>That this will benefit the select few that can afford to enter and show all >over the country >and everyone else's chances for winning Futurities will >diminish because those select few >will open up THEIR chances. Well, what if the rules prohibited handlers from charging for handling (and expenses) at the futurities (which are just matches, after all). Most of the matches around here prohibit professionals except when they are showing their own dogs. I know that wouldn't be popular with the handlers, but it sure would make these match shows more affordable for the exhibitors. BTW - at the Northeast Conformation Olympics everyone who can pitches in and handles and no one charges anyone anything for their services. The entry is big - often bigger than some of the futurities and a good time is had by all. Sure would like to see the futurities go down that road... Laurie ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. 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. 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@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================