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Old English Sheepdog Club of America Centennial Celebration Week:
19 – 25 September 2005
by Jilly Bennett
photos by Colette Hornig |
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TOP TWENTY EVENT:
If there is a more glamorous event in OES than the Top Twenty competition, then I`ve yet to see it! This
Centennial year for the OESCA was perhaps even more exciting: the hotel ballroom crowded with `le tout monde` in OES, and
with so many foreign visitors cheering the dogs on. Normally, one of the three judges would be from overseas, but this year,
in honour of the event, all three judges were American: Susanne Ersson (Bahlamb`s), Joyce Wetzler (Whisperwood), and President
of the Club, Marilyn O`Cuilinn (Merryrogue). To honour the overseas visitors, the stewards were invited from Canada (Martin
Doherty), the U.K. (Norman Harrison), and New Zealand (Barrie Espie). We knew we were in for a stylish evening when each
fashionably attired lady judge entered the ring on the arm of her respective, tuxedo-clad gentleman steward.
About 15 years ago, Dr. Hugh Jordan saw the success Ray Carlisle had with the Top Twenty in Dobermans and after much
observation and planning, the OES Top Twenty competition was held for the first time in 1998. There was early opposition. For
instance, would it be too expensive to run? In fact, it’s entirely self-sufficient, is paid for by donations and run without
help from the parent club. As the years have gone by the Top Twenty has become one of the most eagerly awaited events in the
OES calendar. Always held the evening before the National, it sets the tone in friendliness and sportsmanship. Judges, whose
names are kept secret till minutes before judging begins, must have no connection to any dog entered.
First, we were treated to a lap of honour by a previous winner, the immaculately presented Ch. Barkshire’s Heartbreak Harry,
who won in 1999. That year, this elegant black-tie event had to contend with an unwelcome deluge, courtesy of Hurricane Floyd.
16 dogs participated (one couldn’t compete, Ch. Lambluv`s Desdemona, as she was a previous winner and a male, Ch. Bugaboo Puff
Daddy, was competing in Europe and two others were absent). The atmosphere was electric as we sat entranced, watching each
dog complete his move around the ring and his quarter turns for the judges before being individually examined and scored.
The three judges scored each dog, individually, using the Scale of Points provided and the winner was determined on the basis
of the total score of each dog. First though, entering the ring one at the time, the first group of three dogs was scored for
Average Placement (initial impression) - this is on a scale of 1 – 10. Next, the dog was viewed from all angles by a series
of right quarter-turns. Then each dog was moved individually, with the three judges then scoring the dog on movement. Then,
the judges and the dogs moved to their respective stations for individual examination and to complete the scoring. The dogs
were rotated until each of the three judges had scored each of the three dogs. This process was repeated, with three dogs in
the ring at a time, until all the dogs had been scored. The scoring system adds the assigning of numerical values to the main
factors of judging and it demands the judge indicate where he chooses to penalize an exhibit for less than ideal characteristics.
The maximum points are as follows:
Skull 5
Eyes 5
Ears 5
Teeth 5
Nose 5
Jaw 5
Foreface 5
Neck & Shoulders 5
Body & Loin 10
Hindquarters 10
Legs 10
Coat (Texture, Quality, Condition) 15
General Appearance & Movement 15
Total: 100
Watching these beautifully presented creatures strutting their stuff, I found myself thinking of Henry Arthur Tilley who founded
the Shepton Kennels in Somerset in 1881 and was founder of OESCA – indeed, the Centennial was dedicated to his memory. In 1903,
Tilley (leaving home in a pony and trap with three or four OES, en route to the railway station and America) made the first of
several journeys to the US. On that first trip he entered the ring 16 times and won 15 first prizes, including the coveted Vanderbilt
Trophy. There can be few OES in America, indeed the world, that don’t have ‘Shepton’ in their breeding. Methinks I saw him standing
quietly at the back of the ballroom, proud as punch…
And the winner in this Centennial year? Amid wild applause at the Gala dinner on the last evening, we learned it was Ch. Masquerade
Moneyline, bred and owned by Marnie Harris. Congratulations! Marnie`s Masquerade OES are very successful in the obedience ring – beauty
and brains, no less.
The beautifully presented catalogue, featuring photos and full pedigrees of each dog, lists a full page of TT Committee members.
Impossible to thank them all for such a wonderful evening, but special mention must go to Founder and Event Chairman, Dr. Hugh Jordan,
Secretary/Editor, Karen Lee, and TT Coordinator, Linda Jordan.
Left to right: Joyce Wetzler (judge), Ch. Masquerade Moneyline with breeder/handler, Marnie Harris, Susanne Ersson (judge) and Marilyn
O`Cuilinn (judge and President of OESCA)
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