky was the same Open class as Garland Sweet Carolin which was handled by Mary of Jokyl. Lucky placed second. I was very happy to recognize fully again what a beautiful Airedale Lucky was.

The lunch party started after the show as usual. It was a lot of fun for the entrants. They enjoyed talking over wine, beer and sandwiches. I also enjoyed talking to my friends.I believe that Crufts is the festival for entrants and visitors. Many people and dogs gather from every part of the UK and visitors also gather from every part of the world. Almost all entrants are not business breeders and they handle their dogs themselves. Lots of senior citizens and ladies participate in shows in the UK. Lots of people enjoy retired life with their dogs. They are wonderful to handle their dogs very well although they are not professional handlers. They always give their dogs a loving look and walk with a dignified air. And their dogs obey them lively and happily.

After lunch, we joined Janet & Tom Huxley of Robroyd Airedales which is Willow's parents home. They didn't show Airedale Terriers this time. They introduced the Russian Black Terrier to the visitors at the discover dog's booth as Tom is a president of Russian Black Terrier of England. We enjoyed shopping then helped them to put the booth away. After that we left the hall and headed for their home to stay with them.It has been a year since I visited Robroyd last, but I felt as if they were my second home in the UK.

Saredon St.Elmos Fire

Res DOG CC : Doraemi Mister Sandman

I slept very well and woke up in comfort. We had an English Breakfast that Janet cooked and relaxed for a while. And Tom took us to the typical English country town where it took one hour by car. There was an old mansion we could have seen inside but I missed the place because it was closed that day. Next we saw the cow's auction which is held several times a year. A lot of stands were put up in the square and the small town was overcrowded with cars and people. That looked very lively for Monday. I had a good leisurely time. Mr.Matsubara and I left Tom after lunch and headed for Winchester.

Winchester has a long history. Jokyl Airedales which has the greatest record in Airedale folks is close to the town. We visited them for the second time. We arrived at 9:00 am and Mary welcomed me with a smile. She must have been tired because of Crufts, though.

"Most of all enjoy your dogs and find something to be happy about, even if you don't win, have a party, after all you are still taking the best dog home with you!" she said in the message which she gave to our club before. I'm sure Jokyl Airedales is a peaceful place for her. She looked more peaceful and content at the house than I saw her at the show.

David of Branded Airedales and the staff from Finland came into the room when Mary showed me her beloved Airedales. I gazed at CH. Greenfield Capten Fantastic which renewed the record, CH. Garland Sweet Carolin Jokyl which won BOB at this Crufts, and the promising dogs in the future. Seeing and touching the dogs close-up is very different from what I saw at the show. I came to fully recognize their fine conformation and Mary's unique beautiful trimming.

Since I heard that Mary had to go to the funeral of her friend, we said good bye before noon. Before we left there, finally Mary took the female Airedale, 14 years old. She was the CH.This Is My Song which got Reserve Best in Show at Crufts 1996. Nan wore the yellow sweater and looked very happy. Yes Mary, too.