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FLORIDA WINTER CLASSIC

BROOKSVILLE site hosted the Inverness KC, Tampa Bay KC, and the Pasco FL KC shows on 2002 January 12, 13, 14th  respectively.

Most And Least coverage and photos by Barbara "BJ" Andrews

JEAN WALLACE was busy at Wallace Pet Supplies but we caught up on news of her top winning Crested No One Son.  I also learned his co-owner Ashlyn Cannon (judge Emeritus) is doing well.  You may remember Ashlyn as the generous dog lady who helped design and build one of the first big luxury horse trailer set-ups back when Houston Clark handled for her.  Jean's take on the show venue is "easy to get in - and out of" and she noticed the vast amount of "good information available to the public."   When asked what she liked least about the cluster, she shrugged her petite shoulders, laughed and said "Gosh I can't say! I never thought about that. I enjoy it here and love the shows so I guess there's nothing negative I could say."  

On our way to the Mini-Bull ring we saw STAN FLOWERS, as trim and handsome as ever. He and wife Jane are another of those lucky couples that refuse to show how long they've been handling.  They drive a big bus so it was no surprise when Stan said he liked "good bus parking, hard firm ground, and plenty of power for the big rigs."  We reminisced about the days when we had to change cow pastures every day, skipping over cow patties and sandspurs in the rings.  Asked what he liked least about the Brooksville site, Stan laughed and immediately replied "Nothing. I'm not a negative person, I always look for the best in life and in my dogs."  

Over at the Dane ring, we "spotted" BETTY LOU and DON WOOD.  Harlwood shares the same distinction in Danes as Akitas O'BJ - they are the only Dane breeders to have produced three generations of Best In Show Winners! Stupid me, I'm not sure if her Success dog Joe handles is the 3rd generation!  Betty Lou told us she "loves being able to park around the rings. It makes it so much easier to get the dogs to ringside"  but she had to search for something she didn't like about the new digs at Brooksville. "Well, the rings could be smoother" was her only suggestion and knowing the difficulty of moving a very large dog over uneven surfaces, I understood.

We also caught LORI CORNELIUS at the Dane ring.  Co-breeder of the handsome Brucker-handled Dane, she was enjoying the day with co-owners Greenberg-Gumbs and the rest of the Dixie Legend fan club.  Lori loves the sight, "plenty of room, I love the outdoors and all the space afforded by this site."   Least?  " I suppose the rings could be bigger.  They are all pretty much the same size and some dogs need a lot of room."   Someone said it would be great if the shows could have one really large ring assigned to Danes, Wolfhounds, GSD and other big-moving breeds.  Committees, take note!

Finally made it to Bull Terriers and of course SANDEE FRESCONE (Sinabar Bull Terriers) was there with her Standard bitch, winning the breed that day. She also handles the very (!) small, very bully white Mini-Bull owned by Pam Jenkins.  She and Stoney were the standouts every day.   Sandee likes that the "site is so handy to the interestate. Great for us northerners and easy to get to. It is not a congested site and the rings are plenty big enough."   What does she like least? "I guess it would be the slippery grass" said she.   Rocky was perfectly made up.  Sandee could chalk an asphalt roadway so that it looks like a fresh powder snow ski slope  and then make the chalk disappear to leave an unblemished white surface!   Watch this woman work, she is a master both in and out of the ring!

VESTA HEVIA is very positive force behind the Tampa Bay Kennel Club. Formerly of Akita persuasion, she found her breed with the Shiba.  What does she like best about the huge expanse of flat manicured grounds? Vesta laughed and gestured "Room to move around! It's not too crowded and everything is accessible, including the interstate. Best of all, notice this is high ground." She stomped her size fives and continued "It rained last night. Hard. But look, not a puddle! You'd never know it poured last night, the drainage is so good."  She thinks it can be a bit of a walk getting from one end of the show area to another. We talked about the increasing use of golf carts (and the need for them!) and she agreed that the roped off walkways so thoughtfully provided could be just a little wider. They are wide enough for a golf cart but not for a cart to pass a person with a dog.  I'd wager that the walkways will be a trifle wider next year.

JEFF BRUCKER was seen in a rare unoccupied moment so we asked his opinion on the cluster site. Jeff's seminars are in great demand and I could see why. He's developed the art of paring information down to it's most valuable and succinct form. He likes "The convenient parking and club organization." Okaaaay, what do you like least? No hesitation, "Dry grass. Needs to be wet down before the show to prevent dust and slipping."   Got that? Short and to the point. I've known Jeff "since Dolph" but had forgotten that he heads the Judge's Ed Committee for the DPCA and also does Breed seminars on Danes and Rotties. Knowing a breed and being able to verbalize what one knows in an interesting informative way can be, and unfortunately often is, two different things. He had a ring call but we agreed that his expertise will be a valuable addition to the Reference Section so look for more from Jeff later. 

