Why Go to a National?

Some of you know I had triple bypass surgery in March. A factor in my decision to have the surgery and one of the goals that kept me going through cardiac rehab was my desire to attend the Irish Setter National Specialty, which was scheduled to be held in Colorado in June 2022. I wanted to watch my Irish male being shown. It was a driving force just for me to get there. 

I first had an entry at an Irish Setter national in 1974 in Pontiac, Michigan, and I was honored to have my Ch. Bayberry Sonnet win Best of Opposite Sex, handled by (then) Ann Savory. I showed my Ch. Tramore Just Showing Off in 2009, and then had the great privilege of being one of the national-specialty judges in 2010. Unfortunately, I have had conflicting judging assignments over the past few years that have kept me from the Irish national, but I was determined to attend this one and watch my dog.  

Why? Why do so many people talk about the importance of attending your breed’s national specialty, and why is it truly a special event? If you care about your breed, where else will you see the depth of quality seen at a national specialty? At this 2022 national, there was an entry of 66 Sweepstakes, 39 Veteran Sweepstakes, 78 class dogs, 97 class bitches and 93 in Best of Breed competition. When you add 31 Obedience, 44 Rally, a Field Trial Dog, two Versatility Dogs, a Versatility Bitch, eight Stud Dogs, five Brood Bitches, six Brace units, 11 Beginner Puppy, seven Junior Handlers, and 58 agility dogs and bitches, you have a well-rounded, deep-quality representation of my beautiful breed. There is no all-breed show or seminar that can give you this type of experience. Where is a better place to learn strengths to add to your breeding program, or just to appreciate the beauty of our big red dogs? 

The eclectic collection of motor homes and license plates serves as a reminder of the desire of Irish Setter breeders from all over the country (and Canada) to be part of this annual gathering. I wake early each morning and walk the grounds to keep up my rehab conditioning, and I am met by the sight of beautiful red dogs in their X-pens, and smiling “good mornings” from the owners/handlers of these dogs. What a great opportunity to see dogs from other regions – dogs you don’t usually get to see. 

It takes a lot of people and hard work to put together a great national specialty. This national had it all – including blood draws for thyroid research, CERF and other health opportunities. I know if I try to name all of them, I will make the horrible mistake of forgetting some, but I must at least acknowledge the incredible jobs done by Deb Davis (president of ISCA and show chair), her hard-working husband, Ken, stewards Karolynne McAteer and Maureen Day, Anne-Marie Kubacz, Kelli Aitken, Harry Moore, Ginny Swanson, Deb Garfield, the membership of the Irish Setter Club of Colorado and my wife, Shelly. There is also not a doubt in my mind that this show would not have been half as successful without the knowledge, experience and hard work of Dick Quaco and his crew.  

And, of course, we had a wonderful slate of judges for all venues, highlighted by our conformation judges, two women who are eminently qualified and deserving of this honor: Lorraine Bisso and Ann Bolus. They did a superb job under difficult weather conditions (intense heat). 

This was our longest trip in our motorhome, and a lot of the drive was white-knuckling due to high winds, but Shelly (full-time chauffeur) handled it beautifully. The trip turned out to be three weeks long – starting with my judging assignment at the Laramie Kennel Club, followed by the Flatirons Kennel Club show, and then a week at the national. During the trip we stayed for a few days with our good friends the Jordans, and enjoyed visiting with Ginny Swanson and other friends. Sharing time with good friends who are important to me is an integral part of attending a national specialty.  

So how did all this work out for me? My initial plan was to just watch my dog – “Trace” – being shown by my close friend who is a superb handler – Shaun Jordan – but circumstances changed, and I decided to try to show Trace myself at the national. However, due to my health situation, neither Trace nor I had worked with each other for six months or more. And, as you can imagine, the ring for our national specialty was huge. So, considering the ring size, the heat, the lack of training and my recent surgery, my goal was to make it around the ring without falling or collapsing – and, hopefully, to still be breathing when my class was over. 

A long time ago – a VERY long time ago – I was a professional handler, so I hoped it would all come back to me when I got in the ring. Well … not so much. My dog was all worked up – he had never been around so many bitches (with many of them in season). After the first time around the big ring, I could barely catch my breath – much less get my dog set up. My body would not respond as it did so many years ago. I tried to hold the lead to reach back and set up Trace’s rear, but all that happened was a bunch of fumbling. The “down and back” felt like I was going uphill both ways!

Then, one of my favorite people said those terrible words, “Take him around.” After all the dogs had gone through the same procedure, Trace and I were moved to the front of the line. He was still fidgety, and I was still gasping for breath. But off we went. Trace was awarded first in the Open class.  

Thankfully, there was to be a 15-minute break before Winners Dog competition. Shelly took Trace from me, and I sat, drinking water and continuing to breathe. Time flew by, and back into the ring we went. I tried to take Trace’s lead off to stack him, but my fumbling fingers refused to work – so I did the best I could. I just baited Trace and let him show himself. Uh oh, another down and back – and then around again. How in the hell was this ring set up so that I ran uphill no matter which direction I went? 

Winners Dog was awarded to a deserving Bred-By Exhibitor dog. And off we went again for another “Around together.” By the time I was two-thirds of the way around, I wasn’t sure I could move my legs anymore. Thankfully, the judge was evaluating the quality of the dog and not the handling ability or showmanship – and Trace was awarded Reserve Winners Dog at the national specialty! 

To be honest, I was practically helped out of the ring, directed to sit down, and I had a lovely nurse on either side of me – pulse rate being checked and water being handed to me. I could feel my heart pounding, but that meant it was still working, and I was still above the ground.

So, was it a success? You bet. Three months and two days after a triple bypass, my dog had won a major at the national specialty, and I was still breathing. IF THIS WAS TO BE MY SWAN SONG, IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO GO. 

What do you think?