What to Expect at the Piers

by Juli Lacey-Black

Well, it is that time of year again… the time that we all pack our vans and trucks and head out to the big city… New York City.  But there will be changes this year.  For the 2013 show the Westminster Kennel Club has moved the main portion of its show to the Piers along the Hudson River.  The two-day breed competition will include classes for non-champions who have already earned a major as well as awarding Select Dog and Select Bitch with points being earned towards their Grand Championship status.  On Monday, toys and non-sporting breeds will be judged on Pier 92 with herding and hounds being judged on Pier 94.  This presents a very real logistical challenge to the professional handlers.

The logistical issues start the moment you reach the City. You are no longer within walking distance of the show facilities, there are no hotels that close to the Piers.  Then you will be “staged” on 57^th Street while you wait to unload into the Pier.  Once you get there and are set up, you have to deal with the rings being in two separate buildings with no easy access to each other.  How to get from one pier to the other with your dogs and still make the ring on time?  How to keep watch on the rings while grooming the next dog or showing another dog?

It is going to take more people than you would normally have on staff to watch the dogs, watch the rings, run the dogs to and from the rings, and do the grooming.  Even if you don’t have rings in both piers, you will still need to plan on plenty of time to get to the rings.  The piers are long, somewhat narrow buildings that jut out into the water.   Looking down the pier to see what is happening in your ring is just not an option.  The elevator that brings you up from where you unload under the pier is located in the center of the building, so that alone is going to cause a visual block.  Add to that all the exhibitors, spectators and dogs… well, you get the idea.

Of course, we all are there to win the breed and go on to the group.  This brings it’s own logistical challenge.  You will have to get to the Garden by 5 pm and you can’t leave benching area at the Pier before 3 pm.  Group judging starts at 8 pm.  You will have to cross town during rush hour, wait in line to unload, park your van and then go up and groom your dog.  The other issue is that you will be leaving your non-breed winners at the Pier until 6 pm. They cannot leave the bench until that designated hour.  Only your breed winners can go to the Garden.  So you will need to plan on how to get all the dogs where they need to be in time and in safety further splitting up your staff.

There will be no easy answers to any of these logistical problems.  Everyone will be trying to figure out the best way to do things because it is new to us all.  It is going to take patience on everyone’s part as well as the willingness to work through these challenges.

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Posted by Geoff on Jan 25 2013. Filed under Breaking News, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.