Western Classic Weekend | Four Days, Four Seasons & One New Champion

Western Classic is one of the weekends we look forward to every year. It's a UKC Regional Qualifying Event for the Total Dog Invitational, bringing together hundreds of dogs for three days of conformation and performance events. Dogs that earn a Total Dog during the weekend receive an invitation to compete at the Total Dog Invitational later this fall.

The weekend actually starts on Thursday with the UPA Poodle Specialty, giving us four full days of showing.

We came into the weekend with a few goals. Quack was chasing the last points needed for her championship, Crush was just beginning his Grand Championship journey, and Magic... well... this was going to be his last conformation show.

After Western Classic, the show coat was coming off.

One last weekend in full coat. After years in the conformation ring, Western Classic would be Magic's final weekend before trading his show coat for a much more practical haircut.

Thursday, July 30 | UPA Poodle Specialty

The weekend officially kicked off Thursday evening with the UPA Poodle Specialty under respected Standard Poodle breeder and judge Sharlene Craig. The cooler evening weather made for a beautiful evening with fellow poodle people and a great way to kick off Western Classic.

Quack kicked off Western Classic by earning Best Female at the UPA Poodle Specialty.

Quack got us off to a great start by earning Best Female, while Magic spent the evening being handled by Jackson. They didn't catch the judge's eye this time, but I don't think either one of them cared—they had an absolute blast together.

One of my favorite moments from the weekend. Jackson and Magic made a great team and had an absolute blast in the ring together.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Brace class. Magic teamed up with Rita, and while they officially placed 3rd, the real prize was the laughter. It was one of those classes that reminds you dog shows are supposed to be fun.

Magic and Rita compete in the Brace class during the 2026 UPA Poodle Specialty. While they placed third, the class was one of the most entertaining moments of the evening and a great reminder that dog shows should be fun.

The evening wrapped up with two accomplishments that made me incredibly proud. Crush and Zakiah Jordan earned Best Junior in Show, showing what a great junior dog Crush has become. Later that evening, Crush came back into the ring with me and earned Reserve Champion out of a Champion class of nine Standard Poodles. Under a respected breeder-judge like Sharlene Craig, that was a really exciting way to start the weekend.

Crush earned Reserve Champion under respected breeder-judge Sharlene Craig from a Champion class of nine beautiful Standard Poodles.

Friday, July 31 | Western Classic – Day 1

Friday marked the start of the all-breed shows with Monique Laperriere judging Show 1 and Tami Hayden judging Show 2. It was a warm day, and after months of planning, Western Classic was officially underway.

Quack had a solid, consistent day. She won her Bred-by Exhibitor class in both shows and earned Reserve Best Female both times. She was steadily chipping away at the last few points she needed to finish her championship.

Magic had a great first day. He earned Reserve Grand Champion in Show 1 before coming back to win Grand Champion in Show 2. He also qualified in Precision Coursing Elite twice, earning his first Total Dog Invitational qualification of the weekend.

Crush had a quiet first show, but came back strong in Show 2 by winning the Champion class and earning the first leg toward his UKC Grand Championship. It was a nice way to wrap up the first full day of Western Classic.

Saturday, August 1 | Western Classic – Day 2

If Friday was warm, Saturday couldn't decide what it wanted to be. We had a little bit of everything—rain, sunshine, cool temperatures, and then heat. It was one of those days where the rain jacket never really made it back to the grooming area before you needed it again.

Quack continued doing exactly what she had been doing all weekend. She won her Bred-by Exhibitor class and earned Reserve Best Female in both shows, collecting the final points she needed to officially finish her UKC Championship. Watching another homebred reach that milestone never gets old, and I couldn't have been happier for her.

Magic didn't find much love in the conformation ring on Saturday, but he reminded everyone that he's much more than just a pretty show dog. He qualified in both of his Precision Coursing Elite runs. Without a conformation competition win, there wasn't a Total Dog this time, but he was having an absolute blast doing what he loves.

Crush had a quieter day in the ring as well. Not every weekend is filled with ribbons, and that's one of the things I actually appreciate about showing dogs. Every judge has a different opinion, and that's part of the game. You celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, and come back the next day ready to do it all over again.

Sunday, August 2 | Western Classic – Day 3

By Sunday morning, both the dogs and the people were definitely feeling four long days of showing. The morning started off cool, but by the afternoon we were back to sunshine and warm temperatures for the final two shows of the weekend under Kimberlee Dorr and Sue Phillips.

Magic wrapped up his conformation career in style. He earned Best of Breed in the morning show and Reserve Grand Champion in the afternoon. He also qualified in both of his Precision Coursing Elite runs, earning another Total Dog Invitational qualification. It was the perfect way to close out an incredible show career before heading home for a well-earned retirement from the breed ring.

Crush won the Champion Class in the morning under Kimberlee Dorr before taking the afternoon off from the ribbons. Like I've said before, every judge sees something a little different, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy showing under a variety of judges.

Quack won her Bred-by Exhibitor class in the morning, but after officially finishing her championship the day before, I decided to leave her out of the afternoon show. Sometimes it's nice to let them end the weekend on a high note.

One of my favorite parts of Sunday actually had nothing to do with the show ring. A huge reptile expo was happening at the fairgrounds the same weekend, and all day long people wandered over to meet the dogs after looking at snakes, lizards, and every reptile imaginable. Magic and Crush soaked up every minute of the attention. They happily greeted countless people, accepted endless pets, and were wonderful ambassadors for the Standard Poodle. Those moments are every bit as rewarding as the ribbons we bring home.

The End of an Era

When we pulled back into the driveway Sunday night, there were plenty of ribbons to unpack, but that's not what I'll remember most about Western Classic.

I'll remember Quack finishing her championship. I'll remember Crush continuing to grow into himself. I'll remember Magic doing what he's always done—walking into the ring like he belonged there and then heading off to chase a lure with just as much enthusiasm.

And then I gave him a haircut.

After years of championships, Grand Championships, Total Dog awards, Best in Shows, and countless miles on the road, Magic's conformation career has officially come to an end. He's earned every bit of his retirement from the breed ring.

Don't worry... this isn't the last you'll see of him.

Magic still has plenty of adventures ahead. He'll continue competing in performance events, he'll keep being the incredible ambassador for the breed that he's always been.

Some chapters come to an end so the next one can begin.

Quack is now a champion. Crush has started his Grand Championship journey. The next generation is stepping into the spotlight.

But there will only ever be one Magic.