Mrs. Robert D. Smith
I have been judging from 1979. We were breeder owner handlers of American Foxhounds having bred 3 generations of multi Best in Show hounds shown by us and 5 generations of Group winning hounds. We won a number of Best in Shows at Foxhound shows and won in the field with our hounds, all owner -handled. I have judged all over the world in Australia , Sweden, Asia , South America, Canada, and the U.S. I am now an all breed judge and have judged a number of years at the AKC Invitational. I have judged at Westchester, the International, and a number of other shows over the years. My first dog that I showed was a Chow, we also bred Welsh Terriers. I have belonged to a number of kennel club’s and been active as an officer in them along with doing obedience. Please thank the club for their interest in me as a judge.   Polly Smith

Dr. Arthur Sorkin
I am a BCSA member and have participated in Border collie judge’s education. I have helped present Border Collie seminars in the past, and at the beginning of this May (2008), I organized and was the primary presenter for a border collie seminar and workshop at the Western Dog Judges Association of America Institute in San Bernardino, Cal. I stewarded for the Border Collie Club of Greater
Los Angeles (BCCGLA) specialty for a judge from the UK in 2007 and will be doing the same for a judge from Australia at this year's BCCGLA specialty.

I owned a sheltie and collie as a teenager. I started showing in obedience with a Hungarian import komondor who was the first CDX and the first UD in that breed (a picture of that dog was on the cover of the AKC Gazette and in the Complete Dog Book). I got into pulis about 10 years later and obtained a CDX on my first puli. I've mostly been involved with pulis in recently years. I owned a flock of sheep in California, and I've done some herding with someone else's sheep since I moved myself and my dogs to Arizona in 1997. " One Man and His Dog" was my favorite TV program when my local PBS station was broadcasting it!

I am approved by AKC to judge the entire Herding group as well as some Working and Hound breeds. I first judged conformation in Hungary in the early 1980's and became an AKC judge in the mid-80's. I have judged in Europe a number of times in different countries, but, so far, never border collies. In May 2004, I judged the BCCGLA specialty in Pomona, Cal., and in October 2004 I judged the BCSA day-after-the-National show at Purina Farms. Of course, I have judged border collies many times at all-breed shows as well.

Dr. Robert Tainsh
I received my first Border Collie in 1952 when I was two years old. My family originated in Scotland and my dad taught me early there was no better breed of dog on earth. There was a cattle farm adjacent to my childhood home in Rhode Island where I learned the basics of herding (and life) with my tri-colored best friend “Lucky.”

My love of farm life led me to the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Agriculture where I received a B.S. in Animal Husbandry. I began judging livestock (cattle, swine, and sheep) while in college then worked as a U.S Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines immediately after graduation. I coordinated a cattle artificial insemination program which remains one of the most successful projects established by a Peace Corps Volunteer.

When I returned to the US, I enrolled in a combined Medical and Public Health degree program at Brown and Harvard. I am board certified in Anesthesiology and Critical Care and specialize in Pediatric Anesthesiology at Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida. My wife Cindy and I are proud parents of 20 year old twins and 17 year old triplets, and we currently have three Border Collies and one Golden Retriever at home.

My five children and I have owned or bred approximately 80 Border Collies with agility, conformation, obedience and herding titles. This includes a BCSA Specialty Best of Breed winner and the first Westminster Best of Breed winner. I have attended many herding trials in the US and Great Brittan and competed in Herding at a BSCA National with my dog “Blu.” I have also bred approximately 50 Golden retrievers with Conformation, Obedience, Hunting and Tracking titles. Over the past 20 years, we have donated over 50 puppies to assistance dog programs (Canine Companions for Independence, Seeing Eye, Guide Dogs for the Blind) and Search and Rescue organizations in 4 states. I am a former chairman of the BCSA Judges Education and Health Committees and am a founding member of the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

When judging Border Collies, I always remember the history and purpose of “the world's premier sheep herding dog.” The selection of breeding stock over hundreds of years by farmers and herders has produced an extraordinary breed with unparalleled intelligence, instinct and athletic abilities. The BCSA Breed Standard goes to incredible lengths to maintain these traits and reinforces the need for judges to reward dogs that exemplify these working abilities. Simply stated, I reward dogs in the ring that look like they can put in a full day’s work.

