Page 82 - Chow Life - Summer 2016 Issue

must have an exhibitor's
pass to get back in. There
is a big screen TV where
you can watch the groups
before yours, and there are
announcements made as to
when to get ready. There's a
staging area just outside the
group entrance where you'll
gather before going in. There
are staff with headsets giving
instructions, telling you how
much longer it will be. It isn't to decide whether we
a typical group where you
enter the ring in an order and
the judge watches you come
in. Essentially you're told to
just "take your stuff and go to
your box".
I brought my grooming
bag and having often been
told that it's hot in there, a
fan for the dog. As it turned
out, it was quite cool and
the fan unnecessary. The
dog was steady on the ramp
and other than breaking into
a happy gallop on the go
round, I couldn't have asked
for a better performance
from him. I didn't trip and
fall down, have a wardrobe
malfunction, or do anything
Right: The crowd in the benching area at
80
embarassing. I didn't The benching area at the Garden on Monday night,
have any illusions about before everyone's arrived. The calm before the storm.
winning a ribbon; we
had already reached my Teacher Kris Wilson's third grade class in Iowa
goal - to show in the sending their congratulations.
group at Westminster
- and all I wanted to do
at that point was have
fun and do a good job of
representing our breed.
We definitely had the
former and it's up to you
accomplished the latter.
Two weeks before
the show, my uncle
reminded me of
something: my
grandfather, who used
to show ponies in the
1960's, had once gone
to Madison Square
Garden and won the
premier event of his
career. "You'll do well,
it's in genes." I don't
know about that, but
it gave me confidence,
and I remember, during
the group, hoping that we
were making him proud.
Left: GCH Merry Go Round Coach Master, #1
Dalmatian, being admired in the benching area
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden