Labrador Retriever Forum
How many people plan to enter and show in breed, obedience, and rally at the upcoming Potomac? I've just noticed on the AKC website that the venues are in different parts of town, no longer at one show site.
This is the first time I've heard about any of this.
Please say it isn't so. As someone who often competes in conformation and obedience/rally at the same show with multiple dogs, I would be extremely disappointed if I had to make the choice to only do one or the other because of events being held at different sites.
LRCP members were sent an email recently, and this sentence caught my eye:
"Obedience and Rally at the 2012 specialty will be held at an indoor venue with 4 trials each."
So the information posted may in fact be correct, unless the host hotel is allowing trials indoors
Everyone take a deep breath. Don't you think this experienced Club would schedule these things on seperate days, so all dogs could participate in any venue the owner chooses ??? I mean , I'm just making a wild guess here, but seriously think about it?
Have you ever BEEN to Potomac? Lately the show starts Monday and ends Friday, so when exactly would the performance events be? There are no "separate" days! Unless you want a whole 'nother week...
Have you ever BEEN to Potomac? Lately the show starts Monday and ends Friday, so when exactly would the performance events be? There are no "separate" days! Unless you want a whole 'nother week...
The dates for all of the obedience classes are listed above and apparently taken from the AKC site. I read it there too.
I'm not taking a deep breath right now. I was going to be exhibiting in both conformation and rally. It's impossible to do both the way it's set up.
In anwser to your question, YES I have been to Potomac and done some real nice winning there as well.
Really, I don't think the sky is falling. Sometimes medication helps those with high levels of anxiety. 
Really, I don't think the sky is falling. Sometimes medication helps those with high levels of anxiety.
You obviously would know about medications for anxiety by bringing them up.
I don't even take an aspirin and no, the sky isn't falling. It's never been run this way before and yes, breeders that work both venues will be concerned. I imagine you're one venue or the other, not both or you would be concerned also.
The "Club" was not aware that this was done. Evidently it was decided on by just a couple of people. The membership was not asked for their input. I spoke with a Board Member who was as shocked and surprised as I was to learn that the venue had been split. I guess obedience just doesn't matter to some conformation people.
Not even the membership seems to all know or know why. They weren't included in the decision making apparently. Don't they take a vote for something this important? It would be nice if someone from the LRCP that's *in the know* would reply about this.
I know I'm not paying the rate of the host hotel if more than 1/2 of my showing is in a different ring not near the hotel. I can stay elsewhere for much less or not attend at all this year, taking a break.
I don't go back to the early days of The Potomac, have they ever split the venues before and if so do you know why?
I've been attending for 12 years, this will be my 13th. The obedience ring was always right there but that's since 1999. Many of you have been attending longer than I.
Check with Vicky Creamer SHOW CHAIR at Belquest1@aol.com
She will know what the "H" is really going on!!
She will know what the "H" is really going on!!
She's tough to reach at times. She has a busy boarding kennel, show dogs & puppy sales. Usually staff answers but I will try calling & emailing her.
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't know who is in what position in the LRCP. Sue Pattersen was the Show Chair for Bare Bones, I thought she was for The Potomac also. I'm glad I didn't bother her about this if Vicky is the Show Chair and a Board Member.
have they ever split the venues before and if so do you know why?
I've been attending for 12 years, this will be my 13th. The obedience ring was always right there but that's since 1999. Many of you have been attending longer than I.I started showing there in the early 90s. I have never heard of anything but just the one show site. I don't understand why the club did this snce it will change the whole atmosphere of the show for me and for others who want to do both, regardless of the weather. After all, the weather is the same on one side of the tent as on the other, isn't it? It is so much fun to show in both c information and obedience. With two different show sites, it will be impossible to enjoy the *whole* show as I have always known it.
I will sure miss it.
Don't be so sure any of this was done. Only the peeps that did it know for *sure*. Some are strictly obedience and some are strictly conformation is the rumours I've heard from far away. That makes sence but our 2 cents doesn't matter either, the exhibitors. The problem is the board and membership were not consulted. Why have a club if the members + board have no say?
This is The Potomac Specialty afterall. A show some of us wait + save for all year, give up vacations for or take unpaid time off work for. I doubt most of the LRCP board + membership would have wanted it this way.
If I attend, I will miss the obedience ring. I go there often and was beginning a boy of mine in rally. I will not drive the directions I see for that location risking missing a conformation class. So you see, we have to make a choice of conformation or obedience at The Potomac.
What do you think the *True Original Founders* would have thought of this poorly thought out large move?
