[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Don't compete if you can't run with the big dogs
- From: Hickoryhill <hickoryhillgsd1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: jim barnhart <jim_barnhart@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2011 19:23:04 +0000 (UTC)
Jim, Much of what you say has merit, however credibilty is lost with me, when
you assume that one has to be a person of "means" to be successful. Handler
have a saying about dogs, some are great for the portfolio and others are great
for the pocketbook. Nearly everyone I know started off small and worked their
way to the top. For handlers recognition usually comes from showing that first
great dog, for breeders recognition comes from breeding that first great dog.
There are people of "means" that have never bred a great one, and there are
people of modest means who have continually bred not just one great one, but
many. Talent and abilty as a breeder or handler has nothing to do with "means"
Bottom line is you need more "means" to promote and show mediocrity.So my
theory is, if you breed a standout dog, you will get a look no matter what
venue, no matter who is handling. A really good dog can rarely be screwed up no
matter how unknown or bad the handler may be. If you beleive for one minute
that the Amateur futurity cannot be corrupted by your so called big shot
breeders, think again. I have witnessed well known breeders putting their dogs
with an amateur handlers, then doubling the Hell out of their dogs to make
certain the judge knows who the dog is owned by. So if you think the Amateur
event will do away with politics, guess again. Anything can be corrupted if
those participating are corrupt. C
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Barnhart" <jim_barnhart@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: ELG440@xxxxxxx
Cc: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, March 4, 2011 7:53:46 PM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Don't compete if you can't run with the big dogs
That's a wonderful sentiment about it being about the dog but your
subject line reflects an outdated point of view in my opinion. You're
talking about what happened thirty years ago. Times have changed. I
am an amateur and have won in the specialty and all-breed ring because
I had a good dog and developed my chops like you did. I had a nice
dog that went BOF on a teenage junior handler who was quite skilled
but unknown. It can happen but who has the time and money to go
through the process you and I went through? A non-pro does win
occasionally but often as not the pro has the edge now more than ever
and for some reason fees for the futurity/maturity are now as high as
showing a dog at the national. I know handlers are charging what the
market will bear, usually have the best dogs owned by the well to do
who can afford the fees and buy and/or breed the best dogs and the
perception is that the Futurity/Maturity is an elite show. At this
level every edge counts and it is only smart to hire the best handler
you can afford. Entries are declining for a number of reasons
including a poor economy and folks of good will are attempting to come
up with creative ways to deal with that problem. If I am not mistaken
every dog entered in the amateur has to be entered and is usually
shown in the regular futurity/maturity as well so it is really an
extension of the bigger show and an attempt to get more folks
competing in what is too often perceived as a venue for the big shots
and their big time dogs. We have had more than one discussion on
this list about the influence on our breed good and bad of
professional handlers on the sport and many have quit showing dogs
because of the expense and yes the politics that is a reflection of
human nature when a lot of money is involved. The amateur futurity
in my opinion is not only a venue for so called newbies to show their
dogs in a dumbed down show as you call it but a arena in which an
experienced non-professional or those who aspire to become
professional handlers can work on their craft and provide newcomers
with a reasonably priced way to enter the sport and work on their own
skills as double handlers which we all know is the only way a dog can
be shown at a specialty in this day and age. A win in the amateur can
be the motivation to stay in the sport and keep growing as an
exhibitor. There are many skilled handlers who are not pros and I
would urge them to make their services available for the amateur
futurity and the main event. Do this for the breed and the sport of
dog showing. I will happy to show a dog for free in both shows. I
have thought of organizing an amateur handlers association that would
bring non-pros, newbies and those of modest means together to make it
possible for more people to show dogs. Some may not win in the big
show but a win and the experience in the amateur for the handler and
the exhibitor can be the just one more answer to reviving the sad
state of affairs in our specialty shows. Jim Barnhart
On Mar 4, 2011, at 4:35 PM, ELG440@xxxxxxx wrote: <snipped>
>
> I didn't have an ameteur class to help me win, or something other
> than my
> determination. Bob Penny always gave me suggestions, and helped me to
> understand it was the dog, stupid. Not the handler.
>
> We can dumb down shows, or matches. But in the end it is the dog.
>
> Evan Ginsburg
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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
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