The potential for the new venue for Great Western, Beverly Hills, Long Beach and the myriad of associated specialties is huge. Just as is the venue itself—huge! Located in El Dorado East Regional Park in Long Beach, properly laid out, this may be a marvelous site. Unfortunately, the four days of shows therein never met an acceptable standard, unless one was an exhibitor with one or two entries. Then you could sit at your ring (presuming you could find it) ensconced for the day. That is, provided you were not consumed by the clouds of dust created, in part, by the numerous golf carts hired by the clubs and handlers trying to get to their rings. This was a first-time effort, so allowances up to a point should be made. Nonetheless, the discomfort and inconvenience levels cannot be overlooked. I know Jack Smith was aware of many of the problems, and it is expected he will address them directly in an upcoming issue of DOG NEWS.None of this verbiage, however, can change the discomfort of this weekend. It can only be hoped that if, in fact, these clubs decide to remain at this park, not only will a new layout be devised, but the grounds will be worked upon to improve the problems faced this year.
I dislike the practice of charging people for space under the grooming tent. While the premium list specified that this charge was for overnight parking, the fact is that handlers with vans or trucks were charged as though they were staying overnight. A tax by another name, that's all that was. Then the ignominy of having to rent a golf cart, at $75 a day, to get to the ring was obtuse. I think that charge should be reimbursed. AKC's role in the approval of the site and layout is somewhat unclear. I am told that the person in charge of the process never learnt of the new site until he received the premium list. Was the breakdown internal in North Carolina or did Events fail to respond correctly, or did they respond and Judges Department was at fault? Or did the Club go their merry way until it was too late for AKC to respond at all? Questions to be looked into, for sure—with answers given as well, since there were an awful lot of unhappy people at these events. No one should or can slough these problems away either. Lest next year, as threatened by many a handler, they will go for five days to Montana, in an air-conditioned building. That's more than a threat—it is a strong possibility to consider.
As for the results—on Thursday, Ernesto Lara's bitch, Ch. Orchard Hill Never Grow Up, won the Independent Cavalier Specialty judged by Joachim Olsen of Sweden, while Great Western was awarded to an AmStaff. The next day, a Maltese shown by Pat Keen-Fernandez, Ch. Funny Ladies Beach Girl, was the victor at the Toy Show, whilst at GW, the Kerry Blue from Russia shown by Peter Atkinson was awarded best. His name is Ch. Aran Ferbane. He also was awarded BIS at Beverly Hills the next day after once again winning the Terrier Group. On Sunday, the Airedale shown by Jenny Wornall achievedthe top spot. He is, of course, Ch. Everyman's High Performance. From a terrier standpoint, it was exciting to see any number of dogs I had never seen before, as well as seeing a number of younger dogs having matured so nicely. Both the Smooth and Wire rings had high quality. There were a number of new Norfolk and Norwich to admire, a lovely Airedale dog special, and a most promising Airedale bitch pup, to name but a few. Scotties were extremely competitive.
This was also the first show I saw Roz Kraus work. Boy, is she going to be a worthwhile and valuable addition to the Field Rep Staff. She takes no guff, calls it as she sees it and really knows what's going on. When she evaluates you, you get an honest and knowledgeable opinion. Some of you judges who have been coasting by on bravado had better be on your toes when she's around, that's for sure. •