(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)
Red Lion Hotel, Sacramento, California Report and Results (Originally Published in "Our Afghans, November 2010) NATIONAL REPORT - One of the joys for me of the National are the "People" I get to meet up with. We started out as an 8 person group - Jim Hickie (Gengala, Australia), Roger and Ann Bartram (Chardara, UK), Terry and Ada Wilcox (Alaquedar, Australia) and Sue Rhodes (Shadowfax, England), plus my wife (Maralee Nelder) and me. We were with a very experienced group of Afghan Hound Judges, Breeders and exhibitors - so I was blessed to enjoy their expert commentary and observations over the several days of the National. Day 1, (dogs) was disappointing from the outset. What I saw was "show" dogs lacking in style of the high order and four particular issues (T,T,T and H) - Temprement, Tails, Toplines and Handling. Temprement - There were way too many nervous dogs that backed away from the judge and crept around the ring. Tails - I dont know what to say, there were so many bad ones. I havn't seen this so prevelent in recent years and has to be a concern. Tails - Tails between legs, straight tails hanging limply out horizantally on the move, tails that had a definite twist, or lean over to one side of the dog. Very odd that there should be so many bad tails, and so distracting from perhaps otherwise good merits of the exhibit. Topolines - Toplines very variable to put it mildly. Handling - But the biggest annoyance of all to me was the handling. I do not understand why an exhibitor would spend all that time and money, preparing their exhibit, travelling long distances to show at the "National" speciality and then ruin the whole thing by abysmall handling. Another surprise was unlike in the past, the handlers did not fly around the ring at breakneck speed, in many cases they were steady (good) but sometimes almost at walking pace (not good). I'm an oldie so I know being asked to run around the ring three times without getting your breath back can be tough on a senior exhibitor - so why try to do it if you simply don't have the physical stamina to do it? I could see such exhibitors (some very famous/well known people by the way) showing way past their sell by date. There comes a time people have to understand their limitations and hand the reins to others. Nice dogs, not extended, not properly showcased because the handlers simply couldn't run. In one extreme case I watched such a handler trying to keep up with their dog, the dog was permenently looking over his shoulder for his handler - what does that do the gait and appearance of that dog when he/she has to run with his/her head permenently looking behind? No head up, no straight body/topline. Some oldies can still handle, but not all oldies can, and those that can't should accept that fact and employ somebody fitter to show their exhibits. They shot themselves and their exhibits in the foot. Then we have the "look at me" handlers, dressed in all sort of flashy outfits. One I nicknamed "the waiter", I felt like asking the handler for a round of drinks every he came by. I might as well have done because he was too preoccupied with his own performance to concentrate on his exhibit and get the best out of it. Hardly anybody used the full extent of the ring (a real annoyance for me). Why not for goodness sake. If you use the entirity of the ring you can get your dog into a rhythem, you spend more time in the ring (bigger circle) and more time under the judges eye. Watching people cut a ring down 75% (yes really that much) by cutting corners and doing a small circle in the ring drove me nuts. There's always some heavyier bodied people exhibiting that struggle with the physical demands of handling, they too need to reflect on what they "achieved", or more likely, how their limitations reduced their exhibits chances. Then we have the speed merchants - they are running with a horizontal lead about two meteres away from their exhibit, they run all round the outside of the ring (well, good, er em, maybe) whilst their dog is ambling in a small circle in the middle of the ring. "They" are running fast, their exhibit is pedestrian. Finally the fussy handlers. Given there were so many poor tails I can understand their behavior to some extent, but.... So the tail is down, and they constantly lift the tail up, rub it on the underside as if its some kind of magic fix (it fails). I watched an exhibitor just run her exhibit across the ring, straight line from the judge , where she should have simply turned in one flowing movement and returned to the judge. What did she do? Stopped her afghan at the end of the run away. Lifted the dogs rear up, physically turned him around facing the run back towards the judge, lifted the tail, rubbed the underside of the tail ("Hey look everybody my dogs tail wont stay up") then ran back towards the judge with a limp tailed dog. There were of course many handlers that did a good job, but I was flat out shocked and disappointed over the three days at the significant number of poor handlers as described above Judging - I make no comment on the Judge(s) picks, we all have differing opinions anyway. However, re the dog judges routine - I was surprised that in three consecutive classes he pulled out his winners, only at the last minute to switch the 1st/2nd placings. He did it again in the late classes. This bothers me. I can understand 1 and 2 being very close and accept a last second change in the judges mind 'occasionally", but three classes on the trot, and again later. I don't understand that and it's also unfair on exhibitors who believe they are just about to win the class when this unexpected last second reversal occurs. I have seen it before (when I exhibited in the UK for example), but not with such a regularity. Thank goodness the Judge did not repeat this practice on day three. The Dogs (Judge Reggie Nesbitt, Bombey) , Day 1 - T, T, T and H sum it up. For me there wasn't a lot to like. Style of High Order was noticeable by its absence and combined with TTT and H conspired to fuel the disappointment. The Bitches day 2 (Judge Hank Nave, Genesis) - Night and day differrence. From the first puppy classes the baby's came out with much more confidence and showed with a greater style. In some of the later clases it was a joy to watch some beautiful movement. It's not that unusual for one sex at a show to appear better than the other sex, but I confess I dont understand the how or why. Anyways at the end of day 2 the bitches had lifted my mood and spirit. I loved both the WB and the RWB. Some might be surprised that the RWB went to a six month old puppy - but when she challenged for the WB she was fully entitled to be there and did not look out of place, A wonderful performance from this gorgeous puppy (Sura Lies and Alibi's) and I compliment the judge (Hank Nave) for rewarding such a young, but well deserving puppy. I also liked the WB (Grazioso JP Indah) flown in from Japan, black/white. Huge coat, very powerful mover and very stylish. I enjoyed the bitches, definitely way better on temprement, seemed sounder overall compared to the dogs. Handling was much less of a concern too (probably because the bitches were that more confident, better temprements). Intersex/Best Of Breed - The bitches the previous day had lifted my mood so I approached the day