Personally I think two Specialties in one day would be a win win for almost everyone, including the dogs. I'm thinking if I have to travel the length of California to shows in L.A.. or up to Oregon for a full day of driving going and coming home.......and they have two Clubs putting on two shows each day to get four shows done in two days makes it a lot better. For the dog......I don't have to make TWO LONG TRIPS with them crated for a 10 hr. drive ......to be gone TWO weekends. How could that be harder on a dog? It makes it better for the dog and a heck of a lot cheaper for the traveler. Two Hotel nights for you, your handler and less time on the road for the dog.......not even getting into the price of gasoline! One long day of work for a Club........yes. TWO long days for the Handlers and owners ......yes. But in the long run......less time, more free weekends.....less expense. I think we might get back to larger shows if exhibitors knew they had that ONE weekend to make those shows......and the other 'usual' show weekend would be gone. Please don't tell me our GSD's can't handle going in the ring twice in one day......sigh.....for those that have a dog that can't handle it......show at just one show. It's still a choice. We might even see a loose leash occasionally this way!!! <G> Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxx www.marhaven.com > In a message dated 6/3/2006 5:41:40 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, > RFWFORGSD@xxxxxxx writes: > Of course we all wish for entries larger than 50, but we seen too many > lately with entries below that. > > I hope that those opposed to this idea (with somewhat valid reasons), will > seriously consider the donation of their time or money or both to help > their > local clubs. Many clubs are struggling with too few members or too > little > in > their treasuries to enhance their club or shows. Many clubs must > forego > Obedience because they loose too much money or don't have the membership to > support the venue. > > Dick, ******************************************** > > You raise valid points. > > I can share what has worked for DVGSDC; > > We've diversified and hit the All Breed performance venues. We were quick > (in the scheme of things) to have a two day All Breed Agility trial. This > past April we held our first All Breed Rally Trial. Now, it turns out, in > order > to have All Breed Rally you need All Breed OB the day before, day of or day > after your Rally. We coupled Rally w/ the Specialty the following day and > had AB OB at the Specialty. Some GSD folks had their feathers ruffled > because > of the AB OB (always a few, right?) so in October '06, the day before our > Specialty we'll have AB Rally and OB (4 rings, 4 judges) and the following > day > go back to GSD only OB for those GSD folks that were worried about competing > in OB with "other breeds" (and fear loosing out on the first place they need > for their OTCH...to them I say "train your dog!"). THE AB OB competitors BTW > had no problem w/ the GSD folks doubling nearby. > > No, we don't do ALL of this w/ club members; We hire supers, we hire (some) > stewards and God Bless the boy scouts. We DO have wonderful member volunteers, > but the sheer volume of what we do makes it necessary to hire people. > > BUT, importantly IMO, there has been a positive impact on the membership > with all of the diverse actives we offer. The breed ring isn't for > everybody. > We've attracted new members and encouraged member volunteers with the sheer > volume of activities. Some members not interested necessarily in the breed > ring at first may get interested later or at the very least they'll volunteer > for running matches, participating in TCs, CGCs and the like. > > The AB people are wonderful and we've gained a reputation in the local > community as a group that has a lot of fun. (Every time we offer a TC, the > Rottie > people come out despite not being able to use the title, lol!) When the > chair of the local Poodle club called to ask us to sign off poodles in April > (they moved their show site and we had a distance conflict), I naturally said > "yes" then snagged her to judge Rally at the following trial <G>. > > It's all good:) The trick is never paying heed to the nay-sayers:) > > Kathy > three generations of Dual Titled Champions live here! > > visit _Pine Hill German Shepherd Dogs_ > (http://www.geocities.com/pinehillgsds/) > > > ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. 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