Meet the Owner Handler: Cindy A. Pike

Meet the Owner Handler: Cindy A. Pike

I am a 70-year-old retired critical care RN. A California native now residing in the beautiful state of Washington, I’ve been owned by various dog breeds since the age of six months, and have nearly 30 years with Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I showed Arabian horses as a girl, and showing dogs was a fairly easy transition. My days of traveling counter-clockwise are slowing down, so I’m branching out into Nosework and Rally. My dogs are my family and I will have a Ridgeback as long as I draw breath. I currently live with three: Trooper (12.5); my girl Rho (8); and my baby Declan (3). Of the five dogs I’ve shown, I have finished three Champions, one Grand Champion, and one Grand Champion Bronze and a Rally Advanced title. We are a loving pack and I cannot imagine life without them.

1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

Cindy Pike: I spoke with a judge/breeder who encouraged me to show my second Rhodesian Ridgeback. I chose Ridgebacks after carefully researching Groups first and then individual dog breeds within my chosen Group of Hounds.

2. How many years in dogs? In your breed?

Cindy Pike: I’ve been owned by dogs since I was an infant. Thirty years of Ridgebacks and 17 years in AKC showing, both Conformation and Performance—ALWAYS Owner-Handled.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?

Cindy Pike: With every new puppy, I’ve attended puppy kindergarten and then began handling classes when age appropriate for each dog. I have had four show dogs and one therapy dog. I’ve attended various seminars, usually associated with Specialties.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College?

Cindy Pike: Virtual learning has been helpful in various venues. I have not used any of the others.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you?

Cindy Pike: I have competed in the NOHS (National Owner-Handled Series) since its inception. As I enjoy competing, rankings are a nice way to better my standings. At one point, my dog was ranked the No. 2 Ridgeback, and No. 4 twice in the breed. He is still the No. 13 Lifetime Ridgeback with a Gold level achievement. This is a ranking I am most proud of in his show career.

6. In which class(es) are you most likely to enter your dog(s)?

Cindy Pike: I have a history in Conformation, predominantly, but am now looking ahead to continuing in Performance classes as my knees tell me to go easy.

7. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler?

Cindy Pike: I have not had a mentor, but have given instructions/encouragement to new Owner Handlers. My “mentor” was watching Pro and Owner Handlers in the ring and emulating the techniques I appreciated. My friend, Teri Kruse, and I started an Owner Handler Program in our Northwest Rhodesian Ridgeback Club and we are now in our third year with enthusiastic participation. We also just added a new incentive of the Advanced Title Recognition program, offering beautiful and substantial rosettes earned by OHP members. Teri and I were also part of a drive to include the Select Dog/Bitch wins as worthy of points in our Ridgeback parent club’s Owner Handler Program. We argued that when competing in the BOB ring, our chances of winning Breed or BOS were slim against Pro Handlers. Allowing us to use SD/SB wins for points kept us interested in the program, as we were then equally competitive with each other.

8. What are the benefits of competing with your breed(s) as an Owner Handler?

Cindy Pike: Being in the OH Group rings has introduced me to exceptional dogs/handlers/breeders who were often the Breed winners. These dogs were then headed to the Variety Group or had just competed there. Being on par with them was immensely satisfying and humbling. And we formed lasting friendships, as we offered handling tips in the ring to help each other win a placement. A beautiful sense of camaraderie—and that shared love of dogs.

9. How are you encouraging new exhibitors to participate in the sport?

Cindy Pike: As stated above, I am a co-chair for my breed club’s Owner Handler Program and take every opportunity to give ringside encouragement to any Owner Handler.

10. Are there any suggestions you’d like to pass along about the presentation of your breed(s).

Cindy Pike: Ridgebacks are loyal to a fault, so it is worth building a mutually loving and supportive team with these dogs. Praising them and supporting their independent thinking processes often adds to the winning that can be accomplished in any venue. And because they’re Ridgebacks, numerous treats get us points with them too!

11. What are your goals as an Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

Cindy Pike: I’d like to see more regional clubs in all breeds have Owner Handler Programs. It is a wonderful way to encourage club growth and participation. These programs need inclusivity for that to occur, awarding such things as dog walking/hiking, therapy dog, and any dog event that involves teamwork; not just Conformation where this all began.

I had four invitations to the NOHS National, and for various reasons, was never able to attend. My greatest regret. My boy was exceptionally worthy and I wanted him to hear the crowds clapping for him because of my everlasting pride in my heart dog, Trooper, MBISOH MRBISOH GCHB Shakaridge Highlander’s Paladin BN RN CGCA TKI, Gold Level NOHS Achievement.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as an Owner Handler?

Cindy Pike: My boy and I had gotten an NOHS Group 1 and were in the BIS ring. As usual, he showed his heart out. I was beyond proud but expected nothing, as many of the other winners were bound for the regular BIS. With judging completed, I watched as the judge awarded the NOHS RBIS to a smaller dog. My boy and I were first in line due to his size and the judge was at the far end of the line-up. I barely heard her announce the NOHS BIS winner. I was clapping for that dog, but it wasn’t until the judge stood before me that I realized she’d awarded BIS to the Ridgeback—my Ridgeback, Trooper. I was completely in shock and tearful with happiness. The crowd was clapping and congratulating this total stranger and her beautiful big brown dog. I also felt a bit of an idiot for having gone deaf at a most inopportune moment. As a wonderful follow-up to this win, Trooper and I repeated our NOHS BIS win exactly two weeks later at the same venue. So many folks congratulated us, saying they’d seen us win at the previous show. It was glorious.