THE FIRST DOG SHOW IN AMERICA
The Best of Breed and Best in Show judging at this Show reached an emotional pitch that probably has not been reached since at a dog show. When the judge was through sorting out the Pointers, he selected for Best of Breed a Pointer Bitch named “MAY,” owned by Dr. D. D. Saunders. When he was through examining the Set- ters, he selected for Best of Breed a Setter Bitch named “MAUD,” owned by P. H. Bryson. Then came the big moment—the earth, seemingly, stopped moving and the spectators stopped breathing as the old soldier and his physician moved into the center of the ring to compete against each other for BEST IN SHOW. The solemn-faced judge stepped into the ring, fully conscious of his responsibility. Dr. Saunders and his Pointer moved about the ring as one. The old soldier and his Setter moved with the same military precision as if Generals Lee and Grant had been sitting at the ringside. After thoroughly examining both exhibits, the judge walked over to the Pointer, stopped, and ran his hands over the length of her back and down her thighs. He then turned to the Setter and did the same. Sus- pense mounted as the judge walked to the table to record his deci- sion. In his book, he wrote, “Cup for best Setter or Pointer of any age or class of the Show, MAUD, P. H. Bryson.” He then stepped back to the center of the ring with the cup in his hand and pointed to the old soldier and MAUD. Thun- der sounded as the ringside exploded with cheers and shouts of applause!
IRISH SETTERS—DOGS: 1st, Duke, Hamilton Thomp- son, special premium cup; 2nd, Pilot, R. L. Lawrence, diploma. BITCHES: 1st, Lady, H. S. Parkes, special premium cup; 2nd, Fanny, R. W. Reid, diploma. GORDON SETTERS—DOGS: 1st, Shot, T. A. Jerome, spe- cial premium cup; 2nd, Ponto, C. O. Doherty, diploma. BITCH- ES: 1st, Di, J.R. Tilley, special premium cup; 2nd, Kate, A. C. Waddell, diploma. SETTERS OF ANY BREED—DOGS: 1st, Dash, A. C. Waddell, special premium cup; 2nd, Count, M. Leavitt, diploma. BITCHES: 1st, Maggie, Nelson, special premium cup; 2nd, Nelly, E. Orgill, diploma. POINTERS—DOGS: 1st, Phil, A. C. Waddell, special premi- um cup; 2nd, Bang, J. Smith, diploma. BITCHES: 1st, Fanny, C. Porter, special premium cup; 2nd, Belle, A. C. Waddell, diploma. FOURTH SHOW OCTOBER 8, 1874 MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE We now return to the home town of our old soldier, P. H. Bryson, where original plans were made for the first dog show in America. This was a combined Field Trial and Bench Show, spon- sored by the Tennessee Sportsmen’s Association. The Show was governed by the English Kennel Club rules, and the Field Trial was conducted according to the rules of the English Field Trials. Since this was a combined Field Trial and Bench Show, present space will permit only the Best of Breed and Best in Show winners be given here. This writer will give this Show and Trial a complete report in a subsequent article, “The Origin of Field Trials.” SHOWOFF © Ribbon Racks
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