I am approved to judge Border Collies, Golden Retrievers and Junior Showmanship and was the first American licensed by the AKC as a Border Collie breeder-judge. I have been involved with judge’s education for about twenty years and my Border Collie lecture/CD is used by many conformation judges. I feel it is a privilege and honor to be nominated to judge at the 2009 BCSA National Specialty and any fees that I would receive for judging will be donated to the BCSA Border Collie Rescue Program.

Emily Fish
Emily Fish’s interest in the world of dogs began with dog 4-H. She quickly wanted a dog to show in AKC and in 1995 her first Cardigan Welsh Corgi became the foundation of Pawcific kennels.

Emily has bred Cardigans for 13 years. Her dogs have earned obedience, agility, tracking, herding, and conformation titles. She proudly has bred an ROM dam and a Versatility Champion.

In 1997 & 1998, the Fish family had the opportunity to live in Australia. During that time, Emily’s love for the Border Collie began. She currently owns 5 Border Collies and although they are her second breed, she is quite involved in many aspects. Although conformation is her focus, she enjoys allowing her dogs to use their natural talents and trains in herding and obedience. She has bred several litters in the last few years, including the BCSA 2007 Best in Sweeps winner, Ch Pawcific Dream Date.

As soon as Emily aged out of juniors, she quickly entered the handling world and currently has a full cliental. She has also had opportunities to attend many seminars, including; AKC Judges Institute, the Advanced Herding Institute, and multiple Border Collie breed seminars. She has had the opportunity to judge several sweepstakes including; Cardigan Sweeps in MA & two in CA, Kentuckiana Tartan BCC Sweeps 2006. She has also judged at numerous AKC sanctioned matches for conformation and obedience, and also is a regular judge for local 4-H events. Currently she belongs to the Pacific Northwest Border Collie Club (founding member and current President), Northwest Cardigan Fanciers (board member), Border Collie Society of America (chair of the Affiliate Club Committee), and Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America.

Away from dogs, Emily is a professional singer and is just finishing her Master’s in Music. Emily aspires to one day be an all breed judge. Thank you for nominating me to judge the BCSA 2009 Sweepstakes. I would perform this assignment with no cost to BCSA.

Lisa Weeks
I am thrilled and deeply honored to be nominated by BCSA members to judge the Puppy Sweepstakes at the 2009 Border Collie National Specialty. As an owner-trainer-handler of three Border Collies, I’ve competed successfully in conformation, herding, agility and rally obedience. I have a background in showing dogs that stretches to my ‘tweens, when my mother and I showed Belgian Sheepdogs and bred 5 litters under the affix Vicon. I have finished multiple breed Championships on both Belgian Sheepdogs and Border Collies, and have recently handled as an assistant to a local professional handler. In the nine years since my first Border Collie came home, I have been passionately focused on broadly educating myself about many aspects of the breed. I am devoted to the breed and am dedicated to continually expanding my knowledge and appreciation both of the Border Collie and of dogs in general. For the past 2 years I have been the Borderlines Conformation Editor, and wrote several columns specifically about structure and the Standard. I also recently assisted Dr. Arthur Sorkin in a Judge’s Education Workshop/Seminar held as part of the weeklong Western Dog Judges Association Institute in San Bernardino, CA. In recent years I have nurtured an evolving passion for herding, and believe that this pursuit has served to truly put me in touch with the Border Collie as a working dog defined by purpose. As an “all-arounder” busy with training and competing in various venues, I have been slower than most to become a breeder. My first litter of Border Collies was whelped in March of 2007, and I anxiously await its maturity, with plans for another litter in early 2009. Although I have not bred several litters and multitudes of Champions, I stand certain that I am equipped to fairly and impartially judge dogs to the Standard, with a critical and knowledgeable eye. In fact, the mere thought of such an awesome responsibility at the National Specialty makes me a little giddy! I am honored and elated to be considered by the membership

Louise Botko
My interest in Obedience started in 1982 with the purchase of my first puppy, a miniature schnauzer. Since that time, dogs and the sport of obedience have been an important part of my life. I have trained five dogs through Utility; two dogs completed UDX titles and I am currently working on the coveted OTCH title. In addition to training and showing my dogs at AKC events, I bring my dogs to public schools where I share information with elementary age children about being a responsible dog owner. I demonstrate with my dogs some of the exercises learned in obedience classes.

Becoming an obedience judge is another extension of the sport that I love. My first Novice judging assignment was in 1993 and I have been approved to judge all classes since 1997. I look forward to each show I am invited to judge and have had the wonderful opportunity to judge the National Obedience Invitational Shows in 1999 and in 2005. I also enjoy judging and showing in Rally.

I am employed by the Robbinsdale Public Schools as program director for early childhood education, and as time permits, I enjoy traveling, reading, swimming, and biking.

Thanks again for thinking of me. Louise Botko

Kent Delaney
I began judging Novice Obedience in 1966 and now judge all Obedience classes. In 1974, I began judging Conformation, starting with Afghan Hounds and now judge all hound breeds, all toy breeds and all non-sporting breeds. I also judge Junior Showmanship and Best In Show. I have judged many prestigious Obedience and Breed assignments, including many national specialty shows throughout 49 states as well as several foreign countries. In 2001, I judged the Hound group at the Westminster Kennel Club Show. I am Obedience Chairman of the Lake Shore Kennel Club and a lifetime member of the South Side All Breed Dog Training Club, a member of the Afghan Hound Club of America and the International Kennel Club of Chicago. In 2002, I received the AKC Lifetime Achievement Award for Obedience.
Sincerely,
Kent Delaney

Wayne Koutsky
No response, availability unknown.

Cindy Pischke
I obtained my first purebred dog in 1977 shortly after I got married. My husband Pete had never owned a dog, so he insisted that I train it. On the first night of dog class, I tripped on the leash and the 80 pound Golden Retriever dragged me the length of a 40 foot mat. My instructor told me I would never be able to train dogs, which was all the inspiration I needed to show her! Over the years since then, I have obtained 7 UD's, 1 UDX, and have titled dogs in agility, tracking, field and 5 breed champions, all owner -handled. I started judging obedience in 1988. In 2005 I also started judging Rally. My first love will always be obedience though, as there is nothing more amazing than a dog trained to do obedience exercises. I have always owed Golden Retrievers in my adult life, but I must admit to yearning for a Border Collie when running agility.

Bob Dias
Bob has been involved in herding and sheepdogs since 1993. He started training and competing in AKC and AHBA with German Shepherd Dogs. One of his German Shepherd Dogs is a two-time rescue and earned an HCH title on the "B" course against a class comprised solely of Border Collies. After earning an HCH title in less than 15 months, from the dog's first run in the old HX class to his herding championship, Bob competed with the same German Shepherd Dog in sanctioned USBCHA trials at the pro-novice level. At one such trial, Bob's German Shepherd tied for first place under Judge Alasdair McRae. It's quite possible that Bob's dog may be the only German Shepherd in the country to have competed successfully in that venue and that level. Bob and his wife, Rochelle Stanford, previously owned a White German Shepherd Dog with which Bob earned an HX title in three straight legs and went on to compete successfully with the dog at USBCHA sanctioned trials. At one sanctioned USBCHA trial, Bob won first place in the ranch class against 16 Border Collies. Presently, Bob and Rochelle live in Ramona, California on a working hobby farm with a small commercial flock of sheep, their horses and 'lots of Border Collies.' Nowadays, Bob competes at USBCHA trials at the open class and has qualified for the USBCHA Nationals for nursery and open classes for the past five years. He has won multiple open trials under judges from both the U.S. and UK and has competed at some of the biggest and toughest courses such as Meeker, CO, Zamora and Sonoma, CA, Lacamas, WA, Scio, OR and Soldier Hollow, UT. Bob has been judging AKC trials for the past seven years including the October 2006 BCSA National Specialty and the 2004 GSDCA National Specialty. He has judged throughout California, Oregon, Washington State, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Texas, Delaware and Pennsylvania and occasionally does clinics for all breeds.

Robin Penland Elliott
I have been in love with Border Collies since I was 10 years old. I achieved my dream of owning a Border Collie in 1989 and ever since they have been a major influence in my life.

