Page 75 - Chow LIfe - 2019 Summer
P. 75
wide. With most of the entry being male, you can (“Gretchen”) had both shown at WKC last year.
see the problem. There’s a line on the floor that Gretchen was the only smooth this year and received
delineates the benching area over which we may not a lot of interest from the crowd since they rarely get
cross into the aisle. It’s just not possible for everyone to see smooths. As Dan says, “Westminster is our
to groom their dogs at the same time. Despite us all ‘Super Bowl’. I love telling people we’re in the Garden.
being competitors, Tara noted that everyone worked I think a lot of people don’t do it because of the
together to best utilize the limited grooming space perceived hassle of NYC, dogs, crates, and benching.
and it was never really an issue. Tara’s entry was But once you’ve done it, you know the tricks and
her “Tuffy”, GCHB Tedi-Lan’s Ruffintuff At Banzai, techniques.” His advice to those considering showing
co-owned by his breeder Diane Myers. Tara said here is “Go for it! Make sure you have a dog that can
her nerves got to her later in the day but judging by handle crowds and benching. Stay in NJ. Follow the
the way he showed in the breed, I don’t think Tuffy instructions in the Westminster packet to the letter.
noticed. It is another show, but it has different rules. Tell
your friends when Chows will be streamed online.
Be patient and remember that this is one of the best
memories you will ever have with your Chow.”
We didn’t see Martha Stewart ringside this year but
she was represented by her GCH Pazzazz’s Empress
Qin, co-bred and co-owned with Karen Tracy, and
CH Liontamer Pazzazz Wine of the Nobles, also
co-bred with Karen Tracy and owned by Karen
and David & Patrina Rothrock. Two more Pazzazz
Chows were in competition, the invitee GCHS
Liontamer Pazzazz Special Agent Gibbs, and GCHB
Chow Benching Area Liontamer Pazzazz A Monet By Rothrock, both
Linda Fontana was another first timer. Her Chow, owned by Karen and the Rothrocks. These dogs were
benched with their handlers.
GCHS Fu San Texas Legend CGCA, aka “Davy”,
was an invitee, and quite popular with the media
as he lounged on his grooming table socializing Westminster veteran Diane Myers was there with a
with the crowd. His handsome face appeared on promising young red male, CH Tedi-Lan’s Frankly
many news sites afterward. With Linda was her My Dear, aka “Rhett”. Rhett seemed to enjoy the
husband Michael, and Davy’s breeder/co-owner benching process very much, putting himself in the
Mary Ellen Shook. They stayed for both days of the middle of the crowd action and actually posing for
show and enjoyed the experience. Linda said “We pictures. He had a big smile on his face all day! This
had a wonderful time. People were super and the was Diane’s 5th trip to WKC, the first time was back
excitement was enormous.” in the 1980’s when class entries were judged, then
again in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. The breed
judging then was all at the Garden. This year was her
Judy and Kim McEwen also made their first trip to first time at the Piers. Like Tara, she noted the lack
Westminster, joining forces with Cindy, Amy, and of space for appropriately sized grooming tables but
Kurt. They brought “Jack”, GCH Cincere’s We Hit thought the unloading/loading was easier here than
The Jackpot With Padow and “Penny”, CH Cincere downtown had been.
Padows Penelope Pitstop. They learned the hard
way that some crates don’t fit well on the small WKC
benches but they made it work. Judy was amazed Another Westminster veteran on hand was Matthew
at the variety of spectators and wondered how some Fan from China who brought his homebred
of them could afford the price of admission. She CH Eastern-Magic Prof. Dumbledore, “Danny”.
was also surprised at the amount of business the Matthew’s made several successful trips here in the
vendors were doing, lots of people buying. Judy past.
recommends that if you’re going for the first time, go
with someone who’s been there before and can show In past articles about WKC, I have mentioned the
you the ropes. necessity of having help at this show. It is very
difficult, if not impossible, to do it alone. You need
Dan and Tom’s girls CH Bardo’s Pulp Fiction a good assistant. I’m grateful that Tina
(“Uma”)and GCH Masterpiece Heart of Bardo Alexander is willing to fly in from Michigan
73
