Shows and Social Events | SGP26 Report Page

Sunday 3rd May 2026

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see all results and photos with more still to come, so don’t forget to revisit. Links to the other week-end report pages can be found here and at the bottom of the page.

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The photos below and from the shows and even more from the Garden Party and many more Club events CAN FOUND ON OUR PHOTO DISPLAY PLATFORM

2026 Spring Garden Party

Set-up and volunteers

As usual, committee members and willing volunteers put in sterling work in the days leading up to Garden Party weekend, transforming a huge open field into an impressive arena for all the familiar activities.

It may come as a surprise to some that the venue does not provide our infrastructure. Each year we must arrange and install everything ourselves, including:

Two large marquees (catering, refreshments, raffle and evening entertainment)
Gazebos (the Bernershop, Rescue and BHI)
Event shelters and rings
Carting and agility courses
Rubbish bins, PA system and mown areas

Without the people who organise and carry out the set-up, there would be no Garden Party—and at the end of the day, everything must also be taken down and packed away. The committee cannot thank our volunteers enough for helping with both set-up and pack-down.

As is often the case, set-up was not without its challenges. This year, strong winds destroyed some of our event shelters after they had been erected, so we had to re-purpose the spectator marquee to house the Bernershop and Rescue/ Health / Information area.

Sunday weather and early refreshments

Garden Party Sunday arrived with weather far better than anticipated earlier in the week. A dry day with cloud cover and occasional sunny intervals made ideal conditions for both dogs and humans.

The barbecue was fired up early, with bacon, sausages and eggs available alongside teas and coffees while people completed entry forms—and, where applicable, filled in their dogs’ details for the Rescue or Golden Oldies parades.

Opening parade and announcements

One of the longest-standing Garden Party traditions is that we never start exactly on time at 10:00—and this year was no exception. After the usual discussion with the carters, the opening parade was moved to 10:15.

At 10:15 the carters entered the ring, giving the crowd a chance to admire Swiss outfits and carts decorated to the theme, accompanied—as ever—by Swiss music. Once lined up in the centre of the main ring for photographs, our President, Steve Green, opened the event with the welcoming key announcements that help the day run smoothly.

This was also a moment for everyone to pay their respects to Carol Davis, who recently passed away, with a minute’s applause. It was Carol who originally brought the Hollowell site to the club’s attention.

Main ring programme and highlights

With announcements complete, judging of the decorated carts began and the main-ring classes got under way. The rest of the day followed the familiar mix of fun classes, parades and games to keep dogs, handlers and spectators entertained, with a carting demonstration included for those who wanted to learn more.

We were very fortunate to secure sponsorship for some classes this year, and we are grateful to Antinol UK for their support.

There were plenty of highlights (and everyone will have their own favourites), including:

Decorative carts and costumes from the carters—this year under an Addams Family theme (they will find any excuse to dress up)
Penny, handled by Danielle Andrews, retaining her title as Fastest Sitter for the third Garden Party in a row
Some particularly memorable entries in Dog Most Like Its Owner
What was probably a record number of entries in Prettiest Bitch

Training opportunities: Good Citizen and agility

Elsewhere, dogs had the opportunity to achieve the Bronze Good Citizen Award. We are pleased to report that all eight dogs who attempted the test passed under examiner Liz Noble.

The agility course was open throughout the morning for supervised practice (or for anyone who simply wanted to see whether they and their dog enjoyed it). In the afternoon, the agility classes took place. Numbers were low, but participants appeared to have a great time. It is a discipline many of our dogs could enjoy in a safe environment—particularly some of our younger members.

Information stands, breed talks and therapy work

The Bernershop was open for most of the day, giving people the opportunity to buy BMD souvenirs and essentials such as mugs and clothing.

Also staffed throughout the day were the Rescue and BHI tents, offering information about the work of both branches of the club and answering visitors’ questions.

Closely linked to this were breed talks, delivered twice during the day, aimed at people new to the breed or considering a BMD. These sessions also provided an opportunity for questions and discussion.

This year we also made a point of promoting and recognising Bernese involved in therapy work. Volunteers were on hand to answer questions and offer advice to anyone interested in getting involved, and we took the opportunity to capture a group photograph of the therapy BMDs present.

Working disciplines: obedience and carting

Further working aspects of the breed were tested through obedience and carting classes held throughout the day. Combined with the agility results, the top working dog across the day was Arthur, handled by Richard Hallam, who won a class in each of the three disciplines.

As many members will know, encouraging the breed to try carting is important, as it plays a significant part in Bernese history. It was therefore great to see eight dogs successfully complete their First Draft over the weekend—the first step on the carting ladder.

