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Heidi _ I am Terribly sad that you found the whole experience like living through torture. I could say a lot of things about dog conformation shows and the differences between breed specific handlers and owners. Corgis are one of the breeds where the majority of owners/handlers who are into showing their dogs, are small minded people.
Believe me, there is a huge difference between conformation showing as a sport and a means of socialising and being involved with other sports like agility, tracking, trialling, herding. I am glad that I am not currently showing and am embracing agility. My Pem, Taylor just loves agility and all the socialising and mixing that occurs. Showing is cut-throat and egotistical. There are always exceptions among the handlers, owners and breeders but your experiences are typical of what the situation is like in NZ. Perhaps you have an outcross pup and you won because the judge was one of those who doesn't look to see if they know the handler in the ring. Whatever, it is easy to rattle the shallowness that exists.
Dress up, become part of the 'system, and share the enjoyment of success with yourself and your family members or branch out and try other more outwardly and inwardly rewarding pursuits with your Corgi. Conformation showing is important for breed standards to be maintained, but it can easily be distasteful.
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