The Art of Trimming – Part III

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242 – March, 2022

By Amy Fernandez

Yes, we’re back. George Alston has been guiding us through the murky history of trimming. In contrast to most aspects of our sport, expert trimming seemed detached from conventional routes of progression. Its eye-popping impact contrasted starkly with the mysteries of its methodology.

“Back in the golden years of the Irish in the 1970s and early ‘80s you would have Dick Cooper, Jane Forsyth, Horace Hollands, Bobbie Barlow, Tommy Glassford, and me in the Irish Setter specials ring, and spectators would stand six deep to watch. No two dogs were ever trimmed or shown exactly the same way yet everyone was successful. These days they look like cookie cutter dogs.” People generally don’t love hearing about the “good old days” but George makes a valid point. Specifically, he’s referring to that crucial link between technical mastery and true artistic innovation. Regardless of the subject, mastering basic skills tends to be demanding and tedious–which frequently leads to avoidance and shortcuts. But technical proficiency does yield magnificent rewards. The main obstacle to acquiring this particular skillset was the traditional code of silence surrounding it.

Those closely guarded “tricks of the trade” which had defined expert presentation slowly came to light in what could be called a ‘need to know’ basis as the sport entered its all-time bull market after World War II. There was nothing altruistic about it. The entire handling profession was poised to sink unless it adapted to massive lateral expansion. George was among the lucky few to be in the ideal place at that moment. He spent several years apprenticing to handlers now regarded as icons of our sport. Moreover, every successful pro suddenly required multiple assistants capable of managing a much wider range of breeds for multiple clients. No longer was it possible to forge a lifetime career by expertly managing one breed for a single client. In his own words, George soaked up knowledge like a sponge.

Click here to read the complete article
242 – March, 2022

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