with optimism and an improved positive outlook. The specials further raised my spirits because there were some really super dogs (yes dogs) and bitches for me to enjoy. Sadly, some of the first day handlers were back with their antics.. but there was enough good handlers and good stuff to enjoy so I didn't let my mind dwell on the negative handling for long. BOB went to GR CH Thaons Mowgli, my first time seeing him. I thought he was a super example of our breed, owner/handler (Jay Hafford) and exhibit in perfect harmony. Mowgli is a very dark mahogony brindle color, refined, houndy, great temprement - everything to like about an Afghan Hound. Jay generously gave me a few minutes shortly after his win and we chatted about his easy/relaxed/natural style of handling. I had followed Mowgli's performance throughout the year and he has won all over the place, faced stiff competition and goodly number of entries - a most worthy winner indeed. There was a lot more going on as well as the affie judging - Pat and Ed Gilbert set up a judges "mentoring" area ringside, this involved 10 experienced breeder/judge mentors sitting amongst 20 students discussing the points of each exhibit. An ambitious session that looks to have proven to be very successful. Congratulations to Pat and Ed because that took a lot of planning and coordination to achieve. The Art Auction was quite exciting. I don't recall the name of the lady Auctioneer but she was very effective at conjuring up bids and moving the bidding along. She did a great job for the club. The awards dinner is always interesting to me, time to sit with friends old and new and chat. At out table we had for a while Judge Reggie Nesbitt, we had the Jensens (more in a minute) we had Age Genes (possibly mispelt his name) and his wife Jo (not her real name, a name she gave us as she knew we couldn't pronounce her real Norwegian name). Age and Jo are from Norway. Age and I had a chance to discuss Age's good friend Espen Engh's (Norway) judging a decade ago in AHC Wales in the UK where I got to meet Espen after he astutely gave BOB to the (still current record holder) UK bitch CC record holder cH Tejas Conquistador. Back to the Jensens. When I spoke to Mrs Jensen I asked for her kennel name. "Pamir" she replied. I responded "you bred Ch Pamir Ho Chester?", she confirmed so and was surprised/pleased that someone immediately recognized such a famous longstanding kennel. I then realised I was in the company of the famous Pamir kennel owners and had a wonderful conversation with Mr Jensen who was sat next to me. Mr Jensen kindly sharing some anecdotes with me. For OA's younger readers - Pamir kennels in the USA were hugely successful in the 1960's with their blend of Patrician/Stormhill bloodlines. They have also been married some 54 years - way to go, congratulations to the Jensens Three people (sorry I cant remember the names/details) received lifetime membership awards from the AHCA for their contribution to the breed. I am delighed to report that our own Ruth Weddle was also honoured by the AHCA with a lifetime membership award for her fantastic 40 years contribution as the breeds premier and longest standing publication - "Our Afghans". (Ruth, dont you dare edit this out!). Ruth has/had some surgery schehduled so was unable to attend in person to accept the award, but the audience applauded in recognition of our Ruth's wonderful contribution AHCA hound of the year award went to GR CH Genesis Silverado "Dylan". Congratulations to the Genesis team! We have indeed been fortunate this year with both Dylan and Mowgli winning lots of BOB's, Groups and BIS's and help keeping our breed in the limelight - well done