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My visit to Holland for the Stafford Times Dog Show 2 & 3 September 2017

12/8/2017

I recently took the opportunity to fly over to Holland to attend a 2 day event, the Stafford times 10th anniversary dog show. The jubilee edition Hosted by wybren lieuwes & Afke lourens.

I was greeted and collected from the airport on the Saturday afternoon by my good friend Stefan Hoogendoorn, who took me along just in time to catch the last of the athletics events and the competitions winning dogs presentations.. The day held 5 disciplines consisting..

A-frame:
Long jump:
High jump:
Wall climb:
Mill race:

The turn out was fantastic with large entries, some of which had travelled all the way from the UK to compete with there dogs. Ady Barnes/ keeley Kane and Phil Greenaway just to name a few were in attendance.
Early evening there was a barbecue put on which I stayed around for to catch up with Peter Rhodes and a couple of his friends who had also travelled over, talking dogs in general!!

I had arranged to meet up with another great friend, Wilfred hop from Riskys Dutch Staffords who so kindly accommodated me for the night at his house and took me back the following day for the Sunday’s conformation show.. which was of great interest to me knowing that two well known dog men from the UK were also in attendance, namely Tony Brindley from Carbrindle and my loyal long term friend Gary Boyce from the infamous Barnstorm kennels.. Tony was to judge Kc Staffords and Gary judging the athletic Stafford classes, there was also a A.M. Staff class judged by Alain Crabos from France.
Once again another fantastic turn out on the day with some quality examples being shown before the judges, large entries with some difficult decisions being had to be made with the placings.

I finally got to meet peter schotte (champstaff) from Belgium and his dogs, Trixie and Nailsson 2 outstanding young dogs bred by peter sired by his dog Sonny who is a litter brother to Phil Greens Sid, these were of particular interest to me as I used Sid at stud with Riskys Taz earlier in the year and was good to see the comparisons between the two breedings.

I then had the pleasure of meeting Pascal & Desiree Rehman who own Basil, a cracking Red dog sired by our very own Riskys red Rocco..
Finally I had the chance to meet up and have a good chat with Jason elderfield with his veteran dog Jake who I believe is nearly 15 years old now, Jason used to attend the Bournemouth bull breed shows with Jake many years ago and was really good to see him again and know his dog jake is still going strong..

my last visit to Holland was in 2006 when I judged the athletic Stafford classes for the Stafford NL club day, I must say its really good to know and see the Stafford scene in Holland still going from strength to strength after all these years later.. thanks to a lot of dedicated enthusiasts keeping the scene alive.

I would like to congratulate Wybren & Afke on organising and running a successful event to perfection !!
Looking forwards to the next Stafford times dog show in 2018..

Please find a selection of pictures from show below.
Regards Gary B..