Looking Back with Lee – An Owner-Handler at WKC

By Lee Canalizo

AN OWNER-HANDLER’S GOLDEN MOMENT AT WESTMINSTER – 2019!

This article is a tribute to Owner/Handlers everywhere! The following article was written about an Owner/Handler’s experiences at his very first Westminster show. His story struck a chord with both Mike, the judge of his breed, and myself. I remember winning RWD with my Saluki, back in the old days, under the formidable Mr. James Edward Clark and watching Mike, with our BBE Afghan bitch also being awarded Reserve (when the entry of over 100 Afghan Hounds was typical) under Mr. Arthur Zane. These wins were thrilling for us then…I remember the excitement so well! It seems that moment still exists on a February day in New York City.

The following is Matthew Palmer’s experience… I’ll let him tell you about it himself!

I got to Pier 94 on Monday and watched a few friends in their breeds. By Tuesday morning, it had well set-in that I was at THE Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The rows of benching stood impeccably proud – any one of them knowing they could be home to a legendary dog or handler. Bundles of flowers stood perched on counters to add elegance, and the history and of past shows hung invisibly in the rafters. Flickers of black-and-white videos of early shows would pop into my head, almost as if the spirits of famed dogs and handlers had come for a reunion and to vet the new era of dogs and exhibitors that might join their ranks. It really is unlike any show I had ever been to in an admittedly short career. The energy is indescribable: tense and uncontrolled.

I started to get Merlin ready as I’ve done at other shows, and just like other shows, I noticed spots where I wish my grooming were better or where I wish I spent more time preparing. Spectators were starting to arrive and it was easy to get caught up in people watching. It was a great thing to see them walk through the rows, enjoying their favorite dogs, and engaging with our sport. Thankfully a nearby vendor had buckets of bait, and I was able to get Merlin ringside and pick up my armband before we were guided methodically into the ring.

The ring steward calmly but firmly guided Mr. Canalizo’s large entry of over 50 Specials into place. Entering the ring was (minus the risk of death or serious injury, of course) not unlike a bull riding competition when the gate is opened. The bull is out, and you just have to hold on until the round is over. To a newer exhibitor and first-time Westminster attendee, Mr. Canalizo’s ring procedure seemed quick and complicated, and I admired how the seasoned handlers and exhibitors handled it with ease. They all kindly offered quick comments of where I should be, and I was lucky to end the bustle standing where I was supposed to be standing. A good start, I thought.

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Posted by Alex on Mar 25 2019. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.