Page 28 - Demo

Fourth Annual Australian Shepherd by Nannette Newbury, Conformation Editor Club of East Gauteng Specialty
As the popularity of our breed increases, so does the international arena we compete in. Imagine my surprise when I received a call from Sheila Polk asking if I wanted to join her for a South African adventure! The Australian Shepherd Club of East Gauteng (ASCEG) in Johannesburg had hired Sheila to judge their fourth annual Specialty show.
I didn’t have to think twice. I had a ton of frequent flyer miles due to expire, had already met several of the breeders down there, and also had a bitch I had sold down there two years ago.
Club chairman John Colborne noted that in 2007 when the present club committee had taken office, “We decided to hold a Championship Show with an internationally recognized ‘Aussie Specialist’ judge. We chose breeder judge Sheila Polk.”
John continued, “This championship show represents the
The ribbons for this specialty show were absolutely gorgeous and were donated by a fellow South African kennel!
26 The Australian Shepherd Journal November/December 2009
culmination of an intensive effort that was required on the part of every member of this Club’s committee to achieve that goal. An intensive fundraising drive was necessary to finance this endeavor.
“Two of our most notable fundraising activities were a raffle of an air conditioner and the hosting of two Barnyard Theatre shows. In addition, Aussie memorabilia was made available via generous donations from supporters in the United States. We are extremely grateful for those donations, which were sold at the show.”
This club has been on a roll lately. They (South Africa) were voted as the Best Specialty Championship Show in 2008! With a glorious day and a terrific entry of 70 animals, 2009 might just be voted the same honor.
Sheila Polk judging a class.