Page 203 - ShowSight - September 2020

IRISH TERRIERS CELEBRATE THEIR INDEPENDENCE photo by Sandy Revard
photo by Sandy Revard
photo by Sandy Revard
is held by the Montgomery County Kennel Club—anchor of the ultimate annual Terrier cluster in North American (yet another cancelled show). Renowned retailer Cherrybrook, a vendor at many shows, agreed to host the club’s FOUR sched- uled events Saturday and Sunday, October 3rd and 4th, indoors at their facility in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Caper Dogs was tapped as superintendent. The judging panel features George Wright, Desmond Murphy, Diane Ondo, and Rodney Herner; and all of the shows will include National Owner-Handled Series competition.
Even before the Irish congregate for the ITCNY “Cherry- brook Cluster,” the concept of independent specialties played out in Leesburg, Virginia, where the Chesapeake Irish Terrier Club held its rescheduled specialty over Labor Day Weekend. Dubbed “The Outside Cluster,” the events drew 23 entries
from Puppies to Veteran with two back-to-back shows on two days, Saturday and Sunday, September 4th and 5th. Another independent specialty was scheduled in Woodstock, Illinois, where The Irish Terrier Club of Chicago offered the Irish Terrier “Daily Double,” two back-to- back shows on Saturday, September 12th.
The resurgence of shows—even on a limited basis—feels like a gift to exhibitors and handlers. Many haven’t set foot in the ring since the National shutdown in March, and getting back to showing is very wel- come news.
Following regional COVID guidelines, the shows are all compli- ant with local regulations, and require masks, social distancing, and allow no spectators. Exhibitors and handlers traveling from different states are, of course, subject to quarantine rules after their travel—yet another challenge for all the participants. But, as they say backstage, “The show must go on!” And so it does.
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