My SweetPea's first show!
 

This afternoon, I handled My SweetPea in her first show. I have had such good luck from the minute I came in. Newbie and nervous as I was, I went straight to the Superintendent, who happen to be with the AKC Executive Representative, and they gave me a one on one orientation, this being my very first time to show. ANd the Superintendent even got the President of the Richmond Dog Fanciers Club, who out up the show, to come over and the three of them were there, answering all my questions! I came in very intimidated (not a single familiar face yet at that time), and then ... to feeling very welcomed to this totally intimidating sport. THe AKC guy even said... "We sincerely want your experience to be a positive one, and should you be made to feel uncomfortable by anyone, please look for me and let me know. We really want to have more new people coming in." Isn't that great for the first hour of my experience? My camera takes large picture files and I do not know if I can attach it here, but to continue....

I lucked out, because Trish, a YT member, without being asked, helped me tremendousy by grooming My SweetPea. Trish knew just how inexperienced I was, and seeing My SweetPea with her coat all over (I shampooed her squicky clean this morning), she grabbed her grooming bag, and she fixed her up so professionally well, and put the bow which Debbie made, and My SweetPea was just in her most beautiful self I have ever seen her. One of the exhibitors, who is an expert yorkie groomer was so impressed on what Trish did to My SweetPea and what an absolute transformation! Trish also had her calming ways with My SweetPea, and she held her at the table, quieted her, and so when they called for my number, My SweetPea was so ready to go, she was in her best behavior.

What a fruitfull, rewarding and pleasant first show experience. And thanks to Trish, who saved the day! Thank you Trish, we are forever indebted to you!

My SweetPea was First Place in Puppy, 6-9 Mos. Bitch, First Place Novice Bitch, and First Place in Open Bitches. When the AKC came around again (he was the one who said to go ahead and enter My SweetPea in all, even when some told me not to) and I told him that My SweetPea got the blue ribbon because she was sole entry in class. He corrected me immediately and said that the blue ribbon is not automatically awarded in a show. In this sport, the ribbon is awarded only when deserved, especially when it is the sole entry. WOW, that made me feel better, especially after I heard others discredit the ribbon they got because it had no points. But in my mind... how can one get the points if you do not place 1st first, right!

Can't attach pictures, they are too big, and I don't know how to re-size them!

Thanks for listening.

congrats. have you gotten bit by the bug- can't wait for the next show.:) i remember my first show- and how i could not wait for the next show.

Congratulations!!!

Send your pictures to me and I will resize them for you and put them up for you. Send them to my e-mail draysumtoi@yahoo.com

I am so glad you had a great time at the show, and I am happy that Trish was there to help you . I don't think you could have found any one nicer than Trish, and she is so much fun , I can't wait to do another show with her. It is a bit of a disappointment to enter your dog and not have any points available , but it is always good experience for you and the dogs to show.

First place is great and I have seen judges with hold the ribbons if they do not think your dog is of quality, so Congratulations on getting through your first show.

Congratulations!!!!!!!
 

i can feel the excitement in your post. Fantastic news!!!!!!!!!! AKC has just now started conformation classes back in my area so I am hoping to try my hand at showing in thhe near future. I have one that I have already had evaluated and know she would do good but do to there being no classses anywhere within driving distance, I have waited to late as she is now eight months old and have also cut her long coat off. I have another little one now that I think will be a good show prospect. i don't even have a show leash tho and I need one so bad.

ohhh, that is awesome. You must be so proud! It's good to hear that you had a good experience. I'm going to be observing my first show next weekend - finally - I've been waiting for what seems like forever! I'm glad to hear you were so warmly welcomed.

Didn't your SweetPea take a 3rd place ribbon too. Wow! she's doing great for her 2nd time around.

I told you when I spoke to you that all you had to do was get out there.

Congratulations.

mary

How exciting! Way to go! :good job: :woof:

Wow what a way to start, my congratulations, you´re on the right way, keep up the good work with your little girl!!!

Congratulations! That sounds very exciting, I would be a nervous wreck. My first time will be coming one day and I will be oh so nervous! It's wonderful to read your post.

How exciting that must have been. I am trying to learn all I can about showing and hope to be there one day soon. How did you prepare for showing yourself?
Sonya

Firstly, THank you all for your encouragement! :thumbs up

How does one prepare for showing? WOW, I think I am not equipped to anwer that question. To tell you frankly, it was awfully very difficult for me and had to go out of my comfort zone to go inside that ring and walk with My SweetPea. I was very nervous all the while.

I love My SweetPea and made a decision to take seriously my commitment to fulfill the contract that I signed with her breader. I am supposed to try to finish her, or at least try to reach her best show potential. I had to consider that fact that I just got My SweetPea last June, and yet wanted to show her as early as possible.

The first step was to sign up in this forum, and learn from the mentors about the sport, asking questions, and listening and taking advises, as well as prudence in following advises; reading and researching about the topic; enrolling in conformation classes; self-knowledge, that is, knowing what one can do or cannot do at the moment, which takes a lot of humility...
My SweetPea is very headstrong wild. I had to realize that I do not have the skills to train this headstrong wild yet adorable and loveable yorkie.
I had to accept that I am too novice (just became a yorkieMom in June) about dogs and for this special breed at that, to be able to train her and myself learning how to handle My SweetPea at the same time. This I understood after three conformation classes. Neither My SweetPea or I were progressing.

So I utilized the services of a private professional handler for all succeeding conformation classes that we attended. During the first half of the conformation class, the professional handler trained My SweetPea in class, while I observe the handler very closely how she does it; then I take over the other half of the class with My SweetPea, and she critiques me and coaches me on what to do to reinforce her training with My SweetPea. This works for me because I want to learn faster, and want My SweetPea to learn quicker as well. (As a sidebar, I have encountered yorkie owners who made me feel 'less' just because I have to have someone else handle My SweetPea for me. And I had to endure that too:( ). It is a professional sport, and some are good at it, some are not. Some are naturals at doing it, and some take time to learn it.

Mentors in YT and my new friends in YTCnc all said that I should just go inside the show ring and try it... which I did do! And they were all correct and right... if you want to learn the sport, then just do it! And you will not be lacking of support and encouragement form the best people in the sport... and they are right here in this forum!
:yorkietal

Thanks for listening!

Your post really boosted MY confidence that I can do this. Since I live in a very remote area of California, I need to find some conformation classes. I finally found someone here (in town) who is a member of the local Coso Fancier's Club, so I will be contacting them to see what kind of fun matches and conformation classes they can offer or if they can head me in the right direction.

You should be VERY proud of yourself. You are in it for the right reasons and it is paying off for Sweetpea. Realizing that you and Sweetpea needed "more" help is a very valuable lesson. I think it must have been hard to step back and let someone else take over when you really want to do it yourself. But you did what you needed to do and the results must be very rewarding. Congratulations again.