I actually liked his initial ring procedure. Groups of 7 would come in, be individually evaluated, sorted, put in the keeper group or in the dump pile. I like that kind of procedure. Early in the day during bitches, when some animals that I thought were worthy of further consideration started hitting the dump pile and some that I would have considered less than worthy made it to the keep pile, I started to wonder what was going on. But hey, again, I'm not in the middle of the ring, seeing all the things in mouth, and coming or going, etc. So on the day went. When we got down to the final 20, and then the real work began, I have to say, I am disappointed that the procedure used earlier fell apart, at least that's what it looked like from up in the stands. The groups of 20 were split into groups of 10. The first group of ten containing the top placers in their individual groups (2nd time through), the second 10 half or more also top placers in their individual groups plus a keeper or 2 from the dump pile. This is where I have to say I was confused. Unless I missed it and I didn't leave the building during any of the judging, the front half of the second group never compared against the dogs for higher placement against the dogs in the front half. The same happened in dogs. I pretty much agree, but then again I wasn't in the ring or judging just my opinion. I thought the place was good, wish herding could have been on the site as well. I have one peeve and that is the Victory Dinner, by the time I got to the food they were already out of most of it and what was left was tasteless. The chicken, I think that is what it was well I don't have a word for it. $38 and it was horrible. McDonald's would have been a huge improvement. I think having the dinner catered is a problem in getting quality food. I don't blame anyone I am sure this continues to be a nightmare for whoever handles the Victory Dinner. No one is ever going to be happy but really to run out of food and the food itself is horrible there has to be a better plan and no I don't have the answer. Maybe having it at a restaurant, hotel I really don't know but to pay $38 and walk away hungry is not the answer either. And that is all I will complain about, it was great to see friends and talk dogs and see some real nice quality animals. Disappointed to come home and get on the list and see that unfortunately nothing has changed with the way we treat one another. If we can't say the word God in our conversation without someone taking offense then we are in trouble here. We are all different and we need to respect each other. Lets all try to get along here, we don't have to always agree or agree with the judging and we have a right to express our opinion, nicely and if we want to we have the option to hit that delete key. Joyce -Original Message----- From: Kathaleen Strong <inflight2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: 'freelist' <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 04:39:42 -0800 Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] National Impressions --- Long Okay, I am going to attempt to write this so that you "PC" people can read it and not have a conniption. As I have done in previous years, I will give MY impressions of the breed and show as evidenced by the animals shown at this year's National. If this year's exhibits are any example, we are in a very short period of time going to be stepping back to an era when what the standard takes great pains to describe pretty succinctly in terms of motion, type, and secondary sex characteristics is completely lost for the favor of "what" that I can't delve into for being considered confrontational. Now before you people start in "What about this dog or that dog". I remember when Nationals had the Majority of dogs like "this dog or that dog" instead of "this dog or that dog" being the exceptional "few". Maybe this will be a good thing for some people and the Parent club; because we won't have to bother with the big grassy rings as most of the judging will be done from standing. Futurity/Maturity Finals were exciting. When I walked into the building on Wednesday morning (missed 6-9 puppy bitch) - and IMO my initial impression of the Collective Group of 6-9 puppy dogs --- you know, the future of the breed --- I didn't see a whole lot to be excited about. Straight shoulders, very little promise of functional athletic motion. I thought the Novice Dog class as an overall group of dogs was not bad, but I understand from one of the handlers this group didn't excite the esteemed Mrs. Amidon. I guess I have to more to learn. I actually enjoyed Mrs. Amidon's procedure. She worked her exhibits, sorted them, worked them and then sorted them and worked them again, then pointed in motion - except in one class. This is no criticism, because sometimes you just go with your "gut", although, I would like to know what all the "blowing" was about. Regardless, Mrs. Amidon didn't miss many (if any at all), and even though some people may quibble over individual order of the placements in the classes, the better ones were in the front of the class. That's all we can really ask for. I was a little surprised at the lack in the level of uniformity in type and motion in the Winners group, because I really thought for the most part, the better animals in the individual classes won. Personally, (AKA MY OPINION), I preferred the RWD, but I wasn't in the middle of the ring, and to be honest, sitting in the stands did give a significantly different view than the ground floor level. When I watched Mrs. Hokkanen in the ring, I have to admit I was a little lost during her individual class evaluations, but when her Winner's class came in, there was a certain level of consistency of her winners. I was a quite surprised by that, but have to give credit where credit is due. The clear standout in Winners bitch, IMO, was the Winners Bitch and Futurity Victrix and Select, is really an outstanding young bitch I think we're all going hear from for a while. Congratulations to her owners. I don't even know where to start in Specials. Maybe I'll start here --- I have never seen Mr. Downing judge dogs. Regardless what some may think after the past contention on the list, I went into the arena on Saturday with NO preconceived ideas of his abilities to judge the most important assignment in the Breed. I actually liked his initial ring procedure. Groups of 7 would come in, be individually evaluated, sorted, put in the keeper group or in the dump pile. I like that kind of procedure. Early in the day during bitches, when some animals that I thought were worthy of further consideration started hitting the dump pile and some that I would have considered less than worthy made it to the keep pile, I started to wonder what was going on. But hey, again, I'm not in the middle of the ring, seeing all the things in mouth, and coming or going, etc. So on the day went. When we got down to the final 20, and then the real work began, I have to say, I am disappointed that the procedure used earlier fell apart, at least that's what it looked like from up in the stands. The groups of 20 were split into groups of 10. The first group of ten containing the top placers in their individual groups (2nd time through), the second 10 half or more also top placers in their individual groups plus a keeper or 2 from the dump pile. This is where I have to say I was confused. Unless I missed it and I didn't leave the building during any of the judging, the front half of the second group never compared against the dogs for higher placement against the dogs in the front half. The same happened in dogs. Consistency is all that an exhibitor can ask for. Whether or not that consistency is of a nature that turns your crank or not, that is all we can ask for in a judge. I can not say that I noticed a strong level of consistency in motion and/or type in the bitches or dogs chosen for the top awards and selects. For the sake of not being too controversial, I'm not going into it anymore than that. Congratulations to the Winners. Overall, as breeders, I think we really need to be concerned with the following: Dead Tails --- Saw more of them than I've seen in a long time and unfortunately, it's becoming more apparent in different bloodlines. Worse yet, some animals exhibiting these tendencies were rewarded with high placements. Lack of Balance, and quality athletic motion --- When groups of seven bitches came into specials, and I said to myself "weak group in motion" and then looked at my catalog to see if there was any similarity in bloodlines --- Oh yeah. 5 of 7 sired by the same dog, next weak group the same. This is not being mean this is being an objective breeder. IMNSHO, this year's judges did not do the breed any favor by allowing the racing and pulling evidenced by the majority of animals exhibited. Temperament Test --- Well last year had the hugging, maul the dog fiasco. this year no one followed the prescribed test that futurity judges are required to sign. But, I'm not concerned by that because the test they did was more like the one I think is appropriate for the ring. I hope the Parent Club gets some consistency so that futurity judges and National judges are required to do the same test, or assign the appropriate 5 year no judging penalty that they have threatened before. That's all I can publicly say about the National. Get your tapes, watch them on slow motion with a group of fellow breeders, preferably with someone you consider a mentor (aka "menner"). LOL Respectfully submitted, Kathaleen Strong ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================