Morris & Essex Celebration

230 – November, 2010

By Joan Harrigan

Photos by Lisa Croft-Elliott

Morris & Essex is different – it’s dedicated to Geraldine R. Dodge’s memory and to dog shows as they should be. There were relatively few “non-dog” spectators at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey for its third revival on October 7. It was a Thursday and the outdoor show only happens every five years. The atmosphere was different, too – in a way that is hard to describe. It felt like a celebration of purebred dogs and dog shows – created as a gift to the fancy. It was a day to remember just why we breed and show purebred dogs.

It took six days to turn a portion of Colonial Park’s sylvan grounds into a well-crafted dog show with an entry in excess of 3,000. The tents covered almost a half-mile, with spacious rings flowing into grooming tents. There were separate tents for antique cars, the art show, the Take the Lead silent auction – even an exhibitor dining tent. On Wednesday, set-up was in high gear, and the workers (almost all M&E Kennel Club members) actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. Morris & Essex President and Show Chairman Wayne Ferguson wasn’t surprised. “These people are so professional,” he explained. “They just know how to do their jobs. After all, they perform these functions at other shows around the country.”

Fleets of golf carts carried the crew around the grounds, just as they’d transport exhibitors the next day. A U-Haul truck was packed full of the sunflowers, autumn leaves and greens that would be on every table. Show Secretary Connie Butherus seemed to be everywhere.  Butherus has served as Show Secretary for all three of the reincarnated Morris & Essex shows, but when asked whether she’d return in that capacity for a fourth, she looked momentarily shocked. “Oh my!” she exclaimed, “I believe in sharing.”

FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING…

Thursday morning all was ready. The grounds were beautiful and the weather was perfect. Recent heavy rain had drained away and the temperature was perfect for an outdoor show. “Mrs. Dodge sends her blessings – if she can’t be here, she will send good weather,” Ferguson said.

The Morris & Essex trophy tent is legendary and the array of pewter bowls and plates for the breed winners and group awards as well as the Best In Show trophies was impressive. At the display’s center was a large glazed ceramic horse, offered by Andy Gong, the president of the Chinese Kennel Club. Gong met Wayne Ferguson at Westminster this year, joined Morris & Essex and donated the horse as a unique symbol of Chinese-American friendship.

Owner/handler Lynn Cash of Waco, Texas was beaming as she accepted the award for Best of Variety Colored Bull Terrier.  Her “Neice,” Ch. Glentom LeBeouf’s Countess Singing Cloud is co-owned with co-breeder Glenna Wright and Fred Schneider and was just 22 months old. “I think I may just cry over this one,” Cash admitted. “It’s a dream come true.” Just showing at Morris & Essex was on her “bucket list” according to Cash.  Winning there was an incredible bonus.

At noon, a bell rang, just as it did when Mrs. Dodge staged the show. A few thousand exhibitors descending upon the luncheon tent may sound chaotic, but it wasn’t. Volunteers dispensed 3,100 box lunches, all donated by Ruth Pereira of Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Because all judging ceased, it was possible to take a moment to sit at one of the circular tables and enjoy the company of friends.

Outside, those with a few extra moments could shop for show supplies or order a jacket handpainted with a portrait of a favorite dog. The Take the Lead silent auction featured a wealth of dog memorabilia, as well as artwork and a tack box attractive enough to display at home rather than use. At the catalog tent, the inaugural Art Show’s seven group winners were on display.  Best In Show went to Marion Needham Krupp’s “Pretty Lady,” a portrait of a Borzoi offered for sale at $22,000. The antique cars on display didn’t look at all out of place at a show where the exhibitors make a special effort to dress appropriately.

A SHOW WITH ITS OWN STYLE

Hats were everywhere – on men, women, exhibitors, judges and staff alike. Some also wore period costumes from the 1940s or earlier; others simply added a topper to normal show attire.

