Westminister

Westminister - Madison Square Garden

February 11, 2008

Ch. Sundancer Shotru Bilbo B and Ch. Sundancer Hylan Shotru Penny stutted their stuff in front of thousands of dog enthusiasts at Madison Square Guarden. Bilbo showed beautifully like the class dog he is. Ch. Showa Fantastic With Pantalf was the Best of Breed.

This was our first trip to Westminister, and we did enjoy the experience. Besides the show, we enjoyed the sights of New York with Kathy Hamilton of Austin, Texas; a co-owner and friend.

Tonia Halibaugh shows Ch. Sundancer Bilbo Baggins at the 2008 Westminister Kennel Club show. Bilbo showed as well or better than he has done this year. Showing well at Westminister made us feel good. Indeed, he is one of the best Lhasa Apso's in the Nation.

Of course, we would have liked Bilbo to have won the breed, but we can't argue that Matthew, the breed winner, has shown all year that he is the Lhasa to beat. Tonia did a wonderful job showing him, as she has done all year. She has our recommendation as an outstanding handler. One day she will likely have a son or daughter of Bilbo to tour nationally again.

Bilbo has now retired, and enjoys running our yard without concern for his coif. He is as great a pet as he has been a show dog.

Westminister is what is called a "Benched" show. In other words, the dogs cannot leave the backstage benching area from the time they arrive in the morning until the group judging starts that night. It is the responsibility of the owners and/or handlers to have the dogs available for the public to see.

Each of us took turns in the benching area. There is really no place to sit, and the benching area is very crowded with pet enthusiasts and vendors. Here Marsah finds a moment to sit on a table so Penny can get out of her cage.

Penny also showed well at Westminister, although she was a little intimidated at first by the crowd.

In order to be an invited Lhasa, the Lhasa needs to be ranked in the top five in breed points. Otherwise the dog goes by application of the owner. Penny could very well be in the top twenty-five Lhasas for 2008, but it is not likely she will be shown enough to get into the top five.

This is the Lhasa Apso benching area. Obviously, the Bischon benching is close by. All breeds shown on the first day had a benching area. As soon as we removed our dogs (after 8:00 p.m.) the benching area was re-labeled for the next days breeds.

A good thing about benched shows is that it provides breeders with hours to get to know each other. Only at the breed Nationals is there such an opportunity of being with other breeders. At Westminister there were only about twenty of us, but in the time we had we did have plenty of time to talk.

Going to Westminister is not just about a dog show. It gave an excuse to see and vacation in New York. We loved the experience. Of course, it might be less expensive without dogs, but for a dog fancier who shows their Lhasas, it is a must do experience.

There is too much to see in a few days, but what you do see is worth seeing. This scene is in Central Park.

When Marsha and I made our first trek to New York the World Trade Center was a prominent feature. Now it is marked by cranes as the building site. We will look forward to seeing it when it is completed in a few years.

The Empire State Building was also interesting, as it allowed us to see the New York skyline. It was a cold and snowy day and we had the unique experience (for us) of watching the snow go up instead of down. The wind blew the snow into the side of the Empire State Building and forced the air and snow to move counter to gravity.

Besides the dog show and seeing buildings we went to a play - "Wicked". Visiting Broadway is one of those must do experiences.

	Tonia Halibaugh shows Ch. Sundancer Bilbo Baggins at the 2008 Westminister Kennel Club show. Bilbo showed as well or better than he has done this year. Showing well at Westminister made us feel good. Indeed, he is one of the best Lhasa Apso's in the Nation. Of course, we would have liked Bilbo to have won the breed, but we can't argue that Matthew, the breed winner, has shown all year that he is the Lhasa to beat. Tonia did a wonderful job showing him, as she has done all year. She has our recommendation as an outstanding handler. One day she will likely have a son or daughter of Bilbo to tour nationally again. Bilbo has now retired, and enjoys running our yard without concern for his coif. He is as great a pet as he has been a show dog.
Westminister is what is called a "Benched" show. In other words, the dogs cannot leave the backstage benching area from the time they arrive in the morning until the group judging starts that night. It is the responsibility of the owners and/or handlers to have the dogs available for the public to see. Each of us took turns in the benching area. There is really no place to sit, and the benching area is very crowded with pet enthusiasts and vendors. Here Marsah finds a moment to sit on a table so Penny can get out of her cage. Penny also showed well at Westminister, although she was a little intimidated at first by the crowd. In order to be an invited Lhasa, the Lhasa needs to be ranked in the top five in breed points. Otherwise the dog goes by application of the owner. Penny could very well be in the top twenty-five Lhasas for 2008, but it is not likely she will be shown enough to get into the top five.
	This is the Lhasa Apso benching area. Obviously, the Bischon benching is close by. All breeds shown on the first day had a benching area. As soon as we removed our dogs (after 8:00 p.m.) the benching area was re-labeled for the next days breeds. A good thing about benched shows is that it provides breeders with hours to get to know each other. Only at the breed Nationals is there such an opportunity of being with other breeders. At Westminister there were only about twenty of us, but in the time we had we did have plenty of time to talk.
Going to Westminister is not just about a dog show. It gave an excuse to see and vacation in New York. We loved the experience. Of course, it might be less expensive without dogs, but for a dog fancier who shows their Lhasas, it is a must do experience. There is too much to see in a few days, but what you do see is worth seeing. This scene is in Central Park.
	When Marsha and I made our first trek to New York the World Trade Center was a prominent feature. Now it is marked by cranes as the building site. We will look forward to seeing it when it is completed in a few years. The Empire State Building was also interesting, as it allowed us to see the New York skyline. It was a cold and snowy day and we had the unique experience (for us) of watching the snow go up instead of down. The wind blew the snow into the side of the Empire State Building and forced the air and snow to move counter to gravity. Besides the dog show and seeing buildings we went to a play - "Wicked". Visiting Broadway is one of those must do experiences.