Fun Match (8-2-2008)
Left photo “Disney”, Middle photo “Sadie”, Right photo “Star” & Me!
We had a wonderful day at a fun match put on at the Oklahoma City fairgrounds by the Oklahoma City Kennel Club, Inc. & Jack Onofrio Dog Shows, L.L.C. We got off to a wonderful start when Sadie won 1st place in the 3-6 month puppy class and then Disney matched her with a 1st place win in the 6-9 month puppy class. When the puppies went back out for Best of Breed Sadie shined and took top honors, which in turn gave her the opportunity to exhibit in the puppy Toy Group. In the puppy Toy Group Sadie continued to do well and captured 3rd place making “momma Cindi” so proud.
Now it was Star’s turn and I guess she woke up ready to show because she really put on a show today. She won her class and then breed and then the toy group and next thing I knew we were entered in Best in Show…WOW! I have never been in group before so that was really neat to be in that line up with so many other cute toys, but now I found myself in the ring with really big dogs. The Toy Group is the last group in the line up of the 7 groups trying to achieve the Best in Show title. Therefore, when we first went out we just hung out at the end of the line. Once our turn came around to present to the judge Star was a trooper and stood on the table better than she has ever stood before. Once we finished our presentation we returned to the line up and the judge had all of us circle the ring together. When we returned to our original line up the judge pulled Star from the end of the line and moved her into the 3rd position. The judge then had us circle the ring again and when we returned to our original position she switched the 1st and 2nd position dogs with each other and then brought another dog from the rear up to 4th position behind Star and I and then had us circle the ring again. Once we returned to our line up the order was set. The judge personally thanked me and told me I had a beautiful dog and even though there isn’t any prize for 3rd place I was thrilled with the experience I had just had.
I can honestly tell you that fun matches are much more fun than the real conformation ring when you are a novice handler. Judges at fun matches will help you out and completely ignor the jitters that you get which can sometimes cause unfortunate bloopers during showtime. All the other handlers are also just as low-key as the judges so the pressure of real competition is lost, but your desire to win group or best in show is actually possible so you get to enjoy the thrill of wondering if you will make it all the way or not. Professional handlers and breeder/handlers that have been doing this for years already feel the desire to win best in show because they know how to achieve it, but novice handlers like myself just hope for the class win and wish for that winners title.
I also ran into one of my vet techs that works at Porter Hill Vet Clinic. She has been showing for a year now and shows Australian Cattle Dogs. I really enjoyed hanging out with her today and she took pictures for me so please check out each dogs personal page on my website where the photos are larger and more clearer. I was also informed about a training facility in Blanchard on Tues nights and sometimes on Sunday when they are not gone to a dog show. I will definitely try them out since they are much closer than the other class I attend in Midwest City on Tues nights.
Well I am a happy camper today and I can’t wait for my husband to get home from work so I can tell him all about our day and show off the ribbons our little babies won today.
Take care…(www.cruisincavaliers.com)