DCA 2023

“St. Louis Blues”

Our Version of March Madness

By Randy Eltringham

Each year, “Mother Nature” gifts us with the month of March to help make our annual transition from winter to spring. This year was no exception.

Starting with the March 18-19, 2023 DCA Earthdog Weekend at Purina Farms Event Center, it was clear that we had one foot in winter and the other one in spring. Just ask the DCA 2023 field trialers who traveled from rabbit huntin’ country in warm wonderful Kirbyville, TX, to the Dachshund Club of St Louis (DCSTL) Earthdog Tests in Gray Summit, MO, where we faced 21°F temperatures, snow flurries and 30 mph winds. Yes, it was definitely still winter in Missouri – our noses and fingers were frozen and so was the ink in the pens we were using to fill out our entry forms and judges sheets.

As most of you know, March is not our traditional month for hosting DCA Nationals. But this year, it was filled with lots of extra fun which may have stemmed from other March holidays that you may not know about:

Women’s History Month – Dachshund bitches are still making history, right ladies? March Madness – National single elimination tournaments just like our shows, tests and trials

Namesake Day (5)

International Day of Awesomeness (10)

Smart & Sexy Day (13)

Ancient Roman New Year’s Day, Tax Day & Beware of the Ides of March (15) –Whoa!

St. Patrick’s Day – Good Luck Everyone! (17)

International Day of Happiness (20)

National Common Courtesy Day (21)

National Goof Off Day (22)

National Puppy Day (23), and

Make Up Your Own Personalized Holiday Day (26) – Wanna establish your own holiday? Go ahead. Submit Your Special Day to: Nationaltoday.com/how-to-makea-new-holiday

So, yes, our 2023 DCA events were a bit out of sync with our traditional May dates. But, we bounced with the punches and made up our own version of March Madness, this time, in “St. Louis Blues” fashion. Some of us are still in recovery.

Helping Hands

Thanks to the hard work of dozens of DCA and host club leaders and a large crew of dedicated volunteers, we enjoyed 27 exciting events which brought together family and friends to observe the wide range of skills and beauty of all types and sizes of dachshunds and their talented exhibitors. What great diversity we have in our dachshund community. Just take a look at our pictures. They tell the story.

As you stroll down 2023 DCA Memory Lane, be sure to read these additional articles written by six contributing National Showcase authors who helped capture the full 2023 DCA experience:

DCA and Mission City Dachshund Club Field Trials – By Gloria LaTour

DCA Agility Trials – By Denny Van Hook

DCA Obedience and Rally Trials – By Brenda Riemer

DCA Junior Showmanship – By Melissa Heyman

DCA Triathlon & Triathlon Dog of the Year – By Connie Fisher

DCA and Dachshund Club of St Louis Earthdog Tests – By Randy Eltringham

This year, we did not have a DCA National Tracking Test. So, nothing to report on here.

2023 “St. Louis Blues” DCA Week

RVs started rolling in to the Purina Farms Event Center on Sunday, March 19, to set up RV Camp and Expen Village for dozens of beautiful dachshunds and their hardy traveling companions. Denny Van Hook served as RV Parking Coordinator, providing valuable information, advice and help as needed. Thanks so much, Denny, for holding down the fort in the ever changing St Louis weather. Move-in Day for Event Center grooming spaces began the following day: Monday, March 20. Debby Krieg was the master-mind behind that effort as hundreds of breeders and exhibitors arrived and placed their set-ups in reserved spaces near the hallways that lead to the spacious Agility, Obedience, Rally and Conformation Rings that bustled with activity all week. It felt good to get everything settled, so we would know exactly where our dogs, chairs and trolleys would be located when watching and enjoying up-coming conformation and companion events.

The Purina Event Center is so large there was simply not a bad seat in the house. And it was so quiet … quiet enough to actually rub some brain cells together and make friction. The older we get, the more we appreciate it when we think clearly. Check-in would not have been complete without receiving specially prepared Welcome Bags and helpful information about upcoming scheduled events. Thanks to Debbie Melgreen, Shari Setser, Cindy and John Niles, DCA Board members, and other helpful volunteers who stepped in to put the Welcome Bags together and man the Welcome Table all week. Your hospitality was superb!

The DCA Agility Trial began first thing Monday morning and ran smoothly all day thanks to experienced Coordinator Denny Van Hook, judge Ronda Bermke and the strong leadership of trial officials and volunteers who made it look so easy. Denny put together a first-time-ever Agility Trial Raffle as a way to say thank you to trial volunteers. The donated raffle items were awesome and most appreciated by volunteers who got a free ticket and won a prize!

