I'm new here--reviving the ES clip thread with a question
I've just read the threads that showed up in my search for "English saddle clip" (they're a few years old) because I didn't want to start a discussion that had been done to death.
I'm new to poodles and new to conformation, but I'm game to give it a go. In fact, I had the baby out to a whole weekend of UKC shows in September (2012) but was disappointed to find he was the only standard poodle--indeed, the only poodle of any description--on the whole showgrounds. So we got 100 points but with NO competition, which actually felt pretty disappointing. On the other hand, I found exhibitors to be very friendly and generous with advice, and one handler pulled me off the sideline to run one of her "lesser" dogs in best of breed. I had a blast and learned a lot.
So the poodle baby will be a year old in February 2012 and I recently went to the woman who has his sire, an AKC champion, to set my boy's show clip. In UKC, you can show in sporting, continental, or English Saddle. Because someone once asked me how I like my Labradoodle--I thought I'd make it perfectly clear this was a POODLE.
I wanted an English saddle clip, mostly because I don't like the look of the shaved back end. That's a personal preference--don't think I'm throwing mud around at anyone. The groomer said most people look at an English saddle and immediately assume you're hiding something. And the way she set it, it does hide too much, I think. I asked about the length of hair in the middle section of the leg and she said the shorter look went out in the 1920s, even though you can find it in poodle books still in print. However, I LIKE that look.
So I'm not 100% happy with the English saddle as he's currently wearing it, either. I think the hair on the back end is, well, too pouffy. I'd be inclined to take it down to 1/4 inch on the pack AND the leg above the hock. Sort of give him a pair of Speedos versus the formal trousers he's wearing now. After all, his legs have nothing to hide, at least in my opinion.
So, if I do that, what kind of trouble am I setting myself up for? Laughing and finger-pointing? Or will no one notice, since the clip doesn't seem to be all that common? Or will he be appreciated for setting a bold, retro look?
In any event, he's a happy boy, asleep at my feet as I type this, and truly, my biggest worry in the conformation ring is to keep him from mugging the judge in his exuberance to meet his new best friend.
Also, before you ask, I got the boy as a performance prospect and UKC works well for me to get him out and used to a show atmosphere. I'm told AKC conformation is a lot more $$ because finishing a standard poodle is too big a job for an amateur like me. UKC, though, does not allow paid handlers.
Here's his "after" picture, right after his clip was set: