The Annual Show of the Yorkshire Canary Club of Greece was staged on 27th of November in Athens . For third year, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Hall hosted the Greek show in an amazing location.The big difference of this Show Hall is that it is open to the public. A lot of people,mostly teenagers, visited the Show after the judgment. It was a really difficult period for all of us because of Covid restrictions. We were waiting more visitors but there was a limit from the authorities.For one more time,this fact impressed the judge. Normally,the Shows are hosted in places away from strangers,in closed Halls. The commitee tried really hard to receive the right to use the Hall. Most of the shows were cancelled due to Covid and it was a great deal of our club with the authorities.
The Irish yorkshire breeder and judge Jo McGrath accepted our invitation and join us during a sunny long weekend! One of the most respectfull judges with huge experience in judging and breeding excellent quality yorkshires.A record entry in recent times of 304 excellent birds were benched on Saturday morning while the exhibitors were "judging" the stock before the judge. For one more time ,the quality of the birds was great,it seems that Greek breeders are improved year after year.
The champion bird was bred and banded by PanTheon Team (Panagiotis Panos & Theotokis Kouratos) ,a green marked yellow cock with amazing clear lines, fantastic feather quality and excellent position won our Show!
The second Best yorkshire was another great bird of PanTheon Team, a green marked buff hen of excellent position and great round top ! In third place came another exellent quality bird shown by the PanTheon Team of Theotokis Kouratos and Panagiotis Panos. An incredible cinnamon hen with silky feather!!!Fourth place for Takis Papadimitriou with a full green cock of excellent position and fantastic shoulders. Fifth best yorkshire is a clear buff hen of Nikos Chorianopoulos. The same breeder has the sixth bird , a green marked buff cock. A lovely bird with nice round top. The seventh Best in a very strong and competative show belongs to George Laskidis, a clear buff cock with fantastic position and great legs.
Unfortunately,the curse of the hobby visited our show for one more year, there wasn't breeders in Novice Section.A big problem in our hobby is the lack of "fresh blood". We must attract new and young breeders and the location of the Hall is a good start....but seems it is not enough. Unfortunately, Giannelis brothers , a great breeding team from Lamia region left yorkshires but keep breeding carduelis. A big loss for the Yorkshire club, the past years they used to show excellent yorkies. Their help to our shows was memorable as they used to offer to the exhibitors their famous pies!!!
The judge Mr Jo McGrath commented on the quality of the birds and the passion of the exhibitors. Under the stewardship of Anantios Bill & Drouzas Nick the show was a great success.
The committee (Michaloudis,Laskidis,Panos) had a great help from the exhibitors and our guests left our Hall with lifetime memories.
A sincere word of thanks to all that came,travel and show their birds. It was the best show...till next year.
The Judge Jo McGrath with the champions PanTheon Team (Panagiotis Panos - Theotokis Kouratos) |
The champion bird of Best 7 |