It was also a pleasure to recognise two veterans taking part in the carting veteran class, and to see Paddy, handled by Rebecca King, win the advanced class at the age of seven.

Pack-down and looking ahead

As I write this on Monday afternoon, there will still be people at Hollowell packing everything away to ensure we can do it all again in August for the Autumn Garden Party. We hope to see you all there—and that the weather will be kind to us once again.

Results and Selection of features of the day

At the Opening of the day, Club President Steve Green presented the Grand Prix Trophy for 2025, for the Top Working Dog of the year AND the Patron’s Trophy for 2025 for the highest achieving dog at all club events for the year, Working and Show events. For last year the winner of both was Arthur with Richard Hallam.

The first class of the day, morphing from the Opening Parade, is the Swiss Decorated Carting, this is places 1-5

Decorated Carts – Swiss Theme

1st Monty with Rosie, Karly & Ty Fairclough

2^nd Bidi with Margaret Bailey

3^rd Olaf with Martyn Bullock

4^th Ryley with Chris Handley

5^th Peggy Sue with Malcolm Peter

Most Handsome Dog

1^st Yogi with Sarah McTighe

2^nd Louie with Lorraine Janes

3^rd Huggy Bear with Jane Mitchell

4^th Dylan with Annie New

5^th Bear with Sam Hall

Prettiest Bitch

1^st Izzy with Pip Mobley

2^nd Anna with Isabelle King

3^rd Rumi with Anna, Isabella & Slav Nadachewicza

4^th Maple with Judy Harris

5^th Lorelai with Lauren Moody

Dog with Most Appealing Eyes

1^st Gino with Jess Love

2^nd Ringo with Lauryn Miller

3^rd Orla with Brooke Holland, Samia Dixon & Lilly Wheldon

4^th Lettie with Keith Roberts

5^th Laika with David Bates

Best Smile

1^st Dexter with Lianne Moseley

2^nd Albert with Jayne Adam

3^rd Rumi with Anna Nadachewicza

4^th Tala with Layla Hardman

5^th Bear with Evie Mackel

Waggiest Tail

1^st Summer with Laura Bates

2^nd Cora with Linda Dadd

3^rd Lottie & Ella with Lucia Atkinson

4^th Nancy with Fin Burke

5^th Tala with Layla Hardman

Cutest Dog

1^st Milo with Janet Fox

2^nd Rumi with Anna Nadachewicza

3^rd Cederick with Steph Rice

4^th Izzy with Pip & James Mobley

5^th Bear with Evie Mackel

6^th Betty with Chelsea Hennessy

Dog Most Like Its Owner

1^st Paddy with Harry & Isabelle King

2^nd Pumpkin with John? (mystery man)

3^rd Bear with Stephen Mackel

4^th Orla with Samia Dixon

5^th Monty with Bob Dollery

Junior Handling 6 – 10 years

1^st Monty with Rosie Fairclough

Junior Handling 11 – 16 years

1^st Ada with Katie Jones

2^nd Holly with Samia Dixon

3^rd Bear with Jack Mobley

4^th Bear with Evie Mackel

Best Bad Hair Day (dog or human)

1^st Orla with Lauryn Miller

2^nd Milo with Janet Fox

Best Condition

1^st Moshe with Lauryn Miller

2^nd Albert with Jayne Adam

3^rd Joe with Karen Hayward

4^th Izzy with Pip & James Mobley

5^th Polly with Ann Lawrence

6^th Bear with Elisha Mackel

Best Brace or Trio (of dogs)

1^st Bramble, Ivy & Gino with Jess Love & Brooke Holland

2^nd Joe & Maple with Karen Hayward & Judy Harris

3^rd Barli & Koda with Tracey Blythe

4^th Tala & Joey with Layla Hardman

5^th Noodle & Huggy Bear with Jane Mitchell

Best Trick

1^st Lorelai with Lauren Moody

2^nd Nancy with Fin Burke

3^rd Cora with Linda Dadd

4^th Bear with Sam Hall

5^th Monty with Rosie Fairclough

6^th Orla with Samia Dixon

Best Hello

1^st Rose with Mark Love

2^nd Bear with Elisha Mackel

3^rd Amigo with Jo Park

4^th Lettie with Lorraine Hatton

Slotting into the Main Ring Fun Events are several important parades groups of dogs who deserve to be featured

Puppy Parade

For dogs of up to 12 months of age, each having a moment to walk around the ring, gaining some experience of strangers and attention.

