Judges for Wicked Spring 2025
Kathy Madden
Paul Hussa
Stephen Cabral
Stevie Duffek
Ms. Berna Hart Welch
Diane Fazio
Sarah Crepeau
Ruth Sinclair-Stephens
Saturday AM Specialty + 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy
Kathy Madden
I have bred Belgian Tervuren since 1996, under the kennel name “Montage.” With my own dogs I enjoy conformation, herding, obedience, agility, plus I am a tracking addict. At one point, while living in California, I had a herding facility with 30 sheep and I worked with many different breeds. This is how I first became interested in form and function. In 2010, after moving home to NYC, I became an AKC conformation judge. I now judge the whole Herding Group, Best in Show, Miscellaneous, and 12 Sporting breeds, hopefully with the rest of the group to follow.
As a judge, I am committed to beauty, form and function in one package. It’s not enough to be beautiful. It’s not enough to be functional. I sincerely hope my judging choices reflect this philosophy. It makes me sad when a breed has a “working type” versus a “show type.” This is, of course, not the case with the beautiful and functional, multi-talented Vizsla, and may that always be so! Not everyone can go out and earn titles, but the value a club puts on titles on both ends, and on working activities, reflects what we feel is important to preserve in the breed. I love that the Vizsla is naturally functional and athletic, going far back into the past as treasured hunting companions and versatile do-it-all dogs. This is a most wonderful breed and I am very honored to be judging them at your specialty.
Saturday PM Specialty
Paul Hussa
I live in Golden Valley MN with a gang of English Cockers and Vizslas. I have had dogs all my life and got the dog show bug when I trained my Golden Retriever for 4-H. My original breed is English Cocker Spaniels, and I purchased my first cocker in 1982. I purchased my first Vizsla in 1983 from Betty Rozanek “Rebel Rouser’. Through Betty I met Kathy Rust ‘Kizmar’ and since 1998 I have co-owned and co-bred my dogs with Kathy.
Dogs have been an integral part of my life and the friends I have met through dogs are my most cherished friendships.
I belong to the Twin Cities Vizsla Club and Vizsla Club of America and am Treasurer of both organizations. I have been on the Board of the English Cocker Club of America and am on the board of our local club the Minneapolis Kennel Club and the North Star Horticultural Society. Outside dogs I am a gardener and volunteer as a Master Gardener with the University of Minnesota.
Sunday AM Specialty
Stephen Cabral
Stephen M. Cabral’s journey in the dog show world began at the young age of 13 as a cherished family tradition. The Cabral family bred and exhibited Dalmatians for 27 years, igniting a lifelong passion for purebred dogs. Driven to master the art and science of dog handling, Stephen spent 11 years apprenticing under esteemed professional handlers, gaining in-depth expertise in canine structure, movement, grooming, and presentation.
Launching his own professional handling career, Stephen quickly established himself as a force in the ring. Over the past 35 years, he has had the distinction of campaigning a “Top 20” dog in at least one group annually, handling numerous #1 ranked dogs, and achieving multiple Best in Show wins. I have had the pleasure of showing Viszla’s for the past 25 years. I still bred and own “Magic the Vizsla”, at 10 ½ years. Together we earned GCH, CDX, Agility titles and Rally Excellent Title. He is my personal Velcro dog.
In 1992, Stephen was licensed to judge All-Breed Junior Showmanship, along with AKC Trick Dog, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), and Foundation Stock Service (FSS) breeds. After a successful handling career, he retired in 2023 and took the next step in his journey, applying for his first 10 provisional breeds.
Beyond judging, Stephen remains deeply involved in the sport. He serves as Show Chair for two clubs, actively competes in Obedience, Rally, Agility, and leads as President of the San Gabriel Valley Kennel Club.
