National Specialty 2025

The English Setter Association of America is excited to welcome its members and friends from around the world to experience our National Specialty, September 21-26, 2025.  Your weekend will begin with two Scent Work Trials at the host hotel on Sunday, September 21, 2025. On Monday, September 22, 2025 we will have Agility at the Run Wild Sports and Training Center in Auburn, WA.  The off-site venue is less than 50 minutes from the host hotel.

Your week at the Seattle Airport Marriott Hotel will begin with on Sunday, September 21, 2025 with two Scent Work Trials, followed on Monday with Agility at the Run Wild Dog Sports and Training Center and , Tuesday with Obedience and Rally and a Day with our Stars, Wednesday, our Day of Vision and end with Junior Showmanship and Best of Breed on Friday, September 26, 2025. All events will be held in the newly remodeled atrium of the hotel.

The Seattle Airport Marriott boasts 24-hour complimentary shuttle service to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport that runs every 15 minutes; to streamline your travel to the National. For individuals who like to keep fit, you will appreciate their 24-hour fitness center, while foodies will take delight in the locally sourced offerings at their farm-to-table restaurant, Aqua Terra.  At the end of the day, retreat to your spacious hotel room furnished with supple bedding, a flat-panel TV, and free Wi-Fi.  As a proud partner in the Marriott Commitment to Clean, this hotel has redefined their cleaning standards and is committed to focusing on health and safety.

The local sites are yours to explore, including Westfield Southcenter mall, the Museum of Flight, and many other interesting attractions.

We look forward to having you join us as we celebrate our BEAUTIFUL English Setters!

Watch this site for National developments, which will be posted here as the information becomes available.

Two Specialties will be held after the National at the host hotel:

The Willamette Valley English Setter Fanciers Specialty will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

The Puget Sound English Setter Club Specialty will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Schedule

TENTATIVE 2025 Schedule

Saturday, Sept 20 |

• Set up Grooming & Bathing – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms

Sunday, Sept 21 |

• Grooming Rooms Open – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• 2 Scent Work Trials
  • Set-Up Conformation Ring Tables & Chairs – Atrium

Monday, Sept 22 | Day of Versatility

• Grooming Rooms Open Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• Agility – Run Wild Sports & Training Center
• 8:30am – 1:00pm ESAA Board Meeting – Spokane Ballroom
• ATT/CGC/CGCA & Trick Dog Test – Ring 1 – Atrium

Welcome Hospitality – Presidential Suite 530

Tuesday, Sept 23 | Day with our Stars

• Grooming Rooms Open – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• Cash Concessions Breakfast & Lunch
• 8:00am – 2:00pm – Health Clinic – Everett & Tacoma Suites
• Obedience/Rally Judging – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Donald Rennick
• Gun Dog Sweepstakes – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Laura Myles
• Hands on Judging – Top Twenty – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Versatility Showcase – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Appetizers/Cash Bar – Atrium
• Junior Showcase – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Movement Portion – Top Twenty – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Top Twenty Silent Auction – Atrium
• Hospitality – Presidential Suite 530

Wednesday, Sept 24 | Day of Vision

• Grooming Rooms Open – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• Cash Concessions Breakfast & Lunch
• 4 to 6 Month Puppy – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Futurity Judging – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Eugene Blake
• Maturity Judging – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Eugene Blake
• Stud Dog / Brood Bitch – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Laura Myles
• Brace/Teams – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Laura Myles
• Appetizers / Cash Bar – Atrium
• Veteran Sweepstakes – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Rebecca Yuhasz-Smith

Hospitality – Presidential Suite 530

Thursday, Sept 25 

• Grooming Rooms Open – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• Cash Concessions Breakfast & Lunch
• Puppy Sweepstakes (6 to 18 Months) – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Rebecca Yuhasz-Smith
• Regular & Non-Regular Dog Classes – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Michael Faulkner
  LUNCH BREAK
• Regular & Non-Regular Bitch Classes – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Michael Faulkner
• PeeWees – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Junior & Pee Wee Activities
• Junior & Pee Wee Pizza Party & Ice Cream Social – Presidential Suite 530
• Breeders Forum – Atrium
• Judges Education – Spokane Boardroom & Ring 1 – Atrium
  
  Hospitality – Presidential Suite 530
  

Friday, Sept 26

• Grooming Opens – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• Cash Concessions Breakfast & Lunch
• Junior Showmanship Judging – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Michael Faulkner
• Best of Breed Dogs – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Michael Faulkner
  LUNCH BREAK
• Best of Breed Bitches – Ring 1 – Atrium – Judge: Michael Faulkner
  • 10 Minute Break
  • Final Best of Breed Judging
  • Best Puppy
  • Best Bred by Exhibitor
  • Best Veteran
  • Brace & Teams
• Social Hour | Cash Bar & Raffle Drawing – Atrium
• Annual Meeting & Banquet – Snoqualmie Ballroom
  
