Crufts presented DISCOVER DOGS in London this past weekend. Although the dog show Crufts is owned by The Kennel Club, in fact, it was TKC running the show. Nonetheless all signage announced that it was a Crufts presentation. The success of this year's show, which is now entering its sixth consecutive year at Earl's Court, was formulated by TKC for a variety of reasons. First of all, after Crufts was moved to Birmingham, it left both London and the South of England with few ways to promote the overall sport of the dog. This year over 25,000 people attended DISCOVER DOGS, which is a fantastically great PR event for both the dog in England and the role of The Kennel Club in all things related to the canine. One would presume that the Staff of AKC in attendance there were thinking about how and where to try similar presentations in the States. Certainly an idea and concept worth developing, or so I think anyways. This is my second go at DISCOVER DOGS and just in the two-year period since I attended my first, the acceptance factor and interest generated has increased greatly.
The day before we attended, DISCOVER DOG America’s own Frank Sabella adjudicated upon the Bichon Frise club show. The entry was surprisingly strong, the bitches quite exceptional and, of course, Frank performed terrifically. He awarded the ticket to an open bitch. This was met with general enthusiasm, as were, quite candidly, all of his placements. The venue was more than adequate and the show chairperson, Mr. Coad, his usual perfect self. The next day Andrew Brace did an open interview with Frank, which I am told was very well received. Can you imagine a give-and-take between Messrs. Brace and Sabella? It was quite the thing, I am told. Also did a bit of theatre there—forget “Woman in White” but do go to “Festen”—British drama and acting at its very best!
Came home to hear about the results of the nominating committee's selection. Based upon the people nominated by the Board, I was not overly surprised at Scully being dumped, but I was at Gladstone. Five to eight additional people submitted their names for the seats as well, but the sitting Director Merriam did not. I'm not sure I know all who did, but I believe that Carl Ashby, Jim Dok and Dr. Meisels were some of those not accepted by the committee. They did select Judi Daniels, Tony DiNardo and Mr. Keene from Texas. Dr. Garvin was re-nominated. This selection and these results will in all probability open the doors to a massive number—eight to ten people—running from the floor. For sure, both Steve and Pat will be running—they told me so. As for David, he is impossible to pin down as to whether or not he will run from the floor, but I am extremely hopeful he will do so. I would think the names of certain other nominees either running or already nominated would induce him to change his mind and run again. Which, of course, from a legal standpoint he is more than able to do, as the newly-adopted term limitation never applied to his seat in the first place.
The throwback nomination of Judi Daniels is not totally unexpected, considering some of the people who were on the Nominating Committee. Fully 65 percent of the present Delegates were not representatives when all the old problems were going on. It took years to depolarize not only the Delegate Body but also the sport itself from the various “infights” going on throughout her administration. And that was before the red and blue states were even around. Whether or not this campaign will now turn into "those" kind of days again remains to be seen. I can tell you, though, that the thought of reliving those days isn't very high on my agenda. •
