Beverly Capstick

Beverly Capstick has had a long history in dogs. Her introduction to the purebred dog was through a Collie, owned by her uncle, in the 50’s. A few years later she purchased a Boxer and through this breed learned the true meaning of humor and humility. In the early 60’s, while training her Boxer in obedience, she was introduced to a Doberman Pinscher and has shared her life with this breed ever since. She exhibited for many years under the AKC registered kennel name of Lutzyn Registered.

Capstick, now retired, taught art in a public school and continued to pursue her hobby of showing dogs. Training in obedience, Schutzhund, plus showing and breeding of Doberman Pinschers eventually lead her to the venue of Judging. Her career has progressed from judging Doberman Pinschers to the Working, Herding, Hound and Non Sporting Groups, plus one half of the Toy Group and one Terrier, Junior Showmanship and BIS. Capstick’s vocation of teaching has crossed over into lecturing around the world on Canine Structure and its relationship to movement.

In 2000, Capstick founded the North Star Herding Group, Inc. and the Northstar Working Group Association, Inc. in Minnesota. She became president of the NSHGC and worked towards their first group club show in 2005. Her association with the NSHGC gave her the opportunity to enjoy the various breeds in agility, obedience, rally, conformation, and herding events.

Through foreign assignments, Capstick has had many opportunities to judge Border Collies throughout the world. Capstick considers this nomination to judge the Border Collie National a great honor and would be delighted to judge if selected.

Dorothy Collier

Mrs. Collier has been active in the sport since 1968. She exhibited Old English Sheepdogs, Doberman Pinschers, and Komondors. At that time she started a successful breeding program of Komondors, producing many champions including several BIS Komondors. Many of the successful Komondor breeding programs today go back to her original breeding stock.

Mrs. Collier started her judging career in the early 1980’s judging Dobermans and Siberian Huskies and eventually moving on to the Working and Herding groups. She has judged many of the major dog shows in this country including Best in Show at the Westminster K.C. She judged many National and Regional specialties for working and herding breeds. Mrs. Collier has judged in Japan, Italy, China, Denmark, and many Central and South American countries.

She is a longtime member of the Komondor Club of America and enjoys membership in three all-breed dog clubs.
Mrs. Collier is a founding member of Take the Lead which is a charitable organization founded in 1994 to assist members of the Sport whose medical conditions cause them to seek financial assistance.

Mrs. Collier lived most of her life in New York and retired with her late husband, Chet Collier, in 2001 to Wellington, Florida. She spends summers in her home in the mountains of Western North Carolina with her 12 year old Norwich Terrier. Mrs. Collier’s hobbies include golf, croquet and gardening.

Lynn Harrison

I have been showing dogs now for a total of 43 years, having started at the age of 12 handling English Cocker Spaniels for family friends before getting my first show dog, a Standard Smooth Dachshund, in 1967. This is a breed I really enjoyed showing until I purchased my first Border Collie in 1974, kickstarting my life-long love affair with this breed.

Under the “Tullacrest” prefix, my husband Bill and I have bred well over 50 Show Champions, 3 Grand Champions, Multiple Best in Show and Best in Group Winning Borders. Border Collies bred and/or co-owned by us, have won many Royal Challenges in most States of Australia, including Best in Shows, Runner Up Best in Shows, several Best Exhibits In the Herding Dog Group and a Best Puppy in Show at Royal Shows throughout Australia. (Royal Shows in Australia are our biggest All Breed Shows).
We are very proud to see that “Tullacrest” is behind many top winning dogs and bitches throughout Australia and Overseas in the different disciplines of show conformation, obedience, agility, jumping, and herding. A few of the Border Collies we have bred, owned/co-owned, or campaigned for ourselves and other Kennels, include:

