BCOA 2015-‐2016 Nominated Conformation Judge Resumes

BCOA 2015-­‐2016 Nominated Conformation Judge Resumes
Eugene Blake
I started working with dogs in 1954 as a dog bather at a French poodle shop in Houston, Texas. I attended my first
dog show in 1955 and decided I wanted to show dogs. I became an All-­‐Breed licensed handler in 1968, showing
dogs professionally for some 33 years, then, I retired, and became a judge. I never bred more than 4 litters of any
of one breed. As a handler I helped many of my clients with their breeding programs, including choosing studs,
and picking puppies. I started judging in 1990, with the Hound Group. I have judged in North America, Europe,
and the Pacific Rim. I judge between 60 and 70 shows a year. Thank you for inviting me to judge your show.
Monica Canestrini
As a youngster in Wisconsin, I fell in love with dogs and dog shows. My first breed was Collies during high school. I
discovered Dachshunds during college and later had a successful 20-­‐year breeding program. Judging seemed a
natural progression from my other life as a schoolteacher, beginning with the Dachshund in 1989. Although I now
judge 3 groups, I’m ever the hound person and always delighted to judge Borzoi – such a gorgeous breed with
sweet temperament, flowing curves, strength combined with ‘unmistakable elegance.’ National assignments are a
huge honor. Thanks for including me in your consideration!
Robin Casey
I have owned, bred or handled, top award ASFA, multiple specialty ON Time Borzoi winners with the highest honor
in receiving BOB at the 2004 Centennial National Specialty. I have served in multiple positions with PVBC. I am
currently serving as BCOA co-­‐chair for the Disaster committee. I have been privileged to judge the 2011 BCOA
Futurity classes as well as specialties and TSEs. Over the years, this journey has given me memories dreams are
made of and, I am deeply honored to be considered by the membership to judge the BCOA National specialty.
Jean Clare
I first became interested in Borzois, my only breed, in 1965. My kennel was founded in 1971. I have bred 17 litters
and made up 10 UK champions, 7 of them homebred. I began judging here in 1973 and first awarded CCs in 1986. I
have now given CCs on 9 occasions, including our Borzoi Club and Crufts. I have also judged the breed in Russia
(twice), USA, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Finland and Slovenia. I would be most honoured to judge the BCOA
National Specialty.
Barbara Ewing
Borzoi have been my only breed for 34 years, producing the earners of more different titles than any other
breeder: show, obedience, rally, agility, lure coursing, racing and open field coursing. Four successive generations
of Kirov-­‐bred dams are in the BCOA ROM. I am a Life Member of BCOA and Borzoi Club of Delaware Valley (served
as President and other Board positions). Approved to judge Borzoi since 1998, I also judge lure coursing and open
field coursing; and participate in racing, obedience, lure and open field coursing as well as shows. I’m honored to
be a candidate to judge the national specialty.
Kalen M. Dumke
My involvement with Borzoi began in 1981. While attending a dog show as a spectator, I saw someone walking two
gorgeous Borzoi across the parking lot. I purchased my first dog shortly after that, sparking a passion for everything
Borzoi.Since then, under the Kennel prefix “Nonsuch,” I have bred, shown, trained and loved Borzoi. I have
traveled the world meeting Borzoi breeders and their dogs. I’ve attended innumerable specialty shows here and
abroad and have extensively video-­‐taped and studied the breed.
The record for “Nonsuch Borzoi” speaks for itself, with countless Specialty, Best-­‐In-­‐Sweeps winners, and many top
producers. If I would be chosen to judge the BCOA National Specialty it would be a great honor.

Karen A. Dumke
Borzoi have been my passion since I first saw one in 1981. My first Borzoi was purchased in 1982, and my first litter
( under the "Nonsuch" prefix ) was whelped in 1985. My goal in breeding was to produce Borzoi with gorgeous
type, movement and sweet temperaments, and also excellent substance and bone. My reason for becoming a
judge was to improve the quality of Borzoi judging and to demonstrate non-­‐ political judging. I feel very strongly
that the best quality dogs should win, not the person holding the leash! It would be a great honor to be chosen to
judge the National!
Anne Midgarden, DVM
I had seen Borzoi at shows, but I never knew the breed until 1981 when a friend at college bought a beautiful grinning
Borzoi. Unlike setters, where the show and field lines are barely the same breed-­‐ I liked being able to have a show dog
and sporting dog in the same animal. A practicing veterinarian since 1989, I have otherwise devoted my time and
money to preserving and promoting the athletic Borzoi. From 23 litters for, I have finished 55AKC show champions,
including 17 dual champions, 18 field champions, racing, and open field champions. I enjoy judging Borzoi and would be
deeply honored to judge our national specialty.
F. Gwen Post
My husband, Paul, and I acquired our first Borzoi in 1972 beginning a lifelong association with the breed. Mutzko
Borzoi produced multiple champions and group placers with limited showing and breeding. In 1974, I became
active in the Louisiana Kennel Club holding positions including AKC Delegate, Show Chairman, Secretary, Vice-­‐
President, and President. Joining BCOA in 1977, I have served on committees, as Regional Vice-­‐President,
Treasurer, Recording Secretary, President, and Regional Governor. I obtained my AKC Borzoi license in 1992,
judging several Borzoi specialties, including BCOA’s Sweepstakes (1991), National (1996) and supported entries in
other hound breeds.
Ronald Spritzer
Carol and I started in purebred dogs in 1968 with the purchuse of our first Borzoi. We bred and showed under the
kennel name Spritzkof. After many years with Borzoi our daughter bought our first Longhaired Dachshund which
we also bred and showed. We also owned and showed a Saluki, Grayhound and Whippet. I started judging in 1982
with one breed, Borzoi. I am now liscensed to judge the hound, sporting working groups and five nonsporting
breeds.
Rita S. Walker
Thank you for the honour, privilege and trust represented in this nomination. I am a Life Member of BCOA and the
Canadian Kennel Club and member of Borzoi Canada since 1981. I was the Borzoi Breedlines editor for ‘Dogs in
Canada’, and presented Borzoi seminars to Judges’ Study groups and mentored new judges. I have judged several
Borzoi specialties in Canada and the US and I have awarded Group First to Borzoi in both countries. Borzoi with my
prefix ~ Jantar ~ have been successful and awarded BIS, BISS, BIF, and HIT.

BCOA 2015-­‐2016 Nominated Sweepstakes Judges Resumes
Katie Averill
In 1969, I fell in love with Borzoi and bought first one, then her sister. Six years later, I married Bruce and together
our love affair with the breed continued. Over the years, we bred, owned, or finished over 84 Champions. Though
we concentrated primarily on conformation, our "kids" owned by others obtained therapy dog certificates,
obedience, lure coursing, and rally titles. One of the most impressive things about our breed is its ability to
participate in any activity. Happily, many of today's breeders do just that. I truly love Borzoi, especially the
puppies with all their stages. I would love to judge them at our National Specialty and would be honored if I were
chosen.
Ed Carlson
It doesn’t seem possible that I have been a BCOA member for over 25 years but I became a Life Member this year!
I am also a charter member of the Borzoi Club of New England. I began handling Borzoi for others in the 1970’s and
fell in love with the breed. I owned/co-­‐owned multiple Borzoi and bred/co-­‐bred a few litters under the Vidar
kennel name. I have retired from breeding and handling Borzoi however I enjoy keeping in touch with my many
friends in the dog world. I very much enjoyed judging a few sweepstakes over the years and am honored to have
been nominated to judge the sweeps at our National. Thank you for your consideration.
Rhanda Glenn
I have been involved with borzoi since 1978. I have owned dogs from several kennels In the US and Canada . I
began all-­‐breed professional handling in 1984. Because of that commitment I have not ventured into breeding,
although I did have one litter, with the help of Alice Reese, which produced a national specialty and top 5 bitch,
with several others finishing their championships . I have been fortunate enough to show BIS, BISS and number
one dogs for several different breeders in both US and Canada. This is a breed I dearly love .
