Being a new member of the club, I was invited to share my experience of Meldreth Summer Cup Show. This was not my first time attending a show, though it was certainly the biggest I have been to, and the first where I have exhibited mice. It was also the first show that I convinced my partner to attend, who is now keenly interested in the club as well.
“Maxey Cages”
To begin with, my partner and I weren’t sure we would even be in attendance due to my health complications, however after much deliberation we decided we would give the 456-mile round trip a go! We began our morning before the sun, carefully doing some final checks of the entered mice and boxing them into their travel containers. I was conscious of the heat and took extra care to ensure my mice remained comfortable on the journey. When we did finally arrive approximately four and a half hours later, we had just twenty minutes before judging was due to start and I had not yet collected my new maxeys. [log in to see names] was able to ease my nerves and ensured my mice were sorted, labelled and seated at the right table in a flash.
The show had a wonderful turnout with so many mice entered, and I was happy to finally have the chance to get involved. It is easy to see how much work and genuine care goes into organising these shows. Not only was the hall thoroughly cleaned and righted after the event, but the provision of food and beverages really went above and beyond. I was invited to sit aside judge [log in to see names], who took time to provide some fantastic teaching moments where able, in what I was told were some of the biggest classes he had ever judged! I also learnt a few husbandry tricks and tips from [log in to see names], who was expertly stewarding.
Overall, the show was a wonderful experience and I even came away with Best Dutch U8, which I really was not expecting! My biggest takeaway is that the NMC is a wonderful place to find likeminded people, and at no point did I feel like I wasn’t welcome, or could not openly talk to anyone. I’d like to say a big thank you to the long-term members and the committee for not only preserving the club, but also allowing it to thrive and open its doors to new members such as myself. I look forward to attending my next show with the club.
Well done Steph, what is your partner’s name.? Many thanks for bringing my mice back from the show. The dutch classes were well filled, with twenty mice. You did well to win the young dutch class, with a lovely mouse. I was pleased to win the dutch trophy and best marked and also runner up to Best in Show. Looking at the results, all the prizewinners in the dutch classes came from stock I had supplied, which was gratifying. Chew Valley stud in the adult dutch and Lynette Walker and yourself in the under 8 weeks class. This must have been the biggest show for a long time, with over two hundred mice entered, a bit like the ‘old days’!!
Thanks for sharing. Glad you had an enjoyable day and look forward to meeting you at a future show.
Very well done being a newbie myself can’t offer advice but definitely enjoyed reading your experience and can appreciate your commitment to the hobby ! Hope to see you at many more shows when your able to attend !!
AMAZING read Steph !
you are more than welcome to sit in with me the next time I judge
That would be amazing, I’d really appreciate that. Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us Steph. It’s always helpful to get a newcomers perspective and it’s so reassuring to hear that your introduction to the wonderful world of the NMC has been such a positive one. 🙂
You are very welcome steph it was a lovley day I’m so glad you enjoyed it was lovley to see you again and meet your very charming partner.i look forward to seeing you again you are a valued member and a pleasure to know I will help you in whatever way I can if you need it .you are learning very fast and will I belive soon be in the winners keep it up.