Blackpool Championship Show

[chelynnah]

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I've seen it said that some Boxer people only got out of their wet weather tent because they heard the anouncement on the tannoy. People who were still in the SYB class said that the judge finished going over all the dogs but then a steward came running in telling them to abandon and evacuate the class so no one got placed. All those had not heard the tannoy announcement because of the noise.Whilst people were packing up the back of the tent and all the ropes with the massive bolts ripped up and one side and roof ripped up. There were people throwing themselves over loved ones, & their boxers petrified.

I should imagine that there will be many dogs that went today that never show again. I've been told of Great Danes being taken off their feet and Newfs too.

There are people with scalding injuries from the catering tent.

All in all a nightmare for all involved there today.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Everything I'm reading is just making it worse. My gosh. I just keep thinking if that were my dogs. Savannah would NEVER show again. She loves showing, but she is really scatty about metal noises and wind.... If something had happened while we were there we would never get her in the ring again and we'd all lose something we love to do - not to mention the risk of losing the dogs.

Thing is there's no way to predict it would have been as bad as it was, and we've all sat through bad wind and stuff.... So why would we think it would be any different. I think we'll all do a bit of a double check from now on.

I'm tearing up just thinking about it all.

Wendy

 

[lesley smeath]

Some poor sole had a heart attack hope he or she is OK

and the people with burns one of them had second dagree burns

what a nightmare

 

[doris]

OMG!! That is so shocking

 

[jakers]

Just return from blackpool, had our gsd entered, fair play to the show organisers, they did do everything in their power to get people out. We left 15 mins before the tents collapsed but it was a scary day for all concerned, hope everyone injured is alright although not sure what some exhibitors were thinking leaving dogs on benches unattended with all that going on.

Not a bad day for us as our big lad (GSD) still managed to show outside with all that going on and qualified for crufts (w00t) .

Liz

 

[neave]

OMG i hope all everyone and their dogs are all ok what a horrible and scarey thing to happen

 

[lizzyb]

OMG what a mess . I do hope that everyone is all ok.

I hear where your coming from Wendy

 

[Boxacrazy]

This is what the lady that was awarded the dog CC in my breed has recounted her ordeal at Blackpool. It's sounds absolutley terrifying.

Although this should have been one of the best days so far, of my showing

career, it will probably stay in my mind for ever as the day we nearly

died!! I do not think I have ever been so terrified for myself or my family

+ Todd.

Once the judging was halted due to the terrible windy condidtions at

Blackpool, I stopped to thank the Mr Habig for awarding Todd the CC and to

collect the ticket, which had been left on the table awaiting further

details to be added, along With Barbara Morrison (Xandene)(reserve ticket

winner) and also my husband. A gentleman was frantically telling us to

vacate the huge marquee as soon as possible, I looked over to my bench and

saw my son and his friend looking in my direction with urgent expressions.I

saw people grabbing their stuff and dogs. I told my husband to collect the

ticket from the table whilst I ran to the bench to retrieve Todd and the

children. As quickly as we could, we got the dog off the bench, dismantled

the bench front and loaded everything into bags, I gave Todd to my son to

put on his walking collar and lead, we stood up, everything in hand and my

son said I have put the collar on wrong ! I dropped the bags and readjusted

the collar, as I stood back up, the huge tent peg bases, which hold down the

guide ropes for the marquee, were ripped from the ground by the wind and

swung upwards high into the air, at this point I cannot be exact as to what

happened, I remember people screaming and running, I grabbed the boys and

held them down infront of the bench, my sons friend held the bench front

over our heads as huge poles and metal plates and foot long stakes swung

around our heads and poles javelined through the air, the wind blew and

everything rose to the air again, I grabbed the boys and yelled RUN NOW, a

young lady who benches opposite me (affix- leigharac) was in the same

predicament as us, she ran and pushed my sons friend out of the tent infront

of her. As I ran, Todd ran in the opposite direction, as by now the metal

plates were swinging back in our direction, he was terrified, I told my son

to run and I went back for the dog, during this a massive pole on a rope

came crashing back down to earth smashing into the bench where Todd had been

caged not a few minutes before hand! I yelled at Todd to stop and come,

which thankfully he did , I grabbed his scruff and dragged him back to the

exit, where metal objects were still flying round on the end of ropes and

you didn't have a clue wich way they were heading, I grabbed the show bag on

the way, as a footing plate narrowly missed us, it was like running the

gauntlet for your life, my son ran back in the marquee to help me drag the

dog out, we all collapsed outside the marquee. A lady came to help us who I

am very thankful to (whoever you were) as my son had been hit by one of the

iron bars on his arm, at this point he collapsed on the floor , went as

white as a ghost and went into shock. I heard shouting and my husband had

just realised what was going on and was frantiaclly running towards us, I

shouted at him to stand still as yet again the wind had catapulted the metal

plates into the air, as it tangled itself up he made a run for it. I

understand the young girl Leigharac (affix ) , was hurt also, but think she

helped get my sons friend out of the marquee. I hope she is ok, as we speak

often, but I have never asked her name.

