By Kim J. Harmon

The Westminster Kennel Club Show is the most prestigious dog show in the world and earning recognition would be the highlight for any canine – not to mention, of course, the owners.

Winston, a Norwich terrier, owned by Nichola S. Conroy and Jeri Lynn McClure of Newtown, earned an Award of Merit at the 130th annual show at Madison Sqaure Garden in New York City, New York. Known formally as Ch. Foxglyn’s This One’s For You, the terrier caught the eye of judge Dr H. Scott Kellogg during the initial day of competition.

“It was the most amazing thing,” said Ms Conroy after the event. “This is his last show and what an amazing way to go out.”

Winston was handled by Lori Pelletier of Avalon Norfolks. Winston competed at Westminster last year and competed at the national championships in Tampa, Florida, just last month but wasn’t able to come away with any awards.

The 130th annual Westminster show would be his ultimate show and Ms Conroy said they had no expectations whatsoever.

“We were just glad to be here,” she said. “It was a real thrill.”

For his efforts, Winston – the offspring of Ch. Highwood’s Ratfaced MacDougal and Gaylord’s Saralee – was treated to a steak dinner on Monday night.

Here are many other highlights from the year that was …

uIn January, work was nearing completion on the Connecticut Army National Guard’s new kennel for military dogs at Fairfield Hills. The $2.5 million, 5,000-square-foot complex was expected to be completed in the spring.

uOlympian Lendon Gray was the featured speaker at the fourth annual Weekend Educational Program at Post University in Waterbury on February 4 and 5.

uRufus, a colored bull terrier captured Best in Show at the 130th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show while Winston, a Norwich terrier owned by Nichola S. Conroy and Jeri Lynn McClure of Newtown, earned an Award of Merit.

uThe fourth annual Dressage4Kids program at Post University was a big hit in February.

uThe Newtown Bridle Lands Association hosted its annual Country Dance in March and, as expected, it was a big success.

uDr Donna Harper was the featured presenter at an Infrared Thermography program at Post University in Waterbury in March.

uAnimals For Life (AFL) celebrated its 10th anniversary with its fourth annual Run For Rescue Go Dog Go road race at Lake Quassapaug Amusement Park in Middlebury.

uThe annual 4-H Benefit Show was held in May at the Cooperative Extension System grounds in Bethel.

uTroopers from the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard presented an honorary captaincy to Republican state representative DebraLee Hovey of the 112th District.

uThe Newtown Lions Club hosted a pancake breakfast at Newtown Methodist Church to benefit the Canine Advocates Building Fund.

uAfter three years on her own, the collie Blue was finally back in the care of loving hands and reportedly in very good health.

uThe rain stopped just long enough for Pegasus Therapeutic Riding to hold its 25th annual horse show on May 21 at Coker Farm in Bedford, New York.

uThe Newtown Bridle Lands Association and Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard held their annual Spring Into Summer Hunter Pace on July 8 at Fairfield Hills. Inclement – and potentially dangerous – weather forced the pace to be postponed from its original June date. Stephanie Schneiderman and Annette Sullivan captured the Pleasure Division, Debi and Jerry Grimaldi won the Western Division, Steph Spath and Nikki Ludwig won the Hunt Division, and Nicole DeAngelis and Arie Zanfardino captured the Junior Division.

uWorld famous trainer Dan Sumerel was one of the featured headliners at the new Connecticut Equine Trade Show in Somers July 15 and 16.

uThe Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard welcomed six new members to its ranks during graduation ceremonies in July. Stacie Walker, Terri Burke, Diane Michaels, Wendy Ann Cuccinello, Brad Hayes and Jane Belanger were sworn in July 9.

uThe heat and humidity didn’t slow own the riders at the Lion Hill Horse Show on July 9 and Danielle Boniche – in the Low Hunter Division – was one of those to capture a division championship.

uThe Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard had another successful time at its annual horse show on July 23. Nicole Ludwig had one of the best performances with one first- and two third-place finishes.

uBrenna Kelly, 8, of Newtown, riding Cheyenne, earned a first in horsemanship on August 5 at the Another Horse Farm show on August 5.

uAlex Barrere of Brushy Hill Farm in Southbury and Emily Bob of Spring Meadow Farm highlighted the Lion Hill Horse Show on August 6 by finishing tied for first in the Micro Equitation Division.

uPatty Wahlers, founder and president of H.O.R.S.E. of CT was the featured speaker at the September monthly meeting of the Newtown Bridle Lands Association.

uThe Equus Foundation of Westport presented a donation of $10,900 to Pegasus Therapeutic Riding.

uAvery Saulnier captured two first-place finishes at the September 10 Lion Hill Horse Show.

uRenowned trainer KC LaPierre, the founder of the International Institute of Equine Podiatry, was the featured speaker at a seminar on Equine Podiatry at Post University in Waterbury.

uCassondra Funk and Jessica Lynch (juniors), Carlie Manna and Susan Hall (pleasure), Alicia Giordano and Dana Polonski (hunt), and Michael Marcus and Michael Stern (western) were the division winners at the Newtown Bridle Lands Association’s 28th annual Frost on the Pumpkin Hunter Pace.

uChristina Kennedy and the Newtown Bridle Lands Association presented Virginia Jess and Canine Advocates with a $300 donation check for its building fund.

uH.O.R.S.E. of CT celebrated its 25th anniversary helping suffering horses.

uLion Hill Horse Farm in Monroe saw the end of its Schooling Show series and awarded its High Point Riders.

uThe Newtown Bridle Lands Association volunteered its time at the 11th annual Holiday Open House of H.O.R.S.E. of CT. Charlene Maring Sayegh of the NBLA presented Patty Wahlers, president and founder of H.O.R.S.E, with a $300 donation.