A PARTY IN PENNSYLVANIA AND A LITTLE BIT OF SEOUL

BY WALTER J. SOMMERFELT

THE KEYSTONE CLUSTER

When August rolls around, it is time again for the Keystone Cluster in Pennsylvania, hosted by the Penn Ridge Kennel Club. A major part of the Keystone Cluster, which was last year’s choice by the fancy as Cluster of the Year, is Penn Ridge’s Charitable Foundation annual Casino Night, led by Charles Olvis and Liz Muthard.

I have had the pleasure of being the volunteer DJ at this event for all 18 years, and each year continues to be better than the last. Charlie, Liz, and many club members work hard all year long to ensure the continued success of the event, which has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to various charities like Take the Lead over the years.

The cluster was held for many years in Harrisburg, at the Farm Building, until COVID struck and the facility was no longer available to the club. Determined to keep the event alive, it was moved for two years to the Doswell, Virginia, site before moving back to its home territory at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

The move to Lebanon allowed for expanded events such as Fast CAT, Dock Diving, Fetch Dog, and several others, including a “corn hole” tournament. This is one of those clusters that “gives back” to the fancy in many ways.

It is a very long drive from Knoxville, Tennessee, for Carol and me, but once we get off I-81 near Harrisburg, it is a lovely drive past many farms filled with fields of corn and large dairy cattle operations and the beauty of the Pennsylvania countryside. Along the way, and just 15 miles southwest of Lebanon, you pass through the Chocolate Capital of America, the town that Milton Hershey started with the establishment of “Hershey Chocolate” in 1903. The wonderful, charming town is home to the Hershey Candy Company, Hersheypark amusement park, Hershey Chocolate World (which we visit every year to stock up on for our chocolate fixes), and many other things to do. The well-manicured streets feature streetlights that look like the famous Hershey Kisses, giving them a very special, nostalgic feel of America at the turn of the 20th century.

This year’s event was great, with entries in the 1,000-dog range and a lineup in the Groups, and especially “Best in Show,” on par with Westminster and the AKC National Championship. Many of America’s top dogs were there in competition, which made for high-quality bragging rights for the winners.

If you have never attended the cluster, or the “casino night,” it is something you need to add to your dog show bucket list. You won’t be disappointed when you get there and participate in all that the cluster has to offer.

A LITTLE BIT OF SEOUL

I recently had the privilege to return to Seoul, South Korea, to judge at the “KKC Classic Dog Show.” This was my fourth trip to South Korea, and each time I have enjoyed many highly competitive exhibits in many breeds.

There are two show-giving organizations: One is an FCI affiliate, while the other is the Korean Kennel Club. I have judged for both clubs over the years and was delighted to be invited back by the KKC.

The city of Seoul is considered one of the safest cities in the world, and people can be seen walking everywhere. Traffic is congested, and there is a tremendous amount of construction going on throughout the city as it continues to grow and modernize its infrastructure, but the people of Seoul are friendly and look very healthy and fit.

The KKC has always welcomed and recognized the AKC over the years, and on April 1st of 2025, the AKC officially began to recognize the KKC and its registry and pedigrees.

Harley Wookhee Choi was my interpreter and guide again. Harley is a KKC judge and is big in Search and Rescue, having worked with her cadaver dogs for over 12 years.

In Korea, just like here in America, they have seen a decline in entries at Conformation events since COVID.

However, the KKC holds numerous “Grooming Competitions” all year long, with average shows having as many as 600 entries for most events, and two shows held on the same day.

The KKC owns its own show site where it can host all of its Conformation, Agility, Grooming, and other competitions. The facility is very well-lit, air-conditioned, and modern. What you do not see is a bevy of RVs packing the parking areas.

The KKC offers Best in Show in three categories: Best Baby Puppy, for dogs 3-6 months of age; Best Puppy, for those over 6 months; and, of course, an Open Best in Show.

My Best in Show Baby was a very nice Border Collie, with an ASCOB Cocker Spaniel and a Parti-Color Cocker as Reserve Best winners.

Best in Show Puppy was a Bichon Frise that had flown in from Japan for the show, and Reserve was a Pomeranian youngster.

Best in Show was a lovely Siberian Husky, with a promising Black Toy Poodle going Reserve Best.

For many people, because of apartment living, small- to medium-sized dogs seem to make up most of the entries, with the Bedlington Terrier and Bichon Frise having the largest entries.

I was able to visit Jay Kim, who spent 10 years in the US working for Frank Murphy. He is a very successful handler in his own country, and his son is growing fast and is looking forward to joining his Dad in the show ring in the future.

Although my time in Seoul was short, I enjoyed the dogs and the wonderful hospitality of Mr. Shin Gyu-Cheol and all the members of the Korean Kennel Club.