Junior Handlers from across Canada will be competing for the title of Best Overall Junior of 2017 in their discipline, Conformation or Obedience, at the CKC Junior Handling National Championships hosted bythe Battle River Canine Association in Camrose, Alberta on October 27
th, 2018.
The event starts at 11 a.m. with Obedience followed by Conformation. The Obedience champion wins a $1,000 bursary. The Conformation champion wins a $2500 bursary to attend Crufts’ International Junior Handling Competition. Back in 2014, CKC National Champion Colton O’Shea won this competition and it was an enormous thrill to see Canada do so well on an international level.
Please meet the talented and dedicated Junior Handling Zone Finalists competing in this year’s Nationals:
Conformation:
Representing Zone 1A, Newfoundland:
Jessica Piercey
Jessica Piercey is 19 years old and currently attending College of the North Atlantic studying Personal Care Attendant with her goal being to become a nurse. She was only 4 years old when she began showing as a Pee Wee and has carried the love for the sport with her ever since. Jessica lives at home with her Mom, Dad and Brother and their seven Siberian Huskies and one Shiz Tzu.
“I am so excited to be attending Nationals again this year but sad as well because this will be the very last time I get to show in the Juniors ring!”
Representing Zone 1B, Nova Scotia:
Emily MacKay
Emily MacKay is 15 years old and attends Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Emily got her first family dog in 2014, an Australian Shepherd named Shyrah from Angela Slauenwhite and Collin Veinot of Novacoast Australian Shepherds.
“When Shyrah joined our family, I discovered how rewarding training a dog can be. In 2016 I was at a local dog show where I discovered Junior Handling. After some help with the basics, I gave it a try and fell in love with the sport. For the first few shows, I borrowed dogs from other owners, exposing myself to various dog breeds. I learned show skills from professional handlers and with helpful tools such as the Leading Edge Dog Show Academy. After developing experience in the ring and having success in Junior Handling competitions, my family decided to acquire a second Aussie, a male named Chase, for me to train and show. In his very first competition, he won Best Baby Puppy in Group.”
Representing Zone 2, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island:
Madeline Jones
Madeline Jones is 15 years old and lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick with her parents, sister along with their two Great Danes, a Yorkshire Terrier and a Leopard Gecko.
“I started showing dogs in April of 2017. This may seem like a short time to some, but my passion is so strong for this sport that I feel I’ve been doing it my whole life. Winning my first Best Overall was an incredible feeling! Also meeting, being supported and mentored by many other very talented dog handlers has helped me grow into the Junior Handler that I am today.”
Representing Zone 3, Quebec:
Melodie-Ann Guerit
“Everything started when I was 9. My mom bought her first Miniature Poodle and went to handling classes. I followed her in Conformation shows where I totally fell in love with the sport. In 2009, I made my first appearance in a ring with my dog. Since then, I can say that I have made a lot of progress and learned a lot of things from conditioning the coat to better handling skills. Now that I am 18, I work with a professional handler almost every weekend and I couldn’t be more in love with my job.”
Representing Zone 4A, Ontario North (East):
Isaac Clark
Isaac Clark is a grade 8 student from Oro-Medonte, Ontario. Isaac credit his mom, a breeder, and his dad, a farmer, for always emphasizing having a good respectful relationship with animals and to be involved in daily care of animals on their farm.
“Technically speaking, my very first dog show was when I was only 5 days old! However, my first attempt at showing dogs myself was in the Pee Wee class, June 2012, with a veteran Golden Retriever named, Legacy. Since then, I’ve kept showing dogs whenever I could, steadily becoming a better handler. I am always learning and make it a goal of trying to learn at least one new way to improve my skills with each competition.”
Representing Zone 4B, Ontario North (West):
Faith Cordeiro
Faith Cordeiro is a 17 year old student, attending Lakehead University for Biology with a Major Concentration in Animal Sciences, in her hometown Thunder Bay. Faith’s grandmother, Trish McGonigal, was the one who introduced her to sport at the age of 10.
