History of The United Spaniel Association
The United Spaniel Association
In 1970 the sixth European Spaniel Congress was held in the UK. Arising out of the many discussions during this it became apparent that there should be one organisation putting forward the opinions of all the spaniel clubs in the UK on much the same basis as similar clubs spoke for breeds in other European countries.
It was resolved, therefore, to set up such an Association whose purpose should be to act as a link between the various spaniel clubs in the UK and the Council of Europe and to co-operate in the European Spaniel Congress. Furthermore, its aim should be to co-ordinate the activities and opinions of the spaniel clubs in the UK.
Membership would be welcomed to all clubs primarily concerned with any breed of sporting spaniel whose aim was the improvement of the breed whether for work or show, or both. In the breeds where the clubs are grouped in Breed Councils then this would be the body that joined the Association.
The inaugural meeting of the United Spaniel Association was held on the 21st May 1971 at the Birmingham National Dog Show. All the breeds sent representatives. Rules were formulated and sent to participating clubs for endorsement. When this was completed they were sent to the Kennel Club for approval.
So the first delegate meeting took place on the 3rd September in the same year, this time at the City of Birmingham Dog Show. Warner Hill was elected President, Leslie Page the Chairman, and Dr Esther Rickards as its Secretary. There were representatives from all the eight spaniel breeds recognised, in those days, by the KC. This has been the case ever since, though now there are 11 breeds included in the sub-group.
They now are the Cocker Spaniel; the American Cocker Spaniel; the English Springer Spaniel; the Welsh Springer Spaniel; the Field Spaniel; the Sussex Spaniel; the Clumber Spaniel; the Irish Water Spaniel; the American Water Spaniel; the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Spanish Water Dog.
The first formal proposal that the Association should hold a show was not made until the 1981 AGM. The minutes suggest that this provoked quite a heated debate and the matter was referred to a future SGM. It was three years later that the constitution was changed to allow the Association to hold shows and events.
It may be because of this that in 1982, some eleven years after that inaugural meeting, an application to formally register the United Spaniel Association was submitted to the Kennel Club.
Great Britain hosted the Congress in 1983 despite financial difficulties, so in 1984 the constitution was changed to allow the Association to hold shows and events to raise revenue. Since that date an Open Show has been held every year for the eight sporting spaniel breeds.
The first Open show took place in January, 1986 at the New Bingley Hall, Stafford. The eight recognised spaniel breeds were all scheduled (78 classes in total) and an amazing 349 dogs were entered. There were no stakes or variety classes at this show and the BIS judge was Olga Hampton. Unfortunately I do not have the results.
Back in those days the USA sometimes held two shows in the same year and in 1986 another was held, this time at the venue at which this year’s show took place. Some of the breed classification was reduced but variety classes were included. On this occasion 273 dogs were entered.
The Association views its Show as an important event in the canine calendar and an opportunity for breed clubs to propose up and coming judges to gain experience with more classes and higher entries than a usual open show.
These successful shows continue to the present day.
The United Spaniel Association
In 1970 the sixth European Spaniel Congress was held in the UK. Arising out of the many discussions during this it became apparent that there should be one organisation putting forward the opinions of all the spaniel clubs in the UK on much the same basis as similar clubs spoke for breeds in other European countries.
It was resolved, therefore, to set up such an Association whose purpose should be to act as a link between the various spaniel clubs in the UK and the Council of Europe and to co-operate in the European Spaniel Congress. Furthermore, its aim should be to co-ordinate the activities and opinions of the spaniel clubs in the UK.
Membership would be welcomed to all clubs primarily concerned with any breed of sporting spaniel whose aim was the improvement of the breed whether for work or show, or both. In the breeds where the clubs are grouped in Breed Councils then this would be the body that joined the Association.
The inaugural meeting of the United Spaniel Association was held on the 21st May 1971 at the Birmingham National Dog Show. All the breeds sent representatives. Rules were formulated and sent to participating clubs for endorsement. When this was completed they were sent to the Kennel Club for approval.
So the first delegate meeting took place on the 3rd September in the same year, this time at the City of Birmingham Dog Show. Warner Hill was elected President, Leslie Page the Chairman, and Dr Esther Rickards as its Secretary. There were representatives from all the eight spaniel breeds recognised, in those days, by the KC. This has been the case ever since, though now there are 11 breeds included in the sub-group.
