All Star Performance Dog Association
All Star Performance
Dog
Association
Below you will find some unsolicited comments which I received in response to my recent emails to encourage people to enter All Star. They've said it better than I ever could. Enjoy!
Linda Brennan, President and Trial Secretary
My very first tournament was in North Carolina. I was so very excited to have qualified. I drove down with friends to participate with my Sheltie, Dash.
Anyway, I was in Novice. I entered the ring for the first time shaking like a leaf and promptly lost 12 points and Dash barked several times on the fast! Oh boy, that was it. I was done. Why had I come? I found out the next day, when in his last Novice go (you entered three times in two days), Dash worked perhaps the best ever class in his entire life and we lost only 5 points. I was ecstatic and the tremendous experience has stayed with me over the years! Dash is now 16-years old, and very frail. I look at the photo of him and me and other Top Dog students and I see my young, barky dog and remember what a great time we had: that we qualified and we went and we had FUN.
Only one of my dogs has ever placed in a tournament in obedience, but all have tried. I hope that many of you will come and enjoy the experience!
Eleanor Campbell
All Star is the most fun you can have with your dog! It's set up *for the exhibitor* -- with everything that makes showing easy and enjoyable. The venue is great, the camaraderie outstanding. I wouldn't miss it for the world -- I've never won a thing, but I've always had a really great time! Tournaments, which were started back in 1975 by the Illini group, were a highlight of obedience for decades. (They didn't offer Rally or Agility) They are gone in the mists of time, but All Star carries on the tradition, with all the highlights that make tournaments so much fun.
Sue Cone
I will add my 2 cents too. All Star is a great weekend with your dogs and friends, and it is not too far a drive. Jacqui and I have been at the last two and she is more excited than I am to go. It is an honor just to be there and a pleasure to watch everyone. The silent auction is great too! I am still enjoying my paw painted wine glasses and everyone always asks us “Wow, where did you find these??”
Please come and join the fun!
Carol & Jacqui Wyatt
Linda's right -- it's a huge honor and a thrill to compete at All Star!
I competed at a "regional" with Cara, my novice A dog. We didn't do well in the ring, but the memories of the tournament and the lessons I learned have endured -- quite vividly and meaningfully -- for 14 years. If I didn't have a family commitment, Jordie and I would be there in a heartbeat!
At All Star, you'll see people you've met at previous shows, top exhibitors you may have only heard about, and you'll make new friends. All Star is very exhibitor friendly -- everyone will do their very best to make it a fabulous weekend for you and for your dog. And you'll have fun. What always amazes me is that people go to All Star to do their best -- and some competitors are very intent on achieving their best performances ever -- but by and large most exhibitors are there to enjoy the whole experience. And there is certainly a lot to enjoy!
Can you try to win or place and still have fun? You bet! The whole event is geared to making that possible. And if you've never been to a regional or an All Star, you might just be overwhelmed by the royal treatment! I know I cried when I got my goody bag -- and I was speechless when I saw the rings all set up and waiting for the competition to begin. It can be breathtaking -- and it can be a heck of a lot of fun.
And as Linda said, most competitors don't win -- but should you be one of the lucky ones to place in the top ten -- oh my the thrill will last a lifetime!
Oh, did I mention you and your dog might be in the newspaper? Or on TV? All Star tournaments always attract a lot of media attention. Your dog could be on the cover of the York or Harrisburg Sunday papers -- or your own local newspaper! And your dog's photo could be picked to help advertise All Star 2010!
Sherry Brosnahan
Some of our fondest memories with our dogs and friends are from All Star. We have also enjoyed seeing teams that do not normally show in our region. We encourage everyone to enter or volunteer, you won't regret it!
Even if you don't have a dog that is ready to compete for whatever reason...it is great fun to go and volunteer. For the past two events I did not have a dog that was competing so I signed up to volunteer and had an incredible time. The environment is very different from a traditional show... I have made great friendships with people (judges and competitors) from other areas all because of All Star...so even if you can't compete you should consider going because you will not believe how much fun it is....
Mike Heaner and David Michaud
My experiences at All Star have been the most exciting times in obedience for me. In 2005, when Twister and I had a run-off with Janet and Chase for 9th place...we lost, ended up taking 10th, it was such a thrill...I didn't want the weekend to end. In 2006, with Star in Open, taking 13th place...it was amazing. Just to let all of you know, everyone has a chance at a placing. You don't have to get 198 scores in every round to place. Just have consistency and alot of fun! Your dogs will amaze you with what they can do.
It is also fun to help and hang out. We all have a great time spending time with our dogs and each other. You will learn so much about obedience, agility or rally. I will be there to help and maybe showing Twister in agility.
Marie Potts
For more information on All Star, please contact info2010@allstardogs.org.
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