(Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange)
Tuscon, Arizona, 4-9 October, 1998 Report By Steve Tillotson (Report originally published in the Novembre 98 issue of "Our Afghans"  Photo Carol Hedstrom, National Visitors at The Grand Canyon The Oasis
The judge’s routine involved the exhibits doing a “slow” up and down diagonally across the ring, followed by a “not too fast” run round the full size of the ring. At times I thought the slow up/down was too slow and the Afghans just did not show well as they simply did not get into any kind of stride pattern. Generally, running round the ring was at a sensible pace. I think all concerned did their best to run their exhibits as per the judge’s instructions, perhaps a few took the instructions too literally, and went a bit too slow. A few tight leashes, so tight that the front feet barely touched the ground and inhibited natural movement. There was also the opposite of this, loose leashes and no control. Generally handling was of a high standard. There was no lack of ringside support from individual exhibits fan clubs. At one stage the judge walking down the line approached an exhibit and as she put her hand forward to touch the dog applause started, she stepped back and it stopped in an instant. This had me looking for the applause on/off switch on the dog! Certainly no lack of enthusiasm ringside.. The US process of judging involves moving the exhibits many times and takes longer than judging does here in the UK. The US routine also requires a good level of athleticism and fitness from both exhibitor and exhibit. To be honest, I think a lot of UK exhibitors would be exhausted by the demands of exhibiting to the US routine. This also raises a question in my mind, do US judges place more emphasis on movement in their overall assessment of an exhibit, and do UK judges perhaps place more emphasis on conformation?. Class sizes in the UK often exceeds those in the US and the UK rings are pathetically small which can inhibit movement. Even so, US Afghans and handlers are fitter and more athletic and that must be a factor in achieving good ring performance. There is also the issue of “style”. It’s fair to say that a lot of UK exhibitors adopt a quiet, almost introvert style of showing, by comparison the US style is much more extrovert. The judging system in UK is slightly different to the US. We judge on a class basis, separate classes for each sex, unbeaten class winners go on to challenge for best of sex, and the two eventual best of sex winners then compete head to head for best of breed. It’s quite usual to have a different Judge for each sex, in which case both judges judge the best of breed. If they are unable to agree, a third judge, (The Referee) is called in to make the final decision. We do have mixed classes at our (non championship) open shows. The Awards Dinner Following conclusion of the show, the hotel staff speedily re-arranged the marquee, set up tables, bars and the buffet ready for the evening awards dinner with David Frei ensuring the busy evening of announcements, speeches and entertainment ran smoothly. All present expressed their appreciation to Lee and Barb Bornstein for their tremendous efforts in organising this years National which has proven to be a great success. In view of the late change of venue, this was a fantastic effort by Lee and Barb, well done indeed! David Frei welcomed and thanked the many overseas visitors for attending and adding the international flavour to this years National. An impressive list of overseas attendees, including visitors from the UK, Ireland, Peru, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australasia, and several other countries. The National is becoming pretty much International. A short quiz tested the memories and knowledge of dinner guests on the subject of the history of the US Afghan hound and provided us with some light hearted entertainment. David Frei’s line that “bottom of the list in the quiz results was an American table, even the Irish did better” gave us all a giggle. A little personal brag here, why not! There were only three people on our table compared to seven or eight on the majority. Our table comprised of two non-Afghan people, including the host hotels Sales Director, and one overseas Afghan person (me). Despite this enormous disadvantage (well, I did say I would brag..) we scored eight or nine compared to the winning score of 13 correct answers. The Sales Director was inspired, and spotted the date of 1937 on the AHCA logo, thus ensuring we got at least one question right. A good bit of fun, and well done the Irish too! The list of annual awards, such as top winning bitch, BIS, Top Producer, top AHCA/ASFA etc were read out, sorry this reporter was unable to keep up with the awards/names. There was a special AHCA award to Connie Buthreus, AHCA President 1996-1997 as an expression of gratitude for her contribution to the AHCA. Lifetime membership was awarded to Karen Armistead in recognition for her contribution as board member, breed historian, librarian and producer of excellent videos on the breed. Karen commented “We might not have met each other but for our dogs”. “Gifts of love the dogs have given us and I thank the dogs we all met”. Honorary membership was extended to Norma Cozzoni who was stepping down after a 12 year contribution as board member. Certificates for various achievements were issued to Midwest, AHC California, AHC Gt Chicago, AHC Gt Portland, Colonial AHC and Nutmeg. Certificates were issued to Sharon Howlett (California) and to Bev Davenport (Portland) for outstanding work on Afghan Rescue. Certificate issued to Sue Macker (Chicago, Indiana, Winsconsin) for her rescue efforts and in covering such a wide area.  (Photo Left, Ruth Weddle with UK visitors Pam and Stuart Mottershaw). Ruth, publisher of the senior breed magazine “Our Afghans” received a special award for her contribution to the breed spanning 31 years. Bob and Carol Penta received a special award for their contribution to the breed. Karen Wagner, our Sweepstakes judge, commented that she saw quality, and she saw problems. Karen explained that there was a lot of negative talk about problems such as sickle hocks, dogs out at elbow, bad necks etc and that we should use our energy to turn these negatives into positives in order to produce high quality dogs. Lila Wadsworth, our dog judge, gave a brief comment on her observations. Lila stated she felt priveleged to have judged the National for a second time. She encouraged us all to read Betty Stites newsletter and read about “incorrect straight front assembley” which “should be set back under”. Lila was also concerned ahout flat croups, high set tails, weak/narrow heads and would like to see stronger male heads. Dr Gerda Kennedy, our bitch and intersex judge, started her speech with the lighthearted comment “this is not good for my makeup”, explaining that the National was a very emotional event for her. Gerda stated that she had no prepared speech and was “talking from the heart” and that “these are two days I will never forget, thank you”. Gerda stated that the quality of Afghans presented to her was very high and that this “should be an inspiration to us”. Gerda concluded her speech with thanks to all for the hugs and kisses she had received. Jim Hickie gave a brief presentation on the 4th Afghan Hound World Congress scheduled in Australia in the year 2000 and invited and encouraged us all to attend, pointing out that with the weak Austalian dollar, now was a good time to book. Jim informed us that Roberta Posa from Switzerland was the main judge. A framed picture of an Afghan Hound was presented by the AHCA to the Sales Director of the host hotel (Sheraton) in appreciation of her wonderful efforts in providing facilities and support of the National at her hotel at such short notice. A feature of the National is that it brings many of us together once a year from far and wide. It seems that I have to travel to the US at least once a year just to meet up with Jim Hickie from Australia, well that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it.. I met many new friends this year, including enthusiasts from Mexico, Peru, Australia and several other countries. It was a great pleasure to meet so many people that I have corresponded with via the Internet. It is so much better when you can put a face to a name. Mannie and Eadie Glazer kindly introduced me to just about everybody, so I thank them both for their great hospitality. Steve Tillotson November 1998 |
Inside, the marquee was enormous, fully carpeted throughout, windows all round providing natural lighting, supplemented by internal lighting as needed. At the far end, facing the entrance was the AHCA trophy stand, beautifully arranged and providing a very striking centerpiece. The huge ring was surrounded on the other three sides by several lines of seating. To the right was an inside grooming/preparation area, to the left and along the entrance wall several trade stands were set up. As the morning progressed, spectators took up their seats, exhibitors arrived and commenced to prepare their Afghans, the temperature and excitement began to rise.