“Showing dogs has taught me so many important life lessons. First, be who you want to be and not who those around you try so desperately to mold you into. Second, it’s better to be early than to miss your call. Third, the bond between dog and human can be strong enough to make any grey day bright again. Fourth, don’t think that you know everything, because there is ALWAYS room to learn and improve. Fifth, always test show shoes out by running or else they’ll be flying off and out of the ring approximately half way through a go-around.”
Representing Zone 5, Ontario East:
Mia Gandera
Mia Gandera is 10 years old and from Orono, Ontario. She owns a Miniature Dachshund named Molly. Mia began taking Conformation classes about a year ago to learn more about dogs and how to train Molly to become a good companion. She enjoyed the training and thought she would like try Junior Handling. Mia enjoys the excitement of competing and learning something new.
“Good sportsmanship is important and Junior Handling has taught me a lot about this. Showing Molly to her Canadian Championship was very exciting, too. I look forward to becoming a good handler and having the opportunity to work with other breeds of dogs. Maybe someday becoming a professional handler or even a judge!”
Representing Zone 6, Ontario West:
Abbegayle Mahn
11 year-old Abbegayle Mahn lives in Kitchener, Ontario with her mom, dad, brother, two Flat-coated Retrievers, one Schipperke, one cat and a bunny.
“My first attempt at showing dogs myself was in the Pee Wee class, with my grandparents’ Schipperke, Button. Since then, I’ve kept showing dogs whenever I could, steadily becoming a better handler. I am always learning and make it a goal of trying to learn at least one new way to improve my skills with each competition.”
Representing Zone 7, Ontario Central:
Caroline Holicka
Caroline Holicka is 17 years old, and breeds and shows Boxers with her mother.
“I started showing when I was 7 years old, and from those first jittery moments in the ring up until today, I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by amazing mentors who have helped me become a better handler, and a better person as well. My entire experience as a Junior Handler has been great, and in the last 10 years, I’ve learned many things. It took me a long time, however, to get the whole point of Juniors, and that is not just to show. It is about learning to appreciate every dog for its unique characteristics, and to present it with grace and pride.”
Representing Zone 8, Manitoba:
Lilly Raposo
Lilly Raposo is 12 years old and attends Charleswood Junior High in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“I been involved in Junior Handling since 2015 and have enjoyed being able to show and learn about so many different breeds at the shows, as well as making new friends. I have had the opportunity to go to work with my mom at Classy Clips Dog Grooming Salon throughout the summer where I have been able to expand my knowledge of dog breeds, grooming and Conformation with help from Beth Chopey and Sandra Orford.”
Representing Zone 9, Saskatchewan:
Haylie Bro
Haylie Bro is from Regina, Saskatchewan. She owns, breeds, shows and Obedience trials Boston Terriers.
“I have been attending dog shows since I was 5 years old, showing multiple dogs from each group. I love this sport.This is my second year representing Saskatchewan at the Canadian Nationals and hope to make my Zone proud this year in Camrose.”
Representing Zone 10, Alberta, NWT and Nunavut:
Allysha Knapton
“I have shown in Junior Handling since the age of 4. Now, at 19 years old, 2017 Provincial Finals was my last year to compete or show in Juniors! Winning provincials has always been a huge dream to me, as I have always worked so hard in Juniors to better my handling! Having the opportunity to represent Alberta at Nationals is such a dream come true!”
Representing Zone 11, British Columbia South West:
Amanda Nielson
Amanda Nielsen of Vancouver Island, BC, began showing dogs at the age of 11. Her grandmother breeds Scottish Terriers and introduced her to the sport she has come to love. Since then, Amanda has had the amazing opportunity to travel with handlers and learn all about dog shows. Upon graduation in 2017, Amanda has dedicated her time and love to handling and championing her dogs, always learning more in the processThis past year was her very last time competing at Junior Zone Finals and this will be her very first time coming to Nationals!
