FAST STARTS & FINISHING BIG
FINISHING STRONG Part of achieving the goals we set at the beginning of the year coincides with the events of the last few weeks of each year, as major competitions with highly coveted points are sought out by those who are close to the top in achieving their goals. There are several show clusters, both old and new, that draw those large entries that people are looking for nearing the end of each year. CENTRAL OHIO: DAYTON, LIMA & SANDUSKY For as long as I can remember, one of the bigger year-end clus- ters has taken place in Columbus, Ohio. Both as an exhibitor and a judge, I have attended these shows for over 40 years and 2023 was no different. The circuit takes place near the middle of November and has drawn entries from well over 1500 dogs to as many as 2500 on many occasions. These shows are held at the Ohio State Fair- grounds and are known for large entries in numerous breeds along with specialties that take place in a great building with very large rings, great lighting, and plenty of grooming. Show Chairs, Rhonda Davis (Sandusky), Vicki Seiler-Cush- man (Dayton), Deenie Morris (Lima), and Kathy Caton-Musto (Central Ohio), along with Nina Fetter whose late parents, Bob and Ellen, were the glue of the cluster for years, all continue to work together to provide a great circuit. In our world today, having four clubs working in unity is rare and these four do a great job. GREATER CLARK COUNTY Celebrating their 50th year at the start of December was the Greater Clark County Kennel Club. I have had the privilege to judge these shows on numerous occasions going back to when they held their shows as the outdoor Brush Prairie Circuit. Karen Burgess and all of her volunteers plan all year to put together two back-to-back festive weekends of competition for the folks in the Pacific Northwest. In the past, the first weekend was a dedicated ALL PERFORMANCE weekend where the entries were always huge. The following weekend was dedicated to the Confor- mation side, also with large entries. Because of the great distance from Oregon and Washington to Orlando, Florida, it was decided to swap the weekends around, with the Conformation shows being held on the first weekend so that handlers and exhibitors could still make the trip to sunny Florida for the great end of the year shows held there. Karen and the crew at Greater Clark County always go above and beyond as they work hard to not only put on a great show but also make it a festive occasion to kick off the Christmas Season.
66 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024
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