Eukanuba World Challenge Champion “Reckon” Receives a Standing Ovation
The fifth annual prestigious Eukanuba World Challenge took place on Saturday 17th
and Sunday 18th December hosted at the 11th Annual AKC / Eukanuba National Championships
in Orlando, Florida. 41 top winning dogs represented their countries from around
the globe, competing in one of the four non-geographical sections for the highly
prized title “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2011” along with the $10,000 prize
money.
© Lisa Croft-Elliott
#1 – Australian Shepherd representing USA
The ultimate winner and title-holder of the “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2011”
selected by FCI International All Breeds Judge Enrique Filippini from Argentina
is AKC Grand Champion & Italian Ch. Propwash Reckon, a three and a half year old
Australian Shepherd who represented the USA qualifying as the BIS Winner of the
AKC / Eukanuba National Championship 2010. Bred in the USA and co-owned by Leslie
Frank “Reckon” was handled by his other co-owner Judy Harrington. Judy, smiling
ecstatically and with a tear in her eye, said ”That was amazingly wonderful to win
this with so many outstanding dogs in the ring. I have always wanted to be able
to say I am going to Disney where dreams do come true, and now I can”.
Reckon thrilled his ringside audience, receiving a standing ovation from them when
he did his winner’s lap of honour. Enrique Filippini said of his winner “I had 12
BIS Winners in my line up in the ring, they were all outstanding but my final decision
to select the Australian Shepherd was because he had wonderful movement and breed
type, he was in excellent coat condition and he was always so alert and gave that
look of happiness that he was truly enjoying himself saying to me ‘watch me and
bring me to your home’. His eyes were looking at me asking me to give him this title.”
© Lisa Croft-Elliott
#2 – Toy Poodle representing FCI Asia Section
The runner up was the White Toy Poodle Multi Ch. Smash JP Moon Walk from Japan who
was the FCI Asia Section Show BIS Winner. Bred and owned by Yuiko Omura and handled
by Toshi Omura, winning the $3,000 prize and the first runner up winning $2,000
was the Lhasa Apso “Ch. Zentarr Elizabeth” representing the UK. Owned, bred and
handled by Margaret Anderson.
© Lisa Croft-Elliott
#3 – Lhasa Apso representing the UK
Ron Menaker, AKC Chairman Of the Board & Show Chairman said “The Eukanuba World
Challenge has matured where it is now in a league of its own. A combination of superb,
high quality dogs representing their countries, equalled by immense passion and
enthusiasm from the breeders and exhibitors, made this a very exciting World Challenge.
My thanks to all of the Kennel Clubs who sent us great dogs and to all the judges
who officiated."
Rafael De Santiago, Vice President of the FCI said “ The FCI are very proud to see
how successful the Eukanuba World Challenge event is and we are proud to be part
of it, working in harmony with the Kennel Clubs from around the world, the AKC and
Eukanuba. Thank you to Eukanuba and the AKC for making this a wonderful event and
for all the work they do for world of dogs. Congratulations to all the breeders
and owners with their dogs who took part and to all the judges from around the world
who were responsible for selecting the dogs to participate in the World Challenge
and to the judges in Orlando who chose their winners.”
David Minnifie, P&G Pet Care – Global Eukanuba Associate Marketing Director “Eukanuba
is extremely pleased with the Eukanuba World Challenge being such a well received
global event, showing extraordinary dogs from around the world. This is what the
Eukanuba World Challenge is all about, bringing together some of the most magnificent
dogs. The live streaming with the premiere of Andrew Brace’s live commentary enabled
those in the dog fancy from around the world to share in this exciting event.”
© Lisa Croft-Elliott
Live Streaming -Andrew Brace said " I think I can honestly say I have
never worked quite so hard in my life as I have over the past few days, but judging
by the published comments about the broadcast it has all been worthwhile, and the
viewing figures have exceeded our wildest dreams.
Having the facility to take advantage of Lee Arnold's main ring commentary made
life a little easier before the wonderful Gina DiNardo joined for an analysis of
each group. Eukanuba have given the global dog world a wonderful opportunity to
share the excitement we experienced at Orlando and clearly thousands around the
world grabbed that opportunity."
Here is what some of the 12 selected finalists said upon exiting the ring after
being selected on Saturday night to go forth to the finals on Sunday:
- Zsolt Hanso (Hungary rep.) “ Just amazing. I cannot believe the feelings that I
have”
- Ante Lucin (Croatia Rep.) “Really excited, really the best”
- Margaret Anderson (UK rep.) “Amazing”
- Ami Booth (Brazil rep.) “Surreal, Amazing”
- Miguel Alejandro Vera. (Argentina rep.) “A great pleasure, very excited, I remember
well this feeling from last year.
- Valentina Popova (Russia rep) “Very very happy. Everything is super”
The Judges Verdict:
Barbara Müller - “I was very pleased with the dogs in my section, they were all
very worthy representatives of their countries. They were well presented in exceptional
coat and muscle condition with super movement.”
© Lisa Croft-Elliott
C.V. Sudarsan – “All of the dogs were of high quality and in great condition which
made the job of judging much more difficult than usual. They were all excellent
representatives for their country, it was a great pleasure to be given this honor
to go over so many excellent dogs in one ring.”
Zena Thorn Andrews - “A rewarding judging assignment given such an opportunity to
judge this fabulous group. It was not easy to separate the dogs as they were all
excellent but the winners do have that extra something that makes a great show dog”.
Dr Tamas Jakkel - “I had a very strong group of dogs with amazing quality, breed
type and showmanship. The Scottish Terrier oozed type, substance and elegance. The
Saluki displayed a very typical Saluki dignified attitude with superb movement and
the Australian Shepherd was simply fabulous in breed type and moved like a dream
around the ring, never putting a foot wrong.”
The Finals Judge’s Choice for the Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2011,
Enrique Filippini said “My winner was both excellent in breed type and excelled
in movement, he did not put a foot down wrong. He simply flew around the ring giving
his all. He was a very handsome dog possessing everything you would look for in
an Australian Shepherd. The look in his bright beautiful eyes said ‘look at me,
I am very happy to be here and I want you to know it’. The quality of this dog is
wonderful. The Toy Poodle was presented in immaculate condition and handled to perfection.
He had wonderful light and springy gait as he moved around the ring, he showed himself
off like he had no leash on. All the time he was happy in the ring, always holding
his tail correctly. The Lhasa Apso looked like a queen, she was in wonderful condition,
very happy and truly balanced. Her movement was very consistent, freely moving around
the ring. She was very well handled, the handler was so calm and this reflected
in her, a wonderful partnership. She was very feminine and fascinating with her
regal and alert attitude, she moved her ears attentively, turned her head towards
me looking through her gorgeous head furnishings.”
© Lisa Croft-Elliott
Enrique continues “My sincerest thanks to the AKC, the FCI and Eukanuba for this
wonderful event and giving me this fantastic opportunity to judge all these great
dogs. I thank all of my co-judges and the exhibitors for presenting to me their
wonderful dogs and all the FCI National Kennel Clubs for sending their excellent
quality dogs to this super Eukanuba World Challenge.”
For further information visit
www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com
Media contacts :
Lorna Hastings
PR Consultant
Tel . +44 7730 162059
Lars Ortlieb
ER Mgr P&G PetCare & Snacks GBU EMEA
Tel . +41 79 230 59 85
