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USA VISIT 1994
"AMERICA - OUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME" (Page7)
Author Liz O'Connor (UK Renza Afghans)Around 6pm everyone disappeared off to the Annual Meeting, or, in our case, off to rooms to change for dinner. We went to a gorgeous Italian restaurant not far from the hotel, the only drawback was they were not licensed ~or alcohol (but you could take you own!) Afterwards we returned to the hotel for "An Evening with Lois" We never did discover who Lois was, but she certainly could sing, and everyone was joining in with the Karaoke!
The following morning we were back ringside to watch the final day s judging. This was the day I was waiting for because Best of Breed was to take place later in the day and I waited with anticipation to see the dog of my dreams - Taco, (this was only after the breakfast room was enlivened by a small fire at the buffet table - absolutely nothing to do with us at all, despite the rumours!)
We settled down again with Paul and Simon to watch completion of the Bitches Classes. As with Richard Souza, Georgie Guthrie moved them a lot and kept on shortlisting, before arriving at her 1st to 4th in each class. Whether you like Afghans in America or not, they move - they want to move - and they keep on moving. We saw hardly any that were lethargic and even fewer that would not be handled by the judges (which, of course, is not tolerated in American rings).
One thing I did note, despite all the suggestions that everyone in America rings race around at high Speed, (confirming, yet again, the incorrect assumptions which are all too willingly jumped upon here), this was not evident in the Classes, although the pace did quicken for a few exhibitors in the smaller available ring space for Best Of Breed.
The Parade of Veterans was squeezed in between Junior Showmanship and Best Of Breed, and what a turnout they had, with each of them deserving their moments of glory. A short resume of their lives was given, a la AHA style, and all were presented with beautiful medallions to commemorate their attendance. There was an official (professional) photographer for all three days of the show, and, as with every winner, photographs were taken of all of them individually, plus all the veterans together in a group, some 25 of them.
Roger Rechler, owner of the world-famous Grandeur kennels, can always be relied upon for putting the "Grand" into "Grandeur", and the last veteran to appear was handled by none other than Reigh Abram (together with her late husband Dewey, owners of the Dureigh kennels), who sedately entered the ring with Ch. Shahkira of Grandeur. Shahkira was a top winning daughter of Blu Shah, and she in turn is the mother of Ch. Shapphire, record breaking mother of the new record breaker Ch . Tryst (who, incidentally, won Best Opposite later in the day)!
We were delighted to have the opportunity to talk pedigrees with Reigh, and were enthralled listening to her reminiscing, with such obvious atfection, about her own and other dogs from earlier years (the Dureigh kennel was established in 1940). She has an envious recollection of the breed.
We were again thankful that Paul had very kindly reserved our front line seats, because the ringside was packed for the Best Of Breed competition . What a sight to behold as 72 "specials" entered the ring one by one to deafening applause from spectators. They were all lined up facing in towards the middle of the ring because there were too many to stack them all side by side!
The class was then split into dogs and bitches and judged in small batches, needless to say when not required in the ring, everyone went hotfoot back to the grooming area to get busy titivating dogs and handlers!
After years of waiting to see Taco (Am. Ch. Pahlavi Puttin On the Ritz), I didn t have to wait long today as he was the first of the males to be seen. I had deliberately kept away from Karen Wagner s grooming area because I wanted to see him in the ring in all his glory. When I saw him standing there I have to confess to shedding a tear or two, few dogs have stirred me so emotionally, but Taco chilled my spine (it was not an attack of the vapours as Paul suggested!).
He is magnificent and at an incredible 11 years (yes 11!), this was probably his last chance to take the record of National BIS wins (he equalled the record of 3 two years ago). The crowds were with him (he was obviously their choice!) and he rose to the occasion, sweeping around the ring, moving perfectly, to deafening applause. A truly outstanding dog.
Sadly, to the disappointment of many, he was not awarded BIS, and, with emotions stirred, there were a few tears. But we mustn't lessen the victory for the eventual winner, Am. Ch. Buena Vista Khabardar. As mentioned earlier, Tryst was BOS and Awards of Merit went to Taco, his daughter Am. Ch. Casbar Sugar-N-Spice, Am. Ch. Applause Majic Show, Am. Ch. Regency and Am. Ch. Qamari s Rainbow Rider.
The final classes of the show were then judged and I was thrilled to handle Ali s mother Am. Ch. MyWay You Gotta Have Heart in the Brood Bitch class, with MaryAnn handling Chance and David having Red. WE WON!! (Am I the first Brit to handle a winner at the National?!) Imagine my delight when David and MaryAnn gave me the beautiful lead crystal bowl that Diva had won (now you can see why we needed an extra suitcase!).
All that remained now was for me to meet Taco close up. He was still beautifully groomed and stood perfectly on his crate while I admired him. I was privileged that Karen allowed me to go over him and it confirmed in my mind why he has won so much - for me, the perfect dog.
The conclusion of the National was celebrated with the Awards Banquet, and host for the evening was none other than Dave Frei (with wife Sandy Withington-Frei, owners of the highly successful Stormhill kennel). We were delighted that Dave welcomed us in person before the evening began. The awards were not just for winning dogs, they also acknowledge the efforts of breed clubs with respect to rescue, obedience, education, etc. Later in the evening Michael Canalizo (Grandeur) compered a game show along the lines of TV s Family Fortunes. This was a hoot as amongst the team members was Rosemary Sutton and she and Michael kept the audience in stitches most of the night! After a celebratory nightcap in the bar (MaryAnn had done really well, selling most of her stock), we then crashed out, after a busy few days, only to start again the following day....
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