Showsight - August 2021

8. Are you intimidated by the professional handlers? By the judges? Absolutely not! I think that in the very beginning we were, but as you gain experience handling in the ring, and knowing how to present your dog, it’s pretty much, most times, a level playing field. We understand why some breeders/owners use handlers, but we love the sport and prefer to show our own Cavaliers and enjoy everything that going to a show has to offer! We have not been intimidated by any judge. Just remember to watch them judge the breeds prior to yours to under- stand their ring procedure before you go into the ring. 9. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? We have to thank Missy Crane (Signatures US) for her expert handling tips, along with our breed mentors, Paula Ayers and Linda Whitmire. We get some great advice from them all! 10. How important is the Owner Handler to the future of the dog sport? We both think it is very important. We understand the need for professional handlers, but we feel that the Breeder/Owner Handlers should also be taking their dogs into the ring to evaluate them while they are on the end of their lead. You want to see how they conform to the standard while being judged, and see first-hand how they are doing and whether they are worthy breed- ing stock or worth running on. 11. What are your goals as an Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you? Our goal is to present our dogs to show their best quali- ties and how they measure up to the breed standard. The wins are wonderful (and we all love winning) but win or lose, we would not trade being in the ring with our dogs for anything! When Edgar was showing in NOHS, the victory that eluded him was an OH BIS. He was award- ed RBIS, but we never got that OH BIS. He has won multiple BIS at specialty shows, OH Group and regular Group placements, and an AOM at Royal Canin. We could not be more proud of him as his Silver GCH has been all owner-handled! For Jim and Catcher, winning a regular Group would be the icing on the cake! 12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as an Owner Handler? It’s funny in a sad way... Sharon was showing Edgar in York, Pennsylvania, and went to put Edgar on the table when her knee just blew out. She crumbled to the floor in pain. Everyone heard it blow and Jim did not miss a beat. He ran over to get Edgar, picked him up, and put him on the exam table! Then, a friend came over, pushed Jim aside saying, “I got this!” and took over Edgar, all while Sharon was holding her knee on the floor in pain. Sharon was like a second thought to Edgar’s being judged, though she finally got picked up, hobbled out, and ended up in urgent care. Jim ended up learning very quickly how to show and groom for the next year as Sha- ron had therapy and, ultimately, a knee replacement.

“OUR GOAL IS TO PRESENT OUR DOGS TO SHOW THEIR

BEST QUALITIES AND HOW THEY MEASURE UP TO THE BREED STANDARD. THE WINS ARE WONDERFUL (AND WE ALL LOVE WINNING) BUT WIN OR LOSE, WE WOULD NOT TRADE BEING IN THE RING WITH OUR DOGS FOR ANYTHING!”

108 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2021

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