  Hospitality – Presidential Suite 530

Saturday, Sept 27 | Willamette Valley English Setter Fanciers Regional Specialty

• Grooming Rooms Open – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• Cash Concessions Breakfast & Lunch
• Puppy & Veteran Sweeps – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Junior Showmanship – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Regular & Non-Regular Dog Classes – Ring 1 – Atrium
  LUNCH BREAK
• Regular & Non-Regular Bitch Classes – Ring 1 – Atrium
  10 MINUTE BREAK
• Best of Breed Judging (Both Sexes Check In) – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Tentative Raffle – After the conclusion of judging – Atrium
  Hospitality – Presidential Suite 530

Sunday, Sept 28 | Puget Sound English Setter Club Regional Specialty

• Grooming Rooms Open – Washington & Evergreen Ballrooms
• Cash Concessions Breakfast & Lunch
• Puppy & Veteran Sweeps – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Junior Showmanship – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Regular & Non-Regular Dog Classes – Ring 1 – Atrium
  LUNCH BREAK
• Regular & Non-Regular Bitch Classes – Ring 1 – Atrium
  10 MINUTE BREAK
• Best of Breed Judging (Both Sexes Check In) – Ring 1 – Atrium
• Tentative Raffle – After the conclusion of judging – Atrium

---

Hotel

Hotel

Hotel Rates – Features – Amenities

• Group rate of $159 per night for king or double queen room for guests with or without dogs.
• Group rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 12.5%) and a tourism promotion tax (currently $2.00 per room) in effect at the time of check-out.
• Group parking rate of $23 per car, per day for overnight guests and $14 per car for day use parking.
• 10% discount in Aqua Terra Restaurant for attendees. Excludes liquor and room service.
• Book on or before Friday, August 29, 2025, to receive our special rate.  All bookings after the cut-off are subject to availability and current hotel room rates.
• Booking of multiple rooms (Example: One credit card may be used to reserve up to two (2) rooms only.)  The hotel will accept no more than 2 reservations per person. (More than 2 reservations will automatically be canceled. Please plan accordingly.)
• Cancellation policy is 48 hours in advance of reservation. 
• All rooms with dogs will be charged a one-time, non-refundable pet fee of $80 with no limitation of number of dogs per room.
• Plastic under all crates in guest rooms is recommended but is not required or provided by the Hotel.
• Dogs may not enter the hotel restaurant or bar.
• Dogs may not be left unattended in guest rooms, unless they are in a pet carrier or crate.
• Check in time is 4 pm and check out 12 pm.
• Every Room Features:
  • Free WiFi
  • Flatscreen TV with CNN, ESPN and HBO
  • Telephone
  • Mini-refrigerator and Coffee Maker / Tea Service
  • Workstation
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Hair Dryer

---

Transportation & Directions

Transportation & Directions

Directions from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Seattle Airport Marriott

Host hotel has a complimentary shuttle 24 hours a day that runs every 15 minutes to and from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

• Directions from the Airport to the Hotel (Estimated Travel 1.3 mi about 5 min):
• Head SE on Airport Expressway toward Departures Drive                56Ft
• Keep Left                                                                                              0.1mi
• Continue onto S 182^nd St/Arrivals Drive                                             0.5mi
• Keep left to continue on S 182^nd St/Airport Expressway                    308ft
• Continue straight onto S 182^nd/Arrivals Drive                                    433ft
• Turn left onto International Blvd/Pacific Hwy S                                0.3mi
• Turn right onto S 176^th St – Destination on left                                  0.2mi
• Arrive at 3201 South 176^th Street Seattle, WA

• Directions via Interstate 5 South to the Hotel:
• Head south on I-5 S                
• Take exit 154B to merge onto WA-518 W toward Burien/Airport      1.3mi
• Take exit toward Sea-Tac Airport                                                         0.3mi
• Keep right, follow signs for WA-99 S onto WA-99 N/ International Blvd/ Pacific Hwy S/Tukwila International Blvd           1.5mi
• Continue to follow WA-99 N/International Blvd/Pacific Hwy S.                              
• Turn left onto S 176^th St – Destination on left                                      0.2mi
• Arrive at 3201 South 176^th Street Seattle, WA

