Jill Seymour Memorial
Story behind the Jill Seymour Memorial Trophy
donated by Witchgriff.
The 'Beagriff' Memory BIS Trophy is dedicated to the late Jill Seymour of Beagriff Griffons NSW Australia. It is a tribute for her dedication, vision and integrity towards the breed. This an an appropriate time to introduce a lady who has contributed so much of the Griffon breed today in NSW and world wide. For Griffon owners to pause and reflect on the years that have gone before. Thankyou Jill, from Witchgriff.
Steven Seymour who resides in England and a Griffon Specialist judge is pleased that we are doing a trophy in memory of his mother Jill Semour.
Steven showed Beagles and Jill showed Griffons, hence the prefix 'Beagriff'. On reflection Steven explains the passion and devotion his mother had for the breed...................................I am really pleased you are doing a trophy in memory of Mum. The breed was her life, in so many ways it seems very fitting.
It was a long road from our first Griffon who had a roach back and a prick ear but we showed her with great pride in those days.
Mum had a tough view to breeding and she was very strict and did not believe in interfering too much with nature.
If a puppy was weak then she would help it along a little but always said its natures’ way and let things take their own course.
It’s interesting now with health being so much on the agenda. I am sure mum would have been right behind all the heath checks possible.
Over the years we placed many a good dog because it was weak in the patella or because it had not whelped easy. We were especially tough on mouths and anything which was slightly wry would be out the door.
In the early years we had several Griffon's who were good type but were either poor movers or soft in temperament. We decided that if good temperament and movement could be bred then you were half way there to winning. Over the years we always kept this foremost in our breeding and it paid off ten fold.
Mum was always looking for new blood to use and many times we used outside dogs to improve type .
Mum was also very keen to help anyone who was interested in the breed and was always happy to sell stock to other breeders. Beagriff is found in many pedigrees across the world and this is something which mum was very proud of.
I think she would beaming with joy to see the high position the breed holds today in Australia, judges world wide remark to me about the quality of the Griffons they have judged in OZ and I would like to think that some of the credit goes to her hard work and dedication to the breed for so many years. Steven Seymour.
Mrs Jacquie McIntyre presenting the trophy to Mrs Wendy Baker for her BIS win with Grand Ch
Statuesque Mudgee Mud - judged by Adrian Walmsley.