Illness prevented me attending this year’s National.  Fortunately Joe Coakley and Andy Beesley stepped into the breach.  Here is Joe’s report illustrated with photos by himself and Andy.  My thanks to them both.

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This year’s Stafford Show was my third appointment to Judge the Lizard Canaries @ the National which became more exciting for me as I had the wonderful opportunity to meet up again with Paulo Ferreira whom I Judged the Lizards of Spain with pre covid.

The show itself appeared to be decidedly better than in previous years and the day just flew by.

It really did seem that there was more of everything especially a little nonalcoholic tipple provided by Paulo Santos who Judged the Old and Rare section, a Portuguese Sweet & Sour Liquor drank from a Chocolate cup.

This was my first judging appointment of the show season 2022.

I had a very warm feeling that so many exhibitors had taken time to bench their birds for what is an early show in the calendar for us fanciers and hearing the difficulties with the moult this year thought the numbers would be low. However, I believe some ninety-one in number were benched 

The novice section had some fine examples which is very encouraging for the future with new exhibitor Ray Anthony coming out on top with a fine example of a Broken Cap Silver Cock bird that held it spangles all day, Ray also won second best novice.

Had the bird possessed better rowing’s I believe it would have challenged the eventual winner.

Best Champion/Best Lizard eventually went to R & I Wright with a lovely Non-Cap Gold Hen, a little down in colour for me but an improvement on his winner of 2021 without that brassy look. #

As it was the bird itself took on the mantle to really stand on the perch and show herself to her fullest Beauty as if saying look @ me, there is no other.

I really do like a Lizard that stands tall on the perch with ease of movement.

You could see the depth of each rowing just sitting on top of each other with that wonderful distinct Centre line of melanin with fine gold edging, and fine spangling 

I felt very confident when this bird went up for Best Canary in Show that when I had the opportunity to discuss its qualities, I could certainly give an in-depth challenge against her counterparts.

As it was, she came up to the challenge I need not have worried, dancing across the perch with a bold chest, I was enormously proud to represent R & I Wright in putting their bird forward.

Congratulations R & I Wright the 1^st Lizard to win best canary @ the National I am told.

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The National gallery 2022 (just click on a photo for a larger image):

Third Best Lizard canary

Portuguese hospitality at the 2022 National. Judging is thirsty work.

Best Lizard canary in show by Rob & Ian Wright

Two clear cap hens: the silver benched by Kevin Skinner.

A clear cap silver hen Lizard canary at the 2022 National

Best Natural Coloured Lizard canary at the 2022 National by Rob & Ian Wright

Second Best Lizard canary at the 2022 national: a broken cap silver hen by R&I Wright

Best Junior Lizard canary by Toby Ashpole

Best Novice Lizard canary, a broken cap silver cock by Ray Anthony

Footnote:

I don’t have the names of the breeders of all the birds in the photographs.  If you are one of the unnamed owners, let me know and I’ll be happy to credit you.