Ch. Tullaview Temptress, Ch. Werlak Beau Jade, Ch. Finestyle Sundancer, Ch. & NZ. Ch. Loch-n-Legacy to Clan-Abby, Gr. Ch. Tullacrest Soul Mate, Ch. Tullacrest Thiefa Hearts, Ch. Tullacrest Femme Fatale, Ch. Tullacrest Be Tempted, Ch. & USA Ch. Tullacrest Goodtime Girl, Ch. Tullacrest Lovem-n-Levem, Ch. & NZ Gr. Ch. Clan-Abby Phantom-O-Love, Ch. & NZ Gr. Ch. Joy’s Casanova O’ Clan-Abby, Ch. & NZ Gr. Ch. Thunder-Too at Clan-Abby, Ch. & NZ. Ch. Clan-Abby Sing The Blues, Ch. Tullacrest Penthouse Pet and more recently, Gr.Ch. Tullacrest Lick Sipn Suk, Gr. Ch. Tullacrest Moulen Rouge and Ch. Tullacrest Ice Man (AI).

In 2005 I commenced my judging traineeship and in 2007 I gained my license to judge the Working Dog Group (Herding Group) and am presently a Trainee Judge for the Hound and Non-Sporting Groups. I judged the Border Collie Specialty Championship Show of Victoria (Australia) in 2007, the Border Collie Specialty Championship Show of New South Wales (Australia) in October 2009, and am contracted to judge the Border Collie Specialty Championship Show of Queensland (Australia) in September 2010. I have had several Herding Group appointments in Australia and in late 2010 will be judging the Herding Group in New Zealand. I also have appointments to judge Hounds and Non Sporting Breeds at Open Show level in Australia. I am thoroughly enjoying this next phase of my journey with dogs.

Linda More

I've been judging Border Collies since they entered AKC competition, though prior to that time I had been to several non-AKC herding trials in New England. My original breed is Shelties, which I stopped breeding in the 80's. I was a professional handler for about two decades, retiring in 1991 when I was approved by AKC to judge the Herding group. Since then I've had German Shepherds as house dogs, and now have a Border Collie. She will not be shown in conformation, but is working in tracking and agility, and we'll try herding at some point. Living with her has only increased my admiration for the breed.

I now judge four groups, Siberian Huskies, and Juniors. I have judged the Sheltie national twice and just did bitches at the Australian Shepherd National, and have judged a number of other specialties in an assortment of breeds. I've also judged Border Collies in Australia. Certainly one of the high points of my judging career was doing the Herding group at Westminster this year, but my greatest pleasure in judging is sorting through a large breed entry of quality dogs.

Over the years since I first judged the breed there have of course been some changes in the Border Collies shown in conformation. I think the revised breed standard is a good one, and points the way to rewarding dogs that are physically best equipped to do the breed's traditional work. We cannot assess a dog's intelligence and heart in the breed ring, but we can and should strive to find those that are not only handsome but built well so that if they work, their job is made less tiring by their good structure.

I thank the BCSA for its consideration.

Peri Norman

In the spring of 1970, I showed our family mixed breed dog at a 4-H fair. That marked the official beginning of my love of all things dog. I acquired my first show dog in 1971 and actively owned and trained Gordon Setters throughout my early years in dogs, as well apprenticed for professional handlers and showed over 100 different breeds in competition. My father hunted over my Gordons and I worked on hunting tests and specialty shows. I finished championships on over forty dogs of various breeds and campaigned “top ten” multiple group placing dogs in the sporting and working groups.

In 1985 I acquired my first Belgians and continued to actively participate in showing, but by the 1990s was showing mostly only my own dogs. I had a few ranked Belgian Sheepdogs and Belgian Tervuren. As a breeder, I strive to produce a dog that is both mentally and physically sound, so that my puppy buyers can participate in whatever activity their heart desires. I began herding in 1986. Since the AKC program didn’t exist at that time, the Border Collie trainers and a few Aussie trainers were the only sources of information we had. I have been fortunate over the subsequent 25 years to be able to work with three talented Border Collie trainers who had the patience to work with such a “challenged” human student and have an open mind about working with the loose-eyed dogs. I am deeply indebted to them not just for the titles on my dogs, but also for instilling a deep appreciation of the beauty of herding and a deep respect for ethical and appropriate stockmanship.

