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Have you ever seen the movie Best in Show that came out in the early 2000s? Have you heard of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in New York each year? If you have, you’ll understand that until 2019 that was my knowledge base for the world of dog shows. If not, I highly recommend watching both and reading about them. Much like the tournament circuits, there is much more going on behind the scenes than the media platforms present for the layperson.
Walking into the exhibition hall of The Big E in Springfield, MA, to meet the handler for the first time, I knew or even understood very little. While my dog (GCH CH Glen ‘Mor’s Declan Aigeann JH CGCA CGCU TKA) is currently with his handler off traveling, I still know very little, and yet I know more than I thought ever would or did know.
Now with a month till the 2023 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the importance of understanding what it means to win and being one of the few to make it to that level of opportunity is a lesson from the martial arts world that gives me peace. The following are five concepts of competing in martial arts that have made the transition into the dog world easier and enhanced my team’s place in the martial arts venue.
Protect Your Mind.
Being nervous is a standard component of the competitive athletes’ process, which shows that the act they are about to take part in matters to them. They care. That is why the mindset one has entering any competition sets the stage for the behavior about to take place. If the internal narrative spoken is one of fear and doubt, the performance will represent that.
Entering the arena for breed confirmation has made me step away from being ringside. Though I know I can do nothing for my dog once he is with the handler, I still get nervous. Unfortunately, like a good boy, he can sense it and looks for me when I am nearby. This predicament reinforces not only the need for peace amongst the chatter in my mind during competitions but also helps support the need for athletes to know that they are fighting the battles within the ring.
Once that athlete steps into the ring, the performance relies solely on the athlete’s mindset, not anyone celebrating or holding their breath for them on the sidelines.
Take Risks.
Many risks were involved when Declan began competing as a show dog, not merely a hunting dog. I still do not comprehend that many owners send their dogs off for months on end to do these shows, as I sit here excited for Declan’s future, yet missing him since he has been traveling since February. Much like martial arts, competing within the training facility and outside on the local circuits allows the athlete to channel a different part of themselves.
Every aspect of the country and world has competition within its community in some format. Each tournament, circuit, and promotors provide something different to the industry and the practitioners participating. The downside is that competing often costs much more than one would want. Sometimes, that monetary concern keeps athletes close to home.
However, traveling outside the comfort zone of competition enhances the athletes’ (human or dog) ability to progress and grow. Despite life’s obstacles regarding travel or stepping out into the ring, taking that step when an opportunity arises is encouraged.
Know your judges.
I often tell my athletes the advice that was given to me. Once you’ve competed, won, or lost, talk to the judges, and ask for some wisdom regarding your performance.
In the arena of confirmation for the breed, it is often difficult to talk to the judges besides quickly sharing words in passing. In this venue, the respect of seeing them, acknowledging them, and saying thank you goes a long way. Many judges may know your dogs’ lineage and the handler or even have specific desires regarding the breed’s characteristics. It is uncommon to know what the judge is explicitly looking for unless the judges’ preferences have been shared over time.
However, the underlying commonalities that judges expect within the breed ring or of the martial art athlete are consistent and reliable. Compared to athletes’ everyday presence, their relationship with the judges influences their reputation and those they are connected to. When training for a martial arts competition, the same dedication is required to work on those consistent expectations as is expected when grooming the dogs for the show ring.
Be consistent in your training.
What are you doing outside the competition ring? Athletes will not be at their best if they only train once a week or pick up their weapons the night before the competition. I can not only say this from personal martial arts experience. I can provide examples of how these factors affect Declan when he is groomed daily, weekly, or monthly. Both perspectives are valuable and can be used to relate to and inspire those struggling to see why consistency matters.
Over the past few years, navigating the dog world, I have seen the importance of the actions one takes before, after, and during competition. For a dog like Declan, who does more than one activity to present his best self, the consistency in commands and applying them daily and care for his luscious locks cannot be overlooked. Though one can show up at a competition and give it their all without any preparation, it may only sometimes provide an extremely successful outcome. As competitors become known, higher ranks, and into more dynamic expeditions, the actions in practice begin to be of great importance.
Embrace the Community.
Every avenue of sports comes with its obstacles, as well as its engaging components. One of the greatest joys of going to martial art tournaments is not only the opportunity to see how others relate to their art with a fresh set of eyes. It is seeing fellow friends, peers, and mentors often out of reach for that hug, high five, and sense of home outside the competition. The tournament life provides a unique and specific community, much like the athlete. 
This angle of martial arts life is a welcomed component of any competitive venue, and I look for it when deciding if I will be consistently participating in any activity.
Competing as a martial artist prepared me for the possibilities of severely cold shoulders and the political side of the dog world when unexpected wins occur or when the friendliness of one venue doesn’t transfer over to another. It also prepared me to find my people, ask for help to understand the details of functions and how to handle the different activities, and most of all, to breathe.
Training for competitions and coaching within the lens of martial arts since 1989 has led to stories of moments, desires, and lessons learned. The ability to adapt from the whirlwind of martial arts competition to breed confirmation is a crossover that leaves me continuing participation in both despite the negatives that often push participants away.
The words and memories applied outside the martial arts realm make sense, and it takes sincere humility to consistently live according to martial arts principles. Showing up is only part of the battle.
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