The stewards ushered the entrants before the judges, one by one, in a steady, systematic flow.  The racing was conducted under the watchful eyes of Neil and Nick – 16 heats with quarter finals, semi finals and the grand finale.  In the kitchen, Shirley and Julie worked wonders again to provide snacks, refreshments and a choice of three lunchtime meals.

The day was a chance for friends to gather and new friendships to be made.  The proceedings concluded with the awards ceremony and a list of winners can be found below.

A big thank you to all those who attended to make our first Open Show such a success, and to all the members who assisted in making things run like a smooth, well-oiled machine.  Hopefully we will see you all again, next year, but hopefully you will join us in a green field a little sooner.

Albino Hob:

1st place: Kuno – Cathy Wareing
2nd place: Bugsy – Dawn Bradfield
3rd place: Lucky – Carole

Albino Jill:

1st place: Genie – Lily Pan
2nd place: Holly – Cathy Wareing
3rd place: Gold – John & Marion Aldridge

Polecat Hob:

1st place: Sort’d – Rachel Jack
2nd place: Bandit – Cathy Willingale
3rd place: Slinky – Cathy Wareing

Polecat Jill:

1st place: Little Bear – Rachel Jack
2nd place: Mindy – Julia Kemp
3rd place: Gigi – Lily Pan

Sandy Hob:

1st place: Gigantor – Rachel Jack
2nd place: Sparkle – Steve Rowbury
3rd place: Pebbles – Linda Head

Sandy Jill:

1st place: Bunny – Julia Kemp
2nd place: Layla – Carole Brock
3rd place: Ginger – Rachel Taylor

Coloured Hob:

1st place: Captain – Cathy Willingale
2nd place: Gilbert – Cathy Wareing
3rd place: Rufus – Rachel Jack

Coloured Jill:

1st place: Anna – Mike W
2nd place: Tippy – Rachel Jack
3rd place: Molly – Linda Head

Not Quite:

1st place: Blossom – Dominique Raffael
2nd place: Colossus – Rachel Jack
3rd place: Purdey – Paul Tripp

Veterans:

1st Place: Rosie – Rachel Jack
2nd place: Bobbie – Rachel Jack
3rd place: Black Adder – Rachel Jack

Funky Ferret Drawing Competition

Winner: Jade F.

Open Show Racing:
1st place: Ruff – Rachel Jack
2nd place: Penny – Dominique Raffael

Winner: Best Hob - Sort'd (Rachel Jack)

Winner: Best Jill - Bunny (Julia Kemp)

Reserve Champion - Genie (Steve & Lily)

Show Champion - Bunny (Julia Kemp)

Our Judges - Joan, Alan, Derek & Sue

i Tell you it's mine!

it's a jungle out there!

Indoor ferret racing at a private function

It’s that time of the year when Christmas Parties are back on the agenda and office party planners are looking for an original idea.  Are you in charge of organising the Christmas party or event for your office this year?  Add an element of light-hearted competitive fun to your event – Add Ferret Racing!

At Hants and Berks Ferret Club, we have all the equipment to put on a dashing show, obstacles, pipes, PA system and a willing team of volunteer ferrets, with their own tame handlers, to make your event stand out from the crowd.   We can put on our racing show indoors or outdoors but it does lend itself to halls where the audience can get a bit closer and more personal.

Whatever the occasion, we are sure that we can help make it a memorable one.  For more information please contact our Show Manager or complete our booking enquiry form.

We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to our judge, John Murray, who it must be said has no ferrets of his own and just judged them on composition and quality.  So here they are the winning entries.

The results for the Junior competition

The results for the Adult competition

Other photographs within this category that were Commended by the Judge

We at the Hants & Berks Ferret Club had a photo comp last month.  Watch this space and we will show the winning entries and some of the runners up.

• Firstly talk it through with all members of the immediate family. Everyone has to be happy with the decision to bring a ferret into your home and life.
• Think about what you will be doing in 10 years time. If you have any future life-changing plans, would your ferret fit in with them?
• Buy or borrow some books about ferrets. You can never stop learning about them!
• Talk to people who have ferrets and listen to advice when it is being offered.  Unfortunately you will always come across someone who knows it all, because they have a friend or a friend of a friend who keeps ferrets.  Smile politely and go and ask somebody who really knows about them.  Don’t be embarrassed about asking for advice because ferret keepers love to talk about ferrets!
• Join a local ferret club.
• Decide on what sort of accommodation you will be supplying for your ferrets, remembering that the more space the happier the ferret.
• Find a ferret-friendly vet (the ferret club can often help locate one in your area). It is worth being willing to travel to find the right vet.

If you do think that a ferret might be the perfect pet for you and you would like information on where to find some, please contact one of the numbers below:

Contact the Club Committee Members

STARescue Basingstoke – Shirley King: 01256 330532

STARescue Sonning (Reading) – Claire Shuttleworth: 01189 690 435

You may find a breeder, but check the condition that the ferrets are kept in, make sure the kits are bright eyed and alert.  Never accept a kit younger than eight weeks old as the longer it stays with mum the better, provided the breeder is handling them daily.

Think first about obtaining a ferret from a rescue centre (such as STARescue).  They will very often have kits at the right time of year and adults can be found throughout the year.  Many people hold the misconception that a ferret will be more affectionate or easy-going if you have had it from a very young age.  However, most people with experience will tell you that this is not the case. Some ferrets from rescue centres have been mistreated, in which case there may be a few issues that would make that animal unsuitable for a beginner.  However the majority of rescued ferrets are just as affectionate, easy-going and fun to own as any ferret from a breeder.  Very often an adult is the best choice for a beginner as kits will mouth and chew a lot more.