Virginia Graff
Bucksilver borzoi started in 1977 with the purchase of a puppy who stole my heart and soul. I was a cowgirl, who
learned conformation, balance and soundness from the back of a horse, finishing my masters in science when Buck
introduced me to this amazing journey. A lifetime later our dogs have earned many champion, obedience and rally
titles. I have spent countless hours teaching handling and obedience and judging matches, 4-­‐H, sweepstakes and
rare breed shows. Borzoi are amazing, spectacular creatures and it would be an honor to judge the youngsters who
are key to our breed’s future.
Cindi Gredys
My borzoi adventure began in early 1990. It’s profoundly influenced my life and provided wonderful opportunities
for me and my family. All the travels, club and board positions, and friends make this passion all the more
memorable. Since my first litter in 2001, Jubilee borzoi have acquired numerous titles & accolades at
Westminster, the AKC National Championship, BCOA National and Regional Specialties. Including #1 AKC All-­‐Breed
owner handled and breeder of the #1 Dog & Borzoi in Japan. Breeding for form and function, many and multiple
performance titles have also been earned. I would love the opportunity to judge your puppies and veterans and
hope to see you in the ring!
Veni Harlan
My life with Borzoi began in 1984 when a black pup with rusty cheeks sparked an enduring fascination. Having
acquired dogs from several kennels, I currently live with 7 Borzoi, 3 of which are home-­‐bred. I exhibit primarily in
conformation and greatly enjoy coursing and therapy work. I’ve judged Borzoi sweeps and appreciate most
effortless movement, grace, strength, and symmetry. Professionally, I'm a designer, photographer, and co-­‐founder
of Marsh Dog. I’ve done dozens of club-­‐related jobs for BCOA and LSBC but am most proud of the award-­‐winning
“Ready Borzoi” site because readiness saves lives.It's a great honor to be considered.

Michelle Luckey-­‐Rowton
I was drawn to the beauty of the Borzoi in 1977. After 36 years I am still amazed by this strong, elegant, and
graceful breed. I take great pride in breeding and showing quality dogs and have been rewarded with much
recognition including multiple BIS winners in four different countries, as well as winning at Westminster, and our
Regional and National Specialties. I also am extremely proud of our performance winners on the field and in the
ring, and those dogs that are doing therapy work with elders and children. I would consider it a great privilege and
honor to be selected to judge the BCOA Sweepstakes.
Marilyn Polsfuss
I started in Borzoi in 1973 and have been hooked ever since. I bred my first litter in 1980 with a BCOA Best in
Sweeps from it. Over the years, I have produced a number of specialty & group winning and placing dogs along
with a number ROMs or ROMX’s and a top producer of 22 champions in six litters. My most exciting recent event
has been two Greyhaven brothers winning multiple Best in Shows. I love breeding Borzoi and most of all watching
others have success with dogs I bred. In judging dogs I love finding that very special youngster that holds great
promise for the future of the breed.
Jon Reimer
Nancy and I started Windrift Kennel in 1974. Since that time we have bred or owned over 65 conformation and
over 35 field champions along with many with temperament or obedience titles. Even though we seldom “special”
a dog, we have earned multiple group placements and an all breed Best in Show. As a result many of our dogs
have earned the ROM honor. We are life members of the Midwest Borzoi Club and the Borzoi Club of America,
and have earned the Service and Breeder award from MBC. I have enjoyed judging sweepstakes for several Borzoi
clubs. I appreciate the honor and would enjoy the opportunity to judge the sweepstakes for the BCOA Specialty.
Barbara Skinner
I have owned borzoi since 1977 and began breeding for conformation, obedience and companionship in the mid-­eighties
under the prefix Sky Run. Conformation, health, and functionality have been the North Star in my
breeding decisions. Sky Run has produced numerous Specialty winning champions with a small selective breeding
program. Sky Run borzoi were immersed in competition throughout the 1980’s through 2005. It is an honor to be
considered for judging the BCOA National Sweepstakes. I have judged Borzoi Regional Specialty Sweepstakes
across the US, in Sweden and was privileged to judge the 1999 National Sweeps in Denver.