• Directions via Interstate 5 North to the Hotel:
• Head north on I-5 N               
• Take exit 152 for S 188^th/Orillia Rd S                                                  0.2mi
• Turn left onto S 188^th St                                                                         0.2mi
• Turn right onto Military Rd S                                                                 0.9mi 
• Turn left onto S 176^th St – Destination on right                                  0.8mi
• Arrive at 3201 South 176^th Street Seattle, WA

---

Catalog Pre-Order

---

Vendor Information

Vendor Information

Inforamtion to be added as it is available

---

Area Attractions

Area Attractions

Things to Do in or around Seattle

So, you’re coming to the National!!!  We’re so glad!  It is going to be so much fun. Of course,  we will have a full slate of dog show events happening for your participation.  However, you may want to experience the Northwest and all it offers.  

We’re providing you with a link so you can see some of the possible locations around Seattle that you can visit if you have a moment to explore.

15 Things to do in Seattle

Additional Things to Do

Westfield Southcenter Mall
2800 Southcenter Mall
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N Pearl Street
Pike Place Market – Open Air Market
1st Avenue and Pike Street
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Avenue N
Seattle Chinatown / International District
423 Maynard Avenue S
Space Needle
400 Broad Street
Seattle Aquarium
1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59
Pacific Science Center
200 Second Avenue North
Museum of Pop Culture – MoPOP
325 5th Avenue N
Olympic Sculpture Park
2901 Western Avenue
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks)
3015 NW 54th Street
Gas Works Park
2101 N Northlake Way
Gum Wall
1428 Post Alley
Seattle Great Wheel – Pier 57
1301 Alaskan Way
Sky View Observatory
701 5th Avenue Floor 73
iFLY Seattle Indoor Skydiving
349 Tukwila Parkway
Museum of Flight
9404 E. Marginal Way S
Museum of Glass
1801 Dock Street
CenturyLink Field
800 Occidental Avenue S
Key Arena
305 Harrison Street
Mud Bay
148 SW 148th St Ste B130, Burien WA

---

Top 20

Top 20 Competition

Top 20 information will be added soon

---

National & Regional Judges

National & Regional Judges

Juinors, Class, and Breed Judge Michael Faulkner
The sport of Purebred Dogs has been an integral part of Michael Faulkner’s life. As a youngster Michael was active in Junior Showmanship and assisted his parents with their kennel and breeding program. Michael acquired his first Golden Retriever, along with Field Spaniels in the early 70s, starting a lifelong love for these two breeds.
During the late 1970’s Faulkner pursued his education earning his BFA, MS.ED, from Alfred University, Alfred, New York while maintaining a breeding program and actively showing his Golden Retrievers, Field Spaniels, Springer Spaniels and Pointers.Upon the completion of his education Michael established a partnership with the late David White (Woodspoint Springer Spaniels). For 12 years this team dominated the Sporting Group, completing championships in all of the Sporting breeds, along with numerous group and best in show winners in all seven groups.
Michael has owned, bred and or exhibited numerous multiple best in show winning Golden Retrievers along with owning and breeding champion – Field Spaniels, Pointers, English Springer Spaniels and Pugs. He owes his passion and knowledge for the sport to his “English Mum” Mrs. Peggy Grayson (judge/breeder/author) who unselfishly took him under her wing as a youngster, providing decades of mentoring. As a student of the Gundog breeds, Michael spent countless hours with many of England’s great breeders including the late Mary Roslin Williams, Rae Furness, Kay Holmes, Faith Gilham, Peter Chandler, Molly Thomson, and many more over a span of thirty-eight plus years.
Michael takes the role of judging extremely seriously and refuses to compromise when evaluating breeding stock. He often quotes his mentor Peggy Grayson: “It is the ability to understand the subtle nuances of each breed that makes for a truly great judge.”
Faulkner retired as a professional handler in 1995 and immediately embarked on a judging career.Michael is approved to judge all Sporting breeds and numerous other breeds in five of the seven groups. He is proud of his numerous national specialty assignment, international judging experiences, and multiple Westminster Kennel Club & AKC National Championship assignments.
Michael continues his Golden Retriever breeding program with his partner: Dr. Anne Greenbank, under the “Verdoro and Woodspoint” prefixes and spends countless hours mentoring new judges on several of the Gundog breeds.
When Michael is not judging dog shows he keeps busy with his artwork, kayaking, gardening, writing and serves as the Executive Director for a Health Clinic.

