Table Talk

Another Palm Springs dog show is in the books, and as usual it was spectacular. Everyone works so hard to put on a great show, and it does not go unnoticed by the judges, exhibitors, vendors and spectators. The Empire Polo Grounds are such a fabulous venue for a dog show and I believe this year’s weather topped all. Among the Midwesterners that joined us this year were Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine, Ken Murray and Amy Booth.

Best wishes to Pat Jones, her daughter Chris, and family. Pat is fighting the good fight against cancer and this lovely lady deserves all of our best wishes. Pat always has a smile on her face, and I always enjoy seeing her Facebook posts (vbg!).

Darryl Vice, show chair for the Kennel Club of Palm Springs, was judging in China over Thanksgiving. Nothing like making an already busy time of year busier: Add to that putting on one of the largest, most desired shows of the year very soon after! Job well done, Darryl (and of course the rest of the show committee)!!!

One of the things that I noticed in Palm Springs was a lot of in-ring mentoring and observation. I did not realize that in-ring mentoring was “back” on the program, but apparently it’s back. What I would like to understand is how those judges who are being observed are qualified to provide mentorship to those that are observing. I ask this question because I witnessed an individual observing under a judge who if not provisional, is just out of provisional status for that breed. Does this prepare the individual who is observing (as part of their approval process) appropriately? Is this person really getting an expert opinion about that breed? Is in-ring observation one of those boxes that needs to be checked now? Is there any qualification as to who individuals should observe and what experience that observed judge should possess? Sadly, I think I just found another item that makes me really nervous about this new judge’s approval process and how it is going to affect the quality of our sport…

Birthday greetings to Eileen Hackett, Tara Schultz, Rhanda Glenn, our own Cheslie Smithey, Courtney Kniola (who will be getting hitched to Tony Vacha later this year!) and Ron Readmond.

Be safe out there, my friends and be kind to your fellow exhibitors. Until next time….

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Posted by admin on Jan 11 2017. 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.