106 – September, 2012 by Kimberly Silva Garrett 1. What made you decide to become a judge? I love it! I believe it’s a continuation of the learning experience. You can put all you’ve learned to the test and continue learning. The world looks very different in the middle of the ring than being an […]
“The Garden is the world’s most famous sporting arena and Westminster qualifies as the only event that has been held in all four versions of MSG. The circus and the National Horse Show departed long ago. There just wasn’t room for elephants, camels, and horses.” Many Westminster veterans might argue that there wasn’t much room for a dog show either.
We know that the general public is gullible, regarding the wild statements spewed out by the Animal Rights Activists, and other internet hoaxes. The Gullibility Virus, as it is called, apparently makes otherwise normal people believe in all kinds of nonsense.
I believe AKC’s intent was to give exhibitors another chance for recognition. As we know, they are still “fine tuning” the manner in which RBIS is awarded: currently two dogs are pulled out and BIS is awarded first and RBIS after. When the award began in July, BIS was awarded and RBIS was awarded from the remaining line-up.
Buses for spectators only will commence at 11 a.m. at the three hotels and run on the half hour until 2:30 p.m. At 3 p.m., buses for the Best of Breed winners, their people and equipment will begin to leave the Piers and go to Madison Square Garden only. Exhibitors with BOB winners have priority on these buses and additional passengers are subject to space availability. The last bus will leave at 5:30 p.m. as benching at MSG is required at 6 p.m.
The big story in my neck of the woods is the faulty new computer system at Animal Care and Control, New York’s city shelter. Last year, they announced this forthcoming innovation.
AKC promotes dog sports as family activities. However, families attending and enjoying dog shows together has become increasingly rare.
Several comments I have read in social media circles about the Reserve Best In Show have been very negative. Some have written: it is like “kissing your sister”, meaningless, lost in the shuffle of awarding BIS, superfluous. As the process is currently designed and implemented, I believe awarding RBIS is paramount to an “afterthought”. I will try to highlight my opinion in this article.
On occasion it is surely an appropriate and salutary exercise for us, as connoisseurs and self-appointed guardians of the pedigreed dog, to reflect upon the prevailing condition of our animals from a long-term and multidimensional perspective.
I hope I haven’t let the cat out of the bag, but as I retired from handling 15 years ago, maybe things have changed, and that saying is no longer their mantra. If it is still relevant, I am sure the problems would be multiplied; with syndicates now owning some top winning dogs, how does a handler please them all?
