Page 188 - ShowSight, March 2020

As I walked into the ring, I certainly felt overwhelmed. As I looked at the beautiful dogs coming into the ring, I began to feel the excitement.
How challenging was the assignment? The Sporting Group was fabulous! As I walked down the line, I thought how difficult this assignment was going to be. The examination of each individual was so important to actually see and feel the breed qualities of each one.This is where you begin selecting in your mind which one is the best representative of their breed.
Do I have a word or two about my winner and the dogs that placed? My winner, the Golden Retriever, was a beautiful dog pos- sessing type, personality, sound movement and showmanship. Each of the placements were outstanding representatives of their breeds. I wish there were more ribbons to hand out because there were other worthy participants who could have been recognized.
Did I feel any pressure from the audience? I did not feel pressure from the crowd or anyone else. When one is judging, especially in this type of environment, your focus is totally on your job.
Do I think the television coverage helps our cause? I definitely think that the television coverage is an advantage to the sport of dogs. There were many positive comments about the show from the general public and this is wonderful acknowledgement for our sport.
How would I describe Westminster’s significance to the sport of dogs today? I think the televising of Westminster has definitely brought our sport to the awareness of the general public regardless of their love of dogs or general interest.
What advice would I give my younger self about judging a Group at Westminster? I would say to myself, “Pretend it is another dog show and not the most prestigious show that it is!”
What advice would I give to next year’s Group judge? The same advice, to go in there with the confidence that Westminster has in you and do it!
MARJORIE MARTORELLA
HOUND
Can I describe the thrill of receiving an invitation to judge at Westminster? I was elated when I got the phone call from David Helming. It is an honor to judge breeds at WKC but the Group invitation was thrilling.
How did I prepare for the assignment? I started ordering dresses and shoes in February of 2019. I must have had 20 gowns delivered and two dozen
pairs of shoes before I found the ones I liked. I needed three formal outfits. I am no longer accustomed to wearing dressy shoes. I had to break them in around the house. By Tuesday evening my feet were screaming for their sneakers!
What did I experience when I first entered the ring that night? I was surprisingly calm when I entered the ring and started judging. I wasn’t a bit nervous and used the same procedure I would use to judge any Group.
How challenging was the assignment? Showing at the Garden can be overwhelming to some dogs. Even seasoned show dogs can be affected by the noise and the cameras. I did feel that several of the breeds were not performing at their best. I cut six dogs that were beautiful examples of their breeds that also performed flawlessly. They were in excellent condition and moved beautifully keeping their outline.
Do I have a word or two about my winner and the dogs that placed? My Group Winner was the Whippet. She is a lovely bitch with beautiful curves. Her expression is beautiful with her lovely, large eyes. She moved with the long, low reach that is so desirable in the breed and was shown to perfection by her handler. Second went to a Scottish Deerhound bitch. She had a beautiful outline and was so light on her feet when moving and kept her outline on the move. She showed beautifully. My third was an outstanding Afghan Hound who felt he owned the place! He was in super condition and flew around the ring. He and his handler made a beautiful pair and were in total sync. Fourth was a lovely Saluki that was in excellent condition and a wonderful representative of the breed. His outline was lovely and moved beautifully.
Did I feel any pressure from the audience? I really was not aware of the noise from the audience. I was so deep in concentration that I was oblivious to it and the television cameras.
Do I think the television coverage helps our cause? The public loves watching the dog shows. It gives them an opportunity to see breeds that they would probably never see. I am sure many people have, as a result of watching the show, bought a purebred dog and maybe even started showing it.
How would I describe Westminster’s significance to the sport of dogs today? Westminster is in a class by itself. As we in the sport know it is the oldest continuing sport in the country after the Ken- tucky Derby. The members of Westminster have had a series of issues that caused the breed judging to be in a different venue due to the remodeling of the Garden and a lack of space. Then this year one of the piers where the breed judging was held was damaged and unavailable. The club decided to do breed judging on three days—starting on Sunday and keeping the Groups on Monday and Tuesday evening. I have heard that this was very well received by the exhibitors and the spectators.
Westminster has added a Masters Obedience and Masters Agil- ity Championship with the show. They offer scholarships for the finalists in Junior Showmanship. The club has been innovative. It draws entries from all over the country and abroad. Fanciers from all over the globe can be seen at the show.
What advice would I give to next year’s Group judge? Enjoy the assignment as it will probably be the strongest Group you will ever judge.
JAY RICHARDSON
WORKING
Can I describe the thrill of receiving an invitation to judge at Westminster? It is always a great honor to judge at West- minster. When I started judg- ing it seemed like an assign- ment one dreams about, just like when one is showing dogs you think how great it would be to win there. When the envelope comes, I look at it and try to act professional and not rip it open in two seconds.
How did I prepare for the assignment? No real special plans. This is my second Group assignment and I knew what to expect in the way of the TV and time management. The Westminster Kennel Club does everything possible to make you comfortable. I did read over the standards several times in the days before.
What did I experience when I first entered the ring that night? It is obviously a much different venue than any other to judge in. The size, the crowd, one can just feel the excitement. I try to not look
WESTMINSTER JUDGES Q&A
186 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2020