We gathered ourselves up and headed away from the tent as emergency services

turned up, I still did not have my CC in hand, but was thankful we came

through that ordeal alive. How no one was killed or seriously injured, is by

the grace of God. My son says if he hadn't have put the collar on the wrong

way and held us up for that 10 seconds then we would have been ripped to

pieces, by the flying metal. He is proably right. He is only fourteen and is

still badly shaken by the whole ordeal and hardly said a word on the five

hour drive home.He says he feels sick when ever he thinks of it. His friend

admitted that he has never been as terrified in his life or thought that he

was going to actually die before today.

All excitement of winning the ticket, had gone, also the dissapointment at the

bitch judging not being finished and the final challenge for BOB. So instead

of driving home on cloud nine, we all drove home subdued and with our own

thoughts of what could have and nearly did happen.

 

[whippynit]

This is what the lady that was awarded the dog CC in my breed has recounted her ordeal at Blackpool. It's sounds absolutley terrifying.
Although this should have been one of the best days so far, of my showing

career, it will probably stay in my mind for ever as the day we nearly

died!! I do not think I have ever been so terrified for myself or my family

+ Todd.

Once the judging was halted due to the terrible windy condidtions at

Blackpool, I stopped to thank the Mr Habig for awarding Todd the CC and to

collect the ticket, which had been left on the table awaiting further

details to be added, along With Barbara Morrison (Xandene)(reserve ticket

winner)  and also my husband. A gentleman was frantically telling us to

vacate the huge marquee as soon as possible, I looked over to my bench and

saw my son and his friend looking in my direction with urgent expressions.I

saw people grabbing their stuff and dogs. I told my husband to collect the

ticket from the table whilst I ran to the bench to retrieve Todd and the

children. As quickly as we could, we got the dog off the bench, dismantled

the bench front and loaded everything into bags, I gave Todd to my son to

put on his walking collar and lead, we stood up, everything in hand and my

son said I have put the collar on wrong ! I dropped the bags and readjusted

the collar, as I stood back up, the huge tent peg bases, which hold down the

guide ropes for the marquee, were ripped from the ground by the wind and

swung upwards high into the air, at this point I cannot be exact as to what

happened, I remember people screaming and running, I grabbed the boys and

held them down infront of the bench, my sons friend held the bench front

over our heads as huge poles and metal plates and foot long stakes swung

around our heads and poles javelined through the air, the wind blew and

everything rose to the air again, I grabbed the boys and yelled RUN NOW, a

young lady who benches opposite me (affix- leigharac) was in the same

predicament as us, she ran and pushed my sons friend out of the tent infront

of her. As I ran, Todd ran in the opposite direction, as by now the metal

plates were swinging back in our direction, he was terrified, I told my son

to run and I went back for the dog, during this a massive pole on a rope

came crashing back down to earth smashing into the bench where Todd had been

caged not a few minutes before hand! I yelled at Todd to stop and come,

which thankfully he did , I grabbed his scruff and dragged him back to the

exit, where metal objects were still flying round on the end of ropes and

you didn't have a clue wich way they were heading, I grabbed the show bag on

the way, as a footing plate narrowly missed us, it was like running the

gauntlet for your life, my son ran back in the marquee to help me drag the

dog out, we all collapsed outside the marquee. A lady came to help us who I

am very thankful to (whoever you were) as my son had been hit by one of the

iron bars on his arm, at this point he collapsed on the floor , went as

white as a ghost and went into shock. I heard shouting and my husband had

just realised what was going on and was frantiaclly running towards us, I

shouted at him to stand still as yet again the wind had catapulted the metal

plates into the air, as it tangled itself up he made a run for it. I

understand the young girl Leigharac (affix ) , was hurt also, but think she

helped get my sons friend out of the marquee. I hope she is ok, as we speak

often, but I have never asked her name.

We gathered ourselves up and headed away from the tent as emergency services

turned up, I still did not have my CC in hand, but was thankful we came

through that ordeal alive. How no one was killed or seriously injured, is by

the grace of God. My son says if he hadn't have put the collar on the wrong

way and held us up for that 10 seconds then we would have been ripped to

pieces, by the flying metal. He is proably right. He is only fourteen and is

still badly shaken by the whole ordeal and hardly said a word on the five

hour drive home.He says he feels sick when ever he thinks of it.  His friend

admitted that he has never been as terrified in his life or thought that he

was going to actually die before today.

