(Feb. 9, 2017) Ocean Pines resident Mary Ann Alston will participate in her third judging assignment at the 141st annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, Feb. 13-14.
“It is truly an honor to be invited to judge the Westminster Dog Show,” Alston said. “Judges are chosen for their knowledge in the respective breeds. I have judged there twice before in 1999 and 2006. Both times I judged sporting breeds. In 1999, I judged the finals in the junior showmanship competition.”
On Monday, Feb. 13, Alston will be judging some of the hound breeds and a preliminary junior showmanship class with 22 participants.
“Out of 22, I must choose two participants who will go on to the finals,” Alston said. “There are four preliminary classes with two being judged on Monday and the other two on Tuesday. I will also be judging one of the preliminary classes on Tuesday.”
Eight junior showmanship participants will compete in the final with the top four being awarded scholarships, according to their placements.
“Junior showmanship is really important because we are trying to bring up kids who will stay interested in the sport for years to come,” Alston said. “Kids come from all over the country and they had to qualify to be invited to the show.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, Alston will judge five sporting breeds with 27 champions taking part in the English springer spaniel competition.
“The judging for each individual breed is completed during the day and then breeds compete in their respective group in the evening,” Alston said. “The judge for each group must decide which dog represents its breed the best. The group judge makes four placements and the winner of each group goes on to compete for the ultimate prize, which is Best in Show, taking place on Tuesday evening around 10:30 p.m.”
Alston is licensed to judge the sporting, hound, working and Best in Show groups and exhibited her first dog as a teenager during the 1950s.
“My father was presenting a gun dog exhibition at a local show in northern New Jersey and I showed my boxer,” Alston said. “The first dog I showed to its championship was my English setter in the early 60’s. I loved the competition and the bond you form with your dog.”
After marrying her husband in 1970, the Alston’s moved to Pasadena, Maryland, and bought a kennel.
“My husband had much more experience in showing dogs and he wanted to start a handling and boarding business, which we did,” Alston said. “We were very successful showing many top winning animals for our clients.”
Top winners included English setters, Irish setters, Gordon setters and English cocker spaniels.
Alston worked for the American Kennel Club for five years where she developed the registered handler program before being promoted to the director of judging operations. She retired in July 2005.
“It is truly an honor to be invited to judge the Westminster Dog Show,” Alston said. “Judges are chosen for their knowledge in the respective breeds. I have judged there twice before in 1999 and 2006. Both times I judged sporting breeds. In 1999, I judged the finals in the junior showmanship competition.”
On Monday, Feb. 13, Alston will be judging some of the hound breeds and a preliminary junior showmanship class with 22 participants.
“Out of 22, I must choose two participants who will go on to the finals,” Alston said. “There are four preliminary classes with two being judged on Monday and the other two on Tuesday. I will also be judging one of the preliminary classes on Tuesday.”
Eight junior showmanship participants will compete in the final with the top four being awarded scholarships, according to their placements.
“Junior showmanship is really important because we are trying to bring up kids who will stay interested in the sport for years to come,” Alston said. “Kids come from all over the country and they had to qualify to be invited to the show.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, Alston will judge five sporting breeds with 27 champions taking part in the English springer spaniel competition.
“The judging for each individual breed is completed during the day and then breeds compete in their respective group in the evening,” Alston said. “The judge for each group must decide which dog represents its breed the best. The group judge makes four placements and the winner of each group goes on to compete for the ultimate prize, which is Best in Show, taking place on Tuesday evening around 10:30 p.m.”
Alston is licensed to judge the sporting, hound, working and Best in Show groups and exhibited her first dog as a teenager during the 1950s.
“My father was presenting a gun dog exhibition at a local show in northern New Jersey and I showed my boxer,” Alston said. “The first dog I showed to its championship was my English setter in the early 60’s. I loved the competition and the bond you form with your dog.”
After marrying her husband in 1970, the Alston’s moved to Pasadena, Maryland, and bought a kennel.
“My husband had much more experience in showing dogs and he wanted to start a handling and boarding business, which we did,” Alston said. “We were very successful showing many top winning animals for our clients.”
Top winners included English setters, Irish setters, Gordon setters and English cocker spaniels.
Alston worked for the American Kennel Club for five years where she developed the registered handler program before being promoted to the director of judging operations. She retired in July 2005.