By Krista Duhon
news@joplinglobe.com
MIAMI, Okla. — It was an unexpected win for the 14-year-old girl from Moore, but Kelsey Corn was happy to accept the Best in Show trophy at an American Canine Association pet expo in Miami.
Kelsey knelt and offered Turner an endearing pat on the head, and the black-and-white border collie reciprocated with a wag of his tail.
“I am excited,” Kelsey said. “There were some very good dogs here today.”
Sunday’s show was the third and final event held during the two-day pet expo sponsored by Northeast Oklahoma Pet Professionals and sanctioned by the national group.
An estimated 200 people attended the event Saturday, said organizer Ray Vanover, and 50 dog owners from the area showed up with the best of their breeds to compete for ACA points — all attempting to build the credentials to establish their dogs as a “champion” of their bloodline.
Sunday’s traffic tapered a bit, but Vanover said the show was a success.
“They like the location, and they like the ‘everything in one place’ design of the expo,” Vanover said.
Vendor booths stretched across the floor of the Miami Civic Center ballroom while canines engaged in competitions and trials in the adjacent gymnasium.
Bob Yarnall, president and chief executive officer of the American Canine Association, judged Sunday’s event, calling six Best in Group winners back into the ring for a final review.
Kelsey’s Turner, winner of the working/herding dog class, owes his win to his gate, according to Yarnall. It is what set him apart from winners in the other classes.
“All of the dogs in the ring today had the best attributes of their breeds,” Yarnall said. “When that happens, then we look to the fluid movement of the dog. The border collie had the best movement.”
Kelsey said she was pleased with the win. It was her first ACA win and only the fourth time she had been in the show ring with her collie. But Kelsey’s passion lies in the agility and obedience ring, and she immediately began to prepare for those events after accepting her Best in Show award.
“This part, the conformation, is the beauty pageant,” Yarnall said. “But every breed has its strengths, and by offering competitions in beauty, agility and obedience, every dog has an opportunity to shine.”