All excitement of winning the ticket, had gone, also the dissapointment at the

bitch judging not being finished and the final challenge for BOB. So instead

of driving home on cloud nine, we all drove home subdued and with our own

thoughts of what could have and nearly did happen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

How awful for the lady and her family espesh what should of been a fantastic day I suppose something like this really puts things into perspective, Just glad everyone escaped unhurt. Hope her son is feeling better soon :huggles:and of course everyone else involved in that day.

 

[Beerhound]

It makes you think about prioroties doesn't it. We take our dogs to these shows and it does make you wonder if it is worth it.

Hope no-one canine or human was badly hurt.

Someone did tell me that exhibitors were told to evacuate and LEAVE their dogs, but surely this isn't true. I would never leave my dogs.

Wouldn't want the Insurance bill for marquees or exhibitors belongings that were damaged.

 

[posh totty]

This is what the lady that was awarded the dog CC in my breed has recounted her ordeal at Blackpool. It's sounds absolutley terrifying.
Although this should have been one of the best days so far, of my showing

career, it will probably stay in my mind for ever as the day we nearly

died!! I do not think I have ever been so terrified for myself or my family

+ Todd.

Once the judging was halted due to the terrible windy condidtions at

Blackpool, I stopped to thank the Mr Habig for awarding Todd the CC and to

collect the ticket, which had been left on the table awaiting further

details to be added, along With Barbara Morrison (Xandene)(reserve ticket

winner)  and also my husband. A gentleman was frantically telling us to

vacate the huge marquee as soon as possible, I looked over to my bench and

saw my son and his friend looking in my direction with urgent expressions.I

saw people grabbing their stuff and dogs. I told my husband to collect the

ticket from the table whilst I ran to the bench to retrieve Todd and the

children. As quickly as we could, we got the dog off the bench, dismantled

the bench front and loaded everything into bags, I gave Todd to my son to

put on his walking collar and lead, we stood up, everything in hand and my

son said I have put the collar on wrong ! I dropped the bags and readjusted

the collar, as I stood back up, the huge tent peg bases, which hold down the

guide ropes for the marquee, were ripped from the ground by the wind and

swung upwards high into the air, at this point I cannot be exact as to what

happened, I remember people screaming and running, I grabbed the boys and

held them down infront of the bench, my sons friend held the bench front

over our heads as huge poles and metal plates and foot long stakes swung

around our heads and poles javelined through the air, the wind blew and

everything rose to the air again, I grabbed the boys and yelled RUN NOW, a

young lady who benches opposite me (affix- leigharac) was in the same

predicament as us, she ran and pushed my sons friend out of the tent infront

of her. As I ran, Todd ran in the opposite direction, as by now the metal

plates were swinging back in our direction, he was terrified, I told my son

to run and I went back for the dog, during this a massive pole on a rope

came crashing back down to earth smashing into the bench where Todd had been

caged not a few minutes before hand! I yelled at Todd to stop and come,

which thankfully he did , I grabbed his scruff and dragged him back to the

exit, where metal objects were still flying round on the end of ropes and

you didn't have a clue wich way they were heading, I grabbed the show bag on

the way, as a footing plate narrowly missed us, it was like running the

gauntlet for your life, my son ran back in the marquee to help me drag the

dog out, we all collapsed outside the marquee. A lady came to help us who I

am very thankful to (whoever you were) as my son had been hit by one of the

iron bars on his arm, at this point he collapsed on the floor , went as

white as a ghost and went into shock. I heard shouting and my husband had

just realised what was going on and was frantiaclly running towards us, I

shouted at him to stand still as yet again the wind had catapulted the metal

plates into the air, as it tangled itself up he made a run for it. I

understand the young girl Leigharac (affix ) , was hurt also, but think she

helped get my sons friend out of the marquee. I hope she is ok, as we speak

often, but I have never asked her name.

We gathered ourselves up and headed away from the tent as emergency services

turned up, I still did not have my CC in hand, but was thankful we came

through that ordeal alive. How no one was killed or seriously injured, is by

the grace of God. My son says if he hadn't have put the collar on the wrong

way and held us up for that 10 seconds then we would have been ripped to

pieces, by the flying metal. He is proably right. He is only fourteen and is

still badly shaken by the whole ordeal and hardly said a word on the five

hour drive home.He says he feels sick when ever he thinks of it.  His friend

admitted that he has never been as terrified in his life or thought that he

was going to actually die before today.