But what is best for the dogs? Is it really best for dogs to have to perform their obedience and rally moves in muck that is 3-4" deep? Is it best for the dogs to have to jump in those conditions? Is that the safest thing for the dogs????
Yes, a well trained dog will perform under any circumstances....but is it the best thing and the safest thing for them?
Just sayin'....
the weather is the same on one side of the tent as on the other, isn't it? If you think conditions are dangerous, then you don't compete. How is muck at a dog show any different than muck at a hunt test, too?
I agree with you. You summed it up well.
The show has outgrown the show site. They need to find new grounds that will accommodate all the activities.
You've been saying that for years and you're wrong. It has not been outgrown. A few people didn't want their dogs feet wet. There is plenty of room for the obedience ring and tent.
They wouldn't be happy anywhere and neither would you in a field 15 miles from the host hotel. Keep whining and you won't have a host hotel and several other hotels right near the grounds also.
We're lucky to still be able to attend this show on those grounds.
Don't try to fix what's not broken or join the LRCP and open your mouth and say that.
First of all, the show site was not outgrown or anywhere nearing that. It's spacious.
Contact the club board members or join the club and you'll find out quickly the answers to your questions. Anyone can join if sponsored by 2 members. Too many don't get involved in club activities because they live too far away or plain don't bother. Some want to put the LRCP logo on their websites which is *not* permitted but it's done all the time.
The majority of the board wasn't consulted and the membership was sent an email with several subjects addressed at the same time. The change in site for obedience and rally was in that multiple subject email.
So either the membership found out from that email or if they didn't read any or all of it, they found out *here*.
What the blank? There should have been a vote amongst the board. Then it should have gone to the membership. This was a large decision made by a few people. So who said yes to this and dropped the ball allowing it to go through without any votes?
I am genuinely saddened about the current state of affairs. In my minds eye, I can see the missing ring for rally and obedience being used for whoever and whatever people want to use it for. More handlers crates, storage of bales of hay and other items that had a place to go already.
You've been saying that for years and you're wrong. It has not been outgrown. A few people didn't want their dogs feet wet. There is plenty of room for the obedience ring and tent.
They wouldn't be happy anywhere and neither would you in a field 15 miles from the host hotel. Keep whining and you won't have a host hotel and several other hotels right near the grounds also.
We're lucky to still be able to attend this show on those grounds.
Don't try to fix what's not broken or join the LRCP and open your mouth and say that.
You must have me confused with another. I've been a Potomac member for 20 years and have never voiced my thoughts (outside the club) on this subject until now. I'm not alone in that opinion though. Glad you were able to voice yours, too. Hopefully, they'll work it out to everyone's satisfaction.
The email came out to the membership a couple of weeks ago. The email was mostly about asking for class sponsors and what classes were still needing money. There was a sentence included that said the the venue had been split and the obedience and rally classes would be in another part of town. I was so disgusted when I read it, I deleted the email, but maybe someone saved it and can quote that section.
The email came out to the membership a couple of weeks ago. The email was mostly about asking for class sponsors and what classes were still needing money. There was a sentence included that said the the venue had been split and the obedience and rally classes would be in another part of town. I was so disgusted when I read it, I deleted the email, but maybe someone saved it and can quote that section.
There hasn't been anything else about the venue split in any newsletter or other type of communication.
Amy, Your last 2 sentences sum it up. *I take this as a change in attitude toward promoting versatility in Labs by this club. Very sad. * I do feel the same as you and several others who have posted their opinions. I don't think we'll forget The Potomac '12 for a long time, not for the good unfortunately.
Since the club membership and/or Board Of Directors were not involved in this bad decision, it seems to me that the appropriate course of action would be to reverse the decision, put the obedience and rally back at the host hotel for 2012 and then poll the membership as to their wishes. And why has there been no communication from the show chairman or club representative? Are they hoping that this gets swept under the rug and no one will bother to care? This is unbelievable!!!!!
I have dogs that compete in Obedience and Confirmation. This is going to be the first year I am able to go to Potomac. I was looking forward to the show being on the same grounds. Though I prefer indoors, I have no problem with outdoor shows. Some of the people I train obedience with will only do indoor shows (other breeds).
Unfortunately, I will not be entering my dogs in Obedience this year. Fear of conflict with Breed.
I wish it was different, I wish they would move the Obedience back, but I doubt that is going to happen. I have seen show grounds moved before and the uproar from the peanut gallery, but never once have I seen a show moved back. Maybe 2013?
