HOLLY TO GO TO SAN MATEO

We have it from a very, very reliable source, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, will be in San Mateo 27-30 December. It has come down to the last four shows of the year. In past years, these shows would have been post script, alternatives to Hollywood’s Christmas releases. However, this year a national title is on the line. Starting on Saturday, 27 December with the Kennel Club of Salinas all eyes will focus on San Mateo CA just south of San Francisco. Three additional shows, hosted by San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Oakland Kennel Clubs will follow at the same local.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

San Mateo is home to some of the priciest real estate and oldest money in California. (the iconic mansion featured on the old night time soap, Dynasty, is there) There is also a delicious irony in the location. San Mateo is also the site of one of PETA’s earliest major victories, a 1990 campaign to pass a draconian spay-neuter law. Read here about how that ordinance has been an abject failure. But enough soapbox.

Filoli aka The Carrington Mansion on Dynasty

These four shows should draw substantial entries, with the Saturday and Sunday shows hitting around 1500 competing. It is the first time for the Monday and Tuesday shows, but we predict that there will be at least 1000 dogs present. OK, I’m going to step into this phone booth for a moment an emerge as…Numbers Man, able to generate multiple spreadsheets and color charts & graphs, in a single key stroke, so pay close attention.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden

Our number one and number two dogs have amassed a staggering number of points this year. The Pointer, Holly, and the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, each have over 115,000 points. To illustrate how dominant these two have been, last year’s number one dog, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Win A Victory, finished the year with 95,534 points. Currently we have the Holly in the lead by a scant 1500 points. We estimate that 5,000 points are up for grabs in the four San Mateo shows. At first glance, it would seem that the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit, would need to win three of the fours shows to regain first place. However, based on average entries, Group wins in the Working Group are worth more points than wins in the Sporting Group. Last year’s Working Group winner was awarded 297 points at the San Mateo KC show. The Sporting Group winner got 250. That means that Spirit could win the two larger shows and groups at the smaller shows and still win depending on the size of the working group entries, but it would be close…very, very close.

San Mateo Expo Center

Site of 2008's Last Four Shows

When I get access to actual entries numbers, in about a week, we will look at this again. In the meantime, we have something to look forward to other than Aunt Edna’s fruit cake.