'FRANKIE' WILL GO TO HOLLYWOOD!!

The Irish Kennel Club's Irish Showdog Awards final took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin last night. The Special Events committee had as usual provided the exhibitors and guests with all the trappings that such a prestigious event warranted.

Eukanuba, represented on the night by Mike Bloxsome, were the main sponsors for the event this year. The ultimate prize on offer to the overall winner was a trip to represent Ireland at the Eukanuba World Challenge finals which are held in Long Beach, California. It was a delighted Philip, Eddie and Jarka O’Brien whose Kerry Blue Terrier Ch, GB Ch, SKL Ch Edbrios Amadeus, was the choice of the judge, Mrs Elsbeth Clerc from Switzerland to become the 2010 representatives from Ireland. This will be the second occasion in which the Edbrios team will attend the World Challenge having travelled there in 2007 with INT, CZ, SK, PL, GB & IR Ch. Edbrios Blue Ivanhoe. I know they enjoyed the experience first time round and are more than happy to do it all again.

Frankie has given the team some impressive results for 2009 starting with the CC at Crufts 2009. He was Best of Breed at the European Dog Show in Dublin in May and again at the FCI World Dog Show 2009 in Bratislava where he was shortlisted in the Group. These added to his 2 Best in Show wins and a Reserve Best in Show with 5 Group wins.

As winner of the Group 3 on the night Frankie also took home the Gerry Sweeney Memorial Trophy which is presented each year in memory of the famous Teltown Irish Terrier man who was Chairman of this event for many years.

Runner Up was the Dobermann Ch & GB Ch Aritaur Hipnotique owned by Jewell Fleming and Billy and Josh Henderson. Zena show record is impressive. She was Best in Show at Belfast Dog Show Society championship show and 2 weeks later was Best in Show at Portadown and with 28 CCs is the bitch Breed Record Holder in the UK and Top Dobermann in the UK and Ireland for 2009.

Third place went to Elsbeth's Gruop 1 winner. Colm, Rose and Holly Hastings top winning American import Old English Sheepdog Ch & Am Ch Lambluv's Live The Dream. She topped the Group on 5 occasions in 2009, was Best in Show at Cork & District and most recently was Reserve Best in Show at Cloghran.

Topping Group 10 and fourth place overall was Carmel Barry Sheehan's Saluki Ch Ulmarra Habibi bred by Lynda Dunne and handled by Sean McKnight. Along the way to achieving her place at the finals Yasmine was the Group winner and Bray & District and place on 5 other occasions

The Dachshund group, Group 4 was topped by Tom, Marion and Ian Finney's Kaninchen Wire Haired Ch Nice One From Vitoraz to Gulliagh who topped the Group at Swords International Show and finished in 10th place on the night.

Fifth overall and topping Group 5 was Bob, Caroline and Bobby Browne's top winning homebred American Akita Ch Modelvill Celtic By Design. Max topped the Group on 6 occasions in 2009 and was Best in Show at Bangor & North Down in August. Max is a son of last year's Runner Up CH Beaufleets Boogie Man who is now proving himself out of the ring to be a great asset for the Modelvill team.

Group 6 winner, the scenthound's breeds group was Eamonn Murray's Beagle CH Morsefield Mr Nice Guy who had also has topped this group at the event last year.

Two absentee's left Elsbeth's with just 2 dogs to choose from in Group 7 winner. The winner here and 9th overall was George Heron's German Shorthaired Pointer Ir Sh Ch Maximus Decimus at Josabieron who took 5 Group placings during the year.

Group 8 was topped by Heather and Norman Large's Irish Water Spaniel Sh Ch, GB Sh Ch & SU Ch Gatewood Invitation from Coleenville who throughout the year has topped the group six times.

Elsbeth's Group 9 winner, was Mary Coghlan and Sally Burn's Toy Poodle Ch & GB Ch Aedan Special Design for Valentine. She was Best in Show at Munster Canine and All Ireland Bull Breeds, Reserve Best in Show at Fermoy International and topped the Group 5 times during the year. She also topped the Champion Stakes at Limerick in August.

Report and Photos Caroline Reynolds