It’s really hard to summarize forty plus years in dogs in one page, but can’t really think of much I have tried; from hunting to herding to sledding and raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, I pretty much just love doing stuff with dogs. I belong to the Belgian Tervuren Club of Southern California, the American Belgian Tervuren Club, the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America, San Fernando Kennel Club and West Los Angeles Obedience Training Club. I began judging in 1999 and strive to understand the standard of each breed that I judge within the context of its history and purpose. I am currently finishing the herding group and hope to start sporting next. I love Border Collies and would be honored to judge your specialty.

Storey Christine Smith

I am so honored to be nominated to judge the 2012 National Specialty. As a breeder one dreams of having a National Specialty winner. Although I have yet to achieve that honor in the Border Collie ring, the opportunity to review the best breeding efforts of my fellow Border Collie fanciers is easily an equal thrill.

I am not new to the BCSA National Specialty judging panel as I was given the opportunity earlier in the club’s history to judge the first Junior Showmanship competition to be offered at a Border Collie national – a last minute addition that I was delighted to be able to meet. That was in 1999. I am among the first five breeder-specialist judges approved by the AKC and I have been active in the judge’s education activities with prospective Border Collie judges. I served on the committee from 1999-2000 and presented seminars until 2003. Since then I have continued to promote the breed in my own limited breeding program which has produced a number of champions, some marvelous obedience and agility dogs, a few herding titles along the way, and many fine family companions. I have titled Border Collies in both conformation and herding. I have titled other breeds in obedience. I moved to Germany in 2004 and spent a couple years observing and competing in the FCI system.

Regardless of the forum I find the BC in, I am always looking for evidence of the primary purpose of the breed – that of an effortless, intelligent, and biddable working dog, without excess, or lacking in type and utility.

I believe one of my strengths as a breed-specialist judge is my intimate knowledge of the many fine bloodlines of Border Collies around the world. I have contacts within the fancy in Europe and Australia as well as across North America. Although I am not a high-profile personality in the purebred dog world, like many breeder-owner-handlers I keep abreast of current issues and controversies in the medical and performance arenas through scientific as well as trade journals. I trust in the wisdom of the pioneers in our breed as well as in the enthusiasm and dedication of newcomers as we all strive to keep upper most in mind correct form and function, not handlers, advertisements, or current fads.

Given the privilege of judging the National Specialty I can assure you of my impartiality, my expertise in the assessment of conformation and movement per the BCSA standard, and my very best efforts to make the day a highlight event for all competitors with consistent and careful yet efficient placements in all of the classes I judge. Thank you for your consideration.

Paige O’Donnell

I would be honored to Judge Sweepstakes for 2012! My first Border collie, Didgeridoo, was a wedding present from my Mother 10 years ago and I have adored the breed ever since.

I have competed in Agility, Herding, and Conformation. I have titled the Border Collies to Versatility, MACH, ADCH, CH and Intermediate Herding status. Competing in these venues has allowed me to experience the various lines and types of Border Collies. I truly appreciate a structurally sound Border Collie, as good structure allows efficient performance in any venue. I am an advocate of maintaining the herding ability of the world’s premiere sheep dog! To that aim, all of the “fur kids” have herding titles.

I have cultivated my eye for structure and movement by attending seminars on canine structure and movement as well as apprenticing with a Border Collie Breeder, Wally Rice, and a Professional Handler ,Mel Holloman, AKC RHA. I have been a BCSA- approved Judge’s education mentor for the past three years. This allowed me the opportunity to teach the standard and apply the standard to Border Collie “exhibits”. I have judged several Matches and will be judging the Sunshine Border Collie Club’s B Match in June. All of these efforts have been in support of the credentials required to be an AKC approved Judge.

