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by Marsha Hall Brown
D
ear Juniors, Parents and Friends of Juniors: I have spent my life “in dogs.” It was not by chance or because I had that interest as my only goal. I had a lot of help and guidance along the way. I was fortunate to have parents who had been successful athletic coaches and they helped me understand the concept of competition – how to win and how to lose. I also had a very small “arena” in which to practice. There were frequent
match shows near our home in Rhode Island and I could learn how to handle my English Setters in a friendly and supportive environment. When my family graduated to point shows we met other families in The English Setter Club of New England and I was encouraged by some of the members to continue to handle our dogs in the breed ring but to also enter Children’s Handling Classes at all breed shows. My father had been a professional baseball player and he explained to me when I
Fifteen-year-old Marsha Hall handling her family’s first homebred, Prize Par-Sal of Stone Gables, from BBE, WB, BW, and BOB to Group II. Holyoke, MA
was very young the reason for his success. He said, “If you are going to compete, you do so at the very highest level, correct your errors, and always have a goal toward improvement.” And my mother told me that there was no time for excuses, but there was always another day. While all of those early days at dog shows were important for my being a part of the dog fancy, there were two people who became vital to my future. Virginia Tuck was one of the stars in the English Setter world. She was beautiful, handled with such grace and ability, and wrote the first book on how to handle your own dog. Mrs. Tuck, who with her husband Davis Tuck owned the Silvermine Kennels, became my role model. And then there was my mentor of all mentors, Elsworth Howell*. He always told me the truth about my level of ability and then encouraged me to improve. Mr. Howell even gave me instructions on what to wear es® pecially for the big shows like Westminster and Morris Essex. He found competitions for me to enter and titles for me to aspire to. I was still in my teens yet too old for Children’s Handling when he for the new competition featuring Juniors in the sport of dogs who put my name forward to Alice Wagner, the editor of Popular Dogs Magazine, to write a column for Juniors. And then he had the idea have abilities in writing and the arts. that I could write a book on Junior Showmanship which he edited and published himself. He was adamant that I become a judge • Nominate a junior in your family and encouraged me to write about my assignments. He sent me • Nominate a junior from your dog club a copy of Elements of Style by Strunk and White so I could be a better writer. He was generous with his time and was always • Enter the competition yourself (age 9 – 17) willing to discuss English Setters. Mr. Howell answered my quesCategories are: tions and he told me about the famous dogs that were shown before I began my time in dogs. All of this became background 1. Drawing and Painting (any media) that features your dog at a show, material for the breed column I started writing for the Gazette. in a competition, in a work related event, or at home. Then one day I received a letter from my mentor of mentors. He said in part, “I want you to have this expression of my gratitude 2. Write a two page fictional account of what your dog can do. This may be a fantasy. for your excellent July column. I agree with you completely that 3. Write a two page essay on one of the following topics: “My First Dog Show”, the English Setter Standard must be changed only to clarify the terms for the understanding of novices and judges who do not “Why I like the breed I own,” “ What I have learned from Junior Showmanship,” have the years of experience in the breed that we have had. Furor “Practice makes Perfect.” ther, it must never be changed to suit existing dogs which are untypical.” Juniors must be nine-years-old and must not exceed seventeen-years-old. Submissions of art or That letter is framed and hangs over by desk. I look at it writing must be original, unpublished work created only by the junior. All future entries for Juoften as not so much an example of an accomplishment but as a niors With Talent will be submitted to judges for evaluation and age divisions will be published. constant reminder of an honor bestowed upon me by a wonderful man who reached out his hand to me when I was still a child and Cut out and fill out the entry form below and EMAIL it as an attachment to: welcomed me into the sport of dogs. It does take a village to help boys and girls grow up as promhb@marshahallbrown.com • Do not send your art or writing until you have received comductive members of the dog fancy. I was so fortunate to receive plete rules of the competition. You could be the next JWT help and encouragement from family, and handlers and judges and breeders. I was also fortunate to be treated with respect, Name _________________________________________________ Age ______ patience, and truthfulness by those who were stars in the sport. They took time to help me, to guide me, to teach me. And now E-mail___________________________________________ Date______________ it is time for today’s stars – the family members, the handlers, Address ____________________________________________________________ breeders, club members and judges -- to reach out to the youth of today. It is time to nominate Juniors to enter the Juniors With Nominated by ________________________________________________________ Talent Competition. Reach out to that special Junior today. *note: Elsworth Howell, owner of Howell Book House, was Your talent? Art ___ Writing ____ an exhibitor of English Setters, president of the breed’s regional Source: Popular Dogs, February 1966 club and parent club, delegate to the AKC, dog writer, and judge NOTE: This information is confidential and is for the purpose of this competition only. including BIS at Westminster.
WANTED: JWT - Juniors with Talent
26 Dog News