Spectators and exhibitors around the ring enjoyed seeing so many dogs and handlers perform so well in three different companion events – Agility, Obedience and Rally! Many of these dachshund-handler teams were already in contention for Triathlon Dog of the Year with stellar performances in the DCA Field Trial and Earthdog Test. And Indy and owner-handler Shawn Nies won it! Woo! Hoo! Congratulations to all who tried, especially those who qualified in these events and went home with new titles!!

A Casual DCA Welcome Reception in the Host Hotel Pool Area Monday evening ended Day One of DCA Week on a hopeful note. Delicious appetizers and drinks were available to attendees as they stopped by throughout the evening to enjoy join-ups with friends after getting their dogs settled in from their long trips to St Louis. It would be an early Tuesday morning for many who came to compete in follow-on companion and conformation events. A delicious night-caps helped.

Tuesday began with two concurrent events: The Dallas-Ft Worth Dachshund Club Specialty Show (in Conformation Rings 1, 2 and 3) and the Obedience / Rally Trials on the other side of the black curtain where companion event exhibitors were camped out.

As a spectator, it was fun being able to move back and forth to enjoy seeing beautiful, hard working dogs and talented handlers participate in so many different sports — all in the same gigantic, quiet, relaxed Purina Event Center space. Obedience and Rally Trial results are captured in separate articles in this Nationals Issue.

DFTWDC Specialty Show Results

Congratulations to all of our winners!

DFWDC Specialty Show (Show #1)

Intervariety Winners:

Best of Breed: GCHG J-Walk’s Pink Diamond SW ATT

Best of Opposite Sex to BOB: GCH DC Royalaire’s I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas JE FDC

Junior Showmanship Judge: Ronda Bermke

Best Junior Handler : Samantha Elliott

Reserve Best Junior Handler: Evan Carlson

Longhair Variety Judge: Ronda Bermke

BOV GCH CH Hundeleben Quicker Picker Upper SL

BOS GCH DC Royalaire’s I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas JE FDC

BOW Hundeleben You’re The Cheesiest SL

SELD CH Harewood Royall T Son Of A Biscuit SL

SELB GCH Glenavan Enchanted ML

WD Hundeleben You Had Me At Cheese SL

WB Hundeleben You’re The Cheesiest SL

RWD Dikerdachs Horatio

RWB Hundeleben Y-Not Fondue SL

AOM CH Dikerdachs Leora continued on next page...

AOM GCH Glenarrif’s Everybody Knows

AOM CH Hundeleben Keeper of the Flame SL

AOM GCH RexStar-Solo’s Flirtini SL

AOM GCHG Kenmar’s Don’t Stop Me Now

AOM DC DoRae Play The Game V Corrbelle

Smooth Variety Judge: Aubrey Nash

BOV CH Bessdachs Longfellow Serenade

BOS CH Platinums Cheshire Cat-Now That’s the Cats Pajamas

BOW Leoralees Deb-N-Air Cisco Kid MS

SELD CH Sunrise-Xo Iphone MS

SELB GCHG Bessdach’s Que Sera Sera V Brendachs SS

WD Leoralees Deb-N-Air Cisco Kid MS

WB Trakehndachs Glamour Girl For Sunrise-Xo

RWD Bessdach Winning Solves Everything

RWB Kinderteckel Blackbird

AOM DC Duchwood’s Luna Lovegood MS

AOM GCHG Dachsmith Love’s Iris

AOM Tudorglen v Brendackel Blackbird Singing MS

AOM GCHB TurningPt Maxin’ K’s on Scherz Day

AOM CH Duchwood’s Rolling Stone MS

AOM GCH Hialeah’s Charles Lindbergh

Wirehair Variety Judge: Lynne Allen

BOV GCHG J-Walk’s Pink Diamond SW ATT

BOS GCHG DC Robinwoods Aim To Be Awesome W CGC TKN

BOW Harewood Raisin The Bar V Raydachs W

SELD GCH Willowood-Sandale No Food After Midnight v Mavro

SELB GCH Nouvelle Bring It On SW

WD Harewood I’m Kind Of A Big Dill SW

WB Harewood Raisin The Bar V Raydachs W

RWD Leoralees Breaking Bad MW

RWB Carrig’s Prim Rose NWStar SW

AOM GCH J-Walk’s Mission Impossible V Raydachs SW ATT

AOM GCH Alegna’s What It Is Now MW

AOM GCH Jeric’s Seasons In The Sun W

AOM GCHS Donatello Vom Jagerberg MW

AOM GCHB Brodny Dollidachs High Society At Wildcard NA NF BCAT

AOM GCHP2 Leoralee’s Lets Boogie With Barstool

Mid-Week Fun

Wednesday was filled with Special Events, pulling DCA spectators and participants in many different directions:

