First and foremost, we hope that you are all well.
The news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic are hopeful for the future. Therefore we want to inform you about the situation of the WDS 2020.
As you all know, the WDS 2020 was meant to be held last April 23rd – 26th. Due to COVID-19 and after long negotiations with our associate IFEMA and the FCI committee, we had to postpone the event to July 9th – 12th. Unfortunately, due to evolution of the pandemic, the WDS had to be postponed once again to the final date of December 17th – 20th.
These changes of dates required significant readjustments, although most of the work is already in place.
JUDGES: Most judges have agreed to attend the event. As of today, we are waiting for the last 10 judges to answer our invitation. In total, only 7 judges have declined it.
PROGRAM: No amendments have been undertaken. The program therefore is as follows:
· Thursday 17th: RSCE WINNER SHOW + Special CAC 4, 6 and 7.
· Friday 18th: WDS Groups 1, 3, and 5 + Special CAC 8, 9 and 10.
· Saturday 19th: WDS Groups 6, 8, 9 and 10 + Special CAC 1, 2, 3 and 5.
· Sunday 20th: WDS Groups 2, 4 and 7.
ENTRIES: Showlink, a subsidiary of the Finnish Kennel Club, is in charge of the entries. They have ample experience organizing World Dog Shows and Euro Dog Shows. As well, they will supervise the evolution of the judgements and qualifications during the event. Currently, Showlink is studying all possible changes that could take place: new entry dates, changes of class (these will be free of charge), new entry dates for puppies, etc.
Depending on the feasibility, steps will be taken to restore cancelled entries for July. Discounts may be offered for the Spanish Breeds as well as applied to former entries and others. In order to announce the new entry dates, the RSCE looks forward to a prompt reply from Showlink concerning all these matters.
All these initiatives are addressed to those who not only entered dogs for April and July, but remained trustful that the WDS was going to take place. We hope all exhibitors and dog owners all over the world will be satisfied with these initiatives.
CANCELLATIONS: New cancellation dates will be introduced for those who will not be able to attend in December. Due to the circumstances causing delays and coordination difficulties with Showlink, we were unable to manage refunds for cancelled entries. We hope this issue will be solved soon and apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Despite the difficulties we have, and continue to face, we have been working every single day for the celebration of an extraordinary FCI World Dog Show in Madrid, Spain. We strongly believe that our dedication will be worth the effort and satisfactory to all participants.
We would also like to thank our associate IFEMA, our WDS sponsors and in particular our main WDS sponsor ARION, without whom it would have been impossible to move forward.
You will find further updates in our dedicated website, wdsmadrid2020 and on our social networks.
We look forward to seeing you in Madrid. Keep safe!
