A Brace to Remember, Ruby and Delilah

by Frank Stephen

The following article by Frank Stephen’s is a “must-read.” Congratulations on his winning brace performances last year!

What started as a dare became a novelty and ultimately turned into a challenge. Showing a brace can be fun, but it helps if the two are compatible litter mates with the same size reach and drive. It’s also a plus if they’re both smooth-moving conformation champions who have lived together all their lives.

The first time I showed Ruby and Delilah in the San Bernardino show, the crowd of bemused professional handlers and exhibitors gathered to watch the impending debacle and I’m sure felt genuine sympathy for the owner-handler who was about to subject himself to public embarrassment. After examining the pair, the judge (who was very gracious) requested the go-around and to the delight of those in attendance, the pair moved effortlessly, stride for stride, around the ring. My biggest job was to get in step with them. Later in the group and best in show ring, the pair and their intrepid handler gained confidence and with the cheers and applause from the supportive crowd, Group 1 and Best in Show honors followed. This process has been repeated seven times and on each occasion, Ruby and Delilah have performed magnificently and have seemed to enjoy their celebrity status.

Our greatest challenge took place last year at Great Western, where upon entering the Best in Show ring, we were informed that the elderly judge wanted all braces examined on the table. This required the tandem to mount the ramp, stand together on the table for examination and dismount for the down-and-back and go-around. With no training or prior experience, to my amazement, the two performed flawlessly. Leaning against each other for support, they stoically stood for examination and accomplished their descent to terra firma with some degree of grace and dignity. Their subsequent movement around the ring assumed a carefree air of nonchalance which seemed to say, “That wasn’t so bad.” When they returned to the judge, they wagged their tails in unison and charmed the sparse crowd that lingered for the final competition.

I was pleased and honored to share the pair with the knowledgeable crowd at the Montgomery County show. Although their winning streak is now over, their performance was memorable and a credit to the breed.