They now are the Cocker Spaniel; the American Cocker Spaniel; the English Springer Spaniel; the Welsh Springer Spaniel; the Field Spaniel; the Sussex Spaniel; the Clumber Spaniel; the Irish Water Spaniel; the American Water Spaniel; the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Spanish Water Dog.
The first formal proposal that the Association should hold a show was not made until the 1981 AGM. The minutes suggest that this provoked quite a heated debate and the matter was referred to a future SGM. It was three years later that the constitution was changed to allow the Association to hold shows and events.
It may be because of this that in 1982, some eleven years after that inaugural meeting, an application to formally register the United Spaniel Association was submitted to the Kennel Club.
Great Britain hosted the Congress in 1983 despite financial difficulties, so in 1984 the constitution was changed to allow the Association to hold shows and events to raise revenue. Since that date an Open Show has been held every year for the eight sporting spaniel breeds.
The first Open show took place in January, 1986 at the New Bingley Hall, Stafford. The eight recognised spaniel breeds were all scheduled (78 classes in total) and an amazing 349 dogs were entered. There were no stakes or variety classes at this show and the BIS judge was Olga Hampton. Unfortunately I do not have the results.
Back in those days the USA sometimes held two shows in the same year and in 1986 another was held, this time at the venue at which this year’s show took place. Some of the breed classification was reduced but variety classes were included. On this occasion 273 dogs were entered.
The Association views its Show as an important event in the canine calendar and an opportunity for breed clubs to propose up and coming judges to gain experience with more classes and higher entries than a usual open show.
These successful shows continue to the present day.
|
|
On the 16th April 2016, the 34th show took place. 185 dogs were entered, an increase on 2015. This event needs to be a success as it is the main source of the Association’s income. Therefore it relies heavily on sponsorship as one of the attractions to exhibitors.
The main sponsor was Sneyd’s Wonderfeeds and what a generous partnership it was, very much appreciated by those present and of course the USA. As a sponsor they too must have been pleased as I have been told that they will be with us again in 2017. For the first time classes for the Lagotto Romagnolo were scheduled and it was a pleasure to welcome these exhibitors to the show. We would have also liked to promote the Spanish Water Dog but as no request came from the breed club we did not offer any. However it was good to see a couple of these delightful dogs in the variety classes so hopefully we will gain more support from them next year. The BIS judge was Ivor Williams, someone needing no introduction. Back in 1979 he became the Sussex Spaniel delegate to the USA and, although not so actively involved these days, remains a great supporter. His choice for BIS went to Bob and Frances Jackson’s ESS, Mompesson Royal Dancer. In the Reserve spot stood the Costley’s IWS, Waterford’s Purple Rain at Axlehurn (Imp USA). It was to the WSS that Ivor awarded the BPIS prize, the Harrison’s Glenbrows Picture Me Now. The quartet of principal winners was completed by the Field Spaniel, Thandiwe Legato Con Moto owned by the Russell and Palm partnership. So another very successful show with a lovely atmosphere and great sportsmanship. |
Whereas the Association views its show as an important event in the canine calendar and an opportunity for Breed Clubs to propose up and coming judges to gain experience it is not all that it does. Working Tests, Training Days, Show Gundog Working Certificate Qualifying Days, Seminars and now Rally Trials and Obreedience mean that it is an active and progressing body that never ‘rests on its laurels’.
In conclusion, let’s return to 1971 and the reasons given for the United Spaniel Association’s formation. As mentioned it was act as a link between the various spaniel clubs in the UK and the Council of Europe and to co-operate in the European Spaniel Congress. Is that still the case? Sadly, politics and personality clashes among the European members have resulted in the Congress no longer being active. How forward thinking of the Association to diversify their activities?
Ian C Layfield (Chairman)
In conclusion, let’s return to 1971 and the reasons given for the United Spaniel Association’s formation. As mentioned it was act as a link between the various spaniel clubs in the UK and the Council of Europe and to co-operate in the European Spaniel Congress. Is that still the case? Sadly, politics and personality clashes among the European members have resulted in the Congress no longer being active. How forward thinking of the Association to diversify their activities?
Ian C Layfield (Chairman)