Showsight - February 2022 Edition

EVERY OWNER HANDLER BEGINS AT THE BEGINNING STARTING FROM SCRATCH

BY DAN SAYERS

D o you remember your beginning “in dogs?” Maybe you were born into the sport and you’ve been accompanying your mother and grandmother to shows for as long as you can remember. Or may- be your first time in the conformation ring occurred decades ago when it took 35 dogs to make a 3-point major. Perhaps you were showing your breed in the Miscellaneous Class and helped to navigate its journey to full rec- ognition. Or it may be that you just got your start last year with your first show dog, and you’re still figuring out how to present your breed—or you’re trying to determine if your dog has what it takes to win. Whatever your current level of experience, it is always helpful to be reminded that no matter the particular details of your introduction, everyone who shows dogs begins at the beginning. Everyone exhibitor starts from scratch. IN THE BEGINNING At every dog show that’s ever been held, there has always been someone in the ring showing their dog for the very first time. It’s one of the sport’s more incredible aspects that newcomers compete in the very same arena as seasoned owner handlers and paid professionals. Even those second and third genera- tion youngsters make their debut alongside exhibitors with years—decades—of experience. And each and every exhibitor’s first appearance in the ring is, essen- tially, the same. The sweaty palms and shaking knees are symptoms that affect all rookies, no matter their age or their accomplishments outside the conforma- tion ring. Even retired executives who’ve managed thousands of people and millions of dollars can be reduced to a bundle of raw nerves when confronted with a willful puppy with little desire to stand for exam or gait in a straight line. The starting point for every exhibitor is positioned in the very same spot—at the beginning of each individual’s personal journey. And no matter the venue or the breed being shown (or the year in which that first entry was made), every exhibitor has to start somewhere… and that somewhere is at the very beginning.

“THE STARTING POINT FOR EVERY EXHIBITOR IS POSITIONED IN THE VERY SAME SPOT— AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL JOURNEY.”

136 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2022

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