NORTH REGION SHOW Birdwell Village Hall 14th December 2003
Judge: Stephen Helmore

A long way from home in Devon. The convenience and hospitality of staying with relations in Sheffield meant, that by travelling up Friday evening I could spend Saturday Christmas shopping in Sheffield at The Meadow Hall complex. Then with only a short 30 minute journey up the M1 on Sunday morning to Birdwell to judge the North Region show, what else would I want to be doing on a December weekend? As in previous years we were very fortunate with the weather! No fog or freezing cold conditions to contend with.

The show was very well supported by established breeders and a large contingent of Novice Breeders. I have to apologise to those Novice Breeders, that I did not make comprehensive notes during the judging of the Novice show. It was abundantly clear to me that there is a very strong group of new breeders who are keen to learn and nurture quality Chinchillas. Hopefully my comments during the show will make up for the lack of a report and congratulations to Julie Turner for having Best Novice Animal in Show.

During the main show I was pleased to be assisted by Joyce Garvey as Judge under instruction. We were able to colour phase the young females into 3 small groups. There was a 1st in the Medium Dark class from Lyn and Ron Gardner, a good blocky female with strong fur but finishing over the hips that was Reserve Best Young Female with no 2nd award. The Dark class produced a 1st and 2nd Ribbon with the 1st of Aileen Cook in top condition, of excellent confirmation and silky stand up fur that went all the way from Best Young Female, Best Standard Animal to Reserve Best in Show. (Their journey from Scotland to Birdwell was equivalent to mine from Devon) 2nd in the Dark class was also a nice blue female from Eddie & Richard Crutchley but very much out of condition on the day.

The young males were split into a group of 9 Medium Darks and 4 Darks. The Medium Darks class produced 7 awards with 4 H.C.s ribbons. The group was led by a very nice Chin of good size, plushy fur and good colour from the Crutchleys with 2nd to a similar type of chin from the Gardner's. The Dark class produced a 1,2,3 for the Crutchley's. The Medium Dark was Best Young Male, and the Dark Reserve, which then went on to be Reserve Best Standard Animal to the young female.

There were only 6 adult females making one class of Medium Darks. Only one ribbon winner of a 1st to the Crutchley's for a very well presented blocky well furred chin that became Reserve Adult Standard Animal.

With 8 adult males we were able to split them into 2 equal groups, both producing a 1st and 2nd in each class. The Dark class contained the Best Adult Male and Best Adult Standard of Aileen Cooks - again with excellent confirmation and fur type with 2nd to Lizz Benson's male of slightly brighter colour but not as blocky. Paul Spooner Medium Dark male was 1st in that class and Reserve Adult Standard Male with 2nd to Lyn and Ron Gardner's male.

I then judged the Novice show before continuing with the Young Mutations. There was a class of 11 Wilson whites with 5 ribbons winners. The 1st was a very good type, `Persil White` colour and strong fur from Lyn and Ron Gardner that became Reserve Young Mutation with 2nd to a very promising 4.5 month chin of Matthew Blakey, our youngest exhibitor. A class of 4 beiges all with ribbons led by 1st to Pete Jones with good colour and beautiful plushy fur that was Best Young Mutation and Reserve Best Mutation Animal, 2nd was also a good beige of 5 months of age with slightly longer guard hair of Joan Davies .

The A.O.C class produced a 1st ribbon winner to Pete Jones for a Pink White of attractive clear colour with slightly soft fur, 2nd award for a good Ebony of all over coverage from Lyn and Ron Gardner and 2nd award for a Black Velvet from the Crutchleys.

The Adult Mutations started with a class of Pink Whites with 1st to Paul Spooner for a better colour and size to 2nd of Pete Jones's of good fur type. A class of Beiges had a 1st for a Big Blocky animal, good colour and fur type but not finished over hips from Joan Davies that was Reserve Adult Mutation.

The A.O.C class had a 2nd ribbon award for a good Wilson White from Joan Davies and one 1st ribbon award for a Violet from Pete Jones. But what a chinchilla. A large blocky animal of strong fur type not a follicle out of place and a beautiful radiant colour. I didn't hesitate in having this as Best Adult Mutation and Best Mutation in show, and not much longer consideration in awarding it Best Chinchilla in show.

As usual my thanks to all concerned in running the show , registrars and all those of you who exhibited your Quality Chinchillas.

Stephen Helmore