My dreams are now dashed, BOB & HIT 
The Rally/Obedience exhibitors to whom I spoke last year were not competing in conformation. I'm not saying that no one tries to compete in both conformation and performance, but the number of people competing in both is small in any trial I have entered.
Some of us don't compete in both rally/obedience and conformation every year at Potomac but certainly like to have that option depending on what we have to show in any given year and if we have a dog ready to compete. Some years I have just done performance at Potomac, some I've done just conformation, and some years I have competed in both. While I usually do prefer to do obed/rally indoors, for a specialty, I will gladly enter for obed/rally even if the trial is outdoors. Why? Because I feel it is important maintain the versatility of our breed and I appreciate that the clubs continue to offer obedience & rally at their specialty shows.
Also, as has previously been said, many of us share rides and travel together--now, if one of us has conformation entries and another has obedience/rally entries how are we supposed to manage that? Not all of us can get a room at the host hotel and have that option to put dogs in a room while our travel partner takes the dog vehicle and drives to the trial site. Besides, it's always nice to be ringside and root for your friends but if we have to split up due to the varying show/trial sites, that aspect is ruined too. Very discouraging
But will they fix it in 5 mo.? Time for *the heat is on*. Not one person involved in this change has spoke up. Like we have no idea who wanted it and got someone to roll over? God Forbid their boots get mud on them in any ring. April is known for rain and May and June have joined them. It never stopped the club from putting on the Potomac show in it's entirety.
To not consult the board before a large decision shows no respect for the board. Are they going to take that smack in the face? I hope not. A board should be the decision makers along with the membership following up.
Would someone speak up already so we know if this is a final decision. I think and hope that me and my husband are going to Hawaii for 12 days instead for a banner anniversary. 
I can miss a year of the Potomac show given the unknown final circumstances.
for all the people who are willing to do all the hard work to host the Rally and Obedience part of Potomac. I know it is hard work. And I am thankful that Breakaway Dogs is willing to lend us their lovely facility for performance sports.
You say lend *us* their lovely facility for performance sports. Do you mean rent or it's being lent for free as they charge $300 per day plus other fees? How did you discover the indoor venue, is it on AKC? There is no sign of booking this for the LRCP club yet, not on the Breakaway Dogs BAD site yet. I heard it was already booked and was not AKC Pending although the meeting for a vote took place less then a week ago, *after* final decisons were made.
Our building rental fee is $300 per day, below are pictures of the building from different angles. Contact Mary Brookey, Building Rental Coordinator, at landsview@aol.com and postmaster@actiondogs.org for more information.
This would have been a nice venue for an indoor show mid-winter. For April during a show with grounds already there for obedience and rally, is it necessary to spend $300 a day extra plus other costs involved?
http://www.actiondogs.org/home.htm
http://www.actiondogs.org/show.htm
http://www.actiondogs.org/events.htm
The number of obedience/rally entries may appear small by most standards thereby assuming that the change won't effect very many exhibitors but I don't think that's the issue. Potomac is the largest Labrador Retriever Specialty in the world. It attracts people from all over the world many of who are perhaps new to the breed and unfamiliar with the breed's great versatility. Those who do compete in both venues are folks to be admired and the special one who manages to go HIT among all the distractions is really special. Potomac has always been the benchmark that all other clubs strive to match and I think the fact that we continued to hold performance events right next door to 1,000 conformation entries is remarkable. I hope that the Club doesn't regret their decision to split the activities and that the obedience folks who enter will find a way to enjoy the remarkable week that will be on the other side of town. One thing is for sure....they'll be dry while the rest of us may be covered in rain gear.
The number of obedience/rally entries may appear small by most standards thereby assuming that the change won't effect very many exhibitors but I don't think that's the issue. Potomac is the largest Labrador Retriever Specialty in the world. It attracts people from all over the world many of who are perhaps new to the breed and unfamiliar with the breed's great versatility. Those who do compete in both venues are folks to be admired and the special one who manages to go HIT among all the distractions is really special. Potomac has always been the benchmark that all other clubs strive to match and I think the fact that we continued to hold performance events right next door to 1,000 conformation entries is remarkable. I hope that the obedience folks who enter will find a way to enjoy the remarkable week that will be on the other side of town. One thing is for sure....they'll be dry while the rest of us may be covered in rain gear and mud.
If left as it is, in my mind there will be 2 shows. "The Potomac - without obedience" and the equivalent of a "supported entry" obedience show with the LRCP contributing rosettes & trophies for a run of the mill obedience trial.
