I train and handle my dogs in all sorts of venues - but showing GSDs in conformation is not the same as showing an Otterhound. Gone are the days where Ann Mesdag and Ginny McCoy could show because they were shown at a reasonable gait. Now we reward race horses. Ruth ________________________________ From: "Scharo777@xxxxxxx" <Scharo777@xxxxxxx> To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 9:21 AM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Amateur Futurity - Please read As Futurity Chairman, I have listened to hundred's of complaints about professional handler's fees at Futurities. There are MANY people who CANNOT show their own dogs and demand to be able to use a handler. I cannot regulate what handlers charge. As in anything else, the law of supply and demand regulates what handlers charge. When I took over as Futurity Chairman - an Amateur Futurity had been started. However, as a pilot the participants were treated as poor cousins. That has gradually been changed. In 2013 participants will receive the same trophies, pay the same entry fee, and there will be an amateur venue offer at each Futurity region in 2013. There is a Futurity venue available to compete. I suggest that you start NOW. Get you litter nominated. IT IS FREE if you do it when you do the breeding. Train your puppies. Join a local club or a Owner-Handler club and practice your dogs. If you cannot physically show a dog, find a friend, a club member, a Junior, or start your own kids. I assure you it is FUN!. And you will be on an equal footing with your peers. Hundreds of people are out there showing their Golden Retrievers and having a ball. WDA people are showing their dogs and having a ball. If you start in the amateur - maybe we can slowly make changes that will carry over into the breed ring. But it is up to you! In 2013 the GSDCA is 100 years ago. It is YOUR club. Why can't you learn to show your dogs? Carol Moore ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================