The Junior’s Perspective – The Next Generation Of Greats

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290 – November/December, 2023

By Jessica Braatz

My first introduction to “the greats” of our sport was a little unconventional. It was in Lakeland, Florida, I was twelve, and said “greats” were stuck on-site in a motorhome. They were also desperately in need of two cart-fulls of groceries to celebrate their recent Best in Show wins. My mentor and I divided and conquered–each taking a cart and scrambling around the store to collect what they needed. I remember pulling up to the massive truck, trailer, and what seemed to be thirty or more x-pens. I was enamored; I’d never met one of my idols before. They thanked us generously, and we went on our way, but in just those few moments, I knew I needed to play a role in an operation like that one. I would, just three years later, go on to work for them and continue to shop for those Best in Show dinners. Sometimes, I wonder what would have happened to me if they hadn’t asked for my help that day. Would I have ever felt like learning from them was possible?

Ask any member of our community who the greats are, and they’ll have an answer. It may differ from mine, depending on the age of who you ask, but the person they describe will be similar. They will have won in their career, but it’s their poise and care outside the ring that determines the “greats.” They are the handlers I’ve looked up to since I was young, captivated by their smooth hands and quick thinking. Now, I think they’re the people I would send a dog with to show, admiring their care and kind behavior behind the scenes.

Click here to read the complete article
290 – November/December, 2023

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Posted by AnthonyA on Dec 3 2023. 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.