I don't get all the griping over the Amateur Futurity. The extra work thing is just bogus imo. The ring is already set up, a few extra ribbons have to be ordered, etc. On the positive side, it's a chance for someone to get ring stewarding under their belt for a judging license. It is also an opportunity for a person judging the amateur to pick one (or is it two in the case of a specialty of their own breed) matches toward their license as well. It gives the young dogs a chance to get a feel for the ring and another training opportunity (for a lousy fifteen bucks). It gives non-professionals another chance to work on their chops. Besides all that I like having any chance to watch young GSD's in the ring. I am an amateur (I have finished ten of my own) and I will be sixty-three. I am grateful and lucky to have good health and can still run and you will see me out there with a couple of my pups. I am always glad for the chance to get in the ring especially in front of my GSD peers. Also, If the dog and I are a fit I will be glad to handle anyone's dog for them in the amateur in my region (NW). Jim Barnhart ============================================================================ 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/ ============================================================================