Look at the pictures of the obedience facility. You will see it has the appeal of brightly lit warehouse. It is a typical bare bones facility like those of so many obedience clubs. Walking through the doors certainly would not raise my spirits. I could compete in several venues like this one within a hour of my home.
Well stated Breeder. I couldn't have said it nearly as well but feel the same as you.
If they proceed this way, the Potomac Spring Specialty show is split into 2 seperate shows. I know many that participate in both rings or either and did last year. I could list a dozen names of breeder*exhibitors that I saw go from 1 ring to the other. So the cataloge is wrong once again.
It happened at Bare Bones too, there were incorrect class counts by a large amount. For example, 5 bitches listed, 15 participated in certain classes. I am sad about this, it will not be the same for most long time attendees. It's true, some have no interest in what they call *the other ring* but most have at least respect for obedience and rally even if they don't compete in it. I notice those same people when looking for a stud-dog want to know if they have any other titles. They don't bother with it themselves but want the hard-work done by others on there boys in the form of some titles.
Last, who runs the 2nd show? Another steward is needed, another this and other that. The Club already has problems getting enough members to volunteer their time for anything at the Potomac. Membership, you weren't consulted but be prepared to be asked to work 1 show or the other.
And what about breeders that attend that don't read lists or boards, don't use computers and have no idea of this? They'll find out when they go to do their entries?
Let us hope for a change although I doubt it will occur. If I were a member, I would request an Emergency meeting but I'm not involved with the club and was never a member.
And the original Potomac Spring Specialty minus obedience&rally might be in the bright sunshine with a soft breeze or rain, sleet or snow. We've never known what we're in for any year in mid-April. Either way, the Obedience*Rally Show is slated to be indoors and The Potomac Conformation Specialty Show will be outdoors as always.
They don't belong seperated! This is negative Potomac history in the making.
The catalog does not accurately reflect who was entered where, so that whole argument is pointless. If you were there, you would know that.
Whoever is trying to claim that there were no rally/conformation entries is ridiculous!!! The numbers that kate and these people are throwing around for obedience and rally & conformation showing are dead wrong. Just because you tell a lie a few times it doesn't become the truth.
I saw many conformation dogs run out of the obedience ring into the conformation ring several times, different dogs. I'm not sure of the owners as it was nasty weather out. 3 is impossible, I saw plenty and know of more besides them.
They got caught with their hands in the cookie jar prematurely so that's a good excuse, only 3 people against this change in venue and who exhibited conformation and ob/rally. Bull! Come answer my emails and phones that keep ringing.
Exhibitors are upset, rightfully so.
LOL. Well, I can only speak for this Susan, but I haven't responded in this thread under any moniker. Frankly, I don't have an opinion on the subject, as I have only attended Potomac twice, both times competed only in breed, and have no plans to attend in 2012, and I'm not a member of LRCP. So I really have no "horse in this race", so to speak. However, if I did, and had posted, it would have been with my real name and not a moniker.
I have pretty much stopped posting here, for just this type situation. But what the heck, one more post before the end of the year!
Well, Susan was a popular name in the 50's and I personally can name 2-Susan's currently on the LRCP Board now, as well as a few other Susan's who are LRCP members too. But like Susan Mouw, my choice for posting is my real name. The Susan you mention as the "pot stirrer" on this thread, along with other things, is not me nor have I posted on this prior to now.
As an active LRCP member, I do occasionally attend Board Meetings, and I would encourage other members to do so too. Yes, I was the Corresponding Secretary for the 2010 year and did my best to keep the membership appropriately informed. That is no longer my position and I know no more than the next member. The current Board was elected by the general membership, as it is every year, and I have no beef with the board. End of that discussion.
While I sympathize with the situation that those who show in both performance and conformation are now faced with, I have "no dog in this fight" as my two venues are conformation, and most recently field work. If you anonymous posters have issues with the LRCP Board and their decisions do something positive. Every single LRCP Board Member has their email posted on the LRCP website, they represent the LRCP membership and if you are not happy then contact them. Ranting on a forum anonymously seems rather 'un-productive' to me.
In the meantime enjoy the last day of the
Thanksgiving Holiday and try to lead with gratitude.
Please note: Conformation is for Labradors only; all breeds for Rally & Obedience. Limited entry in Obedience and Rally, all Labrador entries taken first. Separate placements for Labradors.