Noel Goodrich of Milford, New Jersey and his 150-pound Neapolitan Mastiff Cinciripinis Pacino, better known as “Mike,” drew a crowd of admirers. Goodrich was nattily attired in a grey suit with matching fedora and coordinating tie and pocket square. “Sweet, protective” Mike was an inspired marketing tool as well as a show dog – Goodrich was doing double duty as a vendor and exhibitor. One visitor expressed concern when Mike gently leaned his weight against her legs. “That means he likes you – a lot,” Goodrich rushed to assure her.

Some dressed to echo their breed’s heritage. Pug breeder/owner/handler Pam Salomone of Columbia Station, Ohio wore a long black jacket lushly embroidered with peonies.  She’d borrowed the jacket but made her own hat which featured a golden peacock. Salomone took the breed with her  bitch, Ch. Double D’s Win Place Or Sho, “Darby” who came out of retirement for Morris & Essex.

Headwear wasn’t restricted to the human attendees.  “Jenny” aka Koti’s She’s So Vain, an 11-month old Akita owned by Chris and Cheryl Koenitz of Flanders, New Jersey sported a rakishly-angled bowler after going Best of Winners.

GROUP WINNERS AND A TRIBUTE TO RUFUS

Group competition began at 3 p.m. and the show concluded after seven as everyone enjoyed an elaborate buffet of hors d’oeuvre and desserts. David Frei, who had been the voice of Morris & Essex throughout the day, continued as the group announcer. Best In Show Judge Mr. Robert Forsyth received a standing ovation in a special ceremony before competition.  Morris & Essex was the final assignment before retirement for Forsyth, a veritable institution with a career spanning more than 80 years.

First up was the Non-Sporting Group, under judge Mrs. Sari Brewster Tietjen. The win went to Bichon Frise Ch. Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, handled by Scott Sommer. The two year-old Bichon was bred by Sandra and Keith Hanson and Shirley and Richard Hamilton, and is owned by Barbara Weidner, Laurie Darman, Kim Griffin and Cecelia Ruggles. “He showed great, absolutely great, and never put a foot down wrong,” Sommers exclaimed. “They have to be perfect here!”  Judge Tietjen agreed. “He has a gorgeous headpiece with wonderful dark eyes,” she said. “He’s well-proportioned and very sound with a correct coat. When you put your hand on it, it springs up, leaving no indentation.”

The Hound Group was next into the ring. The elegant Whippet GCh. Starline’s Chanel took Group One. Chanel was bred by Lori and Carey Lawrence and Dianne Bowen and is owned by Lori, Carey and Nicole Lawrence. When judge Gayle Bontecou was asked what put the Whippet on top, she didn’t hesitate. “Everything! She’s absolutely beautiful! She’s in really good condition, with a good second thigh and good loin. She’s just a beautiful bitch.” Handler Lori Lynn Wilson has done a lot of winning with Chanel, but this victory at Morris & Essex was special. “It’s an honor to win at this prestigious show under a hound authority like Mrs. Bontecou,” she said.

The Toys were judged by Mr. W. Everett Dean, Jr. and his choice was the Pekingese Ch. Palacegarden Malachy, bred in the U.K. by Jim and Jean Smith and owned by Iris Love, Sandra Middlebrooks and handler David Fitzpatrick. “He has beautiful breed type and is in gorgeous condition,” Dean commented.  “And, he’s one of the best moving Pekes I’ve ever judged.”  Fitzpatrick explained, “Malachy really enjoys this weather and the ring was perfect for him.” A toy dog built low to the ground might have hard going in taller grass, but the manicured ring at Morris & Essex was ideal.

Bearded Collie Ch. Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins was handled by Cliff Steele to a Herding Group One. “This is a fantastic show, and we were lucky to win,” Steele said. Judge Mrs. Jean Fournier didn’t think luck had anything to do with it.  “He’s got excellent movement and a perfect coat. It’s exactly as the standard describes,” she said. “He really is a show dog and he knows it!” “Mister Baggins” was bred by Larry and Angela Stein, Robert Lamm and Lesley Woodcock and is owned by Mrs. Ellen M. Charles and his breeders.

