Going to my 1st show in San Antonio
 

I am so excited to be going to my first show tomorrow, but have a couple questions about attending as a spectator. Assuming I finagle the parking with no issues and find my way inside, is it going to be easy to find the ring where the yorkies are showing? I know which ring and what time, but I have no idea what to expect once inside. Will there be seating? Also, I am going to try to meet one of the breeders I am talking to about puppies. Is it safe to approach once the yorkies are done? Any tips you have would be greatly appreciated!!

Just FYI - it is indoor and is not benched.

Thanks!

Hope you don't mind as I am following some of these threads. I too would like to go to some shows. Can't drive to San Antonio this weekend, but would love to go to some a bit closer for now. I too am interested in possibly showing dogs way way way in the future, but would like to start seeing and studying what all is involved now. Then maybe by the time I'm ready I will be well educated. I am really close to the DFW area. I won't hijack your thread any longer, just hoping you didn't mind if I lurked around?! :D

You should have no trouble finding the ring once inside. The ring numbers on up high on a pole by each ring. Most shows to provide chairs at ringside. I have never been to the San Antonio shows so I am not familiar with their setup.

When you get inside where the show is look for a big sign that says Catalogs or it might just say Superintendent, the catalogs will be sold at one of those places. I highly recommend you buy a catalog so you can follow the judging and you will also know who the dogs are that are in the ring and who their sire and dam is and who the breeder, owner and handler is.

If possible you could get there a couple hours early and walk through the grooming area where you might spot some yorkies being groomed. Most exhibitors are very busy the hour or two before the judging so I would not recommend talking to them but you could at least view some of the yorkies as they are being prepared for the show ring.

Keep in mind that some of the yorkies might be with professional handlers that have nothing to do with the breeding and selling of yorkies. You will learn much more if you talk after the show to someone that is a breeder/exhibitor. Handlers usually don't have much time to talk because many of them show multiple breeds and they might have to get another breed to show.

After then judging is complete some of the winners might stand around ring side to get pictures taken so sometimes that is a good time to speak to them or you could ask if it is a good time to talk.

I hope you take your camera so you can take pictures and perhaps share some of them with us.

There will be some shows coming up in Ft. Worth on March 26 and 27. The entries just closed yesterday and they will probably post the breed counts tomorrow. I know a lot of people are hoping it will be a major. I know several YT members will be most likely be there. The judging schedule will be posted about a week before the show. I hope you can make it.

Thanks Barbara! I really appreciate the input. I have to drive from Austin in the morning after I drop my kids off at 7:30. Judging is at 10:05 so I don't have a lot of time, considering I am driving at the worst part of the morning. I definitely wanted to have time to meander around, but we'll see. And I appreciate the info on what to look for in getting a catalog. Definitely want one of those. I am going to watch the show, but also to meet a breeder. Unfortunately, we didn't make any concrete plans on how we would know each other. Sometimes she handles her own dogs, but not always and I'm not sure what to expect in SA. Hopefully she be one of the winners and hang around a bit so I can figure it out!

I am also planning to be in FW in a couple weeks. Sounds like several YT folks will be there so I am excited.

Hope you can make it on Sunday too. I think you'll be able to find your way around just fine. If you do walk through the grooming area, a lot of the yorkie exhibitors should be set up together. I'll be joining them on Saturday and Sunday...it's in the reserved grooming section. Which breeder are you looking for? I'll be in Ft.Worth both days too...breed counts should be up by in the morning.

I want to go Sunday, too, but it starts so early dang it!! Ring 7, 9:15am, right? It's about a 2 hour drive, so I will need to leave Austin by 7:00 and keep my fingers crossed traffic cooperates or I will miss it!! I'm going to decide on Saturday if I will go. If I go to FW I am going to stay the night and go both days. I don't think the judging schedule is out yet so don't know what time Yorkies are showing Saturday, but I am keeping my fingers crossed it is later in the morning.

