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Comments From Norma Mitchell, Scottie Sweepstakes Judge Great Western Terrier Association of Southern California Sunday, June 24, 2007 What a lovely day I shared with Scottish Terrier youngsters and their eager exhibitors. Everyone showing their pups was kind and enthusiastic about the event. How I wish I could have handed out first Place ribbons to all. Everyone present that day deserves a big round of applause for exhibiting for three days with three sweepstakes, regular classes, etc. I certainly appreciate the able help of my ring steward, Betty McGhee.
I would have liked to write you a more comprehensive critique than this will be, but I discovered early in my assignment that if I recorded all the good things about the dogs, I could not finish my assignment on time. I felt that moving along at a faster pace was necessary.
I will speak briefly about the many qualities I found in the entries. There were many good top lines and how nice to feel a lot of full keels in your Young pups. Most were low to the ground and certainly good temperaments were the order of the day. The grooming in general was very good and I know a lot of effort went into those coats and into exhibiting.
My choice for best in sweepstakes was owned, handled and bred by Barbara Casey. This is a lovely bitch of excellent quality. After judging, I learned of the many wins Barbara and Casi’s Temper Tantrum had enjoyed during this weekend. Temper Tantrum became a new champion under Judge Richard Powell in the afternoon by going winners bitch and best of winners. She also earned a group 2 in the terrier sweepstakes judged by Mrs. Beth Sweigart later in the day. There were other lovely bitches that will certainly be champions in the near future and I look forward to following their show careers.
For best of opposite sex, I chose Gallica’s Great American from the 12 to 18 month dog class. This was a tough decision as there were many nice males. This guy showed like a trooper though and while he was a pleasure to examine, his energy for the ring was impressive. He was expertly handled by his owner and breeder Charlene Gann. Also, after judging, I learned that Charlene had enjoyed a great weekend with a sweepstakes win with this boy from Judge Jane Phelan judging. Mr. Tony Gruda had given a sweeps win to the littermate sister, Gallica’s Ever So Clever…that would be a good weekend by anyone’s standards!
When it was time to make my final decision, I was very pleased with all the pups receiving blue ribbons that returned to the ring for Best In Sweeps. Congratulations to each exhibitor for bringing such promise to the ring.
I want to thank everyone for inviting me to share this great event with you. Though I no longer exhibit myself, I have memories of some wonderful great western weekends. I have enjoyed friendships with many of you and it was a pleasure to meet newcomers. The weekend was also nostalgic for me of friends no longer with us. As most of you know, David Seifert and I were friends and his absence was honored by the Scottish Terrier Club of California by dedicating their specialty to him the previous day. I was honored by this club in the past when asked to write memorials for the late Ilene Stewart and Susan Clarkson – both dear friends of mine. And, how Gussie Burros enjoyed the shows of great western weekend. I hope you don't mind me taking this paragraph to be nostalgic, but I imagine most of us there Sunday missed someone and/or some special dog and the STC of California honored these friends by dedicating shows to them. This club is to be congratulated by having so many faithful members.
Thank you for your hospitality, friendship, patience, the orchid and the lovely gift basket. It was a wonderful day to meet people, see fun Scotties, greet longtime friends and remember exciting great westerns of the past. In my opinion, it was a Hotdam ‘N Hallelujah Day! For those of you that know me, that is the highest compliment I can give!
Sincerely,
Norma Mitchell Hotdam Scotties |
