After my scribing duties were over at noon on Friday, I was at loose ends. Going back to the hotel seemed boring, getting in the way of people who were still working didn't appeal, and the trainer and his staff who worked with Bella in her showing days weren't at the show. Then I remembered that an acquaintance at home had mentioned that there would probably be a dog show this weekend at the Exhibition Hall. That sounded appealing, so after visiting the Secretariat sites, I headed over to see what I could see.
I was curious to see how dog shows are similar to and different from horse shows. The only dog show I had ever seen was the televised Madison Square Garden show one year and I figured that was not typical of local shows.
The show didn't start until Saturday, so they were still doing set-up on Friday afternoon.
First I encountered the literature delivery. When I told Jim about my experience, he asked to see one of the magazines so I picked one up on Saturday to bring home. It reminded me of the Arabian magazines focused on the show world: lots of ads bragging about horses, trainers, and their successes. Arabian Horse World, at least, has in-depth articles as well.
This weekend's show was being held by the Chesapeake Kennel Club of Maryland. There were five rings set up for the over 400 dogs expected.
Our horse show only had two active show rings this year. Often we will have three in addition to the warm-up rings. I didn't check on the actual number of horses this year, but 100 is the largest I remember and this year wasn't close to that.
The same area the next morning while the show is in progress.
I must keep in mind that my horse show experiences are primarily limited to Arabian breed shows and small local all-breed club shows. There are many disciplines in the horse world, e.g. hunter/jumpers & eventing, and other types of breed shows, so my observations are biased.
Reserved indoor grooming spaces were allotted in 10x10 and 10x20 increments. Each reserved space was labeled with the name of the exhibitor.
In addition to the stalls used by the horses at a show, exhibitors will reserve one or more grooming or tack stalls.
It seems that there are also shared grooming spaces available for the dogs. Some exhibitors at a horse show will "show out of their trailer" without reserving stalls. It appeared that some of the dogs were being prepped and housed in RVs. There were prominent warnings in the show program that any dog confined in an inadequately ventilated automobile would be removed immediately without regard to the preservation of the car.
The same area the next morning with grooming tables, dogs, and handlers hard at work.
This show was being managed by Rau Dog Shows. I chatted with their representatives and there are several companies that provide the same services. I believe there are also companies that do the same for horse shows, but all the shows that I've been involved with, even at the national level, are primarily run by volunteers, who may be paid a stipend, but are hardly professionals.
This organization is busy. In July alone they are managing 15 shows, mostly in the mid-Atlantic region, often as many as five in a weekend.
As at horse shows, various concessionaires set up booths to hawk their wares. Collars and leashes were popular items, but supplements and various kinds of alternative health treatments were also present.
Something I had not seen before at a horse show was the "Show Dog Coach" stand. The operator promises: To bridge the communication gap between people and their dogs. According to their web site. they also work with horses, reptiles, birds, and other pets.
I often wish for better communication with my little dog, but I've never considered using an animal communicator. I just need to speak "dog" better.
The same area on the day of the show.
Here's another similarity between the shows: bragging photos. There was a special area set up for your dog to be presented for a "winning" shot.
I haven't seen so many horses and handlers patiently waiting in line for such pictures though.
Just for grins, here is my own favorite bragging photo. In 2014 Cookie and I won the Arabian Horse Association Region 15 English Trail Championship, Amateur to Ride. What a thrill that was!
A groom is primping his "stable" of Airedale Terriers. The dogs, as were almost all of the dogs at the show, are alert but relaxed, and focused on their human.
The judge (on the left) gets up close and personal with the animal being judged. This would not be necessary at a horse show where conformation is not masked by thick and fluffy hair coats.
In addition to the bench examination, the dog is exhibited at a brisk trot to judge its movement.
A sport horse is exhibited in the same way "on the triangle" to show its form at the walk and trot.
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