Top Junior -- Woodinville's Stacy Duncan Savors Her Special Triumph

In the dog-show world there are triumphs every weekend, from tiny rural communities to giant metropolitan centers. Amidst the tangle of rosettes, trophies, wood carvings and plates, even the most ardent fans forget most of the winners' triumphs.

But not Westminster. Like a Super Bowl, World Series, National Basketball Association or National Hockey League championship ring, Olympic gold medal or an Oscar trophy, a Westminster Kennel Club dog-show award is special.

It denotes you are the best in your business. And for Stacy Duncan, a 17-year-old Inglemoor High School junior, there's not much left to accomplish in junior showmanship.

Duncan, who has been traversing junior rings around the country since age 10, was named the nation's premier junior handler earlier this month at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York's Madison Square Garden.

"This is really special," says Duncan. "I'll treasure it for a lifetime. It's the target of every junior handler in the country. I didn't go back there with the thought of winning, just doing my best."

In her third trip to the Garden, Duncan defeated a field of 123 of the nation's top junior and senior handlers. She failed to place in one earlier competition there and became ill prior to showing on a second trip and never entered the ring.

To qualify for the Garden, the youngsters, aged 10 to 18, must have won eight open junior showmanship classes the preceding year.

Judging is based solely on the skillful handling of the dog, not the animal's conformation.

"It was very satisfying, yet nerve wracking," she describes the experience with her partner, Champion Ridgewyn's Summer Soltice, a 3-year-old English springer spaniel she co-owns with Gary Zayac of Kalama. The dog, which answers to Moo (as in cow), didn't miss a beat, says Duncan.

The two, along with Stacy's sister, Terry, 19, and her mother, Barbara, arrived in New York four days before her competition. "It helps to get in early and get the dog settled in," says Duncan. "If the dog is relaxed, it makes your job much easier." The family stayed in a New York hotel near Madison Square Garden, which for Moo represented a culture shock from its usual digs in Woodinville.

"It snowed Friday night (four days ahead of their date in the ring). We took Moo outside and he had a ball. He really unwound, which was important after the long trip and a plane transfer."

Stacy and the 55-pound, liver-and-white-coated pooch have been partners only since September, which accentuates her victory even more. "Most of the others have worked their dogs considerably longer,' says Duncan. "Usually it takes a while for a handler and dog to become confident with each other. But somehow Moo and I hit if off right away."

Before obtaining Moo, Duncan had been showing English cocker spaniels, American cocker spaniels, a Manchester terrier and a smooth fox terrier. "Until Moo, I just never found a dog that worked with me. When I started showing years ago, I worked a couple of English springers and really liked the breed. I was getting a little frustrated and asked Gary if he had a dog he wasn't campaigning that I could try."

The Westminster experience was a true test of a dog and family's patience. Wait, wait and more waiting. Because Duncan's breed did not show until the second day (Tuesday, Feb. 9), her handler class of 35 did not enter the ring until that day either.

"I went over to the Garden Monday to watch the competition and observe the two judges. I spent all my time watching some friends who were showing under one judge. Of course, I ended up with the other judge the next day."

Her class began at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, but because youngsters handling the larger breeds vie first, Duncan and Moo weren't up until late in the proceedings. "I felt OK about our performance," she says, "but not confident. The judge was pretty methodical. It seemed like an eternity until he got the cut down to four of us. Finally, he called my number.

"I was kinda overwhelmed. It was such a long wait, then it happened so fast," she recalls. That left Team Duncan only 2 1/2 hours to ready themselves for the eight-entry final. Two juniors from each of the four classes (two each day) advanced.

They rushed back to the hotel, ate quickly and returned to the Garden. "It gave us time to give Moo a quick brushing. " He was great. He just curled up on the bed and went to sleep until we were ready to head back."

Because Moo was so relaxed, Duncan found herself in a similar frame of mind.

"When the handler becomes nervous, it goes right down the lead to the dog," explains Duncan.

She entered the finals with an attitude that she had a job to do. She went right through the pattern (the judge asks each exhibitor to move through an L-shaped pattern in the ring. The exercise consists of changing hands with the lead as the dog remains on participant's side facing the judge.) Teamwork is the key. The junior's finesse and fluidity of movement, rapport with the dog and the animal's response to each required move all figure in the scoring.

After performing the required L-pattern maneuvers, each of the finalists were asked to line up and free stand their partner alongside their hip. Moments later, the judge, Edd Bivin of Fort Worth, Texas, pointed to Duncan, signifying she was the winner.

"I was in shock for a few seconds," recalls Duncan, who was awarded a silver platter, a sash and a ribbon. Next year, she'll return to place a sash around the neck of the new champion.

This was her second major triumph of the year. Last month she was selected the top junior handler at the American Spaniel Club National Specialty in Secaucus, N.J.

While dogs have played a major role in her life, Duncan has found time to participate in honor society, concert choir, soccer and fast pitch at lnglemoor and ride horses. After graduating in 1994, Duncan plans to attend college and major in business.

She credits her father, Tad, who is a professional handler on weekends and a mailer at The Times, and her mother, for her success. "Dad has a good eye and is always there to offer me constructive criticism after I've been in the ring. He's able to spot my small mistakes, the kinda things others might miss. Mom enjoys grooming and helps me get the dogs ready."

Westminster was Duncan's final appearance as a junior handler. "It's been fun because of all the friends I've made. But there has been some heartaches and back-stabbing, too. I can't think of a better time to retire, however. I don't want to destroy what I have. I want to have fond memories of Westminster, not being the target of every junior at every show I enter."

As for Moo, well, he's a kennel dog for now at the Duncans. "I'm trying to talk Mom in to letting him in. He's earned it. We have five dogs inside right now, but I'll keep working on it."

Somehow, you get the feeling this dog will "m-o-o-ve" right in soon. -- Mail information regarding dog/cat events to Classified Division, attn. Marilyn Fairbanks, Dog/Cat Events, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA. 98111. All releases must be in writing and received by Monday prior to Sunday publication. Be sure to include a public phone-contact number. Also don't forget to phone in for my pet tip of the week on The Seattle Times Infoline, 464-2000, then press PETS (7387).