Text Box: Published in the magazine, Collie Expressions A National To Remember By: Kristina Reppert Rounded Rectangle: Articles Text Box: My stomach was in knots and my chest was tight; the anticipation was ripping me up inside and out. Little did I know what that day in March of 1991 would have in store. The day had finally come when I was taking my champion dog, Silver, to compete against the best dogs in the United States and I was only fourteen. Never in a million years did I think he would win. I woke up that warm Friday morning in hotel room 122. My grandmother, Mary, was putting on her make-up talking to my mother. I almost had to pinch myself because my mother never went to dog shows. She supported my hobby, but it was not her idea of a great time. I stretched and rolled out of bed. My grandmother said, “Are you ready for the big day sweetie?” Then it hit me…this is Friday. Silver and I are competing in the most prominent of shows today. That’s when my stomach started to hurt. I replied, “I guess so!” I got out of bed, took a shower and got dressed. I remember the outfit I wore. It was a pretty floral skirt with white tights, white blouse, and a matching navy blue jacket. I loved that outfit. It mad me feel grown-up and professional. As my mom, Mindy, braided my hair, I remember how excited I was. I was picturing all the good things that could come from this day if I was lucky, and Silver performed like we had practiced. We were all ready and we headed out for the show. The show was in the beautiful ballroom of the hotel. It was filled with around 800 people. Some were exhibitors and some were observers who were all there admiring all of the beautiful Collies. I immediately rushed off to my setup that consisted of a grooming table, an exercise pen, crate and grooming box. As I nervously groomed and prepared Silver for his grand entrance, my mother came up to me and said, “Kristy, good luck today.” I was not used to my mother being at big dog shows so when she said that, I got even more anxious. As I lifted Silver off the table, I heard “Best of Variety to the ring please!” Oh man, this was it. Walking into the ring for the first time made me feel uneasy. I had to tell myself to calm down and do what I had practiced. Silver and I were in the first group. There were eight groups of twenty competing for Best of Variety. There were eight groups of twenty. As the judge critiqued Silver, I did my very best to keep his attention on me. She stopped and asked “Do you have a vet note for your dog’s ear?” Silver got attacked in the ring the weekend before in at a dog show and his ear was torn open. We had to get sutures put in. I showed her the note knowing that Silver’s chances had diminished. The judge reviewed the note and walked away. As she pointed at Silver and three other dogs to come back in the finals I thought, “Wow, he made the first cut!” I remember hearing the audience cheering for us. It was about two hours later when all of the top picks from the groups were brought in for the finals. There were about twenty dogs in the ring. The judge circled the ring in search of what her perception of the best dog was. She then pulled out into the middle of the ring four of her top pick males and four of her top pick females and Silver was one of them. From there, she walked and looked at all of her top picks. I remember feeling shaky and faint. All I could do was show Silver to the best of my ability. Silver was performing as if he knew he was going to win. The judge came around from the back of the line of beautiful dogs and pointed to Silver to start a new line. She then pointed out two others to follow. When asked to lead the line-up of dogs around the ring, Silver and I took off for a run of our lifetimes! As we got about half way around the ring, the judge pointed at us as the winner. The crowd went wild. While in the middle of the ring, I hugged Silver and gave him a big kiss. We then went to the entrance of the ring where we collected several beautiful ribbons and trophies. I was greeted by my mother and grandmother with huge hugs and tears of happiness. There were so many people around patting my on my back and congratulating me. Flashes from cameras were in my face. I felt like a celebrity. What a high I was on.