In August of 1991 year I attended the River City Cluster in San Antonio, Texas. During the middle of Boxer classes one afternoon (there truly are shows where Boxer classes do not begin at the crack of dawn!) my handler, Beau Galle, asked if I would like to attend a "hands on" exercise to be done immediately following the judging. Beau explained they needed as many Boxers as possible for new judges to go over and assess. I argued that he was welcome to take our "Traveler" if he so desired but I was tired, it was late, etc. Beau persisted emphasizing they wanted as many boxers as possible and would prefer only a few be presented by handlers. Finally I agreed, what could it hurt standing in the ring for a few minutes with my own dog. I have done that much in puppy matches, etc. getting my young ones ready for show. By the end of the Boxer classes most of the owners at ringside had been "selected" to participate. Included in the group were myself, Mickey Sheffield, Donna & Tom Doane, Sharon Steckler and others joined with handlers Beau Galle, Terri Galle, Tommy Long and Patty Chandler

Mickey and I, the "seasoned veterans" in the group arrived expecting a "short" run through and then we would be on our merry way. It seemed like things would wrap up quickly. The exercise would require only 8 Boxers, but since there were 12 of us the officials indicated they would assess all the dogs present and select 8 from the group to participate in further evaluation. "Further evaluation" should have been our first clue that things were not going to go quite as quickly as we had hoped. As we waited our turn in line I remarked to Mickey that I never felt I would ever find myself praying so hard to "not make the cut." No one was apparently listening to my prayers and Mickey and I along with several other "owner handlers" found ourselves remaining in the ring at the end of the assessments by the three already licensed judges. The breeder in me was delighted; however, my legs and energy were fast retreating and I just wanted to be excused so I could go sit down with my own handler and some of the other handlers who had been excused.

Once the selections of 1st through 4th had been made we figured that was it -- not so. Now we would have the first "apprentice" judge go over the same group of 8 dogs. Guess whose dogs made the cuts every time; you guessed it, the two "veterans" Mickey and Ann. We seriously began to plot our departure. Jokingly Mickey and I, both with bad legs, ankles and assorted aches and pains, talked about "falling on our butts." Someone was listening this time! Ann did a graceful flop in the ring. Traveler, being puppy and not always in control of his movement, managed to put one of his front feet right in front of me as we were moving around the ring. After our previous conversations, I'm sure Mickey is still convinced I fell on purpose. Honest, Mickey, I didn't, I can think of better ways to embarrass myself! Halfway into the fall, when I realized I was really going to fall on my a$$, I began to laugh uncontrollably. By the time I hit the floor my face was red from laughing along with the embarrassment of the moment. Everyone rushed to see how badly I was hurt but the only thing really hurt was my pride. It took everyone some time to realize I was not crying but laughing. I landed on a knee that had been bothering me for sometime but the pain was not excruciating (in fact, after a few days of stiffness, the knee stopped bothering me for some time -- Traveler may have found a temporary solution to my problem. Mickey I don't suggest you try this!). As I made my way back around the ring I was quick to remind myself and those present that this was the very reason I pay a handler to handle my dogs -- truth be known Ann Gilbert is a klutz!

By the time the third assessment had been completed we had been in the ring 2 hours -- that's a long time for man (or woman) and beast!

Although I relate the preceding account with humor I must take a serious vein here and comment on the reasons surrounding this "hands on" adventure. As breeders we often complain that "the judges are blind," that "they don't know what they are doing" or that "they don't know how to interpret the standard." Training exercises just as the one I described are an excellent way for we, as breeders, to assist the new as well as the old judges learn. The exercise we went through is one of the ways we can help the judges develop the "eye" necessary to interpret our standard. Regardless of our own personal feelings or discomfort as we stood in that ring, we should remember that we were presenting good examples of our breed to be evaluated and from what I could conclude the "apprentice" judges did an admirable job of selecting their placements. In fact, the four placements by the three licensed judges and the two apprentice judges included the same four dogs each time. The placements may have varied a little, but the consistency we breeders all like to see judge's display was there. Five individuals saw the same qualities and characteristics in the same four dogs. The dogs were the ones being judged and assessed and regardless of the inadequacy of their "handlers" the judges were able to glean the necessary information from their knowledge of the standard to satisfy me, as a breeder, that they were doing their homework.

I feel comfortable that the judges who participated came away with better knowledge and understanding of our breed and I came away with a renewed respect for the judging system as well as those professionals, like my handler and yours, who work very hard presenting our best efforts to these individuals we call "judge." I shall consider the certificate presented by AKC to thank us for our participation as a testimonial to my ever-continuing education.

So my friends, when your handler approaches you at ringside to take part in a "hands on" demonstration, forget the time and energy you don't want to lose and participate! The time and energy are well spent, believe me. We as well as the judges are never too old to learn. All those involved shared an "equal education" that day.