Page 65 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

Kim’s Kolumn

going to be more than a little chilly in the halls, and She thinks that class winners could have been
wearing an overcoat and carrying bags, our intrepid written on the blackboard for everyone to see. I was
steward sets off to the bus stop, where there are shocked actually that this wasn’t done as when I was
enough people to fill three buses, so starts to walk stewarding at Crufts I was taught (by Terry Munro on
to the halls. On reaching East 1, it was explained to my first day at that show in 2002) that listing 1st to
the car park attendant that when correct passes were VHC with ring numbers alongside each place had
on offer, those bearing them should be allowed in, as to be done and faithfully did this for 15 years. I had
many had early starts and needed to be at ringside to noticed that very little was on the blackboards this
ensure everything was in order before judging. The year, except where long standing stewards were
reaction of the attendant was to walk away and cast officiating. Perhaps those in charge could redress
back over his shoulder “If one more person has a go this problem.
at me, I’ll hit them!” Sue was shocked at the prices for the trade stands
On reaching the Chief Steward’s Office, this incident and food especially, for such a big event and the
was reported, not for any other reason but to explain current situation, but thinks it was pretty well done
why they were later than anticipated and later in the and should she ever come back to the UK, will try to
day had a visit from the supervisor at the car park to fit it all in again and then gave me some insight into
apologise. Most gracious I thought, as many would stewarding in New Zealand. Apparently she struggled
have swept it under the carpet, or even a traffic cone. to see who or where the ring stewards were at Crufts
So much to write about this time that there is neither as the ones in NZ are more proactive. They check
time nor available space, so it should keep me going off numbers (so do we), announce absentees (can’t
for some months, but I must tell you about a lady see that happening) and those who win a place have
I met in the Members’ Lounge one morning (name to stand at marker pegs. They also do not allow the
dropping only, I’m not a Member, but was meeting a judge to start until all are marked in and she thinks
friend). they’re more vocal and never sit down. (I think from
that, they are perhaps more in charge of the ring,
A VISITOR FROM NZ unlike our rules which state that the judge is in overall
Sue Chaytor is a steward and judge at dog control and also, their shows probably aren’t running
shows in New Zealand and has some mostly good to the tune of those who are televising the event!)
observations to make about Crufts, which makes a It’s interesting hearing the views from overseas
pleasant change. visitors and others and you’ll find more from trade
Sue liked the idea of hand sanitiser everywhere, stand holders, those involved with rally obedience,
although I think this was due to the current crisis, long standing although not on the current popular
rather than a regular thing, but who knows what’s in judges’ lists and more in the coming editions.
store for the future? She was also most impressed Of course, you could always contact me on kim.
that it was possible to step off the train and go straight lathaen@outlook.com if you have any interesting
into the NEC and was delighted that people were snippets you think our readers may like.
about to answer lots of questions and sell catalogues.
Stay safe one and all and be patient. We may meet
She didn’t like the layout of the rings and it took her again, one day.
ages to find the halls, despite the large numbers on
them, and thinks this is due in part to asking a lot 
of people how to get to certain halls, and receiving kim.lathaen@outlook.com
different instructions and directions every time. (I can (although possibly easier to find me on Facebook!)
see that would be a problem). Sue had been told that Kim Lathaen
in England people kept ‘popping into the ring’ and
she found this very odd as in New Zealand exhibitors
have to enter and leave by the entrance/exit to the
ring and not by popping in from anywhere, as this is
considered unethical.
Sue has Border Collies so spent a good deal of time
at the Border Collie ring and found it odd that one
of the judges wanted the classes in numerical order,
but the other didn’t, which made it difficult for her to
follow in the catalogue (Personally I think it’s a good
idea as it stops the ‘I don’t want to be first’ whinge
from a number of exhibitors in several breeds).

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