Waylaid PAT GILLIARD and "Chill" on the way to ringside. How I love this dog!  No, he's not my breeding but I would be proud to be listed as his breeder. With dog in one hand, brush in another, Pat gave us her thoughts on the site. "I love being able to see the top winning dogs here, it's a great circuit. Lots of information available too. Oh, and of course, I love the people and the socialization."   Was that one thing or several? Doesn't matter, Pat is right. Much to like about this sunny but brisk January circuit. Even for a non-golfer.....  What she likes least is "it's pretty spread out. Makes it hard to get dogs between rings when you show in several. But I like the parking on all sides, that's great."   I gave Chill one last rub on his massive head, tweaked that wonderfully small ear, and said goodbye.  

BARBARA WELLS is so enthusiastic about the sport and so tuned in to her "Sunray" puppy that she proves you can have just as much pride and fun with a class dog as with a Best In Show winner.   She loves "The convenience of parking and the cluster show concept"  appreciates not having to move every day and mentioned something else noteworthy "It is such a clean site. No trash, no mess. They do a good job here."  When I asked what she liked least she laughed and immediately responded "No bathrooms and no phones!!"  I looked later and she's right, they are not very visible.

While in the Terrier Group, I chatted with MARGERY GOOD who was  handling a spiffy little Lakeland.  I will always remember Margery with her incredible Sealy, Up and Adam.  Billy Kendrick jumped up from his seat and stepped right over the ring ropes to congratulate them when Adam went BIS at Philly one year.  A perfectly presented showman and a very talented lady who, quiet and unassuming as she is, knows more about terriers than most of the Group judges!

The last thing you would expect to see is a team of Borzoi pulling a little sulky. That is, if you didn't know PATTI NEALE was there! Magnificent dogs that really drew a crowd caught our eye too. Patti said she "loves being out in the open air and on the grass. Sporting events ought to be outdoors!"  She appreciated the large rings but thought some of the parking was "far away from the rings and a bit tight for some of the motor homes."

FRANK MURPHY was taking a two-minute break at his setup and for once, there wasn't a crowd around that incredible new chrome truck.    As we walked by his ex-pens, not one dog barked.  A lot of us could take lessons in courtesy and control from Frank and his staff! From his big Ridgeback special to the prominent Pembroke owned by the Lawrence's, the dogs are happy, comfortable and QUIET. Tell a Corgi to not bark and get an agreeable "okay" and you are a master handler!  Frank had this to say bout the site "I like the big rings and the convenient hook-ups with plenty of power. Oh, and being high and dry!"   He noted "the grass, being so dry and hard, is pretty slippery, but I love this place and they are making improvements very quickly."

Flagged down a business-like MEL HOLLOMAN  as he hurried between rings. What Mel likes best is the "Location and the layout." He laughed and gestured around "They should move the entire circuit right here! Maybe they couldn't logistically accommodate it right now but as they ad water and sewer and stuff, it would be great." What does he like least?  "No water stations or a facility for bathing the dogs. They get dusty and it would be good to have a way to bathe here."   It was indeed a little dusty but clouds moved in later and by that night, the rain had completely settled the dust. But Mel's right, some of the rigs forced to dry-camp had to choose between cooking or washing dogs. Even something simple like a concrete drain basin with a warm water spray hose would be a blessing, especially in the summer.

Note the expansive parking areas with wide ingress and egress. On Saturday, thoughtless spectators parked right in the middle of the aisles! One show concerned official said the clubs "hired people to park. How could they let this happen??"  She was able to get them moved and perhaps they will put up DO NOT BLOCK signs at each parking row next year. 

Parking spots were clearly marked and numbered so there was no confusion about who parked where. Personally, we hate having to make a reservation to get parked at a dog show (dates us eh?) but have to admit, it does solve many problems everyone experiences with the "park wherever you can" system.  It would however be a good idea to NUMBER THE ROWS so that guests and handlers could find each spot because once you're parked, it covers up your "house number.  

All in all, a very well laid out, well thought out parking plan with kind, courteous dog people doing the parking. 

Hope Andrews is a very successful international consultant who is flying less these days.  She came to the show to do a market and business analysis for TheDogPlace.  

Hope is tops in her field because she "enters" the companies she services and views them from the inside out.  Seeing our sport through her non-doggy eyes was an interesting experience that I will share with you later.  Let's just say she was impressed with "the dog business."  

If a lady accustomed to the finest cuisine can eat a dog show hot dog and smile at the seriousness with which we go about our day, hey, maybe we are projecting a good image after all.  

If you would like to do ShowShots, have a camera, and know Who's Who at the shows, contact contact@thedogpress.com