I have bred one litter to date. It was important to me to evaluate the dogs I had, understand what I needed to improve, and make an informed decision that would culminate in an improvement of the breed according to the standard. This education process took some time, education, discussion, and mentoring. The pups are sitting at 9 months old at the time of this bio and I am very pleased with the results!

As a committed “devotee” to the Breed, I serve on several Boards in support of the Border Collie. Currently, I am a Board Member and Committee Chairman for the BCSA, Vice President of the Sunshine Herding Club, and Recording Secretary of the PBCDFA. I have also been the BCSA Board Member Liason instrumental in getting the Southeast Regional BC Club, Sunshine Border Collie Club, off of the ground (where I serve as Board Member). We also have a herding group or sheep “consortium”, established to allow all Herding breeds an opportunity to experience sheep in a safe, round pen environment. We look forward to holding AKC approved A course trials in the near future.

In 2012, the Specialty is slated for Jefferson, WI. As Co-Chair of the first BCSA roving Specialty, held in Jefferson WI in 2009, it would be an honor to judge on the return engagement!

It would be such a privilege to have the opportunity to have a “hands on experience” with the future stars of our breed. Thank you in advance for your consideration! 

Jeanne Hagen-Santiago

Thank you so much for the honor of nominating me as a candidate to judge Sweepstakes at the 2012 BCSA National Specialty. Judging the Sweepstakes at this level would a wonderful privilege.

I live in Northern California with my husband of 22 years, our two sons, and our five Border Collies.

Growing up our family always owned Labrador Retrievers out of Field Trial Ch and Master Hunter lines. Our dogs were used to hunt pheasant, duck, quail, and grouse on a regular basis. I was also very involved with showing horses in halter, western pleasure, and competing in barrel racing and gymkana for many years. I learned a lot from my dad (an old cowboy and wildlife biologist) in regards to training both dogs and horses. He was way ahead of his time in this respect. He always said that if you are having a problem with your animal then it's usually 90% the trainer's fault so go back to the beginning, figure out where you went wrong, and start over. That's a mantra I've always taken to heart.

I was introduced to Border Collies about 15 years ago through my cousin and got my first Border Collie from her. CH Skyes of Lochinbrae came into our lives in 1996 and what a lovely girl she was. Skye was my heart dog and simply amazing. She had a very regal bearing about her and she ruled over all the other dogs (which is why her nickname was Queenie). She was also the smartest dog I've ever owned of any breed. She was scary smart in her ability to work things out which made training a bit of a challenge at times. Skye was my foundation bitch and has passed on her wonderful qualities to her get, grand get and great grand-get. Both my kennel prefix and art work is under the name of Celestria.

I don't breed very often (7 litters to date), but we have been fortunate to have had some wonderful dogs with very nice successes come down from Skye. These include a BISS winner, Sweepstakes winners, AOM winners, Group placements, Agility titles, and Herding titles. It's a joy to know our pups have been successful in many venues.

I have been an owner/handler for as long as I've had Border Collies. I currently compete in conformation and herding with my dogs, and have dabbled at agility as well as flyball. I love the bond of being a team with my dog in the ring or in the arena.

I was and still am totally enamored with the amount of expression and intelligence these dogs have. To watch these dogs work a problem out on their own and to observe their drive and work ethic is simply amazing. The combination of grace and athleticism that Border Collies possess is a beauty to behold. This is a breed that will get into your heart and soul like no other. Based on my own realizations in learning herding over the last 10 years I feel strongly that the herding instinct needs to be a major consideration when breeding. We are custodians of this breed and I feel it is our responsibility to the breed to maintain high standards for soundness, intelligence, temperament, herding instinct and correctness of type.

I'm a pedigree/genetics student and love studying both. I feel that the more you know about the past, the better you are able to plan for the future with your breeding program. Since I'm an analyst for the state the research and analyzing just comes naturally and is something I enjoy.
I'm also a professional artist specializing in canine and equine portraits. My work is a very realistic style which necessitates knowing and understanding the muscular/skeletal structure of the animals I draw or paint. I've created logos for several of BCSA's national specialties. I've also created logos for dog clubs as well as trophies for several Border Collie club shows in addition to trophies for other breeds and herding trials.