Futurity & Maturity Judge Eugene Blake
Eugene started working with dogs in 1954 as a dog bather at a French Poodle Shop in Houston, Texas. He attended his first dog show in 1955 and then decided he wanted to show dogs and became an All-Breed licensed handler in 1968. He showed dogs professionally for some 33 years, then, he retired, and became a judge. During that time, he bred Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Italian Greyhounds, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Salukis, and Afghan Hounds. He never bred more than 4 litters of any of one breed. As a handler he helped many of his clients with their breeding programs, including choosing studs, and picking puppies. Eugene started judging in 1990, with the Hound Group. Since that time he has added the Sporting Group, Toy Group, and Non-Sporting Group. He judges 4 Groups: Best in Show, Junior Showmanship, and Miscellaneous, and has judged in Australia, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan, and Thailand. Currently, he judges between 60 and 70 shows a year.

Gun Dog, Stud Dog/Brood Bitch, and Brace/Teams Judge Laura Myles
Laura Myles grew up with German Shorthaired Pointers and German Wirehaired Pointers.  Her parents were active hunters. They also showed first their German Shorthairs, then later their German Wirehairs in both conformation and obedience. She grew up taking it for granted that a “hunting” dog was also a “show” dog. Thus, the ideal of the “dual” dog has been pretty well ingrained from the get go. 
Laura has hunted, bred, trained & competed with GSP, GWP and Gordon Setters since the early 70’s.  Laura and her husband have been breeding GWPs and Gordon Setters and the occasional Standard Wirehaired Dachshund under the Inverness prefix since 1978.  They enjoy hunting with their wirehairs as well as having them as companions and part of their family, and expect them to finish in the breed ring. 
The saying that “form follows function” is ever so true for a sporting dog.  A sporting dog must be able to move correctly, have proper coat to protect the dog in the field, and be sound both mentally and physically in order to be a successful hunting dog and companion.  Health testing is important to us, and we test our dogs per the GWP parent club CHIC recommendations. Currently we own/bred 9 CHIC GWP’s. 
As of 2015 Laura is an approved to judge GWP, GSP, Gordon & Irish Setters, and have  regular status for All breed Junior Showmanship. She is pleased to share, that she has provisional/permit in English Setters, Irish R/W Setters, and Italian Spinone’s.  
Prior to judging Hunt Tests, she ran her forever favorite GSP (FC Ammertal Marshland Sinner, MH) in field trials and hunt tests, and began judging pointing dog field trials. Laura has judged Hunt Tests since the AKC began to offer this event, and judged National Hunt Tests for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, Italian Spinone, German Wirehaired Pointers with the English Setter Assoc of America in Sept 21, along with the GWPCA Natl HT again this year.   
Laura is a Breeder of Merit, active in parent club events, an approved parent club mentor/JEC for the GWP’s and am Show Chair for Whidbey Island KC.  She has held various other club positions over the past ten years both at the specialty level and all Breed Club.  

Puppy & Veteran Sweeps Judge Rebecca Yuhasz-Smith
Rebecca Yuhasz Smith is a third generation English Setter fancier, her Grandmother sporting and herding group Judge Nancy Frey raising the breed under the Lazy F kennel name in the 1950’s – 1970’s.  Rebecca’s Mother, multiple group judge Ann Yuhasz, launched her own English Setter kennel name, Hemlock Lane in the mid 1960’s.  By the time Rebecca’s Mother started judging quite a bit in the late 1980’s, Rebecca began managing the Hemlock Lane breeding program with her husband Derek well over 30 years ago.  Rebecca’s Grandfather, Richard Frey, was a multiple term past president of ESAA and her grandmother helped found the ESAA Futurity. 
Rebecca has raised dozens of Specialty winning English Setters and many stud dogs and brood bitches who have positively impacted the breed.  Her Ch. Hemlock Lane Ruby Red Slippers was an ESAA Dam of the Year and her Veteran Dog, Multiple BISS Ch. Fox Chapel Black Gold  (Bradley) won the ESAA Veteran Sweeps Twice.  Multiple BISS Gr Ch. Hemlock Lane Flying Colors was the first Grand Champion of the ES breed. Fortunate to mentor with and learn from some of the most esteemed breeders who wrote the books about this breed in the US, she still considers herself a student of the breed, always learning from the past and applying that knowledge forward to pedigrees of today.
Always a breeder, owner, handler until recent years (when the arthritis took its toll!), Rebecca started showing as a junior handler and qualified for Westminster Junior Handling at the age of 10, the year that the legendary Annie Rogers Clark judged the finals.  She distinctly remembers the bright red vest and skirt that her Mom sewed for her but also remembers that her Mom made her wear white knee socks instead of nylon hose, as Rebecca was only 10.  This still remains a touchy point in their relationship to this day.  
In addition to English Setters, Rebecca has also raised Flat-Coated Retrievers, with her Mom, Ann, importing numerous British dogs.  Michael Gadsby of Afterglow fame, imported one of Rebecca’s English Setter bitches to England where he and she co-bred two litters, ultimately sending progeny back to this country that was instrumental in diversifying her English Setters pedigrees, while still breeding phenotype to phenotype. She also has owned and whelped several litters of Border Terriers with good friend Peter Holson (McHIll’s) and co-bred the current number one Border Terrier bitch in the US. Also serious horse people, Rebecca and her husband Foxhunt and have “walked out” and whelped English Foxhounds, under British Huntsman Mark McManus and shown hounds at the Bryan Mayr Hound Show. 
When not working with the dogs, Rebecca founded and owns an eponymous design firm called Rebecca Ray Designs and she and her husband raise Percheron driving horses that they show both conformation in hand and in driving classes.  Their daughter, Elizabeth has carried on their equestrian tradition and is an extremely accomplished equestrian who will be graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, this Spring. 
Rebecca enjoys judging sweepstakes and was honored to do the ESAA puppy sweeps many years ago in conjunction with Combined Setter Club in Patterson, NJ (as well as the Irish Sweeps several years later) and judged the Clumber Spaniel Sweeps at the last Morris & Essex.  

