AKC Gazette Junior Luncheon

Once again the AKC Gazette sponsored a luncheon for all Juniors attending the AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational. This year the eight Juniors who participated in the Obedience National Championship stopped by to meet some of the other Juniors in between their events. Goodie bags were presented to all Juniors who attended. Contributions were received from Iams, Proctor and Gamble, Science Diet, Dog News, AKC Gazette, AKC Junior Department, AKC/CHF, Cherrybrook, Nanco, and other vendors at the event.

This year, thanks to two mothers, rosettes and certificates were presented to those present for the Top Junior in Each Group and certificates to the Top Ten. The time frame for these statistics were based on the time frame for the AKC/Eukanuba Invitational. We were thrilled that so many were present to receive their certificates. Those who did not may contact mbo@akc.org.

AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

This year 106 Juniors were eligible to enter the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. This means they had won five Open Classes with competition and had submitted a school transcript to verify that they had a 3.0 grade point average or equivalent. 103 Juniors entered and 93 exhibited at the show. The preliminary judges were both prior Juniors and AKC Scholarship recipients, Cassandra Clark and Carol Rappaport-Fish. The two preliminary judges each selected six finalists to be evaluated by Mr. Robert Forsyth prior to the beginning of group judging on Sunday evening. Finalists were: Rick Terella, Brianna Bischoff, Lauren McIlwraith, Laura Flannery, Heather Lollis, Erin Zimmerman Front Row, Dylan Kipp, Megan Lamendora, Caroline Brutner, Graham Swayze, and Michael Brunner.

First place was Lauren McIlwraith showing a Siberian Husky; second was Michael Brunner showing a Long Haired Dachshund; third was Graham Swayze handling a Whippet; and fourth was Rick Terella handling a Siberian Husky.

Kennel Club of Palm Springs, Indio, CA -- January 8-9, 2005