Owner/Handler Rhonda-Lynn DiMatteo and her Puli,
GCH CH Zaydah Guns A Blazing
We were slogging through Facebook this morning and saw this bit about the Puli’s handler at the Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) show. For those of you who missed Monday's Herding Group judging, Rhonda-Lynn DiMatteo, owner/handler of the Puli breed winner, GCH CH Zaydah Guns A Blazing, was dressed in a yellow track suit. Before we go any further, let’s state the obvious. We are not female and lack the powers of observation of that sex. Now, we are traditionalists when it comes to dress in the show ring. We think a man should have a jacket and tie and a woman should have an business appropriate outfit. I understand the inclination to dress up for special shows like the evening judging at the WKC or AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) though we do think it’s just as egregious to be over dressed as under dressed.
We understand that Ms DiMatteo was the unlucky victim of the airlines who lost her bag and did not have the resources to go out and purchase something more appropriate. After watching one of our co-workers do an important business presentation while dressed in jeans, we have made it a practice of traveling in something that could get us through important meetings. We are surprised that one of the many exhibitors who did have an appropriate outfit, but were not fortunate enough to win their breed, did not come forward and offer to loan her something to wear.
But all of that is Monday morning quarterbacking. Here’s the bottom line. We watched both the breed judging and group judging. It was not until we saw the above referenced article and we went back over the recording of Monday evening’s judging, that we noticed the Puli handler’s attire. What we had remembered was that was a damn nice Puli. Congratulations to Ms DiMatteo and the Puli’s breeders Jacki Evans & Pete Evans on their breed win and an outstanding performance in the group ring.
I'd rather see someone in a track suit that fit than seeing some of those extra large handlers squeezed into a dress two sizes too small.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you! Most judges, myself included, would not notice a handler's attire unless important pieces were missing. She was covered from head to toe, so nothing was missing!
DeleteBingo!
DeleteI had no problem with her attire, a lot easier to see the black dog against that suit than the black pants and skirts we saw a lot of! She was neat and presentable, and did not detract from her dog.
ReplyDeleteWell said! It was a damn fine Puli with an excellent handler! And you know what? that yellow showed off the dog's coat beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI like your "bottom line" the best! Yes, it would have been nice if a fellow exhibitor would have offered to loan her something more appropriate for showing at Westminster. Rock on, Rhonda! You know what the priorities are... show that dog and show that dog proud! Some would have pulled... glad you did not!
ReplyDeleteI like your bottom line the best! Yes, it would have been nice if a fellow exhibitor would have offered to loan her some clothing appropriate for Westminster. Rock on, Rhonda! You know the priorities... show that dog and show that dog proud! Some would have pulled .... glad that you did not!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree with you, Sue. I think the hotels take all of the mirrors out of the rooms. Can't believe what some of the handlers wear.
ReplyDeleteAnother good read is the follow up to the above blog post from Kaleidoscope Cardigans:
ReplyDeletehttps://kaleidoscopecardigans.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/put-down-the-fiddles/
Ladies I wear a size 8/10 and am blessed to have the means to own good clothes. Please, if you are ever caught in a bind, find me if ai am at the show and I will be happy to share a suit with you! Everyone deserves to look and feel their best when showing a dog they have worked had to get to the ring! I wish I had been aware of the situation, I would have been happy to help! (Although the owner/handler here looks smaller than me) -
ReplyDeleteHow about Kaleidoscope Cardigan's follow up post as well?
ReplyDeletehttps://kaleidoscopecardigans.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/put-down-the-fiddles/
Although I own show quality dogs, my experience with showing is limited to watching rather than competing. I must say that the above post is absolutely RUDE. You spent two paragraphs disparaging Ms. DiMatteo, and gave one half-hearted sentence in "support". No doubt she, along with everyone else at that level, spent a small fortune to participate. I doubt that she expected such harsh and undeserved criticism, due to unforeseen circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI congratulate Ms. DiMatteo on a spectacular win.
What I noticed was not her outfit, but how she was SMILING. This is someone who was actually having FUN and was proud to show her beautiful dog. You GO, Puli Lady!
ReplyDeleteWe need to stop paying attention to the exhibitors' attire and more on how the dog is dressed. Meaning their coat and presentation.
ReplyDeleteI think you should have used a fact checker... Rhonda and I are almost neighbors...and very good friends! I am positive she didn't Fly to NY- I know she drove in that Morning and rushed home after the Group to take care of her other dogs!! You should also know that her outfit is NOT a "track suit"; she chose pants suit with subtle beading on the jacket in a color that compliments her dog
ReplyDeleteYou aren't the first one to post about how awesome Rhonda is. Another of her friends mentioned that she is a most spectacular person who is an amazing mentor. As the article stated, I really just noticed the DAMN FINE PULI! A big thanks to Rhonda that you are a wonderful person and amazing mentor to some of my friends.
DeleteHer sweater had sparkles. That qualifies. Go Rhonda!
ReplyDelete