THE RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK SEVENTH WORLD CONGRESS - IRELAND 2008

Every four years ridgeback owners and enthusiasts meet to discuss the joys and problems associated with owning ridgebacks. The congress is hosted by a different Ridgeback Club each time and the host for the time is chosen by the delegates at a previous Congress.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Ireland had decided to hold the Congress at the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna and over 160 delegates, families and friends came from all over the world to join in. For many this was not their first Congress so it was a time to catch up with old friends as well as attend interesting lectures and great social events with the last day coming to a grand finale with the Congress Dog Show.

Although the congress lectures started on the Wednesday most of the delegates arrived on Tuesday and were able to take part in the Icebreaker reception with all the food and wine kindly donated by the Irish Tourist Board.

With a full timetable of events the day started early on Wednesday with the Chairman’s welcome followed by a PowerPoint projection by Ann Woodrow (Mirengo) ‘Think about the breed standard’, followed by Dr Carmel Moody talking about ‘Hypothyroidism’, and Gudi Studdard of Royal Canin ( a generous sponsor of the congress) talking about ‘The nutrition elements of planning a litter’. The afternoon was taken up with Denise Flaim, Chair of the R.R.CU.S health & Genetics Committee talking about The Comprehensive RR Health survey. This was followed by Nicolette Salmon Hillbertz talking on ‘The Origin of the ridge’. Wednesday evening found everyone joining in on an excellent Irish evening with Irish dishes on the menu and Irish group the ‘No Crows’ for entertainment.

Thursday had us all back in the lecture hall for Lindsay Barnes (Diamondridge) talking about ‘The importance of good movement’, followed by Mathew Valdivia on ‘The functional restoration of the ridgeback’. Dr Tom Farington gave an excellent talk on ‘Maintaining health through the use of homeopathy’, this was probably one of the most interesting talks I have heard about the use of homeopathy and it made you envy the Irish who could make use of his services. Dr Shura Bugreeff (USA) talked on ‘Canine reproduction made easy’, I think with the UK breeders attending the jury was definitely out on this one, an interesting talk but, they sure do things different in the states. This was followed by an Open Forum and a presentation from our hosts in Canada 2012. Nominations where taken for the 2016 congress and the winners where the trio Norway, Sweden & Denmark working together with the congress being held in Denmark. The evening saw us all at the Congress banquet with David Grayson Wood organising lots of group photos of all the delegates from each country (www.rrwc-ireland2008.com/) and then a very enjoyable evening drew to a close.

Friday saw the congress being brought to an end with the Dog Show being held in the ballroom of the hotel. Mr Richard Van Aken (Cartouche) from SA had an entry of 67dogs.

His Green Star Dog and BIS winner was Mr Georg Marekfrom (Germany) Ch Ikimba Watimu bred by Marianne Gellin from Finland. Reserve Green Star Dog was Mrs Kay Salmon (England) Diamondridge Bakari of Zebrariver out of the junior dog class, bred by Mr & Mrs Barnes (England).

The Bitch Green Star winner and RBIS was Paul & Lyn Hewson’s (England) GB Ch/ Int Ch/ Bel Ch/ Ir CH Rekaylahn Blaze bred by Mr & Mrs Bean. Reserve Green Star Bitch was Jimanns Jiggy Jiggy owned and bred by Mrs Anne Harrower (Scotland)

Best Puppy was Veldtkammer Dom Perignon at Rottzridge owned by Mr & Mrs Anthony from Ireland and bred by Mr & Mrs Parke and Best Veteran from the Veteran Bitch class was Ch Sikulubani Zakiya owned and bred by Denis & Joan Boyd (Ireland).

(To see photos of class winners go to www.rrwc-ireland2008.com/).

All the top winners took home some lovely Waterford Crystal vases. The Shannon Oaks hotel was a superb venue and their catering was second to none. The weather could have been kinder as it rained most of the time, however I don’t think this dampen anyone’s spirits. I’m sure a lot of new friends have been made and we all look forward to the next one in Canada.
Ann Gates
Copyright retained

Back to Top