Representing Zone 12, British Columbia Interior and Yukon:
Kayla Penney
Kayla Penney of Chilliwack, BC started showing her grandpa's Golden Retriever at the age of 10 and it didn't take long for her to love the sport. For the first couple years, she travelled to shows with her grandparents and soon wanted her own dog to show. Kayla decided on a Portuguese Water Dog, and named him Kash. She recently Grand Championed him, and started Rally Obedience classes to try something new.
Kayla enjoys learning about all the breeds that she shows, by reading her CKC Breed Standards book and books on anatomy. This past year she has been given the opportunity to be an assistant to professional handlers and is learning so much more about the sport!
Obedience:
Representing Zone 1B, Nova Scotia:
Chloe Cook
Chloe Cook is a 17-year old grade 12 student from Halifax. Chloe is a three-time Zone 1B Junior Obedience Champion who got involved in dog sports at 5 by showing Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers and Australian Terriers in Conformation. This year she is showing a Labrador Retriever from Alberta as her regular Obedience companion, Toby has retired.
Representing Zone 2, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island:
Thomas Adams
Thomas Adams is 16 years old and is in Grade 12 at Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton, NB. Thomas has been showing dogs since he was a Pee Wee and has been competing in Obedience for a few years now with his Belgian Shepherd,Chaos, and more recently with a Golden Retriever named Race. Besides showing dogs, Thomas plays football competitively as a wide receiver and a line backer.
Representing Zone 4A, Ontario North (East):
Sarah-Lynn Lockwood
Sarah-Lynn Lockwood is 16 years old and attends I.E. Weldon high school in Lindsay, Ontario. Sarah-Lynn has been showing dogs for three years.
“During these three years, I have learned new tricks for when training and I’ve met some pretty amazing people. They have helped me improve my Obedience so I would like to thank those people for their support. When I got invited to the Zone Finals for my obedience, I got a perfect score of 200. I worked every day very hard to get where I am now and if it wasn’t for my family and many other supporters, I would not have gotten this far.”
Representing Zone 10, Alberta, NWT and Nunavut:
Allison Goosney
Allison Goosney attends grade 8 at St. Timothy School in Cochrane, AB.
“I’ve been going to dog shows for my whole life and I started showing as soon as I turned 4. I was first interested in dog shows because my mom and older sister had a lot of fun doing them. The best part of Junior Handling for me over the past year and a half has been doing Obedience. I have done all of my Junior Obedience Trials with borrowed dogs, which sometimes turns out really well, but sometimes turns out to be a disaster! I do love the sport and I hope to be able to own and train my own obedience dog in the near future.”
Representing Zone 11, British Columbia South West:
Christine Collins
Christine Collins of Langley, British Columbia attended a local Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers Club dog show in 2010 and inquired about getting involved. She eagerly jumped at the opportunity to join the Junior Kennel Club with her Boxer, Candy. After gaining some basic skills, Christine began competing and really enjoying it! The Junior program has enabled her to gain confidence and learn excellent handling skills under the expert instruction of Maureen Murray.
After high school, Christine plans to continue her education at Douglas College in the Veterinary Technology Program.
Representing Zone 12, British Columbia Interior and Yukon:
Cheyenne Scott-Bullerwell
Representing Zone 12 is Cheyenne Scott-Bullerwell.
“The breed of dog I use in Obedience is a black Standard Poodle named Renegade. He is four years old. In the future I hope to become a massage therapist and chiropractor for dogs. I am very thankful for this opportunity to be in this year's Junior Obedience Nationals!”
Following the Conformation competition, the Canadian Kennel Club will have a big announcement for all competitors. The Canadian Kennel Club will also be recording the event and will have it available for members to watch coast to coast.
The Canadian Kennel Club and all its members would like to wish the best of luck to all of the Junior Handling Zone Finalists – you are all already champions!