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History was made at the Yorkshire Canary Club Open Show 2009, when Leon Lebrun from Belgium became the first fancier to clain Best in Show at the YCC for any fancier outside the shores of Great Britain and Ireland. A new show venue, the memorial show for veteran fancier and YCC official, Ray Lake, and sweeping aside the strong challenge from oliver Quinn, bidding to retain his title, Leon's exhibit was well worth her victory.
Once again, Oliver Quinn dominated the Champion awards, taking five top seven places as he did in 2008.
The top award eluded him however, even though two of the three judges promoted Quinn birds as their top exhibits. Leon Lebrun's long sided unflighyted yellow hen showed her class exactly when it mattered most, and after due deliberation, ran out a comfortable winner. Oliver took the next three places, winning with an unflighted variegated buff hen, an adult clear yellow hen and an unflighted variegated yellow hen, respectively.
Jim Bannon provided the only English answer to this onslaught, deservedly taking 5th Best with his adult variegated buff hen, a bird of which jim can be justifiably proud. Not finished yet though, oliver took 6th Best with an adult variegated yellow hen - have you spoted a pattern yet - yes all the top six exhibits were hens!, Finally, in 7th place Oliver provided an unflighted variegated buff cock, another exhibit many fanciers would have been proud to own.
In the Novice section, Gareth Parry finally had his day, having come so close to taking the top award for several years. This time, gareth beat all opposition with ease, winning Best Novice with an unflighted clear yellow hen, a very sweet exhibit, beautiful feather quality and possessing well rounded shoulders. Had this exhibit been a shade longer, it would have pressed Leon Lebrun's exhibit very hard indeed for Best in Show, but as it was, contented itself with the top Novice award.
To underline his achievement, Gareth also took 5th and 6th best Novice awards with an unflighted clear yellow cock and another unflighted clear yellow hen - both nest mates of his earlier winner. Now that's what you call a quality nest of chicks!
Pressing his claim for the top spot, Dave Rice took 2nd best with an adult variegated yellow hen, whilst Belgian fancier Filip Haerens won 3rd and 4th Best Novice with two fine unfligted cocks, a variegated yellow and a variegated buff respectively. Finally, in 7th position, JP Hughes won well with an adult variegated buff hen, a bird of good substance well worthy of her place on the top table.
2009 will go down in YCC history as the year when we moved away from Saltaire, and the new show hall made an immediate impact. Light, bright and airy, the hall offers excellent catering facilities with ample seating, making for a very convivial atmosphere. The upper balcony provides the chance to view the judging very much closer than was previously the case, and several fanciers commented how much of an improvement this was. Excellent free parking, access to on site facilities, the show hall and the car park all on one level, and numerous local hotels and pubs all combine to ensure Benton Park will very soon feel like home.
Other new innovations went well, particularly the awards ceremony, which took place on the Saturday afternoon, in front of all exhibitors, who then enjoyed a free buffet, courtesy of Pauline and Sandra. Thank you ladies! SAturday ended with an excellent evenings liquid entertainment and the early closing of the exhibiton at noon on Sunday, meant everyone went home happy with no complaints over birds leaving early, due to previously difficult travel arrangements.
The judges were Gary Eaton, Brian Keenan and Bob Pepper, adjudicating over approximately 450 exhibits.
The show as dedicated to Ray Lake who sadly passed away in December 2008, and a new trophy was presented to winner Gareth Parry by Ray's wife, Mavis and daughters Sheree and . A pictorial display depicting Ray at various YCC meetings and shows was placed in the show hall, bringing back many happy mremories for several fanciers.
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