DCA Obedience and Rally Problem Solving Seminar and a DCA Obedience OC Match – Organized by Sharon McDonald

DCA Education Expo and Ice Cream Social – Organized by Debby Krieg and Paul and Monika Martin

Because these events were in two separate locations (the Purina Event Center and the Host Hotel), attendance was spread out between competing events. We definitely needed more days in our week to learn from those who manned the Education Expo Booths and those who lead the problem solving seminar and hosted the OC Match.

Please visit the DCA Website (http://www.dachshundclubofamerica.org/dca-20232/) to learn more about upcoming DCA events, fundraisers and other expo booths and topics. Here are a couple that might peak your interest.

DCA Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Supported Research, and Donation Opportunities

This year, the DCA H&WTF held a Silent Auction and Raffle in the main show room to raise funds in support of IVDD Research for a promising new treatment for dachshunds who have early stage back issues. Handmade dachshund quilts, crate covers, training bags, special bronze and ceramic figurines, framed signed artwork, and adorable dachshund collectibles were offered to the highest bidders and raffle ticket holders. The range was amazing. What a super event!! Thousands of dollars were raised. And winners took home many treasured items.

The Obedience OC Match was a new addition to this year’s DCA Event Schedule. It allowed participants to work on trouble areas in an actual trial environment. Although there were no judges for the match, the community of experienced exhibitors was there to provide feedback and assistance as needed. The match was limited to 42 runs @ 5 min per run. For Obedience, participants were allowed to sign up for Utility, Open and Novice runs. Rally runs were held in the Novice ring. All entries were taken the day-of the event and were sold for $5 for each 5 minute run. Runs were limited to 2 classes per dog. Teams entered in DCA Week Obedience / Rally Trials were given entry priority. Training rewards (e.g. food and toys) and training aids (e.g. go-out targets, front/finish boxes) were permitted in the ring and dogs were allowed to work on leash outside the ring as long as they did not interfere with teams inside the ring. The rings were cleaned following the match to ensure they were ready for competitive events being held on Thursday and Friday.

DCA Board Host Specialty Show Results

The DCA Board Host Specialty Show (Show #2) was a main attraction on Wednesday. Thanks to this year’s judges who selected some outstanding winners. They had lots of good ones to choose from.

Intervariety Winners:

Best of Breed: GCHG J-Walk’s Pink Diamond SW ATT

Best of Opposite Sex to BOB: GCHP2 Leoralee’s Lets Boogie With Barstool (W)

Junior Showmanship Judge: Marci Forrester

Best Junior Handler : Samantha Elliott

Reserve Best Junior Handler: Evan Carlson

Longhair Variety Judge: Sherrill Snyder

BOV GCH RexStar-Solo’s Flirtini SL

BOS GCH Dikerdachs Leonard

BOW Jarbsy’s Side Hustle

SELD GCH DC Royalaire’s I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas JE FDC