to both wonderful hounds and their breeders and show teams. A fun item I only just caught, don't know what they call it, not agility but kind of. Involved a lady and her Afghan doing tricks in the ring, her afghan runing around through her legs etc. I particularly liked the trick of her crouching down and her Afghan jumping over her - lovely example of understanding, skill, training and fun between owner and Afghan. I was also thrilled to meet up with Jan Reital (Tifarah) who I haven't seen for a few years and it was great to swap a couple of anecdotes, and lovely to See Jan back amongst the Afghan Hound fraternity where she has so many friends. The Master Of Ceremonies at the awards dinner had his own memory of Jan - the day she threw a glass of water over him for some indescretion. Apparently Jan is a dead aim shot at throwing water - be warned. The parade of rescues is always heart-tugging with the background stories. One such tear jerker involved a lovely three legged Afghan that had one of it's back legs, amputated to stop the progress of Cancer. It is amazing how the Afghan had adapated to being on three legs, and was clearly happy to be out running around and showing off. A special, personal thrill for me was the UK Breeder Keith Thornton (Karnak Afghan Hounds, UK) and his lovely wife Brernda being at the National, but wait.... there's more to come. Brenda and Keith absolutely dominated the show ring in the UK in the period of mid 80's-90's. Their dog Ch Solomon Seal Of Karnak overtook the dog CC breed holder a decade ago, a title their kennel still owns today - 37 CC's. For info, in the UK a dog has to win three CC's from three different Championship Show Qualified judges in order to become a "champion". Believe me, winning 3 is incrediblly difficult. Winning 37 is nothing short of miraculous. I said more to come.... here it comes. One of the veterans being exhibited in the Parade Of Veterans was Salsa Cilantro From Karnak, owned by Artis Bauer (here in the US) and Brenda Thornton, The owner invited Keith to handle the dog in the Veterans Parade. Keith agreed, and this was his first time in over a decade he had handled an Afghan Hound (Keith is nowadays a top judge, several breeds in the UK). The smiling face, and professional demenor of Keith handling one of his lineage dogs, 6000 miles away from home, a decade after he last handled is a memory I will treasure for ever. As Keith said in his enimitable Northern England accent "bloddy ell that was great". Let's finish on a positive. Whilst I had some disappointments at the National, overwhelmingly it was a positive and thorughly enjoyable experience with lots of high points for me personaly, lots of great Afghan Hounds, wonderful venue (walk out of your hotel room directly onto the showground), lots of California sunshine (but a bit chilly at times). Keith's words can some up my overall feelings,"Bloody Ell, that was great" Steve Tillotson, Nov 2010 For Our Afghans Magazine Related Content USA National Speciality 2010 Main Page. USA National Speciality 2010 Live Reports from the Show SHOW RESULTS 1. Regular Classes, DOGS, Judge Reggie Nesbitt (Bombey) Puppy dog 6-9 Months (Ent 11, 2 Absent) 1. Sura L.A Ink , black, (Ch Sura's Hollywood Nihts JC x Ch Raffica's Say It Isn't So Renwick) Breeder M Santiago, S.J.Neil, J Denardo. Owner Suzanne Neil 2. Jangel's Take It To The Limit , B/Cr (Jangel's Cliffhanger x Jangel's Hell Of A Dream) Breeder Jana Fybring & Bo Gronbald (Sweden). Owner Amy Donnell 3. Chichic's Just Watch Me, Gray/Black/Silver (Ch Summerwinds Ego Trip RA X Ch Lyrix Rebel Serenade) Breeder Erin Davis, Owner Erin Davis Puppy dog 9-12 Months (Ent 6, 1 Absent) 1. Journey