To prepare for my Border Collie journey I grew up in 4-H. I competed in every element of 4-H, excelling in training animals and showmanship events. As a next step, I became involved in judging and learned skills I was able to carry with me into Border Collies.

I have been fortunate to share my life with great Border Collie partners who not only helped me achieve success in trialing, but also have helped me understand how they think and work. I have gained a great understanding of this marvelous animal.

My grandfather made living training mules as a young man. I feel I inherited his genes and am carrying on in his footsteps. Today I am teaching others how to train independent, thinking, problem solving Border Collies. My goal with each team is to achieve a relationship that creates Border Collies that are willing to take direction in helping herd livestock.

I believe my resume is strong and qualifies me to judge the Border Collie Nationals. More importantly, I feel I can do a good job and be fair to all.

Highlights of my career:
2005 World Sheepdog Trial team member; High Scoring American with “Pat” on the toughest field
Invitational judging in Ireland for warm-up trials
High Score at the BCSA Nationals 2000 through 2005
Top Dog of the Year in California 5 years in a row
Arizona Champion
New Mexico State Champion -7 years
Texas State Champion
Titles: CH, HC, HX, SOD, WTCH, HTCH

Cappy Pruett
My Name is Cappy Pruett and I reside in Colorado with my wife and two children. I have been around livestock most of my life and entered into the purebred AKC world in 1988 with an Australian Cattle Dog. My introduction to the herding arena took place at the 1989 ACDCA National specialty and from there I have been consistently trialing dogs in the AKC herding program. I have put Herding Champions on both ACD's and BC's as well many other herding titles on other AKC recognized herding breeds. I have earned multiple High In Trial awards on sheep and cattle with my dogs. I trial competitively in both open field and arena trials with my BC's, ACD's, Australian Kelpie, and Belgian Tervuren in the AKC, AHBA, and USBCHA venues. I am an AKC and AHBA herding judge and have judged trials for the USBCHA in both arena and open field trials. Currently I travel around the USA and Canada giving seminars and clinics to teach people how to work their dogs on livestock. Thank you for considering me to judge your 2009 BCSA National herding trials.

Alison Ruhe
Thank you for your consideration to judge the BCSA National Specialty herding trial. My interest with stockwork and animal behavior was piqued at a very young age. I was raised in Europe and had the opportunity to be introduced to continental working dogs of many breeds and styles. It was the Border Collie that always fascinated me the most, however, and to this day I still remain an avid admirer of this remarkable breed of dog.

It wasn’t until I was in college that I was able to become more formally involved in organized herding events. It was during this time that I had the good fortune to be guided by a number of long established and distinguished stockpersons very active within the open trialing community. I will always be grateful for the lessons learned and the unique opportunity to handle a variety of dogs at all different training levels and experiences.

In parallel to the open venue interest, I also pursued activities within recognized kennel club jurisdictions. I had somewhat unexpectedly acquired a four month old Belgian Sheepdog puppy that very much shaped my future involvement and appreciation for these organizations. This extraordinarily talented and beautiful dog went on to become the very first AKC Herding Trial Champion Belgian Sheepdog as well as the first AHBA Herding Champion Belgian Sheepdog. He garnered three National Specialty High in Trial wins as well as versatility awards for his exceptional performances in obedience and agility. He earned multiple High in Trial wins at AKC, AHBA, and ASCA events. He was the first UKC Champion Belgian Shepherd Dog conformation Champion and was several times Best in Show as well as an active Therapy Dog.

My time today is split between family, work, horses, and dogs but I am extremely fortunate to have a career that overlaps my passion for herding and herding dogs. I am a member of a canine genetics laboratory and one of our primary interests is to identify genes associated with behavior. The unique attributes of the Border Collie provide an intriguing model and potential storyteller of how and why genes influence behavior within all species.

