Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes

Mr. Brian Hubbard

My involvement in our sport began 24 years ago as a young teenager. I worked for a Labrador Retriever breeder, showed my first show dog (an English Setter) to his championship, and competed in Junior Showmanship until I completed high school. From there, I chose to go the professional handling route, spending many years apprenticing under several professional handlers, most notably Lesley Potts, Michael Work, Evan Threlfall and Stacy Threlfall.

For the past 10 years, I have been co-owning and co-breeding Gordon Setters with Joanne Van Aller of Valley View Gordon Setters. Under her guidance, I am continuing her 40-plus year breeding program that has produced many Gordon Setters that excel in the field and the conformation ring. Our most recent litter produced the 2021 National Specialty Winners Dog and Best in Sweepstakes (in his category), as well as a specialty Best of Breed winner.

I have been handling professionally for the past 8 years. I’m starting the process of transitioning to judging and will begin with the Sporting breeds. I’m currently a member of the Great Barrington Kennel Club, TarTan Gordon Setter Club and The Gordon Setter Club of America, and previously served as Vice President, Chief Ring Steward and Match Show Chairperson for the Albany Kennel Club. I’m honored to be invited to judge Sweepstakes for your specialty!

Specialty, Juniors, and Beginner Puppy

Mrs. Karen Iacobellis

Karen has been a member of the Vizsla fancy since 1985. She is a licensed AKC Judge of Junior Showmanship and an AKC Breeder of Merit, breeding Vizslas along with her daughter, Jenna, under the KaraJen prefix for nearly two decades. KaraJen Vizslas and their progeny have earned a multitude of titles across many disciplines including conformation, hunt tests, agility, obedience, rally and therapy work. Karen’s dogs have been notably recognized by the Vizsla Club of America as Top Producers, Top Ten Rankings and have earned Registry of Merit Certificates.

Karen is a strong advocate of Junior Showmanship having spent many years in support of the sport during Jenna’s juniors career. She judged Junior Showmanship and Pee Wees at the 2021 Vizsla Club of America National Specialty and served as Show Chairman of the 2012 Vizsla Club of America National Specialty. Karen is a long-time member of the Vizsla Club of America and currently sits on the Board of Directors. She is an active member of local breed rescue affiliation. In her spare time, Karen instructs handling class for trainer Jane Killion, owner and founder of Puppy Culture. She resides in Blairstown, New Jersey and shares her home with four wonderful Vizslas. Karen is dedicated to the health and welfare of our breed and committed to preserving the versatile Vizsla for generations to come.

Specialty Judge

Ms. Olga K. Evelyn

I am a B/O/H of Cocker Spaniels and Basenjis since the mid 1980’s, under the kennel prefixes Amunique Cockers and Azande Basenjis. I started judging in 1998. Besides AKC, my judging experience includes, America Spaniel Club National, Rare Breed Clubs, Canadian White GS National, Australian Shepard Club of America and the Kennel Club of UK. I have served on boards and the breed standard committee of the American Tibetan Mastiff Association (ATMA).

I currently judge 15 Sporting breeds, 2 Hound breeds, 3 Working breeds and Owner-handler in those groups. And yes, I have the honor of judging the future of our sport, Junior Showmanship. I am a retired Educator and Collegiate Academic-Athletic Counselor. I am secretly working on my next career, Stand-up Comedian. (That’s a joke.)

Gundog Sweepstakes

Ms. Laurie Fairchild

I was introduced to the breed 26 years ago by a friend of mine, and so my passion for the breed and being a breeder began. The versatile vizsla was a perfect fit for me as a very active person. I started going into the show ring as a complete novice, not even recognizing that I won a major the first time in the ring. I have had VCA National Specialty success going Select Bitch and Reserve Winners Bitch a different year.

My love for watching vizslas perform in the field was next. I have also had VCA National Field success with the #1 Amateur Gun Dog of the Year. I believe form follows function and have bred 3 generations of Dual/Amateur Field Champions. I love this incredible breed – athletes one minute and snugglers the next! Looking forward to judging and wishing you all the best of luck!!

Specialty, Juniors, and Beginner Puppy

Ms. Pluis Davern

I purchased my first Golden Retriever in *67 and ran her in Obedience and Field events as well as Conformation. From then on I bred several litters of dual purpose dogs. I started training professionally in the early 70’s.

When I became a single mom, with the responsibility for all four of my children, dog training became my livelihood. I was accepted as a member of the Professional Handlers Association in the early 80’s and finished dogs in Sporting, Hound, and Working Groups.

I started Sundowners Kennels, now located in Gilroy, CA in 1969 and train for obedience, gun dog, and disaster search and rescue. Until recently I trained all dogs selected for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster work in conjunction with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, located in Ojai, CA. These dogs, rescued from shelters or breed rescue agencies, are donated as trained animals to selected firefighters and policemen located around the US and in Mexico. I also train Obedience classes for the Del Monte Kennel Club and have done so since 1981.

Additionally I judge Hunt tests for the spaniel, retriever and pointing breeds.
As a breeder and trainer, I am dedicated to the concept of form and function.
Currently, I am approved by the American Kennel Club to judge the Sporting Group and nine hound breeds as well as Best in Show and Junior Showmanship.
In 2011 I was honored by being awarded Breeder of the Year by the American Kennel Club for my Sussex Spaniels.

1 have bred and owned Best in Show, Master Hunter ,Obedience and Agility titled Sussex Spaniels and Champion and performance titled Golden Retrievers, Labradors, German Shorthaired Pointers and Vizslas.

Specialty Judge

Mrs. Kathy A. Rust

Dogs have been part of my life since the day I was born. I have had Vizslas since 1986 and have bred 165 American Kennel Club conformation champions including multiple specialty and best in show winners as well as dogs that have earned over 900 performance titles under the Kizmar prefix. I actively compete in conformation, rally, obedience, agility and scent work. While I’m not an active competitor in field events, the dual purpose Vizsla is extremely important to me.

I’m a licensed AKC conformation judge for multiple sporting breeds and junior showmanship. I currently serve as the American Kennel Club Delegate for the Vizsla Club of America, Inc and serve as a Board of Director for the Vizsla Club of America Welfare Foundation.

I started the Breeder’s Circle Info Chats to educate and mentor others in the art of breeding. Talking about dog breeding is a passion of mine. After retiring as a 36-year military veteran, I enjoy life in rural North Dakota with my husband, six Vizslas and 3 cats.

Wicked Best

Ms. Berna Hart Welch

I have bred the Pebwin Golden Retrievers for 40 years producing many Champions, Specialty and Group winners as well as MH, MHU, **, OTCH, MACH, TDX, TDU and most importantly wonderful family companions. In 2007 I breeder, owner handled the GRCA National Specialty winner.

My focus has always been to closely adhere to the Breed Standard in terms of both conformation and function. I recently became licensed to judge Goldens and plan to apply for more Sporting Breeds in the future.

I am honored to judge the Best of the Best and look forward to awarding the Wicked Best!