I started playing the show (conformation) and hunting test games in 2002 with my first Vizsla, Remus. Along the way, I met so many kind and helpful people that often made the time spent around the event more fun than the winning.

It's taken some level of maturity to learn that because I spend most of the vacation time I accrue and lots of my precious pennies to train for and to enter these games, enjoying the journey had to be more important than bringing the ribbons home. After all, the ribbons are for our own egos--our dogs certainly don't know whether they get a ribbon or not. If we play the games with the right attitude, all they ever know is that they're doing something they love and spending time with their humans.

So, do I love to win? Hell yes! When I train, do I train to win? Another resounding, "Hell yes!" please. And when I enter a game, do I enter with intentions to win? Yes, I do. But, win or lose, I'm committed to practicing good sportsmanship. I try hard to never take out my frustrations on my Vizslas or the other competitors. Sounds simple but it still surprises me to see how competitions can bring out the ugly in others. And, I haven't always practiced this philosophy myself. As I said above, it's taken a certain level of maturity and experience to arrive at this place.

So, I've thrown the gauntlet down in this public arena. Should the ugly ever come out in me when competing, give me an attitude adjustment. I promise I'll do the same for you! ;-)