Bo Bengtsson

Bir: Ch Zera´ati El Zaf Zahir

Bim: Baklava

Skokloster summer show 50 years

Text: Magnus Hagstedt

Through the 1970-ies and 1980-ies specialty breed shows with the famous Skokloster castle in the background became a famous concept in Sweden. Well-run shows with well-known judges graced the grounds with big entries of beautiful dogs. Skokloster became the place to be as the reputation of this event spread around the world and placed the Skokloster shows into the history books of the sport of dogs.

When the event out-grew the given space around the castle, ”Skokloster Summer show” moved to other locations. Since a couple of years its home is now in Apalby outside the city of Västerås east of Stockholm.

With or without a castle – Skokloster castle was important, but more important has been to keep and expand the value of the trademark that is ”Skokloster Summer Show”. The locations may have changed but the trademark has remained strong. To keep the event vital the ”Skokloster Summer Show” remain as one of the most important show weekends for all Sighthounds, their friends and the international world of Sighthounds.

When the ”Skokloster Summer Show” had its largest entry the catalogue had over 1000 individual dogs entered. This was one of the largest shows for Sighthounds only, if not the largest ever. Together with the breed clubs that joined through the years the event grew to be known all around the world. (When some shows boast record entries for Sighthounds this is often from several shows over a weekend added up together, when they are really the same dogs x2 or more…)

The first show to be held in the apple orchard by the Skokloster castle had been proceeded by other Sighthound summer shows in the early 1970-ies. 1974 there was a try-out rehearsal show at the Strömsholm castle. Judged by two well known judges from the US, very rare here in those days. All-rounder Bea Godsol and ex-handler Frank Sabella judged together with Swedish all-rounder Sigyn Littorin (responsible for bringing the first Afghan hounds, born 1935 in England, to Sweden). The show was a huge success!

From the beginning it was was very much Bo Bengtson’s idea and vision to create a unique event for all Sighthounds in Sweden. He wanted to give everyone a special event and invite the world to visit. From the start the list of judges reads like a ”Who is Who?” in the world of Sighthounds. When the borders opened to make it easier to travel with dogs the last weekend of July became a true magnet, with visitors from near and far creating a real international event. It was Bo’s dream that came true the last weekend of July 1975, and this year ”Skokloster Summer Show” celebrate 50 years.

Welcome to the Sighthound event of the year – ”Skokloster Summer Show”!