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As there seems to be some confusion in the UK about Donkey Breed Society Show titles, especially exactly what a Supreme Champion is.
It therefore seems unlikely that our American or Canadian friends will understand either!
As I had to have the NMDA system explained to me years ago I thought I would now explain the Donkey Breed Society system for anyone unsure.
There is Only One Supreme Championship show which is the pinnicle of the showing calandar and judged under DBS rules only.
No other Society has anything to do with the show.
Jane Bramwell (Northern region) with the 2010 DBS Supreme Champion Donkey Legend.
The Supreme show is the ONLY show where a Supreme Title is awarded, therfore only one Supreme Champion Donkey, from all the Standard & Miniatures under DBS rules, takes the title each year.
The show is held in mid August which was traditionally the end of the showing season as it made little sense to hold the pinicle in the middle of the season. However other shows have now gone past this date even as far as into October.
NB: To date no Miniature Donkey has been awarded the DBS Supreme Title / Best in show to date.
The 18 DBS Championship status shows currently are:
South Eastern Donkey, Newark & Notts County, Devon County, Herts County, Suffolk County, Royal Cornwall, Three Counties,
Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, Scottish Donkey, Heckington, New Forest & Hampshire County, East Anglian Donkey, Turriff show,
Halifax Agricultural show, Poynton show, Edenbridge & Oxted show and Peterbrough show.
All the Champions from these shows will recieve the Coverted DBS Inhand show Champion certificate at that years AGM for whichever
show they won the award, ie; The DBS Inhand Champion Heckington 2010, The DBS Inhand Champion Royal Highland 2010 etc.
The winners also qualify for the Supreme show qualifyer classes on the Saturday afternoon which are judges on a points system by
a panel of three A list judges. Marks out of 20 are given for Type, Conformation and movement.
The Champions and Reserve Champions from these classes are awarded the title; The British Colt Champion 2010,
The British Mare Champion 2010, etc.
This is the highest award apart from the Supreme Champion title which any Donkey can achieve as they need to beat
ALL the Donkeys shown that year in that Group which is a huge achievement.
Pictured our own Herd sire Outlaw, The DBS British Reserve Colt Champion 2010, at his first attempt!
Should you be lucky enough to gain 4 DBS Inhand Championship wins from the shows listed above, under 4 different judges,
this gives your Donkey the Title of DBS Champion Donkey. There is no time limit on gaining this award.
To date no Miniature Donkey has gained this award.
A specially commisioned ceramic plate is awarded and the points are collated ( by a none showing member) for their Dams
towards the brood mare recognition in the Summerhays award.
To date no Miniature has won this award.
All remaining show recognised by the DBS are affliliated show.
All the Champions from affiliated shows around the Country qualify for the Supreme show classes as mentioned above.
However a Champion win at affiliated level is not a DBS Inhand show champion and will not receive a certificate.
Should any of the qualifier Champions already have qualified then the Reserve automatically qualifies.
It has to be said that the DBS Supreme show offers a full program of driving skills with all aspect being displayed and
tested in the awarding fo the title, The Supreme Driving Champion, along with a fullk program of ridden classes for the
Junior members under the age of 16 culminating in the awarding of the Junior ridden Champion and the Junior Handler titles.
Driving of Miniatures has not taken off over here.
There is a wonderful fancy dress competition and a short church service where the Donkeys and humans are blessed on the fun day,
the Sunday. So there is something for everyone.
Over the past years we have had a number of visitors from America, I had Jim and Rhetta McAlister of
the world famous Country music's Ranch in Texas visit and attend the show. Recently Cindy Benson and the Richards attended.
The DBS celebrates its 40th show in 2011 so a very special show is anticipated.
Ann
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