Judges 2026

Saturday AM Specialty

Sosanna Folz

Sosanna Folz is a second-generation Vizsla breeder who, alongside her mother and sister, breeds under the Szikra Vizslas kennel name. She grew up competing as a nationally ranked Junior Handler and has titled dogs in Conformation, Hunt Tests, Rally, and Trick Dog. As her family followed her father’s Air Force career, Sosanna has been an active member of the Vizsla community across both the Midwest and the East Coast.
One of her proudest accomplishments with Szikra Vizslas is producing three consecutive generations of Winners Dog at VCA National Events from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class. Professionally, Sosanna has built a career supporting operations within non-profit organizations. She is also an artist, seeking to capture in her work the beauty, loyalty, and spirit of our canine companions.

Saturday PM Specialty, 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy, Junior Showmanship

Denise Flaim

Denise Flaim started in Rhodesian Ridgebacks in 1998, breeding under the Revodana prefix. She has served the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States as its historian, health-and-genetics chair, chair of its AKC breed realignment committee and national-specialty chair. 
She is vice president of the Morris & Essex Kennel Club and a member of the Long Island Kennel Club.

Denise is a mentor and seminar presenter for Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and is internationally recognized in the breed, having judged both national-specialty and all-breed entries on three continents. She is also a parent-club-approved mentor for Azawakh and Boerboels. Her judging has taken her to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador and Canada. 

Professionally, Denise is an award-winning journalist. After two decades as an editor and columnist at the daily newspaper Newsday in Long Island, New York, she left the paper in 2008 to pursue a career publishing dog magazines, including Sighthound Review, Modern Molosser and The Ridgeback Register, which cemented her special interest in Sighthound and Molosser breeds. In 2014, she founded Revodana Publishing, which specializes in purebred dog books.

Sunday AM Specialty

Pamela Bruce

Pam is a fourth generation dog person, and was an all breed hander. 
She has had a very successful dog history with Afghans of Grandeur, and Accolade Airedale Terriers.
 
Pam is a retired SA investigator serving 31+  years with Toronto Police Service – an expert in SACA and DNA as well as Dangerous Offender applications. In her spare time she loves music, gardening, basketball and travelling. 

Pam loves Vizsla and always wanted to own the breed. She looks forward to judging at this Specialty! 

Sunday PM Specialty

Jack Gohde Jr.

Breeder of English Setters, English Cocker Spaniels and Irish Setters under the “Windem” kennel prefix since 1973. My dogs are house pets first and foremost.  Judging purebred dogs is an honor and a privilege as well as a passion.

I have judged large specialties for all of my approved breeds including the English Setter Association of America Futurity, Brandywine English Springer Spaniel Club, National Capital English Setter Club (day after 2010 National Specialty), English Setter Club of New England, Lower Susquehanna Irish Setter Club, Golden Triangle Irish Setter Club (twice), Eastern Irish Setter Club, Gordon Setter Club of America, English Setter Club of Canada National Specialty, and Vizsla Club of America.

Additionally, I have judged sweepstakes for Golden Retrievers, Weimeraners, Vizslas, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Flat Coated Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Clumber Spaniels, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

Other interests include: Teaching grooming and handling clinics/classes, Mentoring aspiring judges, Writing articles for dog publications, Coaching and playing tennis

Sweepstakes

Ruth Sinclair-Stephens

Ruth Sinclair-Stephens of Plainfield, CT, has been dedicated to the Vizsla breed since 1970, deeply involved in breeding, showing, hunting, and boarding these remarkable dogs. Averaging one carefully planned litter per year, she has contributed to the preservation and advancement of the breed with a focus on versatility, health, temperament and excellence.
A little-known but significant aspect of Ruth’s journey is her mentorship under the esteemed Marion Coffman, author of The Versatile Vizsla. Her breeding program has produced many outstanding Vizslas, including the famous Roopa, who flourished under the care and devotion of Ritu Mihir and Daniel Zilka.
Ruth is a member of the Vizsla Club of America (VCA), the Vizsla Club of Central New England (VCCNE), and a founding member of the Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club (CVVC). She continues to honor the breed by mentoring new Vizsla owners as well as a select few dedicated individuals who aspire to become reputable breeders.
With a lifetime of experience and a profound commitment to the breed, Ruth takes great pride in her work and continues to share her expertise with the dog community. Ruth is a Gold-level AKC Breeder of Merit.

Wicked Best

Amanda Shea

Amanda Shea is a Professional Handler who has dedicated her life to the sport of purebred dogs. Exhibiting and conditioning dogs across multiple breeds, she has developed a deep appreciation for breed type, sound structure, and the unique purpose behind each standard. Her experience presenting top-quality dogs has given her a trained eye and genuine respect for excellence.

Beyond the ribbons, Amanda values sportsmanship, thoughtful breeding, and the partnerships between dogs and their handlers. She believes the best dogs are those that not only exemplify their standard but also carry themselves with confidence, balance, and heart.
Amanda is truly honored and excited to judge the Best of the Best and looks forward to evaluating an exceptional lineup of dogs that represent the dedication and passion of their exhibitors and breeders.