Westminster Thoughts
Those of you who watched the Best in Show judging saw the Pennsylvania Pekingese, Malachy, win with dignity and poise, showing his deliberate “I do it my way” attitude! So where were you? You could have seen Malachy up front and personal give the same winning performance last November on the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in the Bald Eagle (Williamsport-based) kennel club show. Parking and admission free!
And, of course, it didn’t take away from the moment to know that judge Cindy Vogel has a considerable Chinese judging experience. She has seen many many Pekingese and would know a great one when she saw one!
The other moment of delight for me personally was Emily, the Irish Setter that won the Sporting Group to earn a place in the final competition. I met Emily at another Bloomsburg show. Her handlers had allowed Emily to curl up on a bed perched high on a stack of crates. She loved looking down on all the other dogs! “This working mother”, as David Frei dubbed her, had taken time out of the show world to have 9 puppies since I saw her.
And, of course, Adan’s win of a Merit honor was a most exciting plus for this three-year-old. It was a first–that is, the first show dog for Carol Dunn, the Bloomsburg resident and Geisinger nurse who spends her spare time rescuing Goldens. Adan competed in a class of 32 other Goldens. Now that he has tucked this Westminster in his repertoire he will no doubt return next year for a win and who knows perhaps be the very first Golden Retriever to go Best in Show there.
WESTMINSTER JUDGING ARENA TO CHANGE IN 2013
Next year the Westminster Show will make a historic move and allow dogs with major points, not necessarily champions, to compete. Long ago dogs with “majors” were allowed the Westminster privilege and my first homebred English Springer, Hovals Christmas Knight, a grandson of the first Springer to win BIS there did show in this different format. At that time in Westminster history it was a smaller world. One could see and speak to judges on their way to the rings. I will never ever forget joking with the iconic Percy Roberts as we scurried up the stairs.
The breed judging will move out of the hallowed Madison Square Garden to Piers 92/94 during the day to be brought together in the evenings for network televised group and BIS competition. And, the number of dogs allowed to compete will increase to 3,200. This and emphasis on the breeder/owner will make the Bloomsburg cluster and other smaller shows much more exciting as the place to be able to view the great in each breed. Cheers to the Westminster Board of Directors. The new plans should help guarantee that man’s best friend will remain true to its purpose and never become an endangered species!
Feb 19, 2012 | | Uncategorized