SCOTTISH OPEN SHOW Biggar 6 December 2002
Judges Report: Eddie Crutchley

I had an uneventful journey arriving in plenty of time, which was as well since I had been awake most of the night with a stomach upset. Early arrival allowed me a short doze in the car before starting the judging. It was pleasing to see so many people and a good entry of 84 animals for me to look over.

Young Standard Female
There were 9 animals, 4 mediums and 5 medium dark. The mediums did not provide a first winner and therefore the 1st and 2nd medium darks took Best and Reserve in Section. These animals had dense blue silky strong fur, the first being better finished and blockier. This animal went on to become Best Standard Animal and was very close to the eventual show champion.

Young Standard Male
Eight animals split evenly between medium and medium dark. Once again the mediums did not provide a first winner and thus the 1st and 2nd medium darks led the section. The 1st animal, although young, showed all the attributes of a quality chinchilla and ran the female very close being Reserve Young Standard and eventually Reserve Standard Animal. The 2nd in this class was also of good quality but showed a slight tendency for the fur to lie back.

Adult Standard Female
Two classes, four mediums that again did not produce a 1st winner and three medium darks. The 1st in medium dark was a class animal having really good fur quality and plenty of it, beating a similar quality animal into 2nd due to better tipping coverage. These animals took Best and Reserve in section but were not quite in condition to challenge for higher honours.

Adult Standard Male
Twelve animals split into 3 medium, 4 medium dark and 5 dark. Mediums amazingly did not produce a place winner. The winner of the medium dark class went on to Reserve Adult Male and Reserve Best Adult Standard having fine quality fur with good coverage and eye appeal. The dark class should have been the highlight of the show as quality oozed from these animals. All were big blocky animals: unfortunately condition let most of them down. I would like to judge this class on another day when the results may be somewhat different. The class winner had all necessary qualities for a stud male and had great eye appeal but was not quite in the best condition therefore could not compete with the young section winners but was Best in Section on merit.

It is most interesting to note that the medium colour phase animals were not of the quality desired at this show or at others which I have attended during this season. Almost all seem to be flat and dull completely lacking eye appeal.. Where have the clear blue animals gone?

Young Mutations
5 Beige, 7 Black velvets and 8 AOC made up the twenty entries. None of the AOC's were worthy of a 1st award though two did receive 2nds. The Beige and Black velvet classes were of better quality. The 1st in the Black velvet class taking the Best Young Mutation. This animal had good size and conformation: mutation coverage was on silky strong stand up fur. The reserve in section was a Beige of good colour and similar attributes to the Black velvet but was not in quite the same condition.

Adult Mutations
3 Pink whites, 5 Wilson whites, 5 Beige, 3 Ultra Violets, 3 Brown Velvets, 8 Black Velvets and 2 AOC's made up the section entries. The Pink White winner was big and blocky with plenty of strong fur, which was coarser than I would like, but a commendable animal nonetheless. The Ultra Violet winner was of reasonable size and good colour having good spread of mutation fur. The Black Velvet winner had good size and conformation with silky mutation fur but was lacking in density. The Beige winner was again big and blocky with good coloured strong dense fur but not quite sharp enough. This animal became Reserve Best Adult and Reserve Best Mutation to the eventual Show Champion the winner of the Wilson White class. Exceptional size and conformation, correct colour with lots of silky strong stand up fur made it irresistible on the day.

Thanks for inviting me to judge at this splendid venue and here's to much more success in the future. There are some very good quality chinchilla in Scotland so keep up the good work and enthusiasm.