All excitement of winning the ticket, had gone, also the dissapointment at the

bitch judging not being finished and the final challenge for BOB. So instead

of driving home on cloud nine, we all drove home subdued and with our own

thoughts of what could have and nearly did happen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

i felt sick reading that , that poor poor woman and family , thank heavens the dog was ok , what a terrible end to what should have been a fantastic day

 

[alfie]

It sounds absolutely terrifying and it is amazing that no people or dogs were killed.

I spoke to our show manager this morning, who luckily was slightly sheltered from the wind by a benching tent, his van and trailor- our little Arden Grange tent wouldn't have lasted long :blink:

He said that from 9.30am, there were tractors holding down the Best in Show marquee- I think maybe the show should have been stopped sooner.

Apparently the huge upright beams, which hold up the centre of the tents, weigh a tonne each, and it seems that both the beams in the catering tent actually lifted up and snapped :blink:

The chap who was burned was apparently told to go back into the catering tent to turn the gas off, when the tent collapsed and he was doused in hot chip fat from the groin down. He is still in hospital, and will be transferred to a burns unit once stabilised

It just sounds like a horrific nightmare- I think if I had been there it would have put me off showing for life

Liz and the Monellis

 

[dolly]

Poor chap, he must be in such terrible pain

 

[anniewhippet]

Reading the accounts has made me go cold............

I do hope everyone recovers for this horrendous ordeal

 

[whippetmad]

God.....................How awful Hope everybody will recovered from this nightmare.

 

[littlenell]

Ive just spoken to my sister who was showing yesterday and she said it was the scariest thing she has ever seen. She said men were trying to hang onto the ropes as tents were lifting up in the air and that a couple of caravans were blown over on the car park. Im so relieved Ive managed to get in touch with her and that she and my bro in law are both unhurt and her dogs although petrified are all ok.

Tina

 

[quintessence]

It sounds absolutely terrifying   and it is amazing that no people or dogs were killed.I spoke to our show manager this morning, who luckily was slightly sheltered from the wind by a benching tent, his van and trailor- our little Arden Grange tent wouldn't have lasted long :blink:

He said that from 9.30am, there were tractors holding down the Best in Show marquee- I think maybe the show should have been stopped sooner.

Apparently the huge upright beams, which hold up the centre of the tents, weigh a tonne each, and it seems that both the beams in the catering tent actually lifted up and snapped :blink:

The chap who was burned was apparently told to go back into the catering tent to turn the gas off, when the tent collapsed and he was doused in hot chip fat from the groin down. He is still in hospital, and will be transferred to a burns unit once stabilised

It just sounds like a horrific nightmare- I think if I had been there it would have put me off showing for life

Liz and the Monellis

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Oh Liz what a nightmare and my heart goes out to the poor man who was burned. It really does put everything into perspective, I was cold and wet on Saturday because I was going between ESS's and Whippets which were on opposite sides of the field, I will never complain about being cold and wet again at a dog show.

Jenny

 

[Nicola]

How awful and what hair raising accounts. It's a miracle no one was killed, and I feel so sorry for those injured.

It was very windy in the North West yesterday....I felt spooked walking the dogs through some woods and couldn't get out of there quick enough. I thought a tree branch may come down. Blackpool, being so much nearer to the coast, and on very flat coastal plains....it really copped it by the sounds of it

Have we ever known such windy weather in June...mid summer too?

 

[wilfred]

It's so awful. Words can't say enough really, I hope everyone involved is OK. I'm sorry but I am in tears after reading the account from the lady who (with Todd) got the DCC, and how frightening it must have been for her, her boys, everyone on the ground there and all the dogs. And the poor catering man who got scalded, I am just in tears for them all.

I hate windy stormy weather, it is the most scary weather, I hate it worse than snow and ice.

 

[Juley]

Its so scarey how powerful the wind is, then the next day all is calm again. We got flooded out last year at Bournemouth and packd up to come home instead of going to to Wales, as we were taking the awning down a powerful gust of wind took our awning and broke the pole. Luckily the people in the next van helped hang onto it or it would have ripped right off the van. On those huge tents it must have been truly terrifying. Thanks goodness that no-one was killed. How nice to hear of people helping each other too.

 

[marier05]

Oh My Goodness!! I didnt realise it was that bad - im really glad that noone was seriously hurt although my heart goes out to the man with the burns. :huggles:

It does make you realise how little a 'CC' means if it could cost you you and your family (including the dogs) life!!

Just really glad everyone came through it in 1 piece!

Marie. :huggles: