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Sydney Lee in the Winner's Circle For 9 year old Sydney Lee, winning is for the team. What's most important to her is how good her win made everyone feel. At the May 20th Palisades Kennel Club AKC Match in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, despite her age, Sydney came away a clear winner capturing "Best of Breed", "Hound Group I" and the prized "Best Adult in Match Show". Determination sets Sydney apart from the others and it was apparent in her win. After the event, AKC judge Linda Berberich, said to her "You wouldn't give up. You were determined." Sydney is all about compassion and inclusion when she discusses her shows. She always friendly and talks to everyone around her not just her family, but friends, schoolmates, fellow competitors and in Lyndhurst a little girl who approached her after the show.

Sydney with best buddies Pomo and Elly Rose Jayson. Elly: "Sydney is an inspiration to me. She makes me want to try harder at things ... to keep trying, always trying."

Sydney Lee: She came over to me and bowed. Then she said, "Your majesty GOOD JOB." WOOF Patrol: It means a lot to you. Sydney Lee: It means a lot to all of us. On May 20th Sydney's day began very early. With her Grandma Carol Pompeo who is also her trainer and biggest supporter, her Mom Annemary, Jenna and Emily her sisters, Joe, a family friend and Kala, the Rhodesian Ridgeback co-owned by her and Carol Pompeo, they set out in 2 cars for a 6 hour day.

Sydney: Getting ready that day I was nervous. It was a long ride. Kala started to look like he was going to get sick. When we pulled up to the field there was only one ring. Usually there are four or five. That meant we would have to wait really long to show. W.P.: What's going through your mind while you wait? Sydney: I think about practicing in handling classes and doing what I am supposed to do. I have to stay confident because if I'm not confident Kala's not confident. Then it ruins the whole thing. We have to stay happy and always think about our practice. Before we go into the ring we practice our running. Then I put on the lead and he knows what to do. When I first decided that I wanted to show Kala, I didn't know anything about handling. Grandma taught me and taught and taught me. After awhile I got it. When Grandma began working with me she would have me set Kala's legs up; she'd take a look at the position and then take a snapshot. Now she shows me those photographs and I can see the differences and the improvements.

Sydney was profiled earlier this year by WOOF Patrol in our Purebred Passion section. Her skills and talents combined with her determination and poised confidence captured our attention. We suspected there would be a follow-up story but not one just three months later. Best in Show is a prestigious award that eluded Grandma, a former champion Rhodesian Ridgeback handler, but now fittingly has been bestowed on her Granddaughter. Carol's background in the sport combines experience with passion. Entering the ring with confidence is the primary lesson she provides Sydney. In 1982 as owner/handler, Pompeo showed Ebu, a prized Rhodesian Ridgeback, at The Westminster Kennel Club and won Best of Breed. The competition was intense and the pressure insurmountable as they took to the ring. Both owner and dog had a rhythm and presence about them that would not go unnoticed. What continues to matter most to Grandma is Sydney having fun. Kala was not purchased to show but was intended to be a family pet. Though he has championship bloodlines, both Carol and her husband Pat simply loved having a Rhodesian Ridgeback in the house. It was Sydney that asked them about handling and training Kala. She was young, persistent and knew she had the right teacher with Grandma. Right away the little girl and the big dog clicked. It has turned into a special and unique bond. Kala looks forward to Sydney coming over every night and senses when she's a block away. In the ring the two match skills. Sydney knows that judges need to be able to see the confirmation as well as the dog's personality. Kala complies out of a love for his handler and the pleasure of the sport. He lifts his head with pride and moves with purpose.