Apache Nation, Red, (Ch Abaca-Shacone Native Spirit x Ch Sirai Crinson N Clover) Breeder N. Edginton, C Byington, A Shaw & T Chacon. Owner Nancy Edington 2. Elan Sebring Alcide, black, (Ch Tells Elan Sebring The Womanizer x Ch Sebring Elan Algeria) Breeder Dr Jerry Klein, Daniel Wangler, Rachel & Charles Irvin. Owner Calvena Evetts & Jerry Klein, Daniel Wangler & Rachel Irvin 3. Majenala Returning Echo, Black, (Majenala Smashing Sensation - Ch Majenala Ego Trip In Concert) Breeder A Schaefer, J Robinson & H Jorgensen. Owner J Robinson, N Eden, A Schaefer 12-18 Months Dogs (Ent 7) 1. Alphaville's Special Edition Wynsyr, Brindle, (Xenos Comment x Alphaville's The Ultimate Creation) RWD Breeder Yvonne Lijunquist & Tommy Karlsson. Owner Scott Pfeill * William Pfeffer, Gary Lennon 2. Alphaville's Shylo Here I Come, Brindle, (Xenos Comment x Alphaville's The Ultimate Creation) Breeder Yvonne Lijunquist & Tommy Karlsson. Owner BRUCE aLrk & Stephen Fisher 3. Happenz Brand New Star, Black, (Ch Khandhu Amdre Amalfi x Kingsleah Leila) Beeder Andrea Wdehler. Owner Didier Coton Bred By Exhibitor Dogs (Ent 9) 1. Pisco Of Dega Afghans, Red, Breeder/Owner Jamie Ganoza 2. Rafficas Taking It To The Next Level, Black, (Ch Synergys Aviator Or Verpatsha x Ch Rafficas Take My Breath Away) Breeder Garret and Sue Games & John Kia. Owner Garret and Sue Games 3. Djarum's Spark Of Messenger, Black, (Ch Tifarah's First Rate Act x FC Messenger's Amarige) Breeder/Owner Linda Campbell, Lauren Morrison, Alicia Jones American Bred Dogs (Ent 2) 1. Baakara's Reflection Of My Heart' Mountain View, (Ch Baakara's The Way Of The Heart x Ch Baakara's Close To My Heart) Breeder Karen D Baker. Owner Lyn & Donald Smithson & Karen Baker 2, Zoso's Come Fly With Me Summerwind, (Ch Polo's In The Air Tonite CD SC x Zoso's Alaskan Dream) Breeder/OWner Jerre Ford Open Dogs (Ent 9, 1 Absent) 1. Shylo The Octoroon, Black/Cr, (Ch Abaca Shacone Native Spirit x Ch Shylo Solitaire) WD Breeder Bruce Clark & Leslie Farkas. Owner Bill & Jennifer Pearce & Stephen Fisher 2. Cairo's Rev It Up, Brindle, (Ch Cairo's Bottoms Up x Ch Jubilans Fairy Moss) Breeder Lorraine Tayeb & Jennifer Erickson. Owner Lynn & Donald Smithson & Jennifer Erickson 3 Graziosojptop Of The World, Black, (Graazioso JP High Touch x Grazioso JP Make Me Smile) Breeder Masato Ito. Owner Shizuka Murakami 2. Regular Classes, BITCHES, Hank Nave (Genesis) Puppy Bitch 6-9 Months. (Ent 7, 1 Absent) 1. Sura Lies And Alibi, Black (Dilute), (Ch Sura's Hollywood Nights JC X Ch Raffica's Say It Isn't So Rwnwick) RWB Breeder M Santiago, S J Neil & J dENARDO. oWNER saUZANNE j. Neil 2. Azari-Ruzka A Fool For Ur Love, Red, (Ch Magic-Tifarah Opening Act x Ch Raficca's Pretty As Promised) Breeder Karen Irazabal & Garret Games. Owner Darla Hichborn & Karen Irazbal 3. Chicchic's Boom, Black, (Ch Summerwind'sa Ego Trip RA x Ch Tifarah's Illusive Catch) Breeder Erin Davis. Owner Shanon Emerick & Erin Davis Puppy Bitch 9-12 Months (Ent 3, 1 Absent) 1. Valkor Stare If You Dare, Brindle (Agha Djari's World Is Not Enough x Saxonmill Star Style) Breeder Jayne Edwards, Owner Didier Coton 2. Scented Billie Jean King, Black, (DK, NO, SE, NZ Ch Star't Cutting Trax Of Jhanzi x Scented Allabouther) Breeder Laakso Sari. Owner Beverly Thompson 12-18 Month Bitches (Ent 9, 0 Absent, 1 Excused) 1. Countrywinds Champagne Barbie, Red, Breeder/Owner Catherine Harker 2. Allure's Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me, Black, (Ch NFX Night to Rember CD RN x Ch Allures Turn Me Loose at Suraj SC) Breeder Todd & Stephani Norris & Pam Mcqueen. Owner Patricia Silverman & Dick Hafner & Stephani Norris) 3. Alphaville's Foreign Copy T' Wynsyr, B/T, (cH Poseidon Of