Next was the Working Group with Mr. Ron Menaker, Chairman of the AKC Board of Directors, judging. Diego Garcia handled three year-old Boxer bitch Ch. Winfall Brookwood Styled Dream (“Scarlett”) to victory. “She showed great!” Garcia said.  “I cannot ask for more than to have her at this moment in time – it is a perfect moment.” Judge Menaker called her “the absolute epitome of the breed standard. She has showmanship, and goes around the ring with incredible reach and drive. I’m sure that if she could talk, she’d be asking for it.” Scarlett is owned by Debbie McCarroll, Mark Fagan, Pat Billhardt, and Sergio Tenenbaum and was bred by Tina Porter and Lee Stanton.

UNDER THE FLOODLIGHTS, A NEW STAR IS RECOGNIZED

Two more groups to go and it was crowded at ringside. A Maltese named “Baby Bear” sipped water from a wine glass. The Sporting Group filled the ring and judge Mrs. Sandra Goose Allen gave the win to the Irish Setter “Emily,” Ch. Shadagee Caught Red-Handed, and handler Adam Bernardin.  “Emily loves a big crowd and loves the clapping – she’s a show dog!” exclaimed Jamie Bernardin, Adam’s wife and handling partner. Allen summed Emily’s performance up in one word – “Gorgeous!” adding, “her front, her movement, her beautiful topline – I just loved her!” Emily was bred by Debbie and Timothy Burke and Ellen Bieler and is owned by Debbie Burke and Nancy Lee Conner.

It was getting late when the Terrier Group entered the ring.  Judge Mr. James Reynolds chose the American Staffordshire Terrier bitch, Ch. Castle Rock’s SBigStaff Mad About You, bred by Laszio Silz Nagy and Dayna Pesenti. “Maddy,” is owned by Pesenti, Genoa Brown and Ruth Sampson. Handler Kim Rudzik was thrilled with the win, “It’s amazing. I’m not good with words – it’s just amazing!” Reynolds called her a “beautiful, typey bitch with a great outline and head. She’s exceptionally sound, and looks as though she could do what the breed was bred to do – and also, she’s a show dog.”

Before Best In Show, it was time to recognize Morris & Essex’s 2005 winner, the charismatic Colored Bull Terrier, Ch Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid. Rufus had napped ringside during the Terrier Group competition, but seemed pleased to rouse himself for a lap around the ring with owner Barbara Bishop.  “He just feeds off the energy – he lives for it,” Bishop said with emotion. The top winning Bull Terrier of all time, Rufus has a busy schedule as a therapy dog. Now 10 years-old, he continues as an ambassador for the breed but spends every night where he always has – on the Bishops’ bed.

Terriers won Morris & Essex in 2000 and 2005, but under the floodlights, Forsyth presented the last award of an illustrious judging career to the Pekingese. Renowned archaeologist and owner Iris Love was there to see him win. “I’m in love with him,” she cried. “I also breed Smooth Dachshunds, and they all get along well, though I think the dachshunds must think that something terrible has happened to Malachy’s face – like he’s been in a car accident!” Forsyth loved all the dogs presented to him, but Malachy’s condition and attitude made him the stand-out. When on the table, the Peke had done a quick spin before he was examined. “Well, he was ready to go,” Forsyth laughed.  “He wanted to get off the table and move!”

Five years of preparation, and the day passed so quickly.  Morris & Essex’s Facebook page has the countdown to the 2015 show, which is certain to be even bigger and more challenging to stage. No doubt many of the exhibitors left wishing that this were an annual event. Five years is a long time to wait to take time to really enjoy a show that is staged purely for the pleasure of the exhibitors, reminding us all of the reasons we devote so much of our lives to purebred dogs.

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Posted by admin on Jul 9 2011. Filed under Dog Show History, Remembering Our Past?, The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.