SELB GCH CH Hundeleben Quicker Picker Upper SL

WD Jarbsy’s Side Hustle

WB Walmar-Solo’s DIY SL

RWD Longdogias So Many Twix Up My Sleeve

RWB Solo-Karavel’s Throwback Thursday SL

AOM GCHB Greensboro’s Accomplice ML

AOM GCHS Our Gang’s Moonlight and Magic ML

AOM CH Topaz Von Links v Raab

AOM GCH Glenarrif’s Everybody Knows

AOM GCHG Hunderbar Hundeleben Druid’s Fluid SL

AOM GCH Glenavan Enchanted ML

Smooth Variety Judge: Marci Forrester

BOV GCHB TurningPt Maxin’ K’s on Scherz Day

BOS CH Sunrise-Xo Iphone MS

BOW Barkerville Bianca SS

SELD GCH Blueprint Such A Flirt MS

SELB DC Duchwood’s Luna Lovegood MS

WD Duchwood’s Last To Know MS

WB Barkerville Bianca SS

RWD Speechless Astro of Silverado

RWB Duchwood’s Let Freedom Ring MS

AOM GCH Barkerville Aula Palatina

AOM GCHS TurningPt Tony Two Bags First Knock of the Night

AOM CH Brownwood Rumor Has It V Diagram SS

AOM CH Blueprint The First Flirt MS

AOM CH Bessdachs Longfellow Serenade

AOM CH Platinums Cheshire Cat-Now That’s the Cats Pajamas

Wirehair Variety Judge: Scott Deans

BOV GCHG J-Walk’s Pink Diamond SW ATT

BOS GCHP2 Leoralee’s Lets Boogie With Barstool

BOW V Schwalbes Savannahs Liberty Square MW

SELD GCH Kadell’s Ruler Of The Race Track W

SELB GCH Nouvelle Bring It On SW

WD Leoralees Breaking Bad MW

WB V Schwalbes Savannahs Liberty Square MW

RWD Harewood I’m Kind Of A Big Dill SW

RWB Leoralees Little Bits MW

AOM GCH Alegna’s What It Is Now MW continued on next page...

AOM GCHB Brodny Dollidachs High Society At Wildcard NA NF BCAT

AOM CH V Schwalbes Ferris Wheel at Brownwood MW

AOM GCH Willowood-Sandale No Food After Midnight v Mavro

AOM GCH J-Walk’s Mission Impossible V Raydachs SW ATT

AOM Beldach’s Begin The Beguine At Alegna

DCA National Puppy Sweepstakes

The DCA National Puppy Sweeps began immediately following the DCA Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday afternoon. We love our puppies. It is so great getting a sneak preview of up and coming dogs who are just beginning their show careers. They still have puppy bodies and puppy brains and puppy energy. They definitely keep us entertained. But most importantly, they keep us hopeful for the future of our breed. Congratulations to this year’s winners!

Intervariety Winners:

DCA Best in Puppy Sweeps: Walmar-Solo’s DIY SL

DCA Best of Opposite Sex in Puppy Sweeps:

Platinums Struttin’ In My Maui Jims (W)

Longhair Variety Sweeps Judge: Cheryl Snedaker-Sims

BOV Walmar-Solo’s DIY SL

BOS Jarbsy’s Side Hustle SL

Smooth Variety Sweeps Judge: Eline de Groot

BOV Duchwood’s Let Freedom Ring MS

BOS Leoralees Deb-N-Air Cisco Kid MS

Wirehair Variety Sweeps Judge: Debby Krieg

BOV Platinums Struttin’ In My Maui Jims (W)

BOS Jeric’s Annie Get your Gun W

Teachable Moments

More Special Events and Training Opportunities followed on Thursday afternoon by popular demand. They included:

DCA Stud Dog Showcase — Held in the Reserved Grooming Room (Purina Event Center)

This was the second year this event was offered. Junior handlers especially enjoyed learning from breeders of all three coats and both sizes as they completed their Scavenger Hunt Bingo Sheets. And fellow breeders who also strolled through these spaces on a leisurely pace during the afternoon were able to make valuable connections to potential breeding partners and learn about planned litters, upcoming hopefuls, available stud dogs, and how others were setting and meeting their breeding goals. Adorable dachshund hotdog signs adorned the grooming tables of participating stud dog owners – making it easy to spot stud dogs of interest. Well done!!

DCA Handling Clinic – Taught by Adam and Maddie Peterson (Purina Event Center)

This was also the second year this event was hosted. Adam and Maddie Peterson were the perfect pair of professional handlers to teach this seminar because they are also accomplished wirehair breeders. They answered questions, offered sound advice and demonstrated handling techniques that helped exhibitors present the best features of their dogs. Best of all, they helped handlers and dogs enjoy their time together in the ring – an essential ingredient for handling success. Spectators learned a lot, too, just by watching participants practice new handling skills.

DCA Judges Education – Coordinated and Taught by Ken Levison

Judges Education is an annual DCA event that helps new judges gain the knowledge and practical skills they need to become licensed AKC dachshund judges. Some of today’s top winning dogs of all three coats and sizes were made available for “hands-on” assessments by clinic participants. Ringside mentoring and follow-on discussions with Ken and other experienced dachshund judges helped participants see, feel and understand the reasons for each element of the AKC Standard for Dachshunds.

Something for Everyone

The DCA National Rally Trial was held concurrently with the DCA Board Conformation Show on Thursday. A separate article in this newsletter captures the essence of this fun-filled event along with trial results. Congratulations to winners, qualifiers and all those who gave it a try. Rally is such a great sport, especially for those who are looking for a new sport to try!! This year’s judge was Jeanne Ramirez. Thank you for making this such an enjoyable event to participate in and watch!

DCA’s Parade of Veterans is the perfect place to take your older “heart dogs” who deserve to go to Nationals. This year’s event was held on Friday at lunch time. As participating veterans paraded around the ring, their career accomplishments were recited for spectators to hear as we cheered for them from around the room. There was not a dry eye in the house. We know and love our veterans … they have taught us so much, and their undying loyalty makes our life whole.

The DCA National Obedience Trial was also held on Friday, concurrently with the DCA National Specialty Show. Results and a full description of this exciting event are captured in a separate article in this DCA Nationals Issue. This year’s judge was also Jeanne Ramirez who did an outstanding job. Congratulations to this year’s winners, qualifiers and participants.

DCA’s 2023 Junior Showmanship Competition attracted a large group of Juniors this year. There were six who not only competed in DCA’s Junior Showmanship competition, they also showed their own dogs in each specialty show hosted during DCA Week. A separate article in this Nationals Issue captures complete information about the fun and successes they had. Congratulations to each of you on outstanding performances! YOU are the future of our sport! You make us extra proud … and super hopeful!

Novice Junior: Reylyn Thomas

Novice Intermediate: Samantha Swanstrom

Novice Senior: Wyatt Kovach

Open Junior: Dominic A. Scott

Open Intermediate: Evan Carlson

Master: Samantha Elliott

It’s a Wrap

DCA’s National Specialty Show (Show #3) marked the finale of DCA Week. Regular classes for all three coats were completed on Friday, with Wirehair judging going all the way to Best of Variety. Longhair and Smooth judging was completed on Saturday, culminating with Best in Specialty Show (Best of Breed) and other coveted Intervariety wins.

DCA Best of Breed and Intervariety Winners:

Best of Breed: GCHP2 Leoralee’s Lets Boogie With Barstool

Best of Opposite Sex to BOB: GCH Greenboros Make It Happen @ Sandachs ML

Best Owner Handled of Breed: GCHS TurningPt Tony Two Bags

First Knock of the Night

Best Bred By Exhibitor of Breed: Barkerville Viennese

Best Competitive Veteran of Breed: GCH Sandachs Did It My Way MLD

Best Dual Champion of Breed: GCHG DCH Kadell’s OK Handsome Not Pretty W BCAT CGC

Best Stud Dog of Breed: CHP Leoralees Baywatch MW

Best Brood Bitch of Breed: GCH DC Serenity’s Joy to the World

RI FDC CGCA CGCU TKI

Best Brace of Breed: GCH Hoppledach’s American Glory and DC Hoppledach’s Laci’s Farewell Performance

Junior Showmanship Judge: Lorraine Simmons

Best Junior Handler : Samantha Elliott

Reserve Best Junior Handler: Samantha Swanstrom

DCA Longhair Variety: Lorraine Simmons

BOV GCH Greenboros Make It Happen @ Sandachs ML

BOS GCHB Walmar-Solo’s TNT-SL CA CGC TKN

BOW Jarbsy’s Side Hustle

SELD GCH Galewinns Dream Come True @ Sandachs MLD

SELB GCHB Galewinns In Your Dreams MLD

WD Jarbsy’s Side Hustle

WB Walmar-Solo’s DIY SL

RWD Longdogias So Many Twix Up My Sleeve

RWB Solo-Karavel’s Brand New Day SL

AOM GCH Dikerdachs Leonard

AOM GCHS Our Gang’s Moonlight and Magic ML

AOM CH Topaz Von Links v Raab continued on next page...