Mountain Taop One JP x Twopczs Absolutely Alphaville) Breeder Yvonne Ljunquist & Tommy Karlsson. Owner Scott Pfeil & William Pfeiffer & Gary Lennon Bred by Exhibitor Bitches (Ent 8, 0 Absent) 1. Azari's Kill 'n'em Softly, Brindle, (Ch Raffica's Lady Killer x Ch Mahadi's Duchess Of Abbey) Breeder/Owner Karen Irazabel 2. Majenala Leader Of The Pack, Brindle, (Majenala Smashing Sensation x Ch Majenala Ego Trip In Concert) Bredder Jen Robinson & Holly Jorgensen. Owner Jen Robinson & A Schaefer 3. Pamelons Zitkalasa, Gold, (Ch Pamelons Sterling x Ch Shacone Abaca Adelaide) Breeder P & L Pattereson, A Shaw & T Chacon. Owner Pamela & Lonnie Patterson American Bred Bitches (Ent 4, 0 Absent) 1. Shenandoah A Toast Of The Town, Blue (Dilute), (Ch Shenandoah Yancy Derringer x Ch Regimes Shenandoah Ma Jolie) Breeder Denise Willeford, Ine Harris, Robert Godfrey. Owner Sandy Blount & Denise Wailleford 2. Morita Regines Ms Barry Of Keystone, Black, (Ch Shenandoah Yancy Derringer x Ch Regimes Shenandoah Ma Jolie) Breeder Denise Willeford, Ine Harris, Robert Godfrey. Owner Ine Harris & Jo Luis & R Godfrey 3. Hosanna's Lifesong, Lt Brindle, (Hosanna Amazing Justice x Ch Hosanna Price Above Rubies JC) Breeder Lynda & Rosse Farley. Owner Lynda R Farley Open Bitches (Ent 13, 1 Absent) 1. Grazioso JP Indah, Black/Cr or Wht), (GArazioso JP Hight Touch x Garazioso JP Make Me Smile) WB Breeder/Owner Masato Ito 2. Sura's Paris Nights, Brindle, (CH SAura's Hollywood Nights JC x Ch Kasban Sirae" Heaven Sent) Breeder Suzanne J Neill, Cynthia Byington & Laura Mauldin. Owner Christine O'Connor & Suzanne J Neill 3. Cairo's All Dolled Up, Brindle, (Ch Cairo's Bottoms Up x Ch Jubilans Fairy Moss) Breeder Jen Erickson & Lorrained Tayeb. Owner Jen Erickson & Elise Toohey 3 Best Of Breed Competition (Ent dogs 32, 10 Absent, bitches 20, 0 Absent) BOB GR CH Thaon's Mowgli, Dark Mahogony Brindle, (Ch Thaon's Wannadance x Ch Thaon's Cybil) Breeder/Owner Jay T Hafford & James Blanchard. BOS Ch Wynsyr Taking Chances, Black/Silver (Wynsyr Out Of Africa x Ch Synsyrs Kodak Moment) Breeder Julie Drees, DS Pfiel & W Pfeffer. Owner Lynn Mercer & D S Pfiel & W Pfeffer BOW Shylo The Octoroon, Black/Cr, (Ch Abaca Shacone Native Spirit x Ch Shylo Solitaire) Breeder Bruce Clark & Leslie Farkas. Owner Bill & Jennifer Pearce & Stephen Fisher WD Shylo The Octoroon, Black/Cr, (Ch Abaca Shacone Native Spirit x Ch Shylo Solitaire) Breeder Bruce Clark & Leslie Farkas. Owner Bill & Jennifer Pearce & Stephen Fisher RWD Alphaville's Special Edition Wynsyr, Brindle, (Xenos Comment x Alphaville's The Ultimate Creation) Breeder Yvonne Lijunquist & Tommy Karlsson. Owner Scott Pfeill * William Pfeffer, Gary Lennon WBGrazioso JP Indah, Black/Cr or Wht), (GArazioso JP Hight Touch x Garazioso JP Make Me Smile) WB Breeder/Owner Masato Ito RWB Sura Lies And Alibi, Black (Dilute), (Ch Sura's Hollywood Nights JC X Ch Raffica's Say It Isn't So Rwnwick) RWB Breeder M Santiago, S J Neil & J Denardo. Owner Suzanne J Neill SD Ch Raffica's Valymir Sweet Victory, Brindle, (Ch Genesis Legacy Of Amberlike x Ch Rafficas Yankee Doodle Dandi) Breeder G & S Games, Janine Denardo & Marie Santiago. Owner Garret & Sue Games SB Ch Wynsyr China Doll, Lt Cream, (Ch Fabelhaft Zootsuit x Ch Wynsyr Alliance) Breeder Scott Pfeil & William Pfeffer. Owner J W & Debbie Rogers & Scott Pfeil & William Pfeffer Awards Of Merit GR Ch Stormhill's Sweet Dream Of Raffica Ch Mahali Arriva Meadowlark Ch Jabir's Southern Nights JC CH Kasban Sura Spring Fling CH Pamelons Late Nite Of Cavu Best Bred By Exhibitor - Pisco Of Dega Afghans Best Puppy Sura L.A Ink Library Of Articles/Main Menu Toolbar GoTo Whats new afghan hound times afghan hound times |