The EURO Show 2023 in Ribeauville/France

The Euro OES show has a long tradition. In 1988 the first Euro OES Show was organized by the Italian Club in Italy. The winner at that time was “Ch. Bürste II aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”

Every year this exhibition takes place at Pentecost in a different European country. It is an immense task for every country and its club to organize this event. You need 100 hotel rooms, with a ballroom for 250 people and the right area nearby to organize the show.

This year it was Ribeauville in France. Located in beautiful Alsace, just 15 km from Colmar. The judges are always the ones who judge the famous Crufts Show in Birmingham/GB 2 years later.

There are always many, many OES registered. In the best of times there were about 180 and now there were 112 OES from 17 different countries such as Finland, Greece, Spain, Italy, Norway etc. etc., also from Mexico and Guatemala. Angelica Cordova made this crazy journey with her “Van Cleef aus dem Elbe Urstromtal”. Because “Aramis” is a big male, she could only fly with Air France. She had to drive from Guatemala to Merxico by car, that’s 1000km. From there she flew to Paris with her handler David Padilla. From there by car 450km to Ribeauville. It was her dream to take part in this show one day. Of course I was super proud.

The area is so beautiful, that’s why Paul and I wanted to take part in the Euro Show. We had entered “Uschi” and “Caro” should complete her first exhibition together with Paul. On Thursday we drove to Ribeauville with a packed car and fantastic weather with sun and warmth.

Caro ready to go

Once there, it doesn’t take long and you meet your first acquaintance in the hotel. That goes on and on for the rest of the day and that’s the wonderful thing about this exhibition.

Here is just 1 example of how international this meeting is: from left to right:

Cathing Cargo from the Capricorns OES, USA,
Carole and Rob Ellis from New Zealand from the Snowdragon OES

Joy Hiddelsone, Olensha OES, and Denise Findlay came from Australia

Conny from Belgium

Virginia Goscinak/USA and sitting Madeline Erickson/USA from the Haystack OES

Our impressions of Ribeauville:

The annual club show of the French club took place the day before the exhibition. This was judged by the New Zealander Rob Ellis, 62 OES were entered. We had only registered for the Euro show, so I was able to watch the dogs being judged until noon and help our exhibitors, who were starting with the following Elbe Urstromtaler:

“Aramis” Van Cleef aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”, owner Angelika Cordova, Guatemala. Shown by David Pardilla achieved an excellent 2 in the youth class males.

The male on the 1st place, who later became Best of Breed, is a son of Multi Ch. “Seepferdchen aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” owned by Amilia Helin in Sweden. He was bred by Ingella and Per Wallstrom and is called: “Dizzny’s Matrix Resurrection”

“ARAMIS”

“Aramis” at the Euro show on both days:

Angelika Bardelli from Switzerland was represented in the junior class with “Multi Junior Ch. Verliebt aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal“. She got a very good from the judge…..

Mrs. Laminger had come from Austria with her “Vivian Westwood aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal“, she was 3rd in the youth class in a very well occupied class

“Verliebt” and “Vivian Westwood”

Vivan Westwood in 3rd place

Unfortunately, I had to go back to the hotel around 3 p.m. to wash beards and feet, dry and completely brush Uschi and Caro.

An informal evening with shared meals took place on Saturday evening. That was the national dish of Alsace: sauerkraut. We went to a good restaurant with Chris and Francien.

The exhibition area was in a public, very beautiful park. Unfortunately, a number of chairs were stolen during the night from exhibitors who had left their cages etc. behind. My friend Chris Beirendonk had her wallet stolen from her bag on Sunday. That’s the downside if the show isn’t at the hotel but at a public facility.

Our alarm clock went off at 5:45 am on Sunday morning. At 7 o’clock we were at the exhibition site. Parking spaces were scarce. The weather was great and everyone was relaxed and in a good mood except for the people who’s chairs stolen. 60 new dogs were added and a corresponding number of new exhibitors. There was no end to the greetings and hellos here and there.

I think, Paul was a bit excited. He has to compete with Caro (“Vorblidlich aus dem  Elbe-Urstromtal“) in the puppy class. This class, as well as the youth class, was judged by the 2nd judge. He wasn’t selected by the chief judge as usual, why??? I don’t know that. It was Frenchman Jean Paul Thual. He has bred our breed for many, many years and also judges some other breeds. Paul still had competition and of course it was crystal clear for our people: Caro had to win. Paul and Caro made everything perfect and Bellafigura. I was proud of both even if they only finished 2nd. They were my champions of the heart.

“Vorbildlich aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”, 8 months old, with Paul for the first time in the show ring.

In the youth class bitches 11 were at the start. Also judged by Mr. Thual.

“Vivian Westwood aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” received an unplaced Excellent and Angelika Bardelli with her “Verliebt aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” won 3rd place in junior class.

A short time later it was my turn with “Uschi”. The judge was Mrs. Esposito from UK from the Dalewood OES. She will be judging the Crufts in 2 years.

“Uschi” had only 7 competitors, compared to the champion and open class, not many. But with excellent competition, it’s still hard to win. “Uschi” also convinced Mrs. Esposito with her magical charisma and won the intermediate class. My day was perfect.

“Uschi Glas aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” Intermediate class winner at the Euro OES Show.

There was also time for a star photo: “Uschi Glas aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal” 23 months old

Impressions with our Uschi at the Euroshow

The exhibition ended at 6 p.m. and we all had to change quickly and get ready for the gala evening. It started at 7.30pm and ended around midnight for us and around 2am for our friends. Paul had a nosebleed and we had to go to the hotel. Sleeping was out of the question. An OES barked behind every room door because master and mistress were still at the gala evening.

Monday morning was the big departure day. Lots of hugs and good wishes for a safe journey home accompany everyone.

Aramis, David and Angelika drove to Paris for the long flight home on Tuesday.

something else to be proud of: Chris Beirendonk won with her male “Sam” only 5 months old best baby and later judged by Mr. Thual Best Youth Dog over the winners of the other youth classes WOW……

“Vogue Versus Versace of Snowboot Bears”is a son of “Uschi’s” litterbrother “Udo Jürgens aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal”