Saimaa Easter Show, Imatra

Easter at Imatra

Earlier this show was held in the neighbouring city of Lappeenranta, but the venue there was too small for the growing show and was moved to this excellent sports hall. Unfortunately we heard that the hall has been sold to another owner and most probably the dog show has to again find another place if they want to keep its traditional time of Easter.

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The show committee had decided not to print any paper catalogues, because nowadays it is possible to have a digital catalogue and those have become quite popular. Also all the results are published online, and one can follow what happens in the rings with a mobile phone. The BIS judge was Marija Kavcic from Slovenia, a regular and popular guest to our shows, well-known all over the world.

She liked most the Siberian Husky, Int Ch Snowfrost Silver Stone, owned by Tarja Veijonen. He has taken several group wins and placings before, but this was so far the highlight of his career. He is desended from Canadian, American and Spanish bloodlines. As her runner-up Mrs Kavcic chose the evergreen Havanese, In Ch Jatakabi’s Xtempore, now ten years old. She charms most of the judges by looking always as happy and enthusiastic in the ring, and obviously has very a good relationship with the owner-handler Noora Kela.

She became Champion seven years ago, had two litters and was not shown at all for years. After her eighth birthday she made a brilliant come-back looking better than ever and takes now both group wins and veteran wins. She was Best Veteran in Show here also. Another evergreen veteran is the Smooth Collie, Int Ch Timonan Veronica Velvet, owned and bred by Tuula Tikkanen, who took the third place, and she was Best Veteran of the first day.

She is ten years old and these two veterans are leading the top veteran of the year list. Fourth in the BIS final was the shining Great Dane, Ch Edendane’s Shine Like A Diamond, owned and bred by Teija Salmi-Aalto, the youngest one of these four top finalists, three and a half years. She hasn’t been shown very much, but was already BOB in the club specialty show last year and took also a group placing in quite a big all-breed show. She is out of an AI litter by an American dog. Seven puppies were born and six of them are Champions now, one is unshown.

I did the Terrier group and found my winner in a young and new Westie, Starring Grenade, owned and bred by Juha Palosaari. This was only his second show, and it was so funny when I had chosen those who will be placed and had already handed out the rosettes to the other placed ones, Juha was so concentrated in getting the dog to stand properly, that he didn’t see me approaching with the red rosette.

I had to ask “do you want this red rosette?” before he woke up and realised that he had won! Nice that some experienced breeders and big winners still can get surprised when they are winning! This dog, too, is sired by an American dog, but he was staying in Finland leased by Juha, and was returned to the USA as Nordic Champion. The Dachshund group winner was – once again – Int Ch Treis Pinheiros Wild Again, owned by Sari Hirvonen & Kati Komulainen, Brazilian import who has been extremely successful lately.

The Scenthound group was topped by the PBGV, Int Ch Soletrader Just Jazz, owned by Kristina Bergström, bred of course in the UK by the Robertsons. She has been group winner in several big and important shows lately, including the Helsinki Winner last December. The Pointing Gundog group winner was the Pointer, Miswaki’s Believe You Can, owned by Katariina Kahri & Sanna Vartiainen, who have usually been seen with more hairy dogs.

This bitch is a Spanish import and only at the beginning of her career. The best of the Sighthounds was the Scottish Deerhound, Ch Bilxten One In A Million, daughter of GB Ch Rubeus Hagrid To Kilbourne, owned by Kyösti & Marja-Leena Oinonen, looks like an AI litter again. Also she has taken some group placings before. Taina Jaatinen-Niemi, the Havanese breeder, had a real field day. Her Jatakabi’s kennel got not only Res BIS and Best Veteran but also the Best Breeders’ Group. She always has some talented young ladies with her to help in handling. They are also dressed in similar jackets to make the general impression as uniform as possible.

On The first day the Best Breeder was Piia Nieminen with her Soulhill’s Pomeranians, also this team had invested in similar outfits. Well, of course it doesn’t make the dogs any better, but it seems nowadays to be a “must” in the breeders’ competition. Because this show was sponsored by Royal Canin, there was also Best Junior in Show final. On Saturday the winner was the young Whippet, Sagramour There Is Only you, owned by Jaana Pelttari & Marina Aaltio. She was also placed in the group final. She descends mostly from an American background.

On the second day top junior was the Basset Hound, Cremadelli All Rainbows And Stars, owned by Ilona Viitaniemi & Anne Takala. This was his first official show, and he is from the first litter of the breeder Ilona Viitaniemi. So this was a really good start both for the dog’s and the breeder’s careers. The breed was judged by Colin Ahsmore.

Imatra Show Photos by TexTerri

• Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery

Winners Gallery