TABLE TALK · January 3, 2024
It is hard to believe that another year has passed. Happy 2024! I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
After two-week respite, the sport of purebred dogs is in full swing. There will be a lot of new faces in the ring as dogs from last year retire and new dogs begin what will be an exciting journey for them. Enjoy the moments with your new charges and you watch them develop into the great show dogs you know they will be.
I am excited to begin 2024 at the beautiful Kennel Club of Palm Springs cluster where I will be representing our most awesome magazine and bringing you Table Talk Live! coverage. Be sure to stop by the Chronicle booth or keep a lookout for my roving office and say hi!
For those heading to the Empire Polo Club for the show, please remember the dog show is in a different area of the grounds this year. It may be a good idea to give yourself extra time to get the lay of the land. Everyone except RVs will enter at the same entrance as in years past–off Monroe at Ave 51. RVs will enter off Avenue 50. PLEASE FOLLOW THE SIGNS!!
This year’s show boasts an entry of 3100-plus dogs each day with the largest entries in the Sporting and Hound groups. Entries for CGC, Trick Dog and Temperament Testing can be made the day of the event.
If you have not had the opportunity to read Tom Grabe’s commentary in the recent issue of The Canine Chronicle, I encourage you to do so (https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/from-the-publisher-48/). Tom shares his view regarding potentially changing the way the groups are judged at large, prestigious shows such as the AKC National Championship. The concept will not be foreign to horse enthusiasts as they use the multiple judge approach frequently. The key here is that no one, not even the judges, will know who is judging until just before the group is judged, and the decision is not based on one person’s opinion, rather several judge’s opinions that are tabulated to come up with an average score. What is your opinion regarding this concept? If you would like to discuss it on Table Talk Live, please find me at Palm Springs. Don’t be surprised if I find you! Be prepared so we can keep the segment short and concise. You can always reach out to me at deb.cooper@caninechronicle.com to discuss your opinion and schedule time for an interview.
Speaking of the AKC National Championship, I tuned in to ABC this past Sunday to watch the group judging from the 2023 show. All I can says is it was an outstanding job done by one and all! This production gave the general public a fantastic view of our sport with a lot of great information about the breeds in each group. I was not at all tempted to change the channel! Thank you to the AKC and all involved in the production of the broadcast for a job very well done! The Best In Show lineup was stunning! Congratulations to one and all!
Those fanciers who are traveling to Shaumburg, IL for the International Kennel Club of Chicago shows in January in an RV, please pay close attention to the premium list! While RVs will be allowed to park, the village has an ordinance that will not allow individuals to stay in their motorhomes overnight! Please be sure you have made alternative sleeping accommodations.
At its December meeting, the American Kennel Club Delegate body voted to amend Chapter 16, Section 1 of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows to give parent clubs the option to allow Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Bitch to be awarded a 3-point major at regional specialties. The change goes into effect July 3, 2024. Currently, parent clubs have this option for National Specialties. This change expands the option to regional specialties. The caviat is there has to be an entry in the classes that represents twice the number required for a five-point major.
Happy Anniversary to Katey and Dennis Brown who are celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary! We wish you both happiness in the years to come.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week are: Adam Bernardin, Katey Brown, Bonnie Threlfall, Mary Miller, Joseph Vergnetti, Deb Shindle, Debbie Melgreen, Kayley Kovar, Cliff Weiser, and Harry Miller. Here’s to another awesome trip around the sun!
Cheers to 2024! Here’s a great new year’s wish from Marisa Donnelly: “I hope you laugh more. I hope you sing at the top of your lungs. I hope you drive with the windows down and let the wind rustle through your hair. I hope you hug. I hope you kiss. I hope surround yourself with people who make you feel alive. I hope you become the type of person that brings good energy wherever you go, and the type of person people want to be around. I hope you speak what’s on your mind, that you raise your voice for injustice, that you tell others that you love them, instead of waiting until it is too late. I hope you live louder, shine brighter, from this moment on.”
Be safe in your travels, my friends! I look forward to another great year.
Until next time….
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