Afterglow Maverick Sabre is crowned Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2013 at the EWC event in Orlando, Florida.
From left to right: Miguel Ángel Martínez, EWC BIS judge; Rafael de Santiago, President of the FCI; Jason Lynn, breeder, owner & handler of Afterglow Maverick Sabre; Hounaida Lasry, Vice President P&G Pet Care EMEA & Asia; Ron Menaker, former chairman of the AKC; Daryl Hendricks, AKC Chief Operating Officer.

‘Perfect’ Standard Poodle crowned Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2013

[Monday 16th December]: Yesterday saw the grand final of the seventh annual Eukanuba World Challenge and the crowning of Ch ‘Afterglow Maverick Sabre’ – or Ricky to family and friends - as “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2013”.

Hosted at the 13th annual AKC / Eukanuba National Championships in Orlando, Florida, the prestigious Eukanuba World Challenge saw 43 elite dogs from around the world – each representing their respective countries after having previously won a local qualifying event or BIS at a major dog show – compete against each other for the highly coveted title of “Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2013” and $10,000 prize money.

Representing the UK, Ricky qualified for the event in October this year as winner of the Eukanuba Champion Stakes. He was bred in the UK by Michael Gadsby and Jason Lynn, who is also co-owner along with John & Sandra Stone. Ricky has had a very successful year, including winning ‘Top Dog All Breeds’ in the UK as well as winning ‘Best Bred By’ in the non-sporting group at the AENC on Saturday.

The winning team - Ricky with his handler, owner & breeder Jason Lynn - doing the final lap in the EWC final

Ricky’s proud breeder, owner and handler, Jason Lynn, enthused “It’s been the most wonderful week here in Orlando. We were getting momentum during the last few days culminating in this great win. It’s the ultimate honour for an exhibitor to get this international recognition among the best of the best from all over the world! Eukanuba does such a great job in bringing everyone together to celebrate this common passion we all share.”

Judge Mr Miguel Ángel Martínez selected Ricky as the EWC Champion 2013 and explained, “Afterglow Maverick Sabre is the perfect Standard Poodle according to the breed standard. He really stood out and was performing at his best all around the ring tonight. It was clear that dog and handler were in perfect harmony. It was an absolutely flawless performance, without a single mistake.”

The 43 competing dogs from 38 countries were split into four non-geographical groups judged by: Hungarian Kennel Club President Mr Andras Korozs; top handler and respected judge Mr Peter Green; Dutch Kennel Club President Mr Gerard Jipping; and former President of Israel's Kennel Club Mr Zvi Kupferberg. Just three from each group went through to the grand finale held on Sunday and judged by Mr Martínez, in which ‘Afterglow Maverick Sabre’ was crowned World Champion.

Runner up was Dogo Argentino ‘Monika de Don Eloy’, who qualified as the winner of the FCI Americas & Caribbean Section Show. Bred and owned by Lilian Colantonio from Argentina, Monika was handled masterfully by professional handler Agustin Farias, winning the $3,000 prize. Proud owner Lilian believes Monika was born to be in the ring and who can blame her, having already achieved 32 Best in Show wins, 37 Best of Group wins and 108 Best of Breed wins.

First runner up, winning $2,000, was Dobermann Ch ‘Protocol's Veni Vidi Vici’, representing the “Best of Bred by” winner of the AENC 2012. ‘Fifi’ is bred and owned by Kevin and Jocelyn Mullins who handled her expertly to this and many other past successes, including 75 Best in Shows, 3 consecutive National Championship wins, and 52 Best in Show Specialty wins. Jocelyn, who happened to celebrate her birthday on Sunday, was over the moon about achieving this fantastic result, “It’s unbelievable to be among the top three dogs in a competition comprised of only winners - the best of the best”.

BIS judge Miguel Angel Martinez assessing his 12 beautiful finalists.

José-Luis Ibáñez, Eukanuba World Challenge show chair and EMEA Breeder manager, summarised, “It has been an exceptional weekend and in my eyes all 43 dogs are winners. But ultimately someone has to win and the top three selected are worthy winners and wonderful dogs. The fact that all three winning dogs and overall 80% of all participants in the World Challenge are fed Eukanuba makes my very happy and proud – it is a proof that Eukanuba really brings out the extraordinary in dogs and is the food of choice for champions.”

For further information visit www.eukanubaworldchallenge.com or check out some of the action at https://www.facebook.com/EukanubaWorldChallenge

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About P&G Pet Care

For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care, the maker of Iams and Eukanuba, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products. To learn more about Eukanuba® and Iams® Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, call our Consumer Care Centre under the toll-free number 0800-24153414. You can also visit us on the Web at www.iams.co.uk or www.eukanuba.co.uk

About the Eukanuba World Challenge

Hosted once a year in December at the ‘American Kennel Club’ (AKC) /Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Florida, the Eukanuba World Challenge is a unique competition designed to bring together the top winning dogs from around the world and celebrate the magnificence of pure-breed dogs. Participating dogs are nominated by their national Kennel Clubs or qualified at some of the world’s most prestigious shows, and compete for the highly coveted title ‘Eukanuba World Challenge Champion’ and a $10,000 prize. For more information, visit http://www.eukanuba.co.uk/world-challenge