16 Saber Tails Summer 2017

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

I hope the 2017 PBGVCA Regional/National events were 

as much fun for all of you as they were for me.  An under-

taking such as this is definitely challenging!  When it suc-

cessfully comes together it is both a relief and a pleasure. 

It’s not a joke that it takes a village, and there are many 

people to thank.

Top of the list is Specialty Show Chair Beverly Childs, 

assisted by Pam Helmer.  Bev put in years of dedicated 

work to attend to the millions of details necessary.  For 

me, this included taking an ordinary hotel ballroom and 

transforming it into a lovely setting for a show as special 

as ours.  Banners, plants, ringside tables, all helped to cre-

ate an inviting atmosphere.  The photo set up, hand built 

by Tony Childs, and decorated by Bev, included a fabu-

lous step and repeat backdrop, and a PBGV sized podium.  

Speaking directly to Tony...you were a nonstop, hardwork-

ing blessing to us all, especially Bev!

A conformation show depends on competent stewards, 

and I had two of the best in Anne Gallant and Sue Smyth. 

They kept the rings running smoothly for both the Re-

gional and National Specialties, guiding exhibitors and 

judges alike.

The lovely rosettes and fabulous trophies were the hard 

work of both Sandy Bustin and Bob Morris.  Sandy cre-

ated fun logo-related trophies for the Regional, and I can’t 

imagine how many hours Bob spent handcrafting the 

very special wooden trophies for the National.  I certainly 

envy all those lucky enough to win one!

It was truly a pleasure working with each of our Regional 

and National judges. A huge thank you to Carol Brown 

PBGVCA 2017 REGIONAL/NATIONAL 

CONFORMATION REPORT

By Barbara Pepper

and Carol Doerge for their 

patience with our 4-6 

month future stars.  Anja 

Mellema and Helen Ing-

her stepped up to the task 

of sorting through two 

very nice Puppy/Veteran 

Sweepstakes entries. Ellen 

Frost and Judy Webb were 

a delight, kind and patient 

with every exhibitor, nov-

ice to professional.  Both 

ran their rings efficiently, 

yet gave thorough atten-

tion to all.  This was key for 

us, given our scheduling 

challenges.

Speaking of the latter, special thanks to all the people who 

stepped in when needed, to convert carpeted conforma-

tion rings to fully matted Obedience/Rally rings, then back 

to unmatted conformation, and finally making way for the 

banquet/auction evening. I certainly wish PBGVCA could af-

ford to find a site that didn’t require using only one ring. 

It’s a lot of moving stuff around - gating, mats, tables and 

chairs, etc!  Couldn’t happen without willing volunteers. I 

hope Mike Williquette can be more specific with names of 

those who unrolled and re-rolled all the mats. Huge thanks 

to Janice Hayes, who help me with the conformation gating.

Thank you for the honor of being part of the outstanding 

2017 PBGVCA Regional/National!

Barbara Pepper