---

Raffle Donations

Raffle Donations

---

Show Secretary

Show Secretary

Please do not contact Patricia Shaw until all national event information is updated – Patricia won’t be able to help at this time.

PATRICIA SHAW

SPECIALTY SHOW SECRETARY

secretary@patriciashawsss.com 

www.patriciashawsss.com

Premium List:

Judging Program:

Preliminary Counts:

---

Trophy Donations

Trophy Donations

---

Health Clinic

Health Clinic

---

Judges Education

Judges Education

---

Committee List

Committee List

Committee	Chair	Email
Show Chair
Assistant Chair
National Specialty Coordinator
Agility
Annual Awards
Banquet (menu selection, reservations)
Banquet favors/Decorations
Welcome Table & Bags
Bathing station (Shampoo/Conditioner)
Canine Good Citizen
Catalog Advertising
ESAA Store/Catalog Sales Table
Decorations (photography area)
Educational/Health Program
ESAA Raffle
FAST CAT
Futurity/Maturity		FuturityMaturity@esaa.com
Grooming Space
Grounds
Health & Genetics Clinic		HealthClinic@esaa.com
Hospitality
Judges’ Education		JudgesEd@esaa.com
Judges’ Liason
Juniors’ Activity		Juniors@esaa.com
2025 National Logo Wear
Obedience/Rally
Photographer
Publicity
Ring Stewards
RV Reservations
Scent Work
Top Twenty Silent Auction		Top20@esaa.com
Top Twenty Event		Top20@esaa.com
Trophies
Trophy Donations
Ribbons
Vendors
Website	Webmaster	webmaster@esaa.com

---

Videos & Live Streaming

Videos & Live Streaming 

Movies / Videos For Purchase

---

RV Reservation Information

RV Reservation Information

Seattle Airport Marriott RV Parking
(THE HOTEL CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 10 RV’S MAX)

RV’s will be reserved on first come, first serve reserved basis.
Once payment has been collected, then that is when it will be reserved.

• $100.00 per Occupied RV per day plus taxes = $114.33 per day
  including tax.
• $60.00 for Non-Occupied RV per day plus taxes = $70.25 per day
  including taxes.

RV Rules & Information:
Generators are not permitted on property.
(If they are used the RV will be fined/ or towed.)
No power or water hook ups are available onsite.
RV Reservations:
Please contact J’Nee Sprague (Director of Events)
206-444-6894 or by email: jnee.sprague@marriott.com

---

Juniors Activities Schedule

Juniors Activities Schedule

---

Versatility Showcase

Versatility Showcase

---

Scent Work

Scent Work

Premium List: 

Judging Program: 

Preliminary Counts:

---

Banquet

Banquet Reservations

Deadline:

---

VIP Appetizers Reservation

VIP Appetizers Reservation

Deadline:

---

Agility

Agility

Premium List: 

Judging Program: 

Preliminary Counts:

---

Buckeye Samoyed Club Fast Cat

Fast Cat

Premium List:

Judging Program:

Preliminary Counts:

---

Grooming Reservation

Grooming Reservation

Deadline:

---

CGC, CGCA, TDI, & TRICK DOG

CGC, CGCA, TDI, & TRICK DOG

---