5th May 2023

 
Bank holiday Monday, so notes are in earlier then usual.  Hopefully the weather will be kind so we can all enjoy the long weekend.  
 
Sadly, I must post the passing of Susan Oakley of Caspians Irish Setters and Salukis.  Much will be written about Sue and her husband Mike in the Irish Setter Breed notes, as were generally less well known for their Salukis.  We met Mike and Sue at a ringcraft class, Pearl, (Kasaque Jarvah) jumped into Mike’s lap.  A very un-saluki thing to do. From that moment they were determined to have a Saluki in their lives.  They approached Liz Stephens (Bedu Salukis) who had a litter at that time, purchasing a puppy. Later, we obtained a little fawn smooth bitch from them.  We tried to use Christine Du Rot Hazzard’s Int Ch Arab Bahari Shaahin Taali (s) on one of our bitches.  Unfortunately, this did not work out but Sue and Mike offered to let Taali be used on their Bedu L’Eghyphthe of Caspians, a pretty parti coloured bitch bred by Liz Stephens.  From that litter we obtain Lalique or as she was more formally known as Ch Caspians L’Aliq Avec Kasaque.  She was born on the 28th February 2004.  She was the last smooth bitch champion in this country.  Her son, Ch Kasaque Obidiah is the last living smooth, at time of this writing.  Lalique produced champions, both smooth and feathered in Australia, Germany and International Champions besides English Champions.
 
Besides being a very clever dog breeder, Sue was a fantastic artist, her work was distinctive and beautiful.  One of her ceramic pieces was on display at the Festival of the Saluki 2007 at the Kennel Club Gallery.  She also was a fantastic gardener, at one time her garden appeared in “The Yellow Book” produced by the National Garden Scheme. Rest in Peace, Sue.
 
Last Sunday The Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club held their Championship Show at the Roade Village Hall nr Northants.  Judging was Luke Johnston of Danluke Whippets.  We arrived at the show with a car full, including two people, two dogs, beautiful mugs produced by Jenny Nacro for the class winner, and an assortment of other items.  I must admit that the ride home, which I thought would have less items, had even more, including Brigadier General and Gladys Lance portraits.  There was a good turnout for Luke to asses with few absentees.  Best Bitch & Best of Breed went to Ms C E Knowles’ Ch Micattura All I Breathe of Mahziba with the RBB to Denise Garratt & Sue Oakey’s Caryna Esperanza.  Reserve Best in in Show, Best of Opposite Sex in Show was  Lind Aldous & Jeannette Glaister’s Ch Jay JP Sea Bird El Panjsher (IMP JPN) JW with RBD was Adele Walton Haddon’s Badavie Don Peppino At Ilsham (IMP SWE). Best Puppy was Mr M Cannon & lMiss F & Miss D Wickstead’s Caryna Stephano to Abayomi with RBP to Dr V J Velickaite’s Al Nafiseh Ivoary Pearl.  
 
Lunch at the show was produced and presented by Ben Freegard.  Business was brisk especially at lunch time.  Ben seemed to have a smile on his face most of the day, so I can but assume that all went well.  Thankfully, at the SGHC summer Championship Show, Ben will be in charge so we can expect much of the same plus our extraordinary middle eastern feast.  
 
After lunch the Club’s AGM was held.  It was well attended.  The Club announced that in the future they will be holding two championship shows and a limit show.  We will be losing our Open Show.  I have not heard the fate of our beautiful silver spoon which is historically presented to the BIS winner of the Open Show.  This change  will not be implemented until 2025.  Judging the Open Show in 2024 will be Jeannette Glaister, while judging the Championship show 2025 will be Lorraine Fitzgerald. The Club is looking into a change in the rule 19d changing from Breed Specialist to Hound Specialist for Championship Show judge. ​