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TARHEEL (NC) CIRCUIT REFLECTIONS
The Raleigh cluster has great location, judging panels, and RV parking, but grooming and ringside space was minimal despite much lower entries. What’s going on at the Tar Heel?
There were complaints on the obstructive ringside crating / chair rules. With lower entries, there should have been ample room. Working breeds with the most both-sex majors (5 breeds) were the most adversely affected. Ringside grooming was all but impossible due to restricted aisles and grooming area traffic. In order to observe classes, handlers had to stand or hurry to center aisle if a chair became available. After long days on hard concrete, feet, legs, and backs were feeling the strain.
Enjoyed seeing old
friends and marveling at how little they have changed. Peter
Baines was judging on
Has the sport grown beyond its capacity to survive? I'll leave that to you to decide. Gee, I remember when the older generation thought Elvis would be the end of all decorum! Hmm, come to think of it, they were right but we all survived. Let’s hope dog shows do likewise as we work our way through a new age of dog shows.
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Dog show parking is
never easy but for the last couple of years a pretty, very competent
fairgrounds lady has handled fees collection and
any
minor problems. Moss Bow’s efficiency was also appreciated, including
the ability to project completion of breed schedules so as to set a
reliable Group order. Bob Busby, a professional handler,
club president, and now a popular judge, remarked that such attention to
detail makes everyone's job easier.
A
few years back there was a big ruckus at the Pom/Peke/Maltese ring when
someone decided exhibitors could not crate or groom at ringside. I had
no stake in the matter but understood the frustration of trying to push
through the crowds to get back and forth to switch dogs, only to arrive
back at ringside in total disarray. I found the Cluster Chairperson (Babbins)
in the cafeteria and we talked about "fire marshal" regulations. I
observed that the fire marshals must be discriminating against the dog
show (there were no such rules in the adjacent flea market) and
suggested we talk to the fire department… I don't know how she did it
but within the hour, she arranged a small ringside grooming area for
coated breeds and all breeds were allowed to crate ringside while being
judged. 
Someone
said Dennis McCoy is now the cluster chairperson. With a
Master’s in Manipulation and many successful handling years, perhaps
next year's arrangements will improve although if entries keep dropping,
it won't matter. Friday’s group was like
the old Monday show when the building was virtually empty by group
time. Linn Vandiver, who was also there last year said it was
really a shame. She’s right, the Tarheel was once rivaled only by the
Florida and Cherry Blossom circuits in the SE.
When
they announced a 30 minute delay in 8:00 judging due to local traffic
events, one glamorous handler remarked that it was "cheap and uncivil"
to start any show at 8 A.M. When I nodded agreement, she winked and
said "it doesn't matter if you have coated or smooth breeds, WE still
have hair and makeup to do!" I was still laughing when she said "BJ,
the sport as we knew it is gasping its last breath. When I apprenticed
for ___, we stayed with friends or clients, motels when we had to. We
made a good living working out of her maxi-van. I have wonderful
clients but I'm at a break-even point. It’s either fill up my motor
home with dogs and hire another assistant, or go back to a van. My home
is paid for but now I am mortgaged to show site parking and coach
payments! Clubs may survive by raising fees, hiring fewer judges and
working them longer hours, but we don't have that option."
As
I walked out to my motor home, I thought of Tommy Glassford, Jeff
Brucker, Carlos Rojas, George Ward, Vicki Fillinger, Bobby Barlow and
other legendary handlers who worked out of a van while bringing honor to
the sport with just a handful of carefully selected dogs. I marveled at
the number of big RVs and the amount of space needed to accommodate
them. The day of small shows, modest facilities, and time to kick back
and “talk dogs” is all but over. In order to
survive, clubs have to cluster to afford the big sites for big rigs and
big handlers with big strings that bring big entries to support the
shows. It’s like being caught on a hamster wheel.
Wednesday and is fit and well after his cancer
scare. Damara Bolte is still handling but can no longer run with
her basenjis and mastiff days are far behind her. She should be judging
soon and sharing her knowledge with others. David Rich doing
well for his Russian Terrier clients, just back from another trip to
Russia. Burt Halsey as good natured and ring agile as
always.
Jane Forsythe and the Moore County KC table easy to find in
center aisle. With Bob and Jane at the helm, the club has really grown
and the golfing is as much fun as the show. Sioux and family
doing well between swimming, lifeguarding, and karate. Jimmy
Moses, as suave as ever, still on top of the game in GSD. A bear
hug from X-heavyweight boxer Ed Finnegan who is still in
good shape and more organized than ever before, thanks to Kay. Owner
handler Gloria Johnson took an exciting Best In Show on
Friday with her scrumptious Smooth Chihuahua. Watched Akitas with Jo
Ann Charnik and Brenda VanCamp also came over to say hello.
The Breen’s shinola-black bitch took BB that day, exemplifying
the great job breeders have done on improving movement.
All
in all, a good week at Raleigh but one that has many wondering if we are
better off today. I remember a sport that allowed me to finish my first
Rottie with all majors and years later, fall on my face at Lang Skarda’s
feet and still take Winner's Bitch in Akitas. Sure, there were politics. An owner
handler expected to be out-handled and out-maneuvered by the
professionals but there were plenty of judges who knew dogs, loved dogs,
and judged dogs. After observing six days of “face and favor
judging,” it is obvious that novice owner-handlers with exceptional dogs
face an uphill run today. A number of real handlers (everyone’s
an agent
y’know)
said the same thing, and with genuine sadness, so it’s not just a matter
of perspective.