JGentzel@aol.com wrote:
In a message dated 9/25/2002 9:15:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time, kmreiter@earthlink.net writes:
If I'm correct, the BOB competition consisted of
5 judges, each of which evaluated every dog/bitch.Two judges (one judged the bitches and the other judged the males) judged for Best of Breed. It was a consensus of these two for breed. Four judges, at least, judged for Best in Show (all judges on the day). Henri Remy, from Belgium, who judged the GPCA sweepstakes in Andover in 2001 judged the Pyr males. Dr. Guido Massemello from Italy judged the Pyr bitches. This is the first time I believe that no Frenchman judged the main Pyr classes.
Dave Simon did a remarkable job showing Nousty du Neouvielle. Dave has a real talent presenting Pyrs and seems to always be in the mix somehow.
The show this year broke new ground and "raised the bar" considerably from prior events. This is the second year of the new RACP's board leadership in relation to this annual specialty show event and it clearly showed. Argeles-Gazost is the historic epicenter of the breed. It was the home of Eugene Byasson, a breed expert, historian, and local Notary, who wrote the first breed book known to anyone and was cofounder of the Argeles Club (Club du Chien) in the very early days of the last century (almost a 100 years now) with Monsieur Theodore Dretzen and Count Henri de Bylant of Holland. This years event was held in a spectacular park in Argeles just adjacent to the Casino (yes, European style gambling). Very cosmopolitan site. One would not have been surprised to see Sean Connery as James Bond in his white dinner jacket at any time. The city mayor or equivalent was there for the Club dinner and show. Clearly the city is squarely behind! the event and wants to keep it. Arlene Oraby from New York State painted a Pyr head study that was very special that was given to the city (I am jealous), that I suspect will hang in a place of honor. In short it appears the RACP has been very successful finding a real friend and patron for its annual event that will continue for the foreseeable future. The event is already planned to repeat again next year and into 2005 at least, where there are preliminary intentions to hold a World event type gathering. Everything is subject to change at this early date, but given the success and real appeal to this site, I suspect it might happen this way. The park in Argeles is surrounded by hotels, etc. Makes staying for the show quite convenient and absolutely gorgeous. You can walk to the show from your hotel easily. Of course the Pyrenees Mountains are all around. So mark your calendar for next year the last of September (rumors! by some here in the USA of a return to spring are at this time not correct) and circle the year 2005 for a potential spectacular world event in Pyrs.
Congratulations are in order for the RACP, Monsieur Alain Pecoult its President, and its Board of Directors. They worked their backsides off for the event and it was very evident by its success.
Joe