Sportsmanship - please read

[tegamom1]

Originally Posted by adinasmommy

I have only been to 2 shows this year as a spectator and i have to say i have seen everybody congratulate one another. My eyes got all watery when Carree won with Paxton at the Dallas show man that was so exciting and everybody congratulated her, beautiful sight really. I really look forward to attending more shows and someday get the guts to go out in the ring myself.

Myra

And how is it we didn't meet???? Okay, next time.....lol You would have been taken under our wings and had so much fun!

[Amazing Yorkies]

The one thing I would suggest to the experienced exhibitors.. is when you see a newbie, all alone and a little anxious.. is go up to them, introduce yourself, welcome them and wish them luck. Especially if it is your stomping grounds.
I feel like a forever newbie.. because of my husband's health, I have started exhibiting so many times, yet had to stop to take care of him. But every time I have tried to get out again, I feel out of place and out of friends. Mary Mellinger (Chobie lines) always comes up to me, gives me a hug, and welcomes me back with a big smile. She welcomed me the 1st time I ever came to the Show, wished me luck and I'll never forget how she makes me feel like I'm not so alone and out of place. And when we took WD, she came up and helped me make sure my picture was going to turn out. Now that is a YTCA member helping new exhibitors.
Congratulations after the fact, IMO does not do as much good as an introduction, a welcome, and a good luck especially since a newbie probably doesn't win at first. Therefore grooms alone, stands alone, goes in the ring, comes out of the ring and sees all the friendship going on, and leaves alone without anything being said to them.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Amazing Yorkies

The one thing I would suggest to the experienced exhibitors.. is when you see a newbie, all alone and a little anxious.. is go up to them, introduce yourself, welcome them and wish them luck. Especially if it is your stomping grounds.
I feel like a forever newbie.. because of my husband's health, I have started exhibiting so many times, yet had to stop to take care of him. But every time I have tried to get out again, I feel out of place and out of friends. Mary Mellinger (Chobie lines) always comes up to me, gives me a hug, and welcomes me back with a big smile. She welcomed me the 1st time I ever came to the Show, wished me luck and I'll never forget how she makes me feel like I'm not so alone and out of place. And when we took WD, she came up and helped me make sure my picture was going to turn out. Now that is a YTCA member helping new exhibitors.
Congratulations after the fact, IMO does not do as much good as an introduction, a welcome, and a good luck especially since a newbie probably doesn't win at first. Therefore grooms alone, stands alone, goes in the ring, comes out of the ring and sees all the friendship going on, and leaves alone without anything being said to them.

Deb I am sorry that you feel like a forever newbie I still consider myself a semi newbie since most of everyone I show with has been in this forever. I'm
I think I did that in Houston with Pam who lives in Houston...she was sitting alone in the restruant and I asked my friend Linda Thompson if she didn't mind if I asked Pam to join us and she said of course so off I went and asked her to join us She readily agreed and come and had a nice lunch with us and also came and sat with us ringside to watch other breeds that day
I remember meeting you in Chicago and not sure I introduced myself as there were many people there but I believe we finally met I hope I was nice.
Usually at all breed shows it's hard to see where the new yorkie people are since most of us already have reserved grooming and especially if it's a "BIG" all breed show with everyone so spread out sometimes it's hard to find a newbie. Of course I try and introduce myself to anyone I think is new but I'm just speaking for myself only and how I try and do. I"m a chatter box usually except at ringside before I go in because I guess I'm concentrating on showing my dog. I even chat while I'm grooming when someone comes and starts asking questions even though I'm trying to get my dog ready.
I understand how a newbie feels not knowing anyone but like we always say here we are trying to get our yorkie or dog ready to show and once we are done it's less stressful and that is when we have more time to speak to newbies or anyone actually. Getting ready to show can be alittle stressful so I hope newbies or anyone can understand that and try to be understanding as we try to be understanding as well I sure hope that made sense LOL

Donna

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Amazing Yorkies

The one thing I would suggest to the experienced exhibitors.. is when you see a newbie, all alone and a little anxious.. is go up to them, introduce yourself, welcome them and wish them luck. Especially if it is your stomping grounds.
I feel like a forever newbie.. because of my husband's health, I have started exhibiting so many times, yet had to stop to take care of him. But every time I have tried to get out again, I feel out of place and out of friends. Mary Mellinger (Chobie lines) always comes up to me, gives me a hug, and welcomes me back with a big smile. She welcomed me the 1st time I ever came to the Show, wished me luck and I'll never forget how she makes me feel like I'm not so alone and out of place. And when we took WD, she came up and helped me make sure my picture was going to turn out. Now that is a YTCA member helping new exhibitors.
Congratulations after the fact, IMO does not do as much good as an introduction, a welcome, and a good luck especially since a newbie probably doesn't win at first. Therefore grooms alone, stands alone, goes in the ring, comes out of the ring and sees all the friendship going on, and leaves alone without anything being said to them. .

Deb,

It's always done in Texas.......newbies are never left alone....sure they may come the first time to the show alone.....but, that's the only time. I know as a newbie....I was immediately taken under the wings of seasoned exhibitors.......I admit, I attended a lot of shows, fetching and being the gopher for exhibitors, attempting to learn the ropes, making sure that they knew my heart was in the right place and not just out to breed to sell puppies, before ever attempting to enter a ring.....But, I've never seen Texas/OK exhibitors shun a newbie....... At times we've taken in newbies to readily and sometimes getting burnt for it....but, never allowing that to stand in the way to welcome and help the next one

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Deb I am sorry that you feel like a forever newbie I still consider myself a semi newbie since most of everyone I show with has been in this forever. I'm
I think I did that in Houston with Pam who lives in Houston...she was sitting alone in the restruant and I asked my friend Linda Thompson if she didn't mind if I asked Pam to join us and she said of course so off I went and asked her to join us She readily agreed and come and had a nice lunch with us and also came and sat with us ringside to watch other breeds that day
I remember meeting you in Chicago and not sure I introduced myself as there were many people there but I believe we finally met I hope I was nice.
Usually at all breed shows it's hard to see where the new yorkie people are since most of us already have reserved grooming and especially if it's a "BIG" all breed show with everyone so spread out sometimes it's hard to find a newbie. Of course I try and introduce myself to anyone I think is new but I'm just speaking for myself only and how I try and do. I"m a chatter box usually except at ringside before I go in because I guess I'm concentrating on showing my dog. I even chat while I'm grooming when someone comes and starts asking questions even though I'm trying to get my dog ready.
I understand how a newbie feels not knowing anyone but like we always say here we are trying to get our yorkie or dog ready to show and once we are done it's less stressful and that is when we have more time to speak to newbies or anyone actually. Getting ready to show can be alittle stressful so I hope newbies or anyone can understand that and try to be understanding as we try to be understanding as well I sure hope that made sense LOL

Donna

I remember also in Texarkana last year when Carree Farmer showed for the first time...I went up to her and introduced myself before we went into the ring. I went to where she was set up and just introduced myself so I think for myself I welcome newbies pretty readily.
Roseanne Fett always welcomes newbies and usually one of the first ones to welcome anyone new so I think Texas welcomes newbies pretty well, of course that is from my perspective

Donna

[Amazing Yorkies]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Deb I am sorry that you feel like a forever newbie I still consider myself a semi newbie since most of everyone I show with has been in this forever. I'm
I think I did that in Houston with Pam who lives in Houston...she was sitting alone in the restruant and I asked my friend Linda Thompson if she didn't mind if I asked Pam to join us and she said of course so off I went and asked her to join us She readily agreed and come and had a nice lunch with us and also came and sat with us ringside to watch other breeds that day
I remember meeting you in Chicago and not sure I introduced myself as there were many people there but I believe we finally met I hope I was nice.
Usually at all breed shows it's hard to see where the new yorkie people are since most of us already have reserved grooming and especially if it's a "BIG" all breed show with everyone so spread out sometimes it's hard to find a newbie. Of course I try and introduce myself to anyone I think is new but I'm just speaking for myself only and how I try and do. I"m a chatter box usually except at ringside before I go in because I guess I'm concentrating on showing my dog. I even chat while I'm grooming when someone comes and starts asking questions even though I'm trying to get my dog ready.
I understand how a newbie feels not knowing anyone but like we always say here we are trying to get our yorkie or dog ready to show and once we are done it's less stressful and that is when we have more time to speak to newbies or anyone actually. Getting ready to show can be alittle stressful so I hope newbies or anyone can understand that and try to be understanding as we try to be understanding as well I sure hope that made sense LOL

Donna

Donna, you've always been very nice
Last minute grooming is a stressful time for exhibitors and lots of questions after the Show are much more appreciated. I'm glad to hear that you welcome newbies so readily and actually approach them to wish them luck and offer help.
Carrie is a sweetie and was adorable when her dog won in Dallas! Everyone laughed when she hugged the judge.. LOL

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Amazing Yorkies

Donna, you've always been very nice
Last minute grooming is a stressful time for exhibitors and lots of questions after the Show are much more appreciated. I'm glad to hear that you welcome newbies so readily and actually approach them to wish them luck and offer help.
Carrie is a sweetie and was adorable when her dog won in Dallas! Everyone laughed when she hugged the judge.. LOL

Thanks Deb I try to be Carree was so cute when she did that!! I laughed but a good laugh for her!! She's so honest and genuine in her actions and delight and excitement!!!
I try and welcome the newbies at all times. But on the other hand it can get really frustrating when newbies get so excited and say they want to show but they really don't know what they are getting themselves into. They say this is what they want to do but they haven't done their homework and just jump in feet first without finding that mentor or sticking with it. Experienced exhibitors I find do everything they can to help newbies and spend a lot of time helping and sharing their knowledge and the newbie disappears. Sometimes that is frustrating but we continue to always take on the new one that comes along hoping they find this as exciting as we or at least as I do.
I remember when I started out...I went to my first big dog show at Houston Reliant and was hooked. After that I found the yorkie standard online read it, studied it and found my local yorkie club, joined it and started attending the shows locally and talking to the exhibitors and got to know the members and helped them at their set up and ringside and then got my first show dog. I always tell a newbie this is a political arena and you have to get use to the politics of the show ring because it really can be political but you have to stick with it and continue if this is what you really want to do. If you really want it you can acheive it, it just takes patience and work and MONEY LOL!
It's really fun to show and love this breed. It has become a passion of mine and I've learned so much about the breed the longer I stay involved and also has made me know what the breed really means! I never knew the importance of breeding or showing to the best respresentation of the breed and the health of this breed until I got involved in showing. My passion is way beyond I could have ever imagined!!!
It takes work for newbies and the experienced to continue to preserve this breed and the love of it!!!
Donna

[bjh]

I just want to say that I agree with everything Donna said in the above post. I first started showing yorkies over three years ago. I had no mentor and so I jumped in and made some mistakes but I have learned a lot and I have lots more to learn. There are many good breeder/exhibitors out there that are willing to help but sometimes you have to reach out them and show them that you are serious. No matter how many books you read or how many shows and videos you watch, there is nothing like real ring experience. While most of my showing experiences have been very good and positive, I have has some disappointing experiences also but in showing you do have to be tough and take the good with the bad.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by bjh

I just want to say that I agree with everything Donna said in the above post. I first started showing yorkies over three years ago. I had no mentor and so I jumped in and made some mistakes but I have learned a lot and I have lots more to learn. There are many good breeder/exhibitors out there that are willing to help but sometimes you have to reach out them and show them that you are serious. No matter how many books you read or how many shows and videos you watch, there is nothing like real ring experience. While most of my showing experiences have been very good and positive, I have has some disappointing experiences also but in showing you do have to be tough and take the good with the bad.

I agree wholeheartedly. It does take awhile to learn the ins and outs. And to have your face become familiar to the regular show participants. I am totally new to showing Yorkies and was excited when we all had a setup in the same area. I got to meet every-one and didn't feel too jittery because not only my breeder was there, but every-one was pretty friendly and helpfull. I started showing our Blackies (Black Russian Terriers) about 3years ago when they were puppies-so my face became familiar to the regular exhibitors. I was touched that many of the regular working dog exhibitors noticed that I won my class at the Yorkie specialty and came up to contgratulate us. That makes the weekend so enjoyable

Gail in Ontario

[bjh]

One question I would like to ask to those that have more experience and that is exactly how should you act toward a new exhibitor that shows up with a yorkie that is not exactly show quality? Do you just walk up to them and tell them their dogs faults or do you hope that they ask your opinion? I know the first yorkie pup I ever showed was a little soft coated bitch. Very sound movement and excellent structure and I had high hopes that she would clear but she never did. I was at ringside waiting to go in the ring and a yorkie breeder/exhibitor just walk up and said 'your pup has a cottony coat' and just walk off, no explanation or introduction or anything. It really shocked my friend and I. Of course my friend and I thought how could the lady know without even touching the dog. Both of us being new thought the pup had a silky coat but as it turned out we were both wrong. Her show career did not last long. Personally I think it is best not to evaluate someones dog unless they ask for your opinion. Also, when I ask someone's opinion on one of my dogs I expect them to be totally honest. No sugar coating. Of course, I learned from this experience and that is if you are a newbie it is important to have one or more experienced exhibitor breeders evaluate your pup before you put them in the ring, it can save you a lot of money and heartbreak.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by bjh

One question I would like to ask to those that have more experience and that is exactly how should you act toward a new exhibitor that shows up with a yorkie that is not exactly show quality? Do you just walk up to them and tell them their dogs faults or do you hope that they ask your opinion? I know the first yorkie pup I ever showed was a little soft coated bitch. Very sound movement and excellent structure and I had high hopes that she would clear but she never did. I was at ringside waiting to go in the ring and a yorkie breeder/exhibitor just walk up and said 'your pup has a cottony coat' and just walk off, no explanation or introduction or anything. It really shocked my friend and I. Of course my friend and I thought how could the lady know without even touching the dog. Both of us being new thought the pup had a silky coat but as it turned out we were both wrong. Her show career did not last long. Personally I think it is best not to evaluate someones dog unless they ask for your opinion. Also, when I ask someone's opinion on one of my dogs I expect them to be totally honest. No sugar coating. Of course, I learned from this experience and that is if you are a newbie it is important to have one or more experienced exhibitor breeders evaluate your pup before you put them in the ring, it can save you a lot of money and heartbreak.

First of all never offer an opinion unless asked and always be truthful, but never hurtful, However, if you continue seeing the same person with the same dog at shows and not winning....then gently befriend them and work into an explanation as to why their dog isn't winning.

......I know a few years back a lady that lived in East Texas, was at Bluebonnet. I'd communicated with her over the internet, but didn't know it was the same lady. I was outside smoking a cigarette and she was out there with her pup. Struggling with her pup, not having much sucess getting him to walk. I asked if she would mind if I tried? I got him to walk immediately and then watched her and explained what she was doing wrong.....She then asked me to evaluate the pup. I asked if she was sure? She said yes, I did...the pup was too small, and very soft-coated and black. I explained that she could wait to see if he grew, since he was a pup and yes, if he did, she could possibly finish him using the right products on his coat. Then went on to explain the reason why we showed......She was very grateful that I explained it so thoroughly. This pup had an excellent pedigree and she thought that was enough......She never showed the pup again, and restarted her program.

[bjh]

Mary, very good advise, thank you. I wish I lived closer to some experienced breeder/exhibitors. I think I am a little ring shy from making so many boo boos in the beginning. If all goes well I will get back out there soon.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by bjh

Mary, very good advise, thank you. I wish I lived closer to some experienced breeder/exhibitors. I think I am a little ring shy from making so many boo boos in the beginning. If all goes well I will get back out there soon.

You know Barb.....there is some downsides of showing....a lot political, who you get your dogs from, how you run your program, etc. And the dog world is small. But, if you are attempting to get things right and paying attention.....things will open up to newbies.....Most experienced exhibitors usually are willing to help.

Quick story......A new person to yorkies didn't have a clue on how to groom. So, my mentor asked if I would put up the pups topknot and help out with the grooming....I said of course.......Guess what that pup beat my dog.......I jokingly said to my mentor don't ever ask me to do that again....I put up the winning topknot.....but, all kidding aside....at the next show, this lady brought me the most gorgeous sweatshirt with a beautiful yorkie embroderied on it as a thank you gift.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

You know Barb.....there is some downsides of showing....a lot political, who you get your dogs from, how you run your program, etc. And the dog world is small. But, if you are attempting to get things right and paying attention.....things will open up to newbies.....Most experienced exhibitors usually are willing to help.

Quick story......A new person to yorkies didn't have a clue on how to groom. So, my mentor asked if I would put up the pups topknot and help out with the grooming....I said of course.......Guess what that pup beat my dog.......I jokingly said to my mentor don't ever ask me to do that again....I put up the winning topknot.....but, all kidding aside....at the next show, this lady brought me the most gorgeous sweatshirt with a beautiful yorkie embroderied on it as a thank you gift.

That is a nice story. I know sometimes newbies get pleasant surprises. I actually love it when occasionally a newbie or a pup will win the points or win over the more experienced exhibitors. You can never take anything for granted when it comes to showing and these judges.

[topknot]

I never go up to anyone to give out my opinion, when not asked first. I also wait and will ask again to make sure, and let them know that this is just my opinion. I have really not had that many newbies actually ask.

I do want to mention that we all had to start somewhere. You should see the first yorkie I had and started with. At least I got out there and tried, and learned. Here is a photo (first photo) of my very first show, or I should say Fun Match - it was the first time in the ring (Oh, to be young again!). This was my very first yorkie and I thought she was absolutely gorgeous! Boy, did I have a lot to learn! She was never going to grow a coat, as I learned shorty after this show. Even though she was not show material, I learned a lot from trying with her. She became my couch potato to love and spoil and I got other yorkies to show. But what I wanted to say is that we all started somewhere and we learned as we went along.

In this second photo - we are winning a few years later - and not only won our class, but won Best in Match! And the competition was very tough! Did we have our ups and down and learning curves to go through? - You bet! But I never gave up. I listened carefully and followed what my mentors told me. You have to make a goal and stick with it. Most of the first 5 years all I did was listen and then go back and revamp and I am still listening and learning to this very day. It does take a lot of work, money, and perseverence. But you can get there!