I agree with Doris. Back in 94 I bred my 1st litter. Litter mates Cassie & Riker were my 1st entries in a National. I was a WRECK ! Cassie didn't do anything but had fun. Her brother who went on to become our 1st champion took 1st in the 6-9 class with 34 in there. He was Am/Can Ch Greenwood's Colrichter. We've had several place since then. The icing on that cake was when "Killy" BIM Sel Ch Greenwood's Achilles TC OFA went Select a few years ago and his 1st son went 1st Amateur Futurity Victor. Now his kids are doing it. Can Select Whitside's Then came me was owned and bred by Steve & Nancy Whitworth. Multiple BIS Sel Ch Shoal Creek's Sangria v Barick is owned by Lee Jewell, Ed Farrell, Barbara Stamper and her granddaughter. None of these people nor I are "the big ones". What they have in common is that they are all very nice worthy animals. The economy is keeping me away again this year. But I will be waiting by the phone and keyboard for results. Denise Groenewald Greenwood Shepherds -----Original Message----- From: Doris E <irrenhaus4@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: arcturus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: thelist <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sat, Sep 25, 2010 5:44 pm Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Sad National Arcturus wrote: > While this economy certainly plays a part in these numbers. I gotta ask: Do you think the little guys just got tired of footing the bill for the big ones? What is the point of spending money on a national entry when you know its unlikely your dog is going to be put up? Maybe its time to see the handwriting on the wall folks. > ===========================================================================> > *I absolutely could NOT disagree more!! The Martellos and I were in complete shock when Boss went GV, and the same with Black Orchid (BO). I think a breeder exhibits at the National to show what their efforts have produced, and winning is secondary. Though Frank and Carolyn have always produced quality dogs, they could not be consided one of the "big ones". Winning at the National is the frosting on the cake, and none of us mind a bit of icing in our hair. It is a lot of fun when a "little guy" wins the big one. Competition is the name of the game. Doris E* ===========================================================================POST is Copyrighted 2010. 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 NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ =========================================================================== ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2010. 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 NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================