Best In Match Abbedale August McNair with
Judge David Miller, Breeder/Handler Joan Eckert,
and proud owners Sheila & Howard Ratcliff
ANTA/Past Events/Russell98
Revised 09/23/98
July 11th was a day filled with pleasant surprises. ANTA's first Midwest match opened with perfect weather and an exceptional crowd of 109 people and 35 Norfolk Terriers. They came from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, the Toronto area, and New York, but the farthest travelers were Tom and Jody Pecosk with Domby's Mr. Micawaber (Mas) from Denver, Colorado.
The weekend officially opened with a casual cocktail party at Cricket Hill Farm. Despite many people meeting for the first time, conversation was lively with the common link of Norfolk ownership. Through conversation, it was discovered that many of these little dogs were TV watchers.
By noon Saturday, all were well on their way to establishing new friendships. Registration went smoothly and events began with the arrival of the judge, David Miller. It was obvious that every dog was up to the challenge of the day. Tails wagged in greeting distant cousins, aunts, and uncles. The camaraderie among Norfolks was noted with surprise by many drop-in visitors, unfamiliar with the breed.
David Miller gave every handler and dog a great deal of time and attention. At the end of the judging after much deliberation, Abbedale August McNair (Shelly's Diamond Dealer x Abbedale Calamity Jane) was declared Best in Match. The breeder of this little dog that came out of the four-to-six month class was bred by Joan Eckert and is owned by Howard and Sheila Ratcliff.
The judge found other remarkable dogs in the following categories: Best Senior Puppy - Buckeye Annabelle (B) (Ch. Buckeye Bradley x Ch. Jaeva Dolly Blue). Breeder/Owner: Dick and Kay McKinstry. Best Adult Dog - Norwood Impossible Dream (Buckeye Bold Venture x Buckeye April Fool) Sandra Augustine and David Bronwich. Stakes Class - Glendale's Mr. Lincoln (D) (Ch. Abbedale Clyde Barrow x Ch. Pinchback Glendale India Ink) Breeder/Owner: Linda Haring. Best House Pet - Domby's Oliver Twist (D) (Ch. Hemlock Lane Spend A Buck of Domby x Domby's Jenny Wren) Breeders: Tony Gabrielli & Wayne Palmer. Owner: Peggy Metcalf.
The award for top Junior Handler went to Emma Noakes who handled Domby's Sophia Marigold (Goldie) (B), owned by Kenneth and Rosemary Noakes.
Following the judging was the "Disneyland for Dogs" ... events that included flat racing, lure coursing, and go-to-ground. Many of the first time pet owners and match attendees were surprised seeing their little "couch potato" house pets so enthusiastically chasing lures up and down, all around the field. Everyone could see how much these dogs were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
And finally, we would just like to express our thanks for all the nice notes we received following the match. Many thanks to all those who helped make it a success. See you all in the Summer of 2000 (maybe???).
Judge Nancy Frey attended the Midwest match as a spectator. An excerpt from her note to Tony and Wayne: "I was particularly impressed by the children's handling class. There must have been twenty youngsters from five years to twelve, each with a dog not theirs, in a strange place. They handled their dogs and showed them to the judge and there was not one growl or squeak from any dog. I think that was the most remarkable performance I have ever seen. These small dogs are terriers, feisty and usually very active, and there they were, without any adult direction being as good as could be."
ANTA had a social gathering in the Midwest about thirteen years ago but this event at Tony Gabrielli, Jr & Wayne Palmer's Cricket Hill Farm in Russell, Ohio, was ANTA's first full match in the Midwest and it was a rousing success with 109 people and 38 Norfolks in attendance. For many, it was their first ANTA, even their first Norfolk, event.
The day was clear, sunny and comfortable in the mid-seventies with a breeze. The farm was immaculate and featured a large, level field with plenty of room to spread out. In line with the planned mid-day start, the order of business was registration, followed by greeting one another and lunch. Faith Schrader handled the ANTA store.
As conformation got underway, I was impressed by the way judge David R. Miller gently schooled the many novices on the placement and presentation of the dog on the table. Judge Miller commented that he had only anticipated about twenty entries and was stunned by the turn out of thirty-two.
Carl Schrader, Wayne and Tony ran the flat racing and then Jeff Stout and Carl conducted introduction to earthdog while Ed Plummer operated the lure course, the highlight of which was when Andrew McCrary's congenitally blind Jingle proved that she could chase the lure too! (See "Lesson From a Dog") She gamely responded to the sound of the trash-bag lure and chased after it. Admittedly, she didn't run the whole course, but as we "teased" back and forth, she proved that she was "up" for anything. What heart!
Dinner that night was a catered buffet in a room off of the hotel's lobby. The meal was great although Joan Eckert and I got our table a bit carried away making "butter" from basil Olive oil and Parmesan cheese. After the plates had been cleared but while we were not yet quite wound down, the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate. This immediately posed a dilemma for yours truly, whose dog Rondo was in my room on the second floor. Exercising questionable judgment and observing no smoke, I proceeded down my corridor to the first stairwell/exit rather that leaving directly through the lobby. Upstairs on the second floor, there was still no smoke evident, so I went to my room to "rescue" my dog (Note: There were two directions of escape from the room.) Back outside, about twelve pieces of fire and rescue apparatus had arrived and ANTA people had gathered together to watch. Fortunately, it turned out to be nothing serious and everything was back to normal after about forty-five minutes. This seems to be a new level of excitement for an ANTA event which we certainly won't strive to duplicate in the future.
With such an enthusiastic reception, it is apparent that more ANTA events in this region are in order. My compliments and appreciation to Tony Gabrielli, Wayne Palmer, Carl and Faith Schrader, Jeff Stout, David Miller and the others who together put on the event. And my thanks to John Barrow for assisting me in setting up the lure course.
Ed Plummer
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