I've done many litter evaluations upon request for others using the Pat Hastings method combined with some of my own methods devised from observing Border Collies (both pups and adults) in particular. My years of involvement with horses, dogs and wildlife, and as a professional artist helps me "see" the muscular/skeletal structure under the skin and how the movement should flow. I love going over puppies and adult dogs. I always learn something new and I find it fascinating to go over litters whose parents and grandparents I'm familiar with.

I've been a member of the Border Collie Club of Northern California (BCCNC) since 1999 and have held the following board positions - Secretary - 2 yrs., Vice President - 4 yrs., President - 4 yrs. In addition, I am the Breeder Referral contact and Public Education Coordinator for BCCNC. I've been a member of BCSA since 2006.

I've was the Secretary for Border Collie Rescue of Northern California for many years. I still help rescue or help people place their dogs whenever I can be of assistance. In some instances I will provide training help when that seems to be the only issue for owners wanting to place the dog.

I had some wonderful mentors when I first started in Border Collies and I try very hard to "pay it forward" by mentoring others as I was. I consider it an honor and investment in our breed.

Megan Harrison

Thank you for considering me as a possible Sweepstakes Judge for 2012. I've been fascinated with Border Collies since I was a small child and I made it a goal to have one some day. Before acquiring my first Border Collie, I spent 5 years researching the breed, herding, pedigrees, and health. I've attended multiple seminars on canine structure and movement, health and handling as well as a herding seminar and I have attended and assisted with BCSA judges education.

I started showing Border Collies in 2001 and am very proud to have finished my first Border Collie with 5 major wins, all owner handled. We went on to be a Multi-Group placing team and finished the year ranked in the top 15. We have also achieved Rally and Obedience Titles and I've set my sights on my first HSAs titles which I hope to complete in 2010.

The Border Collie is truly a unique breed and the world's premiere herding dog. I believe that we must breed carefully in order to maintain the herding ability which is the hallmark of our breed.

I was introduced to judging at our 2007 National Specialty with the performance dog fun match and I was hooked. I'm in the process of working towards my requirements to become an AKC licensed Border Collie judge. My first official judging assignment will be in February 2011 judging Sweepstakes for a Golden Retriever Regional Specialty.

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you for inviting me to judge the obedience classes at your 2012 BCSA Specialty. If selected I would be honored to judge.

I’ve been involved with Shelties for over 40 years and Collies for over 25 years, having exhibited in obedience, conformation, and agility and finished upper level titles in all 3 venues on numerous dogs.

I became interested in judging obedience and have been approved to judge all classes since 1987 and Rally since its inception a few years ago. It’s been my pleasure to judge some of the finest working dogs over the course of the last 20+ years. I appreciate the dedication of trainers at all levels and their love for their dogs.

Currently I am the Assistant Performance Chairman for the American Shetland Sheepdog Association and also serve as National Obedience Chairman.

Again thank you for considering me.

Jeffrey Kern

My interest in Obedience started in 1994 with the purchase of a female black Labrador Retriever named Java. Java retired in 2002 with her UDX and many OTCH points. After several years in retirement I brought her out one last time and won HIT at the South Florida Labrador Retriever Club Specialty from the Open B class.

I am currently licensed to judge all Obedience and Rally classes. Interested in all performance events, I train my dogs in obedience, agility, herding, and tracking. I am the breeder/owner of numerous American Cocker Spaniels Champions under the Kennel name, Valor.

Today my time is split between work, training, and exhibiting Brew, my three year old Champion Border Collie from Wildfire Kennels and Ivy, my two year old Kerry Blue Terrier from Elbrley Kennels. I am a member of the Border Collie Society of American, the Greater Ocala Dog Club, Inc., and Marian-Alachua Dog Training Club in Ocala, Florida.
This year I have the honor of judging the German Shorthair Pointer National Specialty in Gainesville Florida on May 11th, 2010.
Becoming an obedience judge is another extension of the sport that I love and a way for me to give back to the sport. I enjoy traveling and judging all the great obedience teams around the country. I am employed by E-One, Inc. in Ocala Florida as Database Administrator.

