Well, such were the events that occurred during The Moore County Kennel Club’s 12th and 13th All Breed Dog Shows and Obedience Trials. Historic Pinehurst was again the site for the annual shows.
On Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 the beautiful and talented canines did their best to win the coveted ribbons and status of being Best In Show or High In Trial. The Harness Track and Polo Field continue to be an outstanding setting for the shows. There were many vendors with their booths, the Clubs education booth and AKC information booth, a personal guide to escort one around the show explaining the activities. The successful microchip clinic sponsored by the club along with AKC/CAR was once again well attended.
Saturday, May 31 proved to be a challenging day for one and all. Rain and wind were present off and on all day creating a tricky business getting the pooches through their paces.
In the Group competition, Judge Billie R. Kneale picked an outstanding Australian Terrier, (Dog) Ch Dreamtime’s Frontiersman, to come front and center from the feisty Terrier Group. When Judge Toddie Clark judged the Hound Group, she selected a smoothly sleek Saluki, (Bitch) Ch TSP Meritage Marsanne. The gentle and stately dog pleased the crowd.
Next up was the Toy Group, judged by Judge Anna Wanner. No one shivered a bit when Judge Wanner selected the outstanding Pug, (Dog) Ch Atlantis’ Shiver Me Timbers. The Working Group was judged by Lt. Col. Wallace Pede who selected the outstanding Akita, (Dog) Ch Breezewood Imarii He’sTheMan, who proved just that, he really was The Man as he pranced away with the honors.
Judge Guy Jeavons had no doubts bestowing the Sporting Group title on the stately Golden Retriever, (Dog) Ch Summits No Doubt About It much to the elation of handler Vicente Zuniaga. Ch Hum’nbird Keepn Up’pearances (Dog) a jolly Pembroke Welsh Corgi kept up appearances enough for Judge Jean Fournier to crown him with the Herding Group ribbon. Having his charge surpass a large Corgi entry, handler Frank Murphy was quite pleased with the results.
A young French Bulldog (Dog), in the “Bred by” Category, caught the eye of Judge Jeavons, who was back to judge the Non-Sporting Group. Mayo’s Vin Diesel XXX Of GAH strutted himself around the ring winning the applause of the ringside spectators.
The weather had been working against us so far and we had a real downpour with wicked winds just as Best Of Show was coming up. In true John Wayne style Judge Robert Forsyth led the finalists to higher ground and the rains ceased, and lo and behold a rainbow appeared. Forsyth is also president of the MCKC and deemed it not to rain on his parade. He quickly examined the lineup of spectacular canines and selected the pugnacious Pug Ch Atlantis’ Shiver Me Timbers. Handler Esteban Farias was decidedly elated with the win as were owners/breeders Diane & Steven Lewis and fellow owner Lola Riande.
Right before the big guys’ Best In Show, the puppies got their chance. Judge Tom Glassford was on board to pick the Best Puppy In Show and he had an amazing group from which to select. A lively Miniature Schnauzer, tagged Tag’m Mischief Afoot from the Terrier Group (9-12 month bitch) was his pick. This surely made her breeder/owner Gwyn Mathis very happy.
The Obedience Ring was truly a challenge on this stormy day for all the participants, human and canine. Jumping, heeling and retrieving is even more difficult when there is inclement weather. In true “the show must go on” fashion, they all performed with valor and tenacity. The three judges, Stephen Jewell, Rose Doan and Harold Doan, kept up the pace and maintained their good sense of humor.
High In Trial, 197 in Open Class B, was won by Starfire’s Chief UDX PT a talented Border Collie with owner Rickie Morrison. Veteran Obedience participant Alice Hartman and her lively and inspired Miniature Poodle, Ch White Crest Micki Finn UDX won High Combined. High Combined is awarded for the highest scores earned in Open & Utility which this day totaled 388.5.
Other honors were won for Highest Scoring Dog from the Sporting Group, Golden Retriever, KC’s Paddington E Bear owned by Cynthia Ebert. Another of Alice Hartman’s Miniature Poodles, Ch OTCH White Crest Cash On The Line UDX MX AXJ won the Highest Scoring Dog with an AKC Agility Title award. The HIT winning Border Collie also won the Highest Scoring Dog with an AKC Hunting Title. The last event was Rally Obedience, which got underway with Judge Sandra Curtis-Powell coming forward to time and rate the participants. Sue Vickery’s clever Beagle, Carolina’s Little Rebel Shelby CDX, won both the Level 1 and Level 2 honors. All first place winners got to select their own toys.
Judge Billie Kneale judged the Junior Showmanship Competition. The Open Junior Class produced the winner, Jr. Handler Sarah Taylor with her Whippet. Ch Designer Southern Tradition expertly handled by Sarah, (02-28-90), sailed around the ring. These young participants, like their puppy counterparts, are the future in Dog Shows.
Sunday, June 1 made up for yesterday’s weather by being an ideal sunny day not too hot and not too cool, a welcome change for everyone. The anxious canines, ready for the Group Judging, were prepared to prance, and trot to the delight of theirs handlers, owners, judges and spectators.
Up first was Judge Shirley Uphouse eyeing the Non-Sporting Group looking for that special canine. The stately Standard Poodle, (Dog) Ch Kaylen’s Reason To Believe was the winner.
Judge Houston Clark did the honors in the Working Group selecting the beautiful Great Pyrenees (Dog). Ch Whitehope’s Pneuma who thrilled everyone as he floated around the ring.
Next up the Toy Group was a repeat of the previous day’s win. Obviously Judge Toddie Clark agreed that the Pug, (Dog) Ch Atlantis’ Shiver Me Timbers should once again take the toy group winning ribbon.
Judge Jean Fournier was on the trail to select the best Sporting Group canine. A beautiful Field Spaniel, (Dog) Ch Coralmist Close Encounter captured the judges’ eye and tracked down a win. Judge Guy Jeavons got to work putting the feisty terriers through their paces. A perky Miniature Schnauzer, (Bitch) Ch Destineez Lucky Number proved that her destiny was her lucky number this day. The Hound Group was next with the Judge Lt. Col Wallace Pede again examining the lineup. Pede decided that yesterday’s winner the beautiful Saluki, (Bitch) Ch TSP Meritage Marsanne should sweep the Hound honors.
Judge Guy Jeavons was back on deck; to this time gather up the Herding Group participants. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, (Dog) Ch Hum’nbird Keepn Up’pearances was making an encore by keeping up appearances for a second day.
At last it was time for all those outstanding canines to gambol around the ring for the top prize. Doing the honors for Best In Show was Judge Anna Wanner. The outstanding little Pug, Ch Atlantis’ Shiver Me Timbers, who was the previous day’s Best In Show winner, did it again. His handler Esteban Farias was overjoyed and also pleased were the owners Lola Riande and Diane & Steven Lewis.
Just like the day before the puppies were enjoying their time in the limelight. Judge Margaret Downey judged the Best Puppy In Show where she selected a winner from the Hound Group. The sleek and lithe Whippet, (9 to 12 months Bitch) Albeaim Heart Breaker proved she could break hearts on this day.
Over at the Obedience Ring things were going much better today for the participants with the sun shinning on their activities. Judges Rose and Harold Doan returned to scrutinize the pooches as they jumped, heeled and generally obeyed their way to the winning places.
High In Trial was awarded to a really stoic and clever Shetland Sheepdog, MACH Windward Put To The Test UDX MX MXJ with the score 196.5. The sheltie competed in the Open B Class partnered with her owner Tracy Fletcher who was very pleased with his charge. The High Combined Score in Open/Utility was won with a score of 390 out of a possible 400. Owner/handler Tina Frausto was justly proud of Charisma’s Golden Icon CDX, her beautiful and talented Golden Retriever.
Judge Margaret Downey was on deck on Sunday to judge the Junior Showmanship Competition. The honors went to the Open Senior competitor Douglas Covert, Jr. (08-05-87) showing his Afghan Hound. Douglas did a great job with Kzar Acadia’s Mysterious Ways and as a result won the crown in Jr. Handling.
On Monday, June 2 the club held its annual “Get Off the Porch and Join the Big Dogs” golf tournament. The proceeds go towards scholarships that benefit deserving Moore County students attending Central Carolina Community College, who are veterinary technology majors.
This is the sixth year that the Moore County Kennel Club has presented its successful shows. “The club is indebted to the vets who so willingly gave of their time and were veterinarians on site for our shows,” said a spokesman. “Our thanks to go Maple Springs Vet. Clinic, Pinetree Animal Hospital, Carthage Animal Hospital, Whispering Pines Animal Hospital and Animal Health Center.”