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While the lab entry will suffer, the all breed entries will more than make up financially for it. They may even fund a large portion of the show. The other breed obedience folks are probably super excited to have an indoor show. Not only will they not have to worry about whatever mother nature throws our way, but also, the crowd of labrador people, the labrador related vendors, the cones!, and the parking!!! Pretty much everything that makes LRC Potomac Spring Specialty special and the mecca that everyone flocks to. I'm sure many non labrador obedience people are very excited to have a 4 day obedience trial during the week!
I have capitalized on a Briard National agility trial open to all breeds held during the week with my labrador. They appreciated the entries so that their club could afford the expense of an agility trial for the 8 or 10 Briards that do agility at their national and it not be a money suck.
However, to me, as a labrador enthusiast and a performance person, it is a very sad time when SPECIALTY obedience trials change to allowing all breeds. I think at a specialty, it lessens the 'special-ness' for lack of a better term of people who can relate to each other. Every breed has their own challenges in training and Labradors are not Goldens or Border Collies - it is fun to be at a trial where we have all trained and are competing with the same breed. The opportunities for that are few and far between - it is a shame that the largest Labrador Specialty has decided to open it up for all breeds and move it to a different location where it will be hard (if not impossible) for those showing in breed to also compete or even watch! I find it hard to watch every class I want to because so much is going on at once, how could anyone get away to go watch obedience???
Last year, I took a conformation girl owned by a friend in for Rally - she titled, got wonderful ribbons and her owner got to watch! That would not have been the case if we were down the road. I was hoping to have some dogs ready for obedience at Potomac - dogs owned by others that I'm training for fun. Unfortunately no one will be able to come out for obedience because it just isn't feasible.
Money talks and 'us' not entering will offer less impact than the all breed entries. I highly doubt that LRCP will take into account the breeder/performance/labrador exhibitor community's opinion if the all breed entries make this obedience trial a successful one financially.
Betsy - that was for Bare Bones. The spring specialty obedience is on the AKC schedule for Labradors ONLY. There will be no other breeds in competition. Gee....there will also be no conformation entered Labradors, either.
Hey Battleship. Are you wearing a grin because 3 women with names similar to the names you threw around came on here and discussed their weekends? You pointed your finger at people who did nothing wrong. Are you content yet?
You can't accept that exhibitors coming from all over the country and world are unhappy with what you are part of. The change in the obedience venue. Did you think they would roll over and say sure, whatever you want? So you threw out some names to see if they would bite or be quiet.
You had the wrong people dumby. Wanna try again? There are lots of people upset with what has happened and is ahead at the Potomac. It wasn't the names you threw out there like a bone.
Do you want your name thrown out there? You can then explain your weekend and how you celebrated your holidays. If you don't, it will be assumed the name is correct and gotcha.
Don't play word & head games if you can't keep up with those more intelligent than you. Don't hide behind feathers that aren't tall or wide enough to cover you.
Leave these women and their names alone and go back to screwing up an important show. I just can't wait to see how bad the damage is that you few have done.
Then you can find another screw up for the following year using the puppets.
Those are some good points that I hope the Potomac club will look at. Too bad there's no answer from them yet. I don't know why they wont give any answer? It's hard enough for people who want to show to plan so far ahead without any info. How can a club work like this?
I wonder if those in charge think they ignore us long enough and don't answer that the problem will go away! 
Lots of good information on this thread about the secret split of the specialty into two seperate shows, a Labrador specialty and an indoor obedience show. thanks to everyone who has put what they know about it on here for us to read. Why hasn't anyone from the club really answer these questions. They are quick to come on here and ask for money to put on the show, but will not admit that this isn't the show that it is supposed to be. The only club reply that I have seen said this when they were asking everyone to give money to the club - "we have chosen to reach out to club members, exhibitors, spectators and vendors to assist in this endeavor.
My understanding is that the indoor venue was initiated at the request of a few club members who are heavily involved in both Rally and obedience."
So if the only word coming from the spokesperson of the club says this, then why don't they answer all the questions about this. If the venue split is because a "few club members" asked for it, then what about the hundreds of other people who do not want the best Labrador show in the world to change into a small indoor obedience show and a Labrador only conformation show...this is not a Specialty, it is two seperate shows, and neither one comes close to being as special as this specialty used to be. What is going on and why is there no answer?
I guess since we are not one of the few club members we are all nobodies and not worth any explaination from the high and mighty club.
For your information, many people have used their names (you haven't, lol)
In reading your two identical posts, it is obvious that you are the only one posting with snotty and insulting language...and anonymously, too. Why are you so defensive of the Board....oh wait...you must be on the Board!
You don't have to hope that the Board doesn't respond to this thread...they are already ignoring everybody rather than giving apologies and explanations.
