Page 176 - Showsight December 2020

C
THE
PROFESSIONAL HANDLERS
1. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many as a professional handler?
2. Are you a member of PHA? AKC Registered Handlers Program?
3. In which breed and all-breed clubs are you a member?
4. Are you an AKC Breeder of Merit?
5. Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs?
6. With whom have you worked as an assistant?
7. Do you specialize in certain breeds or Groups?
8. How has COVID-19 impacted your business this year?
9. Did you attend many shows during the pandemic?
10. Have you had to supplement your income?
11. What do you think of the many changes put in place at shows?
12. Do you have any expectations for the sport moving forward?
13. What are your clients saying about their plans for 2021?
14. Are you planning to attend Westminster next year? Morris & Essex?
15. What’s the first thing you plan to do once the pandemic is behind us?
DAVID & JENNIFER HARPER
I live in NW Houston, Texas. My first dog show was when I was
nine years old, and I started as a professional handler in 1986.
In which breed and all-breed clubs are we members?
I am a member of the Conroe Kennel Club and also help with the Singing River Kennel Club. I am a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America, American Shetland Sheepdog Association, Blue- bonnet Norfolk Terrier Club, Houston Pomeranian Club, and the Hungarian Pumi Club of America.
Are we AKC Breeders of Merit? Yes, for Goldens, Shelties, and Norfolks.
Do we have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? I love to cook. Anyone who goes to shows knows our trailer is always an open table.
With whom have we worked as assistants? I’ve worked for some of the greats; Ron and Eloise Hudson, Anne Clark, Ron Buxton, Tom Span, and Michael Kemp.
Do we specialize in certain breeds or Groups? No, I handle all breeds.
How has COVID-19 impacted our business this year? The second quarter was a little slow.
Did we attend many shows during the pandemic? We have been at shows every weekend when they have been available.
Have we had to supplement our income? When there were no shows, we did more grooming and offered handling classes.
What do we think of the many changes put in place at shows? I love the enter/exit for the rings. The no forced air dryers is an issue. But for the most part, everything is going OK and we are getting through it.
Do we have any expectations for the sport moving forward? I think the smaller clubs will suffer and we will probably see more clusters.
What are our clients saying about their plans for 2021? Everyone is ready to get back to shows.
Are we planning to attend Westminster next year? Morris & Essex? Yes, we will be there.
What’s the first thing we plan to do once the pandemic is behind us? Give my friends a hug.
Anything else we wish to share? I am very excited about some new young dogs that we are starting. Can’t wait to see everyone at the shows in 2021.
JUDI HARTELL
I live in Smith Point, Texas. I’ve been in dogs for 57 years. I have 52 years as a professional handler.
Am I a member of PHA? Yes. AKC Registered Handlers Program? No.
In which breed and all-breed clubs am I a member? The Norfolk Terrier Club, Norwich Terrier Club of America, Lone Star Norwich Terrier Club, The Bluebonnet Norfolk Terrier Club, Austin KC.
Am I an AKC Breeder of Merit? No.
Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? I enjoy reading.
With whom have I worked as an assistant? Jimmy Andrews.
Do I specialize in certain breeds or Groups? Terriers and Toys. How has COVID-19 impacted my business this year? My income
has been significantly affected in a negative way.
Did I attend many shows during the pandemic? No.
Have I had to supplement my income? No.
What do I think of the many changes put in place at shows? Some
policies, such as entering and leaving from separate entrances and exits, I think, is helpful. I think the judges are having a more diffi- cult time without an inside steward. Picking up our own armbands, I think, is more efficient. The inability to use forced air dryers has a negative impact on the efficiency of getting coated dogs ring-ready. Masks and social distancing, I think, should be more strictly enforced until the pandemic is under control.
Do I have any expectations for the sport moving forward? My hope is that we HAVE shows going forward!
What are my clients saying about their plans for 2021? They want shows again.
Am I planning to attend Westminster next year? No.
BILLY HUNTINGTON
I live in Hernando, Florida.
How many years in dogs and as a professional handler? I’ve been in dogs for 12 years. I’ve been handling dogs for 10 years.
Am I a member of PHA or AKC Registered Handlers Program? Neither.
In which breed and all-breed clubs am I a member? None.
Am I an AKC Breeder of Merit? If I fill out the paperwork, yes. Do I have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs?
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing.
With whom have I worked as an assistant? Nicki King, Howie
Huber, Rindi Gaudet, and Phil & Amy Booth.
174 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2020