Maribor, we are even!

Maribor, we’re even!

Six years ago, we already attended at CACIB Maribor dog show – and left with mixed feelings. We loved the venue and had a great place to stay, but after the first day, we had to return home unexpectedly. The results and evaluations from that first day also left us with mixed emotions. We felt there was some unfinished business here, and we kept planning to return to Maribor for another show. Despite the great location and its relative proximity, it just didn’t happen – sometimes due to covid cancellations, but mostly the dates just didn’t work for us.

The show was held at the training grounds of the Maribor Canine Club – a beautifully maintained venue. The organizers’ work and the daily cleaning of the show area were of outstanding quality. The judging panel was also of very high standard: internationally renowned judges participated, many of whom we had never met before and who rarely judge in our region – we were curious to see their evaluations.

This year, we entered three dogs: Magnus, Lenná, and Stuart travelled with us to Slovenia, all bred by us at Jacks and Bears. Magnus was entered in the champion class, Lenná in intermediate, and Stuart in minor puppy. Oberna Dorottya came with us as well – she handled our dogs in the ring.

The event hosted two CACIB and one CAC shows, as well as some specialty shows.

On the first day, at the international (CACIB) show, the Bernese Mountain Dogs were judged by Marie-Josée Melchior Schlechter from Luxembourg. To our great joy, she chose Magnus as the Best of Breed Bernese Mountain Dog. AThe same time in another ring among the Jack Russell Terriers, Stuart was named Best Minor Puppy. At that time, we didn’t know that over the three days, all the judges would award them the same top results within their breeds!

We were eagerly awaiting the afternoon Best in Show program. We knew Magnus was in great shape, but weren’t sure if it would be enough for a big result. With Stuart, we felt a podium finish in his age group was realistic – maybe even a victory. And that’s exactly what happened: Stuart earned the reserve Minor Puppy Best in Show! We were thrilled!

Next came the FCI Group II judging, which includes Bernese Mountain Dogs. Magnus made the cut – the judge selected him among the group’s top dogs. We waited nervously… and then Magnus won the group! He was called to the top of the podium – an incredible result!

At the end of the day came the Best in Show – a competition between the ten group winners. We were hopeful, since Magnus looked amazing, but we knew how hard it is to achieve results at this level. The announcer called the third place… and then Magnus – he took second place, earning the reserve Best in Show title! We couldn’t believe it – what a day!

On the second day, Magnus again performed superbly and placed second in the FCI group II – but this day belonged to Stuart. It was a huge honor that the outstanding Diane Stewart-Ritchie selected him as the Best in Show Minor Puppy!

By the final day, we had a good feeling. When Magnus was again named the Best of Breed Bernese Mountain Dog, we were hopeful. It was a special moment when Lenná finished as the Best of Opposite Sex Bernese.

That afternoon, Stuart once again earned the reserve Minor Puppy Best in Show title – such a proud moment for us as breeders to see our dogs evaluated so highly!

In the Group II judging, Savvas Tzegas judged the Best of Breed dogs of the group. We had no idea what to expect, and anxiously waited to see how Magnus would be ranked compared to the others. First, he was selected among the group’s best, then declared the group winner! What an incredible success for Jacks and Bears.

But it wasn’t over yet. The final Best in Show was judged by Norwegian Jari Partanen, who placed Magnus second – again reserve Best in Show! Woohoo!