It would be a privilege and honor to judge the Border Collie Society of America 2012 National Specialty.

Ginger Kinion

I have been judging AKC obedience for the past nineteen years and have been training and showing dogs in obedience for about twenty-six years. My dogs have included five shelties, three Tibetan terriers, a miniature pinscher, and a poodle mix. For my real job I taught sixth grade for 26 years and retired nine years ago. I have two children and four grandchildren and have been a widow for ten years. At present I have three shelties, one Tibetan Terrier and a cat.

Pam Murphy

Pam Murphy started in the sport of obedience in the mid 70s with her first Labrador Retriever. At the time she was a nurse in the Navy and had to delay her involvement in the sport until the mid-80s when she stayed state side and became involved in a club in Northern California where she earned her first UD. Since then she earned four more UDs multiple UDXs and an OTCH on her Labradors, and finally retired from the Navy in San Diego. She applied for judging status in 2004 and is currently approved to judge all classes. She continues training and showing in obedience, and now is also earning Hunting titles on her youngest Labrador.

Sharon Ann Redmer

In 1972 my husband Ed and I obtained our very first Belgian Tervuren – a pet quality dog who would become a Utility Dog Tracker and multi-High in Trial winner. Since that first Tervuren we have owned many wonderful Tervs and are the very proud breeders of a wide assortment of accomplished conformation, obedience, tracking, agility and herding Tervuren, carrying the StarBright kennel name. We continue to be active breeders to this day, striving to produce excellence in health, character and balance (type and soundness) in our dogs. Over 90 StarBright Tervuren are AKC Champions of record, many of whom are group placers, High in Trial dogs, National specialty winners and “Selects”, Obedience Trial Champions, Herding and Tracking Champions.

I am a senior AKC obedience and Rally judge for 30-40 shows each year, and have been thrilled to officiate at 2 different AKC National Obedience Invitational (NOI) Tournaments, as well as many national competitions in the days when the Regionals and Nationals predated the NOI. As a conformation judge, I am currently approved for a total of 11 herding breeds and Poodles as well as Junior showmanship. I was honored to have judged obedience at the first ever Border Collie Society of America National held at Purina Farms. It was a great event and the performances were most memorable. That year I attended the first (of 2) Border Collie judges’ education seminars. I was lucky enough to have attended part of the herding trial for Border Collies at that National and have since attended several United States Border Collie Handlers Association trials. I remain tremendously impressed with the versatility of your wonderful breed. Additionally, I have judge obedience at nationals for Golden Retrievers, all 3 Belgian breeds, Australian Shepherds, Briards, Bull Terriers, Alaskan Malamutes, Newfoundlands, Siberian Huskies, Flat Coated Retrievers, Chesapeake Retrievers, and Scottish Deerhounds! As a breed judge I have judged the Belgian varieties for specialty shows in France, England (3 times), Australia (once) and Canada (3 times). Here in the states I have been most honored to have judged breed at National Specialties for my beloved Belgians – Belgian Tervuren (twice), Belgian Sheepdogs (3 times) and Belgian Malinois (once).

Professionally I hold a Master’s degree in Nursing and work at the University of Michigan (U-M) Health System where I am the Director for Community Health Services, a program devoted to coordinating all the community outreach for U-M. At home we live with 4 lovely Tervuren girls ranging in age from 5 to 13 years...and one very pushy cat.

Over the years, I have served the American Belgian Tervuren Club in many capacities (President, Show Chairperson, Delegate, Judges Education committee member, AKC Standard Revision committee member). I am also a member of 3 local organizations - the Ann Arbor Kennel Club, the Wolverine Belgian Tervuren Club and the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club.