PIRIE KENNEL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOWS

Port Pirie’s Kennel Club Championship Shows kicked off on September 11, with three days of judging at their Savoy Park grounds.

The club secured the grounds earlier this year after three years of the championship show being held at Globe Oval.

The shows would usually take place across the Easter long weekend, but were postponed earlier this year amid the coronavirus.

About 300 people attended the shows per day, with 80 different breeds showcased and judged across the weekend to determine which dog was the ‘Best in Show’.

Port Pirie Kennel Club secretary Joe Nickholds said he was pleased to see visitors enjoying the grounds.

“So far it has been really good, the exhibitors have really enjoyed the venue and we have had no complaints about anything,” he said.

“The turnout hasn’t been quite as good as our Easter shows, but part of that is COVID and we are only hosting three shows.

“At Easter time we would have six shows over four days, which makes it worthwhile for people to make the trip up here.”

Both the Saturday and Sunday shows were held in memorial of two past and much valued club members June Steward and Roy McDonald, with the best in show winner taking home an extra $100 in prize money.

The Savoy Soccer Club also sponsored a show across the weekend, presenting a trophy and a plant to the winner.

Kennel Club president Ross Darlow said it was great to honour past committee members and receive support from the grounds past owners.

“It was actually fantastic that they did that for us” he said.

“They realised that we had kept the name Savoy Park and apparently they liked that we decided to keep it and they thought they would sponsor a show for us.”

Mr Darlow said the committee hopes that everything will be back to normal in time for the Easter shows.

“Most people we spoke to said they will be coming back for our Easter shows, but that depends on this pandemic,” he said.

“We would usually have our judges come over from New Zealand, but this year we had to cancel it, so we are hoping we can get them for next Easter.

“We have got six shows booked providing it all goes right and nothing stops us.”

Mr Nickholds welcomes anyone who is interested in finding their new ‘best friend’ or wants to see what the shows are all about to head on down at Easter.

“The people of Port Pirie can come and have a look at different breeds of dogs, talk to the breeder and owner and find out if it is the dog for them,” he said.

For more information or to keep updated on the latest, visit the Port Pirie Kennel Club on their Facebook page.

Results

Best in Show on Friday and winning the Savoy Shield was:
The Fox Terrier (Smooth) Supreme Champion Clanach Foxtrot At Boarbadger. Owned by N Gouzos, M&P Merchant & EK Parker.

Best in Show on Saturday at the Roy McDonald Memorial Show was:
The Boxer Australian Champion Milmac Tom Ford GTHO. Owned by Mr P Cook & Miss K Cook.

Best in Show on Sunday at the June Stewart Memorial Show was:
The Cocker Spaniel (American) DK SE WW18 PL NL USA NORDIC CH INT DK CH Galaksi I Have A Dream. Owned by Mr J Carter & Mrs V Carter & E Carter.