Outside the dog world, Stephen’s professional background is as diverse as his passions. He holds a B.S. in Healthcare Administration from the University of La Verne and was among the first MRI technologists in the state of California. His leadership experience includes serving as CEO for major medical groups and publicly traded companies. Currently, he applies his strategic expertise as Branch Manager for Empire Home Loans, Inc., specializing in Mortgage and Commercial and Reverse Mortgage lending.
Adding a touch of wonder to his dynamic life, Stephen is also an avid magician and a proud member of Hollywood’s legendary Magic Castle.
Sunday PM Specialty
Stevie Duffek
Stevie Duffek titled her first dog, a Vizsla, at age 11 in AKC Obedience and alongside her father, bred her first litter in 2006 using the Dzika Place (DP) prefix. Breeding selectively, Mrs. Duffek has produced more than 50 titled dogs, including a: Vizsla Club of America National Gun Dog Championship Winner, VCA National Specialty Best Bred By Exhibit, (American Brittany Club) Central Futurity Dual Dog Winner, Westminster Best of Opposite, Multiple Specialty Winners, #1 Owner Handled Vizsla (2021) and Grand Champion titles, as well as therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs. She has also bred, trained, & handled one of her Vizslas in 10 different sports, obtaining 96 AKC titles on that sole dog.
Mrs. Duffek is an AKC Breeder of Merit and, being no stranger to the field, is very supportive of events which promote the dual dog and the versatile hunting dog. She volunteers as Breeder Referral Chair for the Central Wisconsin Vizsla Club and supports responsible & reputable breeding programs.
Her professional life has been dedicated to running her own canine training & boarding business, working with: puppies, reactive dogs, shy dogs, Service Dogs for children with autism, and teaching Canine Behavior as an Associate Professor at a local University. She shares her home in Eagle, WI with her husband, 4 Vizslas, 3 Brittanys, & 1 Australian Shepherd. When not enjoying the wonderful world of dogs, Stevie enjoys being outdoors, dancing, & music.
Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes
Ms. Berna Hart Welch
I am a 40+ year breeder of Golden Retrievers, producing many Champions including a breeder owner handled Best of Breed at the GRCA National and two Westminster KC BOB winners. I licensed to judge Golden & Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. I’m currently the AKC Delegate for Putnam Kennel Club.
As a Sporting Dog enthusiast, I love the great versatility of the Vizsla, their zest for life and readiness for anything! I was honored to judge the Best of the Best Competition in 2023 and thrilled to be judging Sweepstakes at this year’s event.
Gundog Sweepstakes
Diane Fazio
I got my first Vizsla in 1995, but had been going to dog shows with my Grandma since the 80’s. I had only wanted a show dog, as I knew nothing of field competitions. I was a hunter with my dad but never with pointing dogs. Luckily my breeder (Laura Bauman, Red Oak vizslas) was a great mentor and sucked me in to all the fun field events. Now all these years later I am a Hunt test judge, field trial judge, gunner, chair and secretary.
I have had Vizslas since 1995 and added German Shorthairs since I met my husband in 1998. I/we have finished many show championships on my dogs as well as Master Hunters, AFCs and a Grand Champion Dual Champion Master Hunter.
Having many incredible mentors was very helpful instilling the importance of the Dual dog and how important form and function is to all performance breeds.
I am honored to be invited to judge your gun dog sweepstakes and am looking forward to the opportunity to see dogs from other regions.
Junior Showmanship
Sarah Crepeau
I was raised in the sport of purebred dogs by my parents, who bred Old English Sheepdogs for 35 years. I showed in Junior Showmanship through my whole childhood with great success. I also apprenticed under several top handlers, learning proper care and conditioning of a dog. Once I turned eighteen I was excited to gain my judging license and have enjoyed judging Juniors since.
I now enjoy being a professional handler as well as a Junior’s judge. I also enjoy breeding Vizslas and have had several honorable wins in my breeding program at Southwick Kennels. I now look forward to my children showing in juniors once they are of age, but enjoy teaching them proper care and love of a dog, which is of utmost importance.
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.