Currently I have two Border Collies, and while our efforts are geared towards open field competitions; I remain committed to the other herding venues. I believe the present AKC program provides a unique and welcome platform for introducing and evaluating upcoming dogs and handlers as well as offering the potential to showcase breed styles and differences. As a judge I learn from every assignment and I do my best to promote and positively impact the program as it evolves – what I believe to be a necessary component for any successful organization.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Alison Ruhe

Rochelle Stanford
Thank you for the nomination to be placed on the judging ballot for the 2009 BCSA Nationals. I began herding in 1991 under the direction of Terry Parrish in Escondido, California. My first herding dogs were German Shepherd Dogs. When the German Shepherd Dog Club of America came to Burbank, California in 1995, I won High in Trial with my white one, and finished an HX with the other. That year, I acquired my first Border Collie from Terry Parrish. Since then, I have won or placed well with multiple dogs in USBCHA open trials and fun events too. My dogs have all been family pets; I trial what I have and they stay with me their entire lives. I traveled to Sturgis, South Dakota in 2004 for the USBCHA National Nursery Finals, placing 22 in the nation with a youngster. I did not begin judging until 2004, when I did so at the request of a local trial host wishing to increase the pool of local judges. Since then, I have judged AKC and other trials from the west coast to New Jersey. My professional demands restrict the number of judging assignments I can do, but I still judge many trials a year. Last year, I judged the German Shepherd Dog Club of America Nationals in Fort Lupton, Colorado. My husband, also a judge, and I have a 10-acre hobby farm in Ramona, California, where even the non-trialers get to enjoy working our sheep. Thank you for the nomination to be placed on the judging ballot for the 2009 BCSA Nationals. It would be a privilege and pleasure to judge the event.

Gillian Crawford
Thank you for thinking of me to judge your Border Collie National in 2008. My name is GILLIAN CRAWFORD (AKC Registered Name), my call name is "Jill". I have been involved in agility and obedience since 1988. I was one of the founding members of Rainier Agility Team, one of the Pacific Northwest's largest agility clubs, serving many times as President, Officer, Board of Director(s) and Training Advisor(s). Training my Samoyeds in agility and obedience has been both rewarding and a constant challenge. Aslan, my first Samoyed was one of the original Sammies in the Country competing in agility (USDAA, NADAC and AKC). I have had the privilege of rescuing two dogs in the recent past -- my Pomeranian MACH “Cowboy”, the "Parti-Pom" and a Sheltie named “Connor.” I am currently competing with my young Golden Retriever “Steal” and (yes … I have a Border Collie right now … so add a BC to the list !!). I have been judging AKC agility since 1997 and enjoy both my time as a competitor and the constant learning experience of an agility judge. I was also selected to judge the AKC Nationals in 2003 in Long Beach, California, which was an incredible honor. When not working at my Training Center in Auburn, Washington, I pay my bills by working for a large law firm in downtown Seattle as a litigation specialist. One of the things that I love about agility is there is a place for all of us to have fun and compete with our pet(s) – whether it is to aspire for World Team, goals of achieving a MACH, or winning your specific breed’s national, we are all embraced and supported in this sport!

Sue Fregien
I am honored that the BCSA is considering me to judge at the 2009 National Specialty! I have been involved with agility since 1994, when I began training my first Belgian Tervuren. We started trialing in NCDA later that year. Since then I have put well over 100 agility titles on my Tervs in AKC, UKC, USDAA, NADAC and ASCA, including multiple agility championships. I was a founding member of the Cream City Canines agility club in 1997, and also formed CAPER LLC, a dog event secretarial service. Between those two businesses, I am involved in the hosting of many AKC and USDAA agility trials each year.

Agility is only one of the activities I do with my dogs. My Tervs are active in obedience, rally, conformation, tracking, and herding as well, and have several upper level titles (CH, TDX, UD, HX, RE). I have also been show/trial secretary for all these events, so I have a good perspective from all angles of dog activities.

I became an AKC agility judge in 2000. My philosophy on agility course design is that the dog's path should be smooth and have good flow, if the handler is doing his/her job. The upper levels of competition should become more difficult from a handling perspective, but the dog's path needs to remain smooth - after all, they are only doing what we are asking! I try to provide challenging handler courses that are still fast and fun to run. I also appreciate the amount of work that hosting an event entails, so I try to make it easy for the workers by nesting courses to minimize course building time/effort, and trying to ensure that everyone at the trial does what the most important thing is - HAVE FUN!