Table Talk · January 10, 2024
I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the most prestigious dog shows in the nation. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to chat with knowledgeable, interesting, dedicated fanciers at these shows. This past week I attended the Kennel Club of Palm Springs in beautiful Indio, California and provided Table Talk Live! coverage. This is truly one of the most beautiful locations in the world to host a dog show.
While there, I was able to talk to many wonderful fanciers who shared their views, stories, and opinions and celebrated some wins! Among those I had the chance to interview were Chairman of the Board of the American Kennel Club, Tom Davies; Past Chairman of the American Kennel Club Board, David Merriam; and Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club. I was also able to get a few minutes with dedicated club volunteers including John Low, who is President of the Kennel Club of Palm Springs, and Angie Stevanus, who is the Kennel Club of Palm Springs Show Chair. This is just a sampling of the great interviews you can see on the Canine Chronicle Facebook Page, our Canine Chronicle website, and Canine Chronicle TV! If you have not had the opportunity, please take a moment to watch these great interviews.
This year’s show relocated to a slightly larger area of the Empire Polo Club. The layout of the show was basically the same as past years, but simply transplanted to a different area. “Simply” is probably the wrong word to use here. While the task may seem trivial, it is a huge undertaking for the club members. For example, one can plan and draw all the schematics possible, but when you actually implement the plan in a different area, things do not always go as planned! I am sure all of you have heard the saying, “Rome was not built in a day”. This adage applies to the KCPS shows. The volunteers of the Kennel Club of Palm Springs, the staff of The Crew, and the staff of the Empire Polo Club worked very hard to make this year’s show a success. As with any change, there were some challenges, but issues were addressed, and notes were made to make next year even better! Lighting during group judging was a challenge, but the club did the best they could to address the situation for this year and it will most certainly be addressed in 2025.
I think exhibitors need to be supportive of the club volunteers and workers who are responsible for putting on our shows. A thank you and a smile goes a long way, my friends. These people are working on show details–in most cases, for a year before the show. They arrive during the weekend before sunup and work tirelessly to ensure things run smoothly. Thank you one and all for the things you do to make Palm Springs the most beautiful outdoor dog shows in the nation! I would also like to give a big shout-out to all the specialty club show chairs and volunteers that worked tirelessly this past weekend. Without your specialties, the weekend would not be the same!
Thank you to all who participated in our coverage! Your next opportunity to join us for Table Talk Live will be at the Kentuckiana Cluster in Louisville in March! Don’t miss it! It is one of the largest clusters in the USA.
Some fanciers were upset to read that there is a modest charge for grooming at this year’s Indy Winter Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana. I think the reserved grooming fee is very reasonable, and it is necessary to keep up with the rising cost of the venue. The same type of modest grooming fee will be necessary at this year’s Kentuckiana Cluster in March. These clubs are doing everything in their power to host shows in these fabulous facilities. Please keep this in mind before complaining about a reserved grooming fee!
Speaking of the Indy Winter Classic cluster, entries close a week from today. Onofrio is the show superintendent. Reserved grooming reservations are due by January 19th. You can find the grooming form in the premium list or on the Indy Winter Classic Facebook page.
I was asked by several lucky specialty winners this past week how to get your results up on our website. All Specialty wins are self-reported. Please send your win, club name, location, judge’s name, dog’s name, dog’s owner and handler with photo to showresults@caninechronicle.com. Show results are posted as soon as we can. Normally you can expect to see your specialty results posted within 72 hours after the weekend depending on the number of submissions we receive.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Mark Desrosiers, Tara Schultz, Karen Livingston, Moira Terry, Tammy Seidlitz, Colette-Livingston Keith, Krystal Purcell-Sullivan, Chris Erickson, Gary Newton, Eileen Hackett, Ken Latimer, Maggie Peat, Tina Dugan, Rhanda Glenn, and Debbie Melgreen. Have a most awesome day and may this next trip around the sun bring you everything you hope for and more!
Be safe out there my friends. Weather can be tricky this time of year. Drive safe on slick roads.
Every year you make a resolution to change yourself. This year make a resolution to BE yourself!!!!!
I will see you down the road! Until next time….
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