Do you have a ritual before entering the ring? A martial artist bows before stepping onto the map. A gymnast raises her arms before mounting the apparatus. Maybe you have a token such as a lodestone in your pocket. I’ve seen people touch their necklace, to ground and focus themselves. I particularly like the idea of a pearl neck- lace with its dual symbolism of new begin- nings along with the concept of strength and grit; just as the gem itself was made from a piece of sand, layer upon layer. HOW DO YOU “TURN ON?” Think about the perfect stack, run, and pivot. Map out your moves and consult with your coach to back up your decisions or perhaps to challenge you. Ultimately, you rise to the top—or not. When you see the competition give a perfect performance,
do you say, “Wow, I can top that!” And do you feel the drive to push harder? Like the top handlers, if you want a great performance on the big world stage, you must actively focus on your presenta- tion and on your dog’s performance. Watch the quality-handled dogs whose handlers seem to be casually waiting for the judges when they enter the ring. They are actually presenting their dogs in an informal way before and after they are called forward to formally present. They are always “on.” Don’t expect to passively walk in and win. Instead, rise to the occasion. What an exciting opportunity... your dog is in the limelight to shine! Your dog is in the spotlight, presenting the breed standard to its best—pure potential on display. Use every precious moment to deliver that stellar performance!
WHAT AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY… YOUR DOG IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT, PRESENTING THE BREED STANDARD TO ITS BEST—PURE
POTENTIAL ON DISPLAY.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ms. Lee Whittier has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for over three decades. Her involvement began as owner, exhibitor, and subsequently, a breeder of Rottweilers. She has also owned and exhibited numerous breeds, currently Tibetan Terriers, in three Groups. Lee began judging in 2000, and then took a hiatus for several years to work for The American Kennel Club as an Executive Field Representative. She returned to judging in 2011, and currently judges the Working, Terrier, Toy, and Non-Sporting Groups, eleven Hounds breeds, six Sporting breeds, Bouvier des Flandres, and Best in Show. She has judged throughout the US as well as internationally. Lee is a standing member of Dog Fanciers of Oregon, the American Rottweiler Club, and the Tibetan Terrier Club of America. She is Show Chair for Vancouver Kennel Club and the Terrier Association of Oregon’s January show with Rose City Classic. In addition to judging, Lee has developed the Dog Show Mentor program—exclusively for owner handlers. This is an online program where owner handlers of all stages and levels learn to develop an individual, strategic approach to showing dogs. Lee also travels to speak to owner handlers all over the world.
114 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2021
Powered by FlippingBook