BGSDTC Regional Event 23/07/11 - Page 2

for last minute entries please e-mail carole lister at thomasmonds@aol.co.uk

WUSV rules and regulations

judges SV Peter Arth
           UK Paul Bradley

Can you please publish the TOTAL number of GSD entered.

It can be a long Journey to watch a few dogs! 

What about entering too David, we miss you at these Regionals.    Mo

I sincerely believe the Regionals have numerous negatives creeping in, with decisions being made by the Group which have obviously not been thought through. It is becoming more obvious that Regionals will now have a very limited appeal and a very questionable future because of numerous negatives creeping in.

One thing that has happened this year, because of the negatives, they have actually heightened the appeal of the Kennel Club Championship shows. I see no reason to doubt that this will continue.

The Sieger Show 2011 is also clearly suffering from similar negatives creeping in. Such as off lead gaiting for the Adult Classes, which most obviously has not been carefully thought through. Then there is the quite ridiculous inclusion of Long Coat Classes being in the same ring and apparently being 'slotted in between normal coat classes, simply ridiculous and frustrating to many exhibitors and spectators who have little or no interest.

The Long Coat Classes should be in a separate ring with a separate Judge(s). With the track record of the Group so far I fully anticipate they will NOT see the obvious logic in my concerns. I also have MAJOR concerns regarding the Breed Survey and health requirements for Long Coats following the debacle at the recent Regional Event which was so easily avoidable. It is apparent that little or no thought has been given to fairness, consistency and equality for this 'breed'.

I now have to accept that the current 'leaders' have confusing and limited experience in the introduction and development of a show system, and appear to cobble together changes, additions and developments with whimsical forethought and from selective opinions without very carefully thinking every detail though. I see no early change in this behavior and therefore more negatives creeping in, which will easily smother any positives very quickly.

I have very little hope that things will change for the better some time soon, therefore I will observe the negatives increasing and the positives diminishing, and therefore I can only observe the glow of a great opportunity for our breed here within the UK grow dimmer and dimmer.

We just all have to keep our heads to the fact that it is a new innovation that is being started in the UK - that there are bound to be teething troubles, like anything new - and that these issues are ironed out as they occur.   It would be great to have the forethought to put all to rights before it has begun, but sometimes, in the testing of a new start, things have to be tried and matters addressed as they go along.

I am sure that you have some valid points to put across David, and some very valid dialogue has passed around everyone this morning regarding off lead gaiting for the adult classes, without it having to go to the lengths of negativity.   There have been frustrations, there have been things that could have been done differently, and no doubt in the future will be, but if we only sit at home and criticise - then,  those that are out there hoping to build a new future for the UK exhibition of GSD`s may also begin to feel negatives about the work that is being done to get things going along.    Mo

David,i have to agree with yu on the points yu have raised above.i know of one person who would love to enter their male at the sieger show but have reservations re the off lead gaiting(if one has to do that in the adult male class?)Perhaps the regional groups could organise a meeting n liase with certain ppl.who HAVE THE KNOWLEGE to pass on re.wot these regional groups need to do to make the shows more successful.Remember David ,the kind ppl.organising these events need help n constructive critism,not argy bargy,as ppls.backs are then put up n it starts to get nasty n personal.i still think entries are down because of finances n therefore one is being picky about who they will enter their dogs under.I went to WPB.this last w/e by train.It cost me £112-50 on train fare n taxis...my train fare was £55,so rest on taxis(which i was obliged to get as time was tight n i didnt want to miss my class...veteran)I left at 5.15am n arrived home at approx 8.45pm.i probably would have got home just after 8pm but got on wrong train at victoria(mixup by me re.platform no.)It perhaps would be useful if ppl.could share vehicles/offer lifts to those who dont or not able to drive long distances,to lessen the fuel costs.I would in the future like to do both types of shows with my new addition when i eventually get her.Carole S.

The introduction of a new system in the UK was inevitably going to hit problems, and I think Penny is right, these things often have to be ironed out along the way. So long as each hiccup at the various events means that the next event has improved and ironed that problem out, then I don't see a few logistical problems as that much of a hurdle. Certainly separating out the long coat classes seems to be a logical arrangement.

I wonder what the reasoning is behind introducing off lead gaiting in all adult classes? Is it a requirement of the WUSV? I suppose that if it is to be a 'Sieger' show in the truest sense, off lead gaiting should be a standard feature, but I am curious as to why it has been introduced, and who had input to that decision.

One thought that I haven't (until now) been inclined to air publicly, lest I am torn limb from limb, is that it may just be that fewer people than expected (in the scheme of things) actually like showing the 'German' way. It could be as simple as that. I am sure all support the idea that every dog is fully health tested, but beyond that it does not necessarily appeal to a lot of small exhibitors, especially if you have to have a handler because you can't do the gaiting rounds yourself and can't afford a handler etc. It's a style of showing that does not lend itself to handling your own dog, which a lot of people gain immense satisfaction from. JMO.

Or could it be that the Handlers are asking to much (Money) and pricing out tha smaller Exhibitors!!!

EVERY time a negative is introduced or occurs at Regional Events and/or the British Sieger Event IT WILL HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES. Usually on the enjoyment of the Event by some exhibitors and spectators, and this WILL IMPACT on future Events and the future British Sieger Events 

Negatives are occurring which are completely avoidable by adopting some basic fundamentals on the committees responsible for the Events.

One of those basic fundamentals is exactly what 'Abby Normal' has stated in her post above, namely: "I am sure all support the idea that every dog is fully health tested, but beyond that it does not necessarily appeal to a lot of small exhibitors" I would prefer the word 'small' to be deleted.

Another is the importance of an EVENT CHECK LIST for each Events organisers which sets out IMPORTANT FUNDAMENTALS WHICH  CONTRIBUTE TO AN EVENTS SUCCESS.

It is simply not good enough for an event organiser to answer "WE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT" when asked by an exhibitor "why aren't there any hides in the provided 'outside attraction area'?"

Everybody who sits on an EVENT committee should CLEARLY understand that they are NOT there to make spontaneous decisions or suggestions which may have ANY impact on the EVENTS.

IDEAS TO INTRODUCE ANY CHANGES OR ADDITIONS MUST BE VERY CAREFULLY THOUGHT THROUGH, ALWAYS REMEMBERING "IF IT AIN'T BUST DON'T FIX IT".

Let's not lose sight of the fact, It's The British Sieger show, and we should not blindly follow everything they do in Germany, If you don't want to see entries drop further, glean the best, and logical items from the German system and implament them. The regional groups should have the same layout, same entry form, same check sheet,same blue print. Without the same set of rules, the regional groups will stumble from one problem to the next. Remember committee members may change and individuals may interperate their show differently to another region. The entry for the show on Saturday is not great, but it should be! When the Regional events were conceived,  there was a new wave of optimism,  this was the way forward, and the saviour of our  showing system. It needs to be put back on the right road sooner than later. Another thing that needs sorting is the paper entry, a recent show had 22 entries in M.P.B. only 7 were presented. The 2day show has 220 entries, it will be interesting to see the numbers on the day. The unlimited entry may be responsible in  part. I think the financial situation is a contributing factor, Handlers always come out of the ring with the lead in one hand, and the other hand stretched out looking for money, even if they have done a crap job! There are 2 regional events and The British Sieger left for this year. All areas that need tweaking need to be up and running for next year with a well organised and uniform system in place. The time excuse cannot be carried forward.