Let me know if you decide to go to FW 3/25 & 3/26 and we can fumble through together! I'm a little intimidated to go tomorrow, not knowing what to expect, but I can't wait!

Yep and don't forget the time changes Saturday night/Sunday morning...spring forward and lose an hour. I definitely prefer to show at least a little later. The Ft. Worth breed counts should be up in the morning and the judging program should be up Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

Aaargh! Found that out last night on the news! :( Well, if I don't make it Sunday, I will definitely root for London in Fort Worth and keep my fingers crossed for her this weekend!

Talked to my mother and I think we are both going to be attending this show! Yay! We are so excited! Where exactly in Ft Worth is it exactly? Do you know yet?

It's a bit confusing for me having almost no experience with dog shows, but if I read it right, there is a combined specialty show Friday 3/25 (but no Yorkies) and then the Fort Worth Kennel Club on Saturday 3/26 and Sunday 3/27.

Check here for info for Saturday and Sunday:

Jack Onofrio Dog Shows, LLC

Jack Onofrio Dog Shows, LLC

Click the link "Premium List (PDF Format)

This is really meant for exhibitors, but it is very informational. Once the judging program is available (next week, I think), you can click the link again and then click on the link for the judging program and you can find in which ring and at what time the Yorkies will be shown.

AMON G CARTER JR EXHIBITS BUILDING Cattle Auction Arena & Small Exhibits Bldg Will Rogers Memorial Center • 1 Amon Carter Square 3400 Burnett-Tandy • Fort Worth, Texas 76107

The Yorkies will be in the Small Exhibits Building. Still hoping I will be able to go! I thought the show was Fri and Sat, but now that it is Sat and Sun there is a better chance I can make it.

So, I made it to the show today in San Antonio and it was really neat! I had no idea what to expect and was a little stressed about having to drive 100 miles and get there at the designated time, not knowing where the building was, what the parking situation would be or how to get into the building. Well, I worried for nothing. Made it with about 45 minutes to spare so I walked through the breeding area, looking for the Yorkies, bought my catalog and then found the ring.

Watched the pugs - cute little smooshy faces - finish up and then the Yorkie exhibitors descended. They moved their grooming tables over to the outside perimeter of the ring, so there wasn't much room to stand and watch. There were about 5 chairs the pug spectators were sitting in, but they quickly disappeared once their part of the show was over. But that was ok because I found the breeder I went to meet and she was soooo sweet I just hung out with her, her puppy (he won!) and her friend. They were kind enough to share the ins and outs and it was just so fun.

Unfortunately, my well laid plans to document the show in my catalog and with my camera (the batteries were dead - DUH!!) went out the window because I stood talking with these lovely ladies. I saw all the Yorkies, but I didn't get to put names to faces with the breeders, which in retrospect bums me out. I tried to take some photos with my iPhone, but the lighting was baaad and they didn't come out. I did get one of this beautiful puppy ringside, however. Isn't he a doll? Can't wait for the next show!!

He is stunning, really! Is that the one who won? Wow!

Sounds like overall it was a great, fun day! Stinks about your camera and not getting names to faces, but sounds like you will be going to a bunch more shows. Hopefully there you will become more familiar with them (assuming they attend).

I'm so stinking excited! I can hardly wait! Sounds absurd I know being as I don't even have a dog actually in the show! lol Not sure yet if we will be attending both days or just Saturday. That will all depend on what is going on with my kiddos.

So glad you had such a great time! Eases my nerve about it! :D

That pup looks like a Nealstar boy :) (I could be wrong but I think that's who the pic is of) She has lovely dogs! I understand there are some lovely dogs being shown in San Antonio this weekend!

The winners for today's show were as follows:

Winners Dog - was shown by Roseanne and I just know the call name not the registered name and the name is Lance
Winner's Bitch/Best of Opposite was shown by handler Tonia Holibaugh...sorry I don't know who owns the bitch
Best of Breed was LeReve owned by Pam Kech and shown by Ken Lambert
Sorry I don't know who went Select