AOM GCH Glenavan Enchanted ML

AOM GCHS DC DoRae Spread Your Wings V Corrbelle

RN THDX CGCA CGCU TKP

AOM GCHB Greensboro’s Accomplice ML

Best NOHS GCH Greenboros Make It Happen @ Sandachs ML

Best Stud Dog GCHP DC Walmar-Solo’s SOS-SL RN CAA CGC

Best Brood Bitch GCH JBS Leoralees The Edge of Heaven SL

Best Brace GCH Hoppledach’s American Glory and DC Hoppledach’s Laci’s Farewell Performance

DCA Smooth Variety Judge: Eric Henningsen

BOV CH Brownwood Rumor Has It V Diagram SS

BOS GCHS Dynadaux It’s My Cowboy Style MSP

BOW Barkerville Viennese

SELD CH Sunrise-XO Iphone MS

SELB GCH Barkerville Aula Palatina

WD Bessdach Winning Solves Everything

WB Barkerville Viennese

RWD Duchwood’s Last To Know MS

RWB Blueprint Rhill Bless Your Cotton Socks MS

AOM Barkerville Bianca SS

AOM GCHB TurningPt Maxin’ K’s on Scherz Day

AOM GCHS TurningPt Simple Acts of Kindness Return

AOM CH Hashtag Conga

AOM GCHS TurningPt Tony Two Bags First Knock of the Night

AOM CH Platinums Cheshire Cat-Now That’s the Cats Pajamas

Best NOHS GCHS TurningPt Tony Two Bags First Knock of the Night

Best Stud Dog GCHP Fusions Inchoots Platinums Jimi Johns Freaky Fast

Best Brood Bitch GCHG CH TurningPt Ain’t No Other Woman Like You ATT

Best Brace None Entered

DCA Wirehair Variety Judge: Dianne Graham

BOV GCHP2 Leoralee’s Lets Boogie With Barstool

BOS GCHG J-Walk’s Pink Diamond SW ATT

BOW Harewood Raisin The Bar V Raydachs W

SELD GCH J-Walk’s Mission Impossible V Raydachs SW ATT

SELB GCH Jeric’s Seasons In The Sun W

WD Leoralees Breaking Bad MW

WB Harewood Raisin The Bar V Raydachs W

RWD Harewood I’m Kind Of A Big Dill SW

RWB Leoralees Lets Boogie in the Wind With Barstool MW

AOM Harewood Raisin The Bar V Raydachs W

AOM GCHS Donatello Vom Jagerberg MW

AOM GCHG DC Robinwoods Aim To Be Awesome W

AOM GCH Willowood-Sandale No Food After Midnight v Mavro

AOM GCHP V Schwalbes Bearded Lady W

AOM GCHS Harewood Swipe Right V Raydachs SW

Best NOHS GCHP Leoralees Baywatch MW

Best Stud Dog GCHP Leoralees Baywatch MW

Best Brood Bitch GCHG J-Walk’s Pink Diamond SW ATT

Best Brace of Breed None entered

Celebrations

The DCA Annual Awards Banquet wrapped up Top Ten placements for the year 2022 with an evening chocked full of amazing dog and exhibitor accomplishments including Top Ten winners whose names were published in the Awards Banquet Program for Conformation, Performance and Companion Sports, Juniors, Versatility Awards, Triathlon Dog of the Year, Top Stud Dogs and Brood Bitches National Owner Handled System (NOHS), Top Producers (Males and Females) And, Best of Breed and Variety Winners for 2022 (See page 80)

Our new DCA President, Cheryl Shultz, presided over banquet festivities. She recognized and thanked Carl Holder who was stepping down as DCA President after nearly two decades of stellar leadership and dachshund community service. She then welcomed leaders from various sporting events to the podium to recognize Top Ten winners who stood for applause when their names were called.

Special plaques and certificates were provided to winners at the conclusion of the banquet. This allowed more time for friends to chat and enjoy being together after weeks of competitions with colleagues from across the US and nearby countries. As the evening drew to a close, leaders and members from our dachshund community celebrated yet another successful DCA. And everyone finally relaxed, knowing that the van could be packed for the trip back home at a more leisurely pace the following morning. It was a different ending for back-to-back whirlwind DCA weeks. And we loved it!

On behalf of all who attended DCA this year, a special thanks goes to those who generously shared their knowledge, expertise and learning experiences through outstanding sportsmanship demonstrated all week … and all year! You are an inspiration. We need more mentors like you!

And finally, thanks to our DCA Board of Directors for planning and integrating yet another great schedule of social, educational and competitive events, and kudos to the strong leaders and volunteers from local and regional clubs like DFTWDC and DCSTL who stepped up to host and staff so many conformation, performance and companion events in conjunction with DCA this year. You made it a wonderful cluster of events filled with many proud moments, friendship and celebrations for all who came to share in the joy!!

See you next year!!

Editors Note: Not all winners are pictured, the photos provided are from the show photographer, some pictures were not available.