Gundog Sweepstakes

Donna Roy

I started hunting with my dad when I was 13 Yrs. old. We always had a beagle and somehow my dad trained her to hunt upland birds, mostly Pheasants. Growing up we didn’t have hunt tests, but I knew I loved bird hunting.

I purchased my first German Shorthaired Pointer in 1972, from Carol and Lee Morse of Morse’s GSP’s. From there Carol and I became very good friends and she started me in showing dogs. I have continued showing, breeding and hunting ever since.

I joined the Nutmeg German Shorthaired Pointer Club in1992 and became a very active member with the club and am currently the Secretary for the club. Soon, I became very interested in judging Hunt Tests and went to one of the first Hunt test seminars offered, and was approved to judge in Feb 2002. I judged my first Hunt test 2 months later and have continued to judge hunt tests.

Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes, Junior Showmanship

Rachel Romano Kelly

Dr. Rachel Romano Kelly has been involved in purebred dogs for close to 50 years.  She began showing dogs at age 7 and became a Junior Handler. 
Rachel breeds Vizslas under the kennel name Willorunn, started with her mother Dot Romano and later added her daughter Ania Kelly.  The Willorunn breeding program has produced VCA National Specialty BOB, BOS and BOW winners, a Westminster BOB winner, and a multitude of versatile dogs titled in the field, agility, obedience and rally – always owner-handled.

She served on the VCA BOD for six years. Rachel is licensed to judge Junior Showmanship and judges sweepstakes for various breeds.  In addition to her life in dogs, Rachel enjoys her career as a Physical Therapist and holds a Maryland Real Estate license.

Specialty Judge

Becky Smith

“We don’t need another dog!”  Those famous last words were said back in late 1990 when Mark wanted to add a Vizsla to our American cocker spaniel (obedience dog) and American water spaniel (hunting dog) household.  But in January of 1991, we added our first Vizsla, Rosie, and that’s when the addiction began. I took Rosie to an obedience class and more than one person said, “You should be showing that dog in conformation.”  I entered my first show in Milwaukee, WI, with one lesson, two nights before the show.  Needless to say, I got 3rd place out of 3.  The next day Rosie won her first point, however, and I was hooked.   Since then, I have put championships and/or grand championships on several Vizslas, a German Wirehaired Pointer, and a French Bulldog.  I’ve participated in conformation, obedience, agility, hunt tests, field trials, and most recently, barn hunt with our dogs.

My husband, Mark, was the primary handler for hunt tests and field trials, but I have titled a few dogs in hunts tests and handled dogs in field trials a few times (as a walking handler) when he was not available. We had our first litter of Vizslas under the kennel name of ReMark in 2002.  Our last litter was in 2018.  Each litter was bred with an eye toward producing a Vizsla that conformed to the standard, would be a great companion and could perform as a hunting partner. 

I’m very honored to be judging your specialty.  Thank you to the VCCNE for asking me and thank you to all who entered.

Specialty Judge

Claire Wisch Abraham

I have been involved in Sporting Dogs for over 30 years. Much of my success as a Breeder and Owner has come from Pointing breeds. I have bred multiple generations of All Breed Best in Show and multiple National Specialty winning German Wirehaired Pointers culminating with a Top Dog of All Breeds in 2012. My dogs have earned JH, SH, MH as well as NAVHDA NA & UT Titles. Most recently my Italian roots lead me to the Spinone Italiano. I own the Top Winning Spinoni Italiani in AKC History. She finished 2022 as the #3 Sporting Dog and winning the Sporting Group at the AKC National Championship in Orlando.

As a breeder, I place a high value in my breeding program on animals that are Dual Purpose & Versatile. I am passionate that we must take our “keepers” higher than Junior and NAVHDA NA. Higher levels of training provide us with a window into not only trainability but mental stability. We cannot trade form for function. We must nurture both in our breeds.

As an AKC judge I have been honored to judge the German Wirehaired Pointer and Lagotto Romagnolo National Specialties, as well as the Chinese Crested Club Top 20. I have also judged specialties in many Sporting breeds.

I live on a farm in Lovettsville, Virginia with three Spinoni Italiani, a Pointer & three Chinese Cresteds.

Specialty Judge

François Bernier

Under the Bajnok prefix, François Bernier bred and exhibited German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas and Pointers since 1993, and produced many champions and Top Dogs, including the 2000 Vizsla Canada National Specialty winner MBISS, NBISS Am CH/Can Gr. CH Bajnok Dances with Falcons FD CGN, JH ROM (Toldi) as well as the GSP Canadian National Specialty winners in 2006 and 2015. In addition to conformation, François has participated in obedience and field events with his dogs, both in Canada and the United States. He has been judging since 2008 and prior to being granted Emeritus status with the Canadian Kennel Club, was licensed for the Sporting, Toy and Hound Groups.

He actively served with all-breed and national breed clubs in a variety of capacities, including terms as director of the Canadian Kennel Club and as president of Vizsla Canada. He has at various times been a member or executive of the Ottawa Kennel Club, the Valley Kennel Club, the Vizsla Society of Ontario, the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Canada, the VCA and GSPCA.

Prior to his retirement in 2012, François was a senior executive at Elections Canada, the agency responsible for the conduct of federal elections and the administration of the Canada Elections Act.

Specialty Judge

Pam Williams

My love of Vizslas started in 1991 with my mom’s first Vizsla, Rex. He was my “introduction to Conformation” dog, and although he went over standard, his equally big personality, clownish ways and keen intelligence got me hooked on the breed for life!

Since 1997 I have bred or co-bred 16 litters producing over 40 titled dogs including 19 conformation champions. All of these Champions were either handled by me or their owners. Aside from BISS winners, four ROMs, and the 2017 number one Owner Handled dog, the Windrunner and FAWA dogs have earned multiple performance titles in agility, hunt tests, NSTRA field trials, flyball, rally and obedience. I have handled several dogs for others to their championships. Additionally, I have had the honor of judging sweepstakes for the Miami Valley Vizsla Club , the Central Wisconsin Vizsla Club and the Vizsla Club of America. These experiences have given me the unique opportunity to evaluate a large number of beautiful dogs.

I have been fortunate to have many mentors with diverse expertise in Vizslas and other breeds during my time in the world of purebred dogs. As a 30 plus year member of Miami Valley Vizsla Club and the VCA, I value the heritage and dual features of the Vizsla and I endeavor to see that heritage preserved for future generations.

Wicked Best

Catherine Figueroa

Catherine Figueroa (Cathy) is a professional dog handler and breeder from Chicopee Mass. She got her start in 4-H and then became involved with Saint Bernards in 1989.
She now owns and breeds Grand Champion Saint Bernards under the Kennel of Royalty Saints. Her Grand Champion “Mickey III” is a two time Best of Breed winner at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show. She has also bred numerous conformation Grand Champions and obedience titled dogs.
Cathy is a breed handling instructor, teaching classes in Chicopee and Agawam MA, and professionally handles numerous breeds at AKC shows.