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Another Westminster is in the books. Another Westminster winner has been crowned. Dogdom celebrated the crown jewel of our sport with all the reverie it richly deserves. Those in the trenches i.e. the benches, while seemingly enjoying the intense competition of Westminster, are mostly happy to survive the experience. They are thrilled to come home with reasonably healthy dogs and be somewhat healthy themselves. This is the glamorous experience of trekking to Manhattan with one or many dogs and hauling them back and forth between Piers 92/94 and the Madison Square Garden area while trying to maintain sanity of both the dogs and the handlers. I must say that, for the most part, Westminster has done a good job of dealing with a bad situation. The remodel of the Garden left them with inadequate benching space which forced a move of the daytime judging to the Piers. The challenge of moving this show from the prestigious location of MSG to the dreary, utilitarian Piers was not easy and still leaves many exhibitors disappointed that they can’t show under lights at the Garden. Dressing up the Piers is a challenge. It brings to mind the idiom, “ You can’t make a silk purse out a sow’s ear”. However, Westminster has done a pretty good job of making the place feel like a special dog show. It’s not the Garden, but it isn’t the county fairgrounds either. Many have praised the club’s efforts and the evolution of the daytime show over the past few years. They have listened to the exhibitors and in some ways it has gotten better. However, there are still some issues that seem to plague the new location. The biggest complaint I heard this year is from owners of competing dogs along with judges attending as spectators. They complained of not being able to view the competition without having a pass of some sort to access the exhibitor ringside staging area. This was especially troublesome in hotly contested breeds. Potographers and writers covering the show had a similar problem as an edict was issued sometime Monday morning forbidding them access to the staging area. Frankly, Westminster needs to correct this issue. Owners of competing dogs spend a great deal of effort and money to get their dogs to this show. Judges come with the desire to see the best dogs and improve their knowledge of certain breeds. The press gives the show needed publicity. However, for some silly reason, these folks are treated the same as spectators who paid for a ticket to come to the show. I saw a few breeds where unless you were a member of the Knicks you couldn’t see the ring. This is a problem that needs an answer. Maybe those in charge need to assign VIP seating on two sides of each ring, then let the spectators fend for themselves. Maybe owners need a special section to watch their breed. I am not sure what to do, but I am sure the bright minds at WKC can come up with something to make those who supply them with the stars of their show happy.
•••• Editor’s Note: Page 223 of the February, 2016 issue contained a claim for a win that was false. The Best of Breed winner at the USACTC’s Supported Entry on 12/10/15, at the Central Florida KC show for the Coton de Tulear was GCH Sugar Bay’s Beamer Over the Moon – owner/breeder/handler, Beverly Kohler. Sincerely, Justine Romano – USACTC President usactcpresident@gmail.com
•••• Editor’s Note: There was an error on page 278 of the February issue. The dog’s ranking claim of #2 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was erroneous. This dog was #3 through the date cited. Our apologies to all for this error.
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Posted by ralbee
on Mar 11 2016. Filed under Current Articles, Editorial.
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