Becker Reep and “Stella”– A Lesson in Sportsmanship

by Joan Harrigan

Many handlers have pre-ring rituals, and the juniors are no different.  Thirteen-year-old Becker Reep of Ashville, N.C. spends the last few minutes before his juniors class quietly.  On a platform a distance from the ring, Becker sits with his 4-year-old Newfoundland bitch, “Stella.” His arm is around her, hugging her close.  He strokes her, kisses her, and generally shows her how important she is to him.

Stella is GCh Honeylane’s Beecreek Mtn-to-Sea Stella.  Bred by Kelli LePore, she is owned by LePore, Becker’s mother, Dionne Reep, Ginny Graham– and Becker.  “My name is right on her papers,” he says proudly.  Becker is an usassuming, extremely polite and well-spoken young man.  He’s made two appearances with Stella on “Fox & Friends” this week and passers-by stop to tell him how well he did with the interviews.  He smiles broadly and says thanks for every compliment.

Stella is “one of my best friends,” as Becker puts it.  “I do everything with her,” he explains. “We hike, swim, she sleeps with me, and we do some rally.”  Becker shows Stella in conformation, but his favorite class might be juniors.  “We tear up the juniors– we love juniors,” he says with a laugh.  Among his accomplishments, Becker handled Stella for most of her championship points.  He’s handled her throughout her Grand Championship campaign.  They’re at the bronze level now, and not stopping yet.  Becker and Stella also have a Group 3 and AOM at the nationals to their credit.

This isn’t Becker’s first trip to the Garden. He competed in juniors last year, but confesses to having  been a little nervous.  “It was all so new, so exciting, it was New York City–it was amazing,” he says.   Stella loves to show, and that makes it all a little easier.

Becker and Stella enter the ring and present a very professional package.  They don’t place today, but you wouldn’t know it from Becker’s reaction as they exit.  Before they’ve even left the ring, he praises her for a job well done.  In the aisle, he stops, kneels beside her and gives her a big kiss and a hug.  No one is watching him, no one has reminded him to praise her, but the sight of the two of them soon draws a crowd.  Becker’s smile couldn’t have been brighter if he held a blue ribbon instead of a green.  Stella flops down beside him, exposing her belly for a rub and grinning.  Becker allows some spectators to pet her, and begins to answer questions about the breed.

Isn’t this what our sport is supposed to be?  Sometimes it takes a junior with a big heart and a love of his dog to remind the rest of us what the Garden is really about.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=16073

Posted by JoanHarrigan on Feb 12 2013. Filed under Blog Post, Current Articles, The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.