This year saw a couple of developments at the Classic.
Firstly, we engaged Simon Tammam as one of the judges along with John Martin an LCA panel judge. Although not an LCA panel judge Simon is a COM-UK judge experienced in judging posture canaries – which includes the Lizard.
Secondly Andrew Beesley had a number of banners produced to help highlight the Lizard section of the show. The banners – featuring Lizard canaries – were first used at the National a few weeks earlier and also featured at the Classic
This year we had over 160 birds entered in the show. The number was down a little on last year as a number of usual exhibitors were, for a number of different reasons unable to attend the show. Nevertheless, the quality of the birds on show was very good and the judges had their work cut out to be able to make their final selection of winners.
As always, it is an early start to the day in order to set up the hall. Fortunately, Noel Sidney had been able to get all the staging into the hall the night before so the early arrivers (including Nigel and Danny Higgins along with David Newton Andy Beesley and Noel) were able to get everything in place well in advance of the bird booking in process started. Booking in ran smoothly and judging started on time.
The two judges were ably supported by the show manager Chris Jordan and the stewards David and Paula Newton.
Thanks go to Noel Sidney who provided the refreshments and he was ably supported in the kitchen by Bob Sneddon.
Judging finished on time and there was plenty of time for the birds to be viewed before the AGM took place.
The winning bird at the Classic was benched by Carlos De Santa Ana and just in case you missed it, it was Carlos that won at the National a few weeks earlier, and at the South Bucks CBS show 2 weeks later you will have seen him Best Lizard at that show too. Quite an achievement for Carlos.
LCA Classic 2025 – Show Report
The show was held at Roade Village Hall on Sunday 2nd November.
A fine entry of 165 Lizards awaited me and my fellow judge Simon Tammam on a bright sunny morning. After introductions and a cup of tea we quickly got to work assisted by the usual hard-working team of stewards under show manager Chris Jordan.
The classes before us were of a very even standard, some exhibits still needed a bit longer to ‘harden off’ after the moult. Our placings could have easily changed round a few weeks further into the show season.
After placing the awards in some very competitive classes my fellow judge and I were left with four outstanding entries. A non-cap silver full of work, good ground colour – the best of the Natural section. A nearly clear capped gold cock, good feather quality, excellent linage, the best of the Novice exhibits by some way. An excellent broken cap silver cock, excellent spangles, wonderful ground colour showing itself to perfection. And finally a beautiful non-cap gold hen, colour fed to perfection, wonderful rowings, lovely clear linage on its spangles and good separation as well.
After a lot of deliberation, it came down to the silver cock and the non-cap hen battling it out. The silver started to get tired and we had to choose the non-cap gold hen as Best in Show, a wonderful exhibit and a credit to its owner and breeder.
Best in Show Carlos De Santa Ana
Second Best Ray Anthony
Best Novice Toby Ashpole
Best Natural Robert Sneddon
To conclude, many excellent exhibits a few technical points and faults were in evidence, although some birds still continued to show a frill on the mantle around the neck. This is a feather fault, and breeders need to watch out for it.
Finally, a big thanks to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the show such a successful day. The stewards, those who worked in the kitchen and everyone who supported the association on the day.