Mon, 06/14/2021 - 8:48am

The Gossip Column, June 18, 2021

The Westminster audience gets schooled

WESTMINSTER WEEKEND, no THEATRE BENEFIT, no PURINA PRO PLAN SHOW DOGS OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER partnered with DOG NEWS, no shopping at MACYS, no late-night run to LIPS, but a fabulous summer weekend on the grounds of LYNDHURST in Westchester County. A day of agility, two days of conformation judging culminating with seven beautiful and worthy dogs vying to be chosen “Teacher’s Pet” by PAT CRAIGE TROTTER on Sunday evening in the big ring at the WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB.

...PAT, dressed in WESTMINSTER purple, was escorted into the ring by CHAT REYNDERS, DAVID HELMING & DAVID HADDOCK. PAT’S years of teaching were not wasted. Ever the schoolteacher, she had her “Lesson Plan” ready. Before awarding Best in Show, she boldly announced that “We love all dogs as dog lovers … mixed breeds and purebreds. … Now, every pet may not be a show dog, but be assured every show dog is a pet.” Drop the mike! ...

She then proceeded to award the last year’s Reserve Best in Show winner, the fabulous Whippet CH. PINNACLE KENTUCKY BOURBON, bred by JUSTIN SMITHEY & YVONNE SOVEREIGN, owned by JUSTIN SMITHEY, DR. KEN LATIMER & JUDY DESCANTER & NANCY SHAW, and handled by co-owner CHESLIE SMITHEY. ...

And the biggest prize to the smallest dog in the ring: Best in Show to the extraordinary Pekingese CH. PEQUEST WASABI, bred, co-owned and handled by DAVID FITZPATRICK with co-owners SANDRA MIDDLEBROWS, PEGGY STEINMAN and the late IRIS LOVE. A longtime friend, I marvel at how PAT’s love of the sport and enthusiasm have never diminished over the years. One of the few who can talk the talk and walk the walk. My respect and love for her grow every year. ...

Congratulations to LILY BENNETT, this year’s WESTMINSTER TOP JUNIOR HANDLER. Competing in Juniors was 10-year-old LANDON LIVINGSTON, son of KELLEY & CLINT LIVINGSTON. LANDON did well in the ring, carrying on the winning LIVINGSTON tradition. The LIVINGSTONS were home as CLINT recuperates from surgery. So LANDON traveled to New York with his parents’ good friends HEATHER & COLTON JOHNSON. We were pleased to hear that CLINT is feeling better. ...

BILL MCFADDEN is feeling better but sore, following being rear-ended in a car accident. ...

The recipient of the biggest payoff of the weekend was MARI-BETH O’NEILL, winner of the Best in Show pool. Following tradition MARI-BETH will be next year’s pool chairperson. ...

All of us at DOG NEWS were very saddened to hear that PAUL CARSON, who produces the televised KENNEL CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA and the KENNEL CLUB OF BEVERLY HILLS, has passed away. Our deepest sympathies to his wife CATHY and family. 

 

© Dog News. This article may not be reposted, reprinted, rewritten, excerpted or otherwise duplicated in any medium without the express written permission of the publisher.

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