The 4th of July was the day of the General Election. It was also the first day of the first BOSTON CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW to be held at its new venue at Rutland Showground, having taken over the dates and venue from East Of England Championship Show which held its last ever show in 2023. There were no CCs on offer for beagles at previous BOSTON shows which were held in January, but having also taken over the CC allocation from East of England, there were CCs on offer at this show for the first time. Another first - it was judge Sandra Johnston’s first time awarding CCs in beagles. Sandra breeds and shows basset hounds under the well known Burnvale affix . As well as awarding CCs in her own breed, Sandra has also awarded CCs in rhodesian ridgebacks and three varieties of dachshund. Her DCC winner today was Serena Parker & Graham Stevens’ Ch Serenaker Armani with the RDCC going to Armani’s son, Christine Lewis’ Fallowfield Fellman who recently gained his crown. BCC and BOB was Pam and Lynda Havard’s Ch Annavah Princess Tiana and the RBCC went to Sam Goldberg’s Ch Molesend Dormouse JW.

Also on the 6th July, over 300 miles south of Bon Accord show as the crow flies (over 400 miles by car) the BEAGLE ASSOCIATION held their 60th CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW at Asfordy Acres near Melton Mowbray. The judge was Mr Richard (Dick) Morrison from Scotland. SBC members in the top awards were Serena Parker & Graham Stevens’ Ch Serenaker Armani winning his 31st DCC and RBIS, Marion Hunt and Jo Norris’ Ch Shercroft Apollo JW ShCM winning BVIS, and Clarie Jones’ Clairdale Galatea who was BPB.

South Yorkshire Hound Society held a Premier Open Show at Bolsover, Chesterfield on 14th July. There was a lovely entry of 23 beagles for judge Sarah Porter (Puddlehill). The beagle classes were sponsored and supported by the Northern & Midland Counties Beagle Club. In addition Mrs Marina Walker offered £10 for BOB and £10 for BPIB. Claire Jones’ Clairdale Grantchester was BPIB and went on to be awarded BPIS3 by BIS judge Dianna Spavin. Susan Arden’s Madika Spot On JW ShCM AW(P) VW had another successful day, taking RBVIS.

WEST MERCIA BEAGLE CLUB held  their CHAMPIONSHIP show in conjunction with the HOUND ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP show, held at Stafford County Showground on 20th July. Sally Precey was the judge at the Houndshow and Marina Walker judged at West Mercia.

Serena Parker and Graham Stevens’ Ch Serenaker Armani won the DCC and BOS at both shows as well as RBIS at WMBC. The same owners’ Ch Serenaker Elle’s Belles was BVIB at Houndshow and BVB at WMBC. Pam and Lynda Havard’s Ch Annavah Princess Tiana was the RBCC winner at Houndshow and the BCC and BIS winner at WMBC and they also did the double with Annavah Justify who was BP at both shows. Christine Lewis’ Velenco True Love for Fallowfield was BPB at WMBC.

Mr Albert Wight judged the beagles at LEEDS CHAMPIONSHIP show on Saturday 27th July. SBC members south of the border in the main awards were Serena Parker and Graham Stevens’ Ch Serenaker Armani who won the DCC and BOB, Christine Lewis’ Ch Fallowfield Fellman who won the RDCC, the Havard’s Ch Annavah Princess Tiana who won the RBCC and Claire Jones’ Ch Newlin Preston to Clairdale JW who was BVIB at his first show as a veteran . Armani went on to win HG1 judged by Mr Ben Reynolds-Frost.

It was a good day for SBC members at PAIGNTON CHAMPIONSHIP show on 4th August where beagles were judged by Dr R James. Winning his 35th DCC and BOB was Serena Parker & Graham Stevens’ Ch Serenaker Armani. Pam & Lynda Havard’s Annavah Justify took the RDCC, BPIB and went on to win HPG2 judged by Miss B Johnson. BCC was the same owners’ Ch Annavah Princess Tiana with her full younger sister Annavah Belinda of Davricard owned by David Craig taking the RBCC. 

At the NORTHERN & MIDLAND COUNTIES BEAGLE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP show on 25th August judge Debbie Taylor awarded a first DCC and BEST IN SHOW to Claire Jones’ Clairdale Fusilier. “James” had won the the RDCC the previous year. Hazel Deans’ Ch Gempeni Cornflower ShCEx won her 4th BCC and RESERVE BEST IN SHOW. “Maisie” had not only won the RBCC & RBIS last year but had won the BCC & BIS in 2022 so this must be her lucky show! RDCC went to Serena Parker & Graham Stevens’ Ch Serenaker Armani and RBCC went to Sam Goldberg’s Ch Molesend Dormouse. Claire Jones’ Clairdale Galatea was BPB and Pam and Lynda Havard’s 9 year old Ch Annavah Knick Knack was BEST VETERAN IN SHOW.

From left: BCC Ch Gempeni Cornflower ShCEx, RBCC Ch Molesend Dormouse, BPB Clairdlae Galatea, BVB Ch Annavah Knick Knack

The CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHAMPIONSHIP show was held on 30th August at Stoneleigh. There was an excellent entry of 98/112 Beagles for judge Mr Kevin Young, who was awarding CCs in beagles for the first time. Serena Parker & Graham Stevens’ took the top award winning DCC & BOB with Ch Serenaker Armani who went on to  win HG1 judged by Mr G A Hill. Pam and Lynda Havard’s Annavah Justify was the winner of the RDCC and also won JHG3 judged by Mr D Smith. The Havards also won the RBCC with Ch Annavah Princess Tiana. Claire Jones’ Ch Newlin Preston to Clairdale JW was BVIB and also won VHG2 which was also judged by Kevin Young.

FOUR COUNTIES BEAGLE CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP show was held in conjunction with DARLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP show in an adjacent ring with judging commencing an hour after that of Darlington. The judge Eamon Murray from Ireland had an entry of 83/89. SBC members in the top awards were Christine Lewis’ Ch Fallowfield Fellman (DCC & RBIS), Pam & Lynda Havard’s Ch Annavah Princess Tiana (BCC & BIS) and Annavah Teardrop (RBCC) and Samantha Goldberg’s Ch Molesend Secret JW (BVB & RBVIS). Pictured below are the BIS and RBIS.