ENGLISH SETTER ASSOCIATION OF
AMERICA, INCENGLISH SETTER ASSOCIATION OF
AMERICA, INC
| Junior handlers are the future of the sport of showing dogs. On this page, we present several junior handlers that show English Setters -a very difficult and competitive breed to handle. |
| Now for the fun part... your story!! Below are stories and pictures of several juniors. If you would like your story published on this page, please send Dave Mates a short (under 150 words) story and one or two pictures, via email, dnjmates @ air-speed.net |
Sarah Grace Conn, 13
Winchester, KY
Hi, my name is Sarah Grace Conn, 13, from
Winchester, KY. I have been showing dogs since I was six. My
parents and I enjoy our family members, which just happen to be
show dogs. I have two English Setters, Ch. Kidsay's Turn the
Paige (Paige) and Ch. Kidsay's I Swear (Cuss) and three Boston
Terriers; Ch. Katbird's Jazzman's Jewel (Jewel), Ch. Sharon
Valley's Lil' Maggie B (Maggie), and our new addition, Sharon
Valley's Kiss'n' Tell (Kissie).
I finished my first Boston (Jewel) on my own when I was ten and
put group placements and a BISS. Bostons were my original breed
and I was the Boston Terrier Junior Handler of the Year 2000 my
first junior year. I continued with my Bostons and won BOB at the
Westminster Kennel Club in 2002 with Maggie B.
My love of showing dogs led me to our setters, Paige and Cuss. I
finished Paige before she was two years old and have shown her as
a special twice with 2 BOB and a Group 4. My juniors dog, Cuss,
is so special. I was able to show their mother, Ch. Kidsay's It
had to be You, at the National in 2001 (Decatur) and won the
National from the Open Junior Class when I was 11 years old.
It really is an honor to have these special family members in my
home. I hope to continue growing in this sport.
Daniel Fabelo, 13
Hamilton, OH
Kids of all ages my name is Daniel
Fabelo, and I just wanted to tell you how much fun it is to show
animals. Let me tell you when I first started showing.
I have been showing for about four years now. Let me tell you
something, even if you are the youngest or smallest doesn’t
mean you can’t win, it just means you have to stand out and
make the judge notice your hard work. When I started showing, I
wasn’t the best and my dog didn’t always behave in the
ring, but I made myself stand out by working the hardest and the
judges noticed that I was having fun. Showing is a lot
harder than you think. It takes dedication, time, patience and
most of all loving your dog. The most important thing is
you have to have fun with your dog. Your dog knows if you are
scared or nervous so just have fun and enjoy it, and you will do
well.
Dogs are not the only animals I show. I also show sheep,
pigs, and rabbits in 4H. I show those animals at the fair
in July. I also love to play basketball and soccer. I think
I play soccer better, but my dad tells me that I am a very good
basketball player. I always give it my all and try to have fun at
all that I do.
Dog shows are the best! They are a great way to meet new friends;
I love to help new handlers. So if you see me at a show, say
HELLO.
Corrie Fabelo
Hamilton, OH
Hi, my name is Corrie Fabelo. I wanted to
tell you a little bit about myself. I have been showing animals
for two years in 4H, and I love it.
The animals I show are sheep, dogs, and rabbits. I haven't been
showing dogs for very long, and I hope to get better. I've showed
sheep and rabbits for two years and have done very well. I also
play soccer, volleyball and basketball.
One thing I love to do is 4H. It's a great way to socialize and
make friends. I know I've made a lot of friends, both people and
animal friends too.
I recently started showing our dog, Clue, and this is very cool
because I am the third kid in my family to show him. My older
sister Brittany 18, and my brother Daniel 13 have also shown
Clue. He is now 8 and he helped me win my class at the 2007
English Setter National.
Brandi Grider, 14
Del City, OK
My name is Brandi Grider. I've been showing in Conformation and Jrs. in the Oklahoma area for about two years now. I started in English Setters and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I currently have three ES, Ch. Annandale Yankee Clipper, Annandale Sea Lilly and Annandale I Lovea Parade. "Cosmo" (Lovea Parade) is my newest puppy. Thanks to my mentors Tim Forte and Linda Carroll, I co-own all three dogs to show in Conformation and Juniors. I planned to take "Joe" (Yankee Clipper) to Westminster, but his age swayed him into an early retirement right before the Garden. I did enjoy the experience though, with my Smooth Collie.
Maddie McCue, 11
Roseville, CA
Hi, my name is Madeline McCue and I am 11 years old. I have been going to dog shows with my grandmother since I was 3 years old. I began showing Midge, Ch. Indian Bend Hot Summer Night, in juniors when I turned 9. I love showing dogs and spend most of my weekends at dog shows with my grandmother. I have made lots of friends showing dogs. I have qualified and shown at the Eukanuba show both years, and also showed in juniors this year (2007) at Westminster.
Elisha Smith
Australia Victoria
Hi, my name is Elisha Smith. I am 14 yrs
old I have been showing English Setters since I was 4. Since then
I have done well in juniors and in the breed ring.
My mum and I breed and show English setters and have brought out
2 Canadian dogs (Can CH Fantails New Dawn At Ambershah) and (Can
Aust CH Fantails Rip Cord) bred by Honey Glendinning. I got into
Juniors when I was 7 and have been doing it since. I enjoy it
because I have met some nice people. I have also been lucky
enough to show other breeds of dogs, including a Borzoi that went
group 2 the first time I showed it. I have placed 6 out of 7
years that I have entered at the Melbourne Royal show which can
have up to 30 girls competing. One day I hope to handle in
America. I study French and Italian and hope to take my parents
to India for a holiday.