Santa Barbara ’17 Continued Panels packed with names we know, and punctuated by foreign friends warmly wel- comed, met dogs of stellar quality across the board. Gregory Anderson, Debbie Campbell- Freeman and Ronald Freeman, Stephanie Hedgepath, Sheree Legere, Jane Messineo Lindquist, David Powers, Steve Schmidt, Dr. Robert & Polly Smith and Darryl Vice kicked off Friday’s festivities and hung around for more. Saturday and Sunday saw Ellen Bannin, Connie Clark, Alesia Cooke, Mario Renato Leme Duarte, Sharon Dykes, Stephanie Hedgepath, Michael Hill, Lori Hunt, Frank Kane, Patsy Laponsey, Humberto Lara, Connie Gerstner Miller, Sakura Moses, Valerie Nuñes-Atkinson, Sally Sasser, Ray & Claudia Sharp, Dr. Geno Sisneros, Bob & Polly Smith and Mardee Ward add further expertise and Monday’s addition of Tyron Atkinson, Christine Cameron, Michael Canalizo, Kathleen Hariston and Adrian Woodfork along with others from previous panels rounded out a series of serious Standard-comparison. Above and beyond routine dog show fare we had an abundance of Special Attractions. Probably best known is the Breeder’s Showcase, now in its ninth year and bigger than ever. Entries are composed of two exhibits of the same breed or variety, of any sex or com- bination thereof, with at least one breeder in common. Entry is not restricted to dogs in reg- ular competition only, which encourages par- ticipation of retired champions, adding to the excitement, and this event in the arena also fea- tures a dinner buffet, stunning decor and a truly festive air. This is one more time in our sport where the breeders take center stage and receive the accolades they deserve—which I am not alone in thinking is crucial to our future. Having our extremely hard work recog- nized by our peers is one of an endeavor’s greatest honors. At the same time this evening hosts both the Sighthound Spectacular, open to the Best of Breed, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite Sex winners in those breeds, plus any Select Dog and Bitch from a specialty/support- ed entry—in its fifth incarnation, this was a spectacle, indeed—and of course the famous Bullyganza, just for the “Bully” types is a favorite to fanciers of all breeds. Judge Connie Clark had her work cut out for her and, as expected, performed her task effortlessly and professionally. Bruce Clark judged the Sighthound event while the Breeder’s Showcase’s awards fell to Sally Sasser, Terry >
S how S ight M agazine , S eptember 2017 • 111
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