Show Managers report colour format 2025
Nigel White (Show manager)
Our 40th colour format open show was as always well supported with an overall entry of 66 dogs for our three judges.
The morning started with committee members arriving from 7.30am to start transforming the hall into our special show ring with running mats, bordered by our Great Dane stands representing the six colours of the show format and for the first time this year a seventh stand of a Merle colour for the first ever Merle parade in the UK. Tables were filled with gifts, raffle prizes and memorabilia for sale. It was great to see a stand selling vet beds etc back at the club show.
The speed, enthusiasm and willingness by committee members to turn up and just get on with what’s needed to be done still amazes me. Chairs distributed around the ring for exhibitors and guests, arranging judges tables within the ring, rosettes laid out to be presented, banners hung around the ring all contributed to making the show look it’s best ready for our exhibitors who were starting to arrive when the show doors opened at 9.00am.
The car park was very busy with a Fly-
The show started at 10.00am prompt with the introduction of our first Judge Miss Tracy Rowe (Danepawz) with an overall entry of 32 entries (blues 10, harlequins 10, blacks 9, mantles 3) Tracy started with Blues, her best dog was Creek Danes Out of the Darkness (Imp Usa) owned by Carol Lawson, Best bitch Carsan Augusta owned by Judith Middleton. Lisa Page & Tess Concannon’s Novavida When Birds Sing was awarded best puppy. Next up we had our Harlequins and best dog was awarded to Michelle Palmer’s Adoreadane Charlton (AI), Best bitch Tammy Pocock’s Tamzdane Appley Ever After (JW) with best puppy awarded to Ms Cope’s harlequin bitch Fonblanque Fiona (AI).
Black’s up next and Tracy chose David Simpson’s Renescent Goodfella for her best dog, Pam Price’s Devorins Zola via Lemap was awarded best bitch and best black puppy awarded to Mrs J Reed’s Wildflower Patch at Minezara. Tracy’s last colour entry was the Mantle and she awarded best dog to Tammy Pocock’s Ch/Swiss & Lux Ch Tamzdane Empower Mint JW, Best bitch to Rosetta Czar Olbryzma and also best puppy was Adoreadane Yellowstone (AI) owned by Sarah Tempest.
We then broke for lunch and during this break centre stage went to our Merle Parade, sadly we had three absent on the day so we just had an 18 week old puppy called River owned by Karen Le Mar who was joined in the ring by Sarah Tempest with our merle cut out of Dory and Doris who joined in the parade and provided light entertainment for all with each receiving a bag full of gifts from the club for attending. Mandy & Chris Bithell then presented awards to the owners of all last year’s champions and individual colour winners. After this we had another Merle turn up called Zelda who will be 12 years old in May and also received a bag full of gifts from the club.
Swiftly back to the judging and the introduction of our next Judge Mr Tom Rigby (Omiant) with an entry of 27 fawns and Brindles. Tom started with the fawns (17 entered) awarding his best dog to Jill Cranfield’s Ch Zefathers Ralph Lauren JW his best bitch was Rioco My One and Only to Jasnettdanes owned by Annette Harrison. Best Fawn puppy was the bitch Novavida Shieldmaiden (AI) winner of the largest class of the day and jointly owned by Ms Lisa Page & Mrs Tessa Concannon. Finally, onto the Brindles (10 entries) Best dog Rimor Aurelus owned by Mrs Sandy Lipman & Mrs Sheena Booth. Best Bitch was Primus Diamonds Are Forever Samdice owned by the Dyson family of John, Heather and Candice. Best brindle puppy was Mrs C Spackman’s Novavida Norseman Warrior.
A quick change of judge into the ring stepped Mrs Jan Brooker (Beijan) a very late replacement for the original judge Mr Andrew Brace. Jan initially judged our veterans sadly no males on the day bur three lovely grand old bitches were entered and placed and subsequently enjoyed their lap of honour whilst being clapped around the show ring. The winner and best veteran in show was Ch Taysca Must Be Cartier at Dornoir owned by Judith Middleton.
Onto the main event of the day, Best in Show. All the best unbeaten dogs and bitch winners of each colour were assembled just out the ring and duly called into the ring in colour order (as per catalogue) by our excellent Stewards Maureen and John. Jan had 13dogs and bitches to cast her eye over and watch the movement of each dog. After consideration Jan gave Best In Show to Tammy Pococks mantle boy CH /Swiss & Lux CH Tamzdane Empower Mint JW with Jill Cranfield’s home bred boy Ch Zefathers Ralph Lauren winning Reserve best in show, best opposite sex was awarded to Annette Harrison’s Rioco My One and Only to Jasnettdanes JW.
Finally, the 6 best puppies one from each of the six colours were called into the ring and Jan’s choice for Best Puppy in Show was awarded to Sarah Tempest’s young mantle boy Adoreadane Yellowstone (AI).
A big thank you to our two stewards on the day John & Maureen who kept the classes moving smoothly throughout the day. The show ended with photos of all main winners with the judges. Both judges and Stewards were presented with a gift from the Midland & West of England Great Dane club as an appreciation for their time on the day.
This show could not have happened if it wasn’t for their hard work, dedication, knowledge and experience of my fellow committee members both leading up to the show and those who were able to attend on the day making my job as show manager much easier. A big thank you to Mandy & Chris Bithell, Gil Jones, Steve & Caroline Wareing, Sandy Lipman, Jan Brooker, Annette Harrison, Michelle Palmer-
Finally, to you the exhibitors and friends for your commitment to continue to support the colour format show and for providing an excellent atmosphere and good sportsmanship throughout the day.
Nigel White Show Manager