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Rescue Parade

Dogs, of any breed, who’ve been rescued or rehomed are welcomed into the ring along with Rescue & ReHoming CoOrdinator Fiona Hallam and her assistant Jeanette Green. The stories of each dog are read out and each dog and owner has a moment in the spotlight and is given a generous round of applause. Fiona then said a few words explaining how Rescue works including thanking all the people who give essential help and all the people who have given homes to Bernese in need. All the fund raising, assistance to vet homes and assess and transport dogs and general good support would be of no value whatsoever without the amazing people who give homes to Bernese in need, so this parade is a chance for the club to thank some of those people and show our appreciation for them.

Golden Oldies

The moment where we celebrate our longer lived Bernese as a reminder that our breed can live to decent ages and each gets a great reception as their stories are read out and, just like the Rescue Parade, there may have been a few tears around the ring.

Therapy Dogs

A new feature for this event was to feature Therapy Dogs, of all breeds and organisations but (obviously!) especially Bernese. These dogs are often unheralded but do important work making a difference to lives in many different ways and bring great credit to our breed and dogdom generally. When the appeal was made announcing the photo opportunity it was great to see so many of the dogs present come forward to be a part of this and it is to all their credit that they take part in this activity.

This seemed a popular feature and, without wanting to pre-empt decisions, will probably become a routine fixture.

Fun & Games

Biscuit Catching

1^st Holly with Jenna Dixon

2^nd Ada with Katie Jones

3^rd Winnie with Dana Sutton

Markie & Spoon Race

1^st Bear with Evie Mackel

2^nd Nico with Samia Dixon

3^rd Orla with Lilly Wheldon

4^th Hollie with Brooke Holland

Fastest Sitter

1^st Penny with Danielle Andrews

2^nd Cora with Linda Dadd

3^rd Cleo with Cheryl Sokel

4^th Teddy with Chloe Munnerley

5^th Lettie with Lorraine Hatton

Decorated Carts Themed Class ‘The Addams Family’

The highlight of the day for many people this did not disappoint and gave much enjoyment to a really packed ringside.

Have Gomez and Morticia forgotten anything in this “Decorated Cart” class?

N.B. A video of this parade can be found within the album on the Smugmug link at the top and bottom of this page.

We Are Family

This event is where related groups or kennel groups belonging to one affix are invited into the ring. A chance for breeders to give their less well known puppies a moment in the spotlight and for those with related dogs to come together.

Gorsebern

Jesterbrock

Two Rescued (and Veteran) sisters from Lithuania

Roesilbern

Waldershelf

Starting Carting Demonstration

For those inspired by the Fancy dress, the parades or the working carts but unsure of how to get started, the Carting group provided a demonstration of how to introduce your dog to carting, presented by Di Crawshaw. This showed the stages each dog must go through in order to be carter but it has to be said most Bernese are naturals if handled correctly, and just breeze through these steps and quickly progress through the ranks, even most of the few who might be slightly reluctant at first. For more information why not come to the next event and speak to the carters and before long you will be taking part yourself.

Working Class Results

Alongside all the fun and frolics in the main ring, in three adjacent rings, there is a whole series of Working events taking place. These give those who like to give their Bernese something to do a chance to show off the results of their application and practice. However, it is not all about being accomplished performers as there is the chance to experience and learn and try things out with experienced guidance. Some of the class titles may encourage you “Have A Go” and “Triers” do not sound like elitism! There are classes in Agility and Obedience for other breeds too so if you think your dog is bored why not give it a try, find some local classes and come back and amaze us all next time! The only slightly unfortunate aspect to these events is that by the time the awards are presented near the end of the day some of the winners have inevitably gone home so the resulting photos of the winners have, possibly confusing, gaps in them.

Obedience

Have a go for Bernese

1^st Cleo with Cheryl Sokel

2^nd Ember with Rachel Marshall

3^rd Della with Julie Gosztyla

4^th Riker with Anthony Hamsted

5^th Monty with Rosie Fairclough

Triers – Bernese

1^st Clara with Sue Maddox

2^nd Ember with Rachel Marshall

3^rd Tilly with Geoff Stelmach

4^th Della with Julie Gosztyla

5^th Riker with Anthony Hamsted

Future Stars

1^st Arthur with Richard Hallam

2^nd Ember with Rachel Marshall

3^rd Clara with Sue Maddox

4^th Tilly with Geoff Stelmach

5^th Annie with Lesley Messih

Open

1^st Ember with Rachel Marshall

2^nd Clara with Sue Maddox

3^rd Arthur with Richard Hallam

4^th Annie with Lesley Messih

5^th Dylon with Annie New

The judge also presented a personal award for her moment of the day which was given to Tilly & Geoff Stelmach for the cuddle that Tilly gave to Geoff when she had finished her round.