Carol Pompeo: The day of the Palisades Kennel Club show, Jenna, turned to me and said, "I feel it. Sydney's going to win." "This is a tough match, I don't know. It's going to be difficult," was what I both said and felt. They don't give away Best in Show, it's earned and deserved. She was competing with adults that had experience. Earlier Sydney had won "Best of Breed" and "Hound Group I". It was already a big day. Watching her I could see her getting nervous. I walked over and told her to jump up and down just to release the jitters. She was already focused and prepared. Walking away and turning back, I saw her stamp her feet a bit. She seemed determined and set to go. Everything that a person could do in the situation, she did. The judge went over to Sydney and Kala to check the dog's confirmation, physical structure and other things like his teeth. Sydney: He didn't show his teeth. Carol: In our training, she knew if Kala didn't stand for the entire judging period or show his teeth, that was it. It was over. Sydney: Kala was cringing away because he didn't know the judge. Usually at competitions the owner shows the teeth, but since it was a match, it was being done this way. So I talked to him and kept trying to get him to understand to show his teeth. I knew if he didn't show his teeth we were out. Finally he did it for me. Three dogs had gone prior to us and seven followed. It was very, very scary. Even after the judge looks at you and your dog you have to remain alert and ready. I remember staying in there with Kala. Then the judge began walking towards the table with the scores and she looked back at me. Just like in practice we were both in position as dog and handler. She was checking.

Kala's Arfstrology sign: Aries / Kala's Registered Name: Adili's Kala Sabu Born: April 15, 2006 Favorite Diversion: Loves playing with balls and being tucked into bed by Mommy. Above photograph is Sydney setting Kala into stacking position.

At 14 months of age Kala is still a puppy. He's 100% show dog - a perfect balance of a good disposition, a hound temperament and equaling amounts of star quality. When being introduced to anyone, Kala levels the relationship with an all knowing - "I'm a Rhodesian Ridgeback. You understand?"

Dog-Speak Translation: Think Sopranos and then realize Rhodesian Ridgebacks by their own nature and instinct are powerful. They are strongly connected and loyal to their families. Take a minute to let them check you out. They will make an assessment and decide if you are acceptable to their pack.

Kala dotes on Sydney. When she's around him, he keeps his gaze and attention focused on her. It's a look that goes beyond being a protector. This is his friend. Most of their time together is playful - tossing the ball or stick in the backyard. Hugging and kissing. She carried him like a doll around the house up until his weight reached 50 pounds. However, when they work in the front yard, although their relationship remains loving, it is better understood as handler and show dog taking to their sport. Sydney takes the joy of playtime and shifts into a determined goal she has set for herself.

Sydney: "I want to show at The Westminster Kennel Club." W.P.: We congratulate Sydney and Kala on their trio win in the Palisades Kennel Club Match. It is also our honor to bestow to Sydney Lee the first ever WOOF Patrol Achievement Award for Determination.

Winners win because it always about more than just ribbons. It's about triumph over obstacles and challenges. It's about passion

When Sydney first started taking handling classes with a group, a concern from one individual was "this was too much dog for her." Kala is a powerful Rhodesian Ridgeback weighing in at 82 pounds. At times he has pulled Sydney and shown his young age by losing attention in the ring. That didn't intimidate Sydney then or now. One time Kala dragged her during a handling class. It was something that understandably could prompt anyone to want to give up. She didn't. This was when Grandma saw something come over her Granddaughter. "She became determined and undeterred from reaching the goals she had set for herself."

Like Sydney, Kala has magic and panache. He loves to be in the ring. Linda Berberich, the AKC licensed judge at the Palisades Kennel Club show that day told us: "They were eye-catching and a nice package. What you're looking for is for them to be working together: the dog is not a robot. Most of all Sydney would not give up. They were a team. Kala was difficult with showing his teeth - that's a hound. But she hung in there and was right there to reward him when he did what was asked of him. "Good Boy," she said. I like that she recognized her dog. It's a nice dog. Every time I turned around she had that dog ready.

Sydney: He has a great time. Kala doesn't like a tight lead. Loose. And, when the lead goes on there's no playing, no barking, just work. In the ring I never call him by his name. I make a special noise so he knows to respond. The other dogs tend to get yanked or pulled, not Kala. He likes it his way. He's happy, proud and keeps his head up and tail wagging. W.P.: Any advice you'd like to offer? Sydney: Just keep trying your best and even if you get it wrong a million times keep trying because you'll eventually get it. If you keep working and you still don't get it - well maybe it isn't the right thing. But then still keep trying because maybe it will be your thing.

W.P.: Linda do you have any advice for Sydney in her handling career? Linda Berberich: Remember you will have good days and bad days. Some days you will be invincible and other days invisible. Always have your dog ready. Pay attention. And, reward you dog when they do a good job.