Wow, Polo, what a weekend is right! Wow, Polo, what a year would be more accurate! Royal Von Tasz Classic (Polo) has an unrivaled winning year! The American White Shepherd Association is bursting at the seams with pride over Polo and his owner/handler, Diana Updike. Diana and Polo accomplished what no other White Shepherd in history has done before!

Diana Updike wrote the following about her fantastic UKC victories

 On April 14, 1999, the United Kennel Club (UKC) officially recognized the breed White Shepherd - a direct descendent of the German Shepherd Dog. The White Shepherd has since enjoyed full UKC competition privileges at all levels, including the prestigious, Invitation Only, Top Ten Breed Competition.

 What is the Top Ten Breed Competition? Top Ten points are automatically awarded at all UKC-licensed conformation events to each Best of Breed winner, who receives one point for each dog defeated in breed competition, provided that there are at least three dogs of any sex correctly entered and shown in that breed. Top Ten points are calculated by UKC based on the official event report submitted by the Event Secretary. Top Ten points are calculated from January 1 to December 31 of each year and regularly updated Top Ten standings are published in Bloodlines magazine and on the UKC web page. Exhibitors may inquire about Top Ten standings by telephone or e-mail after September 1 of each year. The ten top-ranked dogs in each breed are then invited to participate in a Top Ten invitational competition held in the year following the competition year in conjunction with the annual premier shows.

 In 2001, the following White Shepherds were ranked in the Top Ten:
1 UCD GRCH Royal Sir Isaac's IQ Jean Reeves 65
2 GRCH Royal Starburst Tiara Jean Reeves 64
3 CH UCD Royal Ghost Tim and Liz Reiber 10
3 CH Tumbledowns Super Sonic Rhonda Mc Mahan 10
5 GRCH UAGII Crystal's Lady In Red Judy and Dick Huston 9
5 UCD GRCH Royal Von Tasz Classic Diana L Updike 9
5 GRCH Royal Dinah Of Willowwood Jacki Wheeler 9
5 Willowwoods Proud Jack B Nimble Jen Proud 9
9 CH Regalwise Recount V Juel Ronda Beaupre 6
10. CH Royal Alumina Of Windy Acres Ed Rhoads 5

On Thursday, June 13, 2002 these ten White Shepherds competed against each other for Top Ten Best of Breed. My Polo, a.k.a. GRCH U-CD Royal Von Tasz Classic, won the Best of Breed honor and Jacki Wheeler’s female, Dinah (a.k.a. GRCH Royal Dinah Of Willow-Wood), took an Award of Merit.

 2001 Top Ten Best of Breed On Friday, June 14, each Top Ten Best of Breed winner went on to compete in the Top Ten Semi-Finals. In this competition, all of the breeds are divided into four groups and a judge selects what he/she considers to be the best four dogs within their group.

 2001 Top Ten Semi-Finalist These 16 qualifiers then went on to compete for the 2001 Best in Top Ten Overall. A three-judge panel evaluates each dog and ranks them on a scale of 1 to 10 number 1 being the best overall.

 And the winner is.... After all 16 dogs were evaluated, the judges’ score sheets are tallied. To build suspense, the judge’s announce their 10th ranked dog, then their 9th, etc. Polo and I watched as the first nine dogs were announced and they received a gift by Pedigree, the sponsor of the Premier. The remaining seven dogs and their handlers were left standing on the other side of the ring from the 2nd-9th placed teams and judges, awaiting the final and most honorable announcement. I can remember thinking, “Wow, it’s been such an honor to just make it to this point, I just wished Polo would have been called by now.” But, as it turns out, I’m glad they hadn’t called out my boy because, and I can still hear the words ringing in my ears, they announced, “And, the 2001 #1 Best in Top Ten goes to the WHITE SHEPHERD!” Scream! I couldn’t believe it. Polo and I ran up and accepted our award and gifts. I think this was one of the first times in many, many years, that I couldn’t stop the joyful tears from flowing.

 2001 Best in Top Ten In hindsight, I can’t help but realize that my beautiful White Shepherd has actually won the equivalent of what I had always dreamed of - Best In Show at Westminster. Way to go, Polo!!

 Polo earned a Total Dog Award for placing in both a performance event (1st Place in Open A) and in conformation (Best of Breed and a Group 3rd). This award was offered on Saturday only.

 Polo took Best of Breed, a Group 2nd and 2nd Place in Open A at The Premier Show Sunday.

FLASH

 CURRENT TOP 10 UKC STANDINGS, WHITE SHEPHERD
01. UCD GRCH Royal Von Tasz Classic Diana L Updike 102
02. CH UCD Royal Ghost Tim Reiber and Liz Reiber 38
03. GRCH Royal Dinah Of Willowwood Jacki Wheeler 32
04. UAGI UCD GRCH Royal Sir Isaac's Iq Jean Reeves 25
05. CH UCDX Royal's Crowning Of Beadog Denise Mencke 20
05. CH Tumbledowns Super Sonic Rhonda Mc Mahan 20
05. CH Hollybrook's Bodacious Nancy De Garmo or Stephen J Ware 20
08. CH Royal Grace Of Willow Wood Jacqueline Wheeler 14
09. CH Moonshadows Barkley Of Klotz Mark A Klotz and Terry L Klotz 12
10. CH Tumbledowns Toreador Ronda Beaupre 9
AWSA's BIG WINNER 2001

 UKC is not the only venue Polo swept in the 2001 year. Polo was also AWSA's big winner in our 2001 National Specialty! August 31, 2001, and it's AWSA's final day, the big day, of our National Specialty. The ring is full of beautiful dogs and excited handlers all vying for the coveted honor, Best Of Breed. The competition is tremendous and everyone is waiting on pins and needles for the judge's decision.

 Finally, after much consideration, the judge is ready to indicate her selection. It's Polo! Royal Von Tasz Classic wins Best Of Breed!

BIMBS BISS AWSA/WSCC CH, GRCH, U-CD ROYAL VON TASZ CLASSIC
CDX, OFA, PENNhip, CERF, DNA-P
Breeder- Jean Reeves of Reeves Royal Acres * Owner- Diana Updike of Von Tasz

 2001-2002 AWSA TOP TEN
With a total of 179 points, Polo heads the AWSA Top Ten List.
Royal Von Tasz Classic   179
Braehead's Memento of Q   86
Hylowe Moonlight Storm   49
Royal Sir Isaac's IQ   33
Braehead's Fury   30
Royal Ghost   24
Hylowe Mya   20
Regalwise Halo On Trinity   12
Regalwise Recount v Juel   12
 Polo also earned his AKC CDX title in July 2002 with multiple placements! And if that's not enough, he also earned 2 UKC CDX legs with a 1st place and a 2nd place in June 2002.

 Thanks for the great year, Polo and Diana! We couldn't be prouder!