Page 7 - Flip Book Demo Top 20 Invitational

7 G.R.C.A. TOP TWENTY INVITATIONAL

When the doors to the ballroom opened at 7:30 pm on Sept 17, 1987,
guests encountered elegant, color coordinated table settings, elaborate
floral displays and party music playing. Dancing commenced and a gour-
met dinner was served. Although many were content to keep drinking,
dancing and dining, matting was rolled out to cover the dance floor and
Marilu Semans of Golden Pine fame was asked to draw numbers to de-
cide the order in which dogs would complete. Sylvia handled the back-
stage organization of the dogs and handlers while I introduced the judges
who had remained secret until the night. American breeder-handler Mi-
chael Faulkner (Woodspoint), Canadian breeder handler Judy Taylor
Gagesch (Skylon) and multiple Group judge Patricia Laurans. Score
sheets were designed to attribute points for type, structure , movement,
showmanship and overall impression. The dogs were brought out in
groups of three to be examined and gaited. It was amazing to see the na-
tion’s top dogs assembled in such an intimate setting and all looking their
absolute best.

My mom, Marilyn Sturz, was on the side tallying the points on each
scorecard and calculating the results as the competition rounds proceed-
ed. At the completion of judging, all dogs were brought back out togeth-
er and each was presented with a large rosette that had their name im-
printed on it. The suspense and excitement had risen to a palpable level
when the winner was finally announced to be CH. Laurell’s Jiminy
Crickettt, bred by Laura Ellis Kling and Shirley Stewart, owned by Ray
and Judy Laureano and handled by Linda Stebbins-Hurlebaus.