ASTC National Report

Thursday, April 20, 2006

The Wendy’s were down in the ballroom at an early hour to ensure good seating. Wendy P. was part of the Judge’s Education section to follow-up her previous evenings seminar. This involved a reserved seating area in which the judges were afforded an unobstructed view of the dogs being judged as well as a separate table in front of them onto which dogs would be placed, by their handlers, while waiting to go onto the Specialty Judge’s table for examination. This gave these judges a great opportunity to look at each dog closely and to use the information they had learned in the seminar the previous evening.

The Specialty was opened with the traditional singing of the National anthem and the ballroom was alive with the buzzing of excitement as everyone made the last finishing touches on their dogs.
Jon Ferrante started off with the judging of the dogs. He efficiently went through each class choosing his winners until the end where Hallmark Jolei the Gladiator, owned by Yoshiko Sanjo and Luke and Diane Ehricht, was awarded Winners Dog.
The judging of the bitches was next after a short break and Richard was honoured to have June Penta as his ring steward. A great effort was made to make the Specialty an “event” with various ring patterns and a chance for exhibitors to show off their dogs to their best advantage. Winners bitch went to Symarun’s Just Never Mind.

Best of Breed made an impressive line up and ringside was standing room only as Best in Specialty went to Ch. Rinposhay’s Captain Courageous. Best of Opposite/ Best of Winners was Symarun’s Just Never Mind, Award of Merits were Ch. Symarun’s Stevie Wonderful, Hallmark Jolei The Gladiator, Ch. Ista’s Dream a Little Dream, Ch. Hei-Di’s Wickedly Charming, and Ch. Xeralane’s Facing Controversy. Best Puppy in Specialty went to Symarun’s Halle Berry.

The festivities continued in the evening with the Awards Banquet, a non-stop event starting with a delicious meal complimented with a running slide show of 'Dogs And People Of The Past'. Awards were given for the previous year’s winners as well as ROM’s, accompanied by a slide show with photos of all the winners, thank you's, and the Wenrick Award, which went to Barb Cunningham. We also surprized Barb Pennington with a 'Happy Birthday' tune. The entertainment escalated with Richard and Jon Ferrante singing a rousing spoof of the weeks events to the tune of “New York, New York”.

The evening ended with an action-packed auction with much anticipated items hosted by the annual auctioneer, Richard and the 'Baby Photo Contest". The room overheated with several bidders going for the same items and ended with a sizable income for the Charitable Trust including a tidy $950. for the painting Wendy Howard had donated.

Hall Mark Jolei The Galdiator- Owned by Yoshiko Sanjo & Luke & Diane Ehricht

Photo by Tom Di Giacomo

Ch Rinposhay's Captain Courageous- Owner Maurene Baum

Symarun's Just Never Mind- Owner Carol & Carrie Randall

Ch Symarun's Stevie Wonderful- Owner Carol & Carrie Randall

Hall Mark Jolei The Galdiator- Owned by Yoshiko Sanjo & Luke & Diane Ehricht

Ch. Ista's Dream A Little Dream- Owner Alejandra Guajardo from Chili

Ch Hei-Di'd Wickedly Charming- Owner Heidi Selvig & Jessica Dahlheimer

Ch Xeralane Facing Controversy- Owner Xeralane Kennel

Symarun's Halle Berry- Owned by Lynda Torrance & Josephine Kocman

Friday, April 22. 2006

The judging of the Shih Tzu Fanciers of Greater Baltimore Specialty provided another look at the dogs of the previous day and a chance for exhibitors to showcase their dogs.

We decided to take the rest of the day easy, as we were still exhausted after the previous day’s events. The afternoon was spent leisurely shopping and “poking” in various antique shops to drool over the endless oriental artifacts too large to fit in our suitcases. We would definitely have to drive next time!
We had supper at “May’s Crab House”, a restaurant recommended by good friend Pat Keen-Fernandes which did not disappoint as we experienced the 'crab cakes' and all it had to offer in an endless supply of all-you-can-eat seafood. Our table was teeming with crab legs, oysters, mussels, shrimp, crabs, crab cakes, clams, fries, coleslaw and deep-fried delicacies washed down with ice cold Corona.
We rolled out of the restaurant and back to the hotel to once again finish the night in the hotel’s hot tub.

Saturday, April 23, 2006

We wanted to make the most of our last day in Maryland and so, got up early and headed back into Washington to do more sight-seeing and celebrate Wendy P’s birthday. We had decided to do what we could of the city’s 16 Smithsonians and started off at the art museum which had an exhibition by Cezanne. It was raining and our choice to view the indoor exhibits was timely. Wendy H. was in her element and poured over all the paintings and sculptures.

Next was the Museum of Natural Art and History where we saw the infamous “Hope Diamond” and the estate jewel collections. The museum was endless and we decided that if we wanted to see the oriental museums, the Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art, we would have to cut our visit short. They did not disappoint and we weaved from room to room marveling in the history and opulence of it all.

Our day was coming to an end but we could not pass up the opportunity for a quick stop at Washington’s China Town where Wendy P made the most of doing a little birthday shopping. We ate a delicious meal of 'Prime Rib' at Frago's restaurant near the hotel. Back at the hotel, we took up or customary places in the hot tub and relived the week’s events.

We thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the week and the relaxing side of not having come with dogs but decided that we would be glad to be back next year in full force enjoying all that going to “The National” has to offer…. an event not to be missed!!

!!!!!!!Mark Your Calendar!!!!!!!

2007 National in Vancouver, Washington

May 9, 2007  ASTC Regional- Judge- Peggy Lloyd*
                 May 10, 2007  Ob, Ob Rally (Judi James* )and Sweeps (TBA)
                May 11, 2007  ASTC Regular Classes Judge Norm Patton* Dogs
Judge Joe Walton* Bitches and Intersex
                 May 12, 2007  Puget Sound Shih Tzu Fanciers Guest Club- Judge-Dolly Wheeler*
                 May 13, 2007  Puget Sound  Shih Tzu Fanciers Guest Club- Judge Chuck Long*
                *Pending AKC approval
All the shows are at the Red Lion in Vancouver, WA across the Columbia River
from Portland, Or where people will fly into.
Portland and all of Oregon is sales tax free!!