BCSA: Nominated Judge List

AGILITY

Jan Skurynski
No biography provided .

Scott Stock
Scott has been competing in agility since May of 2000. My first runs were with an experienced 9 year old Sheltie named Sable. As Sable was already in Ex A, I had to learn to handle quickly. My first time in the ring, I was on an Ex course and Sable let me know when I was wrong. Sable and I went on to achieve an MX and MXJ. Now that I was hooked, I started to train my first puppy, a Sheltie named Storm. We have achieved MACH 4, a CD, and an HT. Now wanting a new challenge and a dog faster than me, I picked a Border Collie, R.I.P. He is now 7 years old and we have a MX and MXJ.
Scott started judging in 2005 and has judged in over 25 states. He has also judged National Specialties for Afghan Hounds, Irish Setters, Gordon Setters, Pembroke Welch Corgis as well as the Dobe Top 20. He has also judged at the AKC Agility Nationals in 2010 and the finals judge for 2011.

Mark Upshaw
Started agility in 1995, with my first Tervuren, Wautanka.

I have five dogs who earned at least an Excellent title. I'm currently competing with three dogs. Just put an agility title(NAJ) on my tenth Terv. All my dogs are Belgian Tervurens.

Agility is the only dog sport I participate in, however I don't have dogs to do agility, agility is something I do with my dogs. I was course builder for my club, and became a "professional course builder". I've been judging for six years.

CONFORMATION

Conformation National Specialty

Tracey Wilkinson-Rankin
I am Tracey Wilkinson of Altricia Border Collies. I have been involved with dogs all my life as my mother Patricia is the owner and breeder of the Altricia dogs. As a young girl I was keen to show our dogs in junior handling classes and was always active in playing with new puppies.

My first Border Collie judging appointment was an open show in 1987; I first gave CC’s in the breed in 1993 and since have judged at that level 9 times. My next appointment will be judging dogs at Crufts 2013. I have had the honour of judging The Border Collie of the Year competition twice here in the United Kingdom. I award CC’s in Rough Collies and judge Bearded Collies, Shelties, AVNSC and the Pastoral group at open show level. I have judged in Iceland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy

Due to my Mothers age I have taken over with my Daughter handling in the ring and have had the pleasure of making up Show Champions here and in Ireland. I am currently a committee member of The Border Collie Club of Great Britain and active on the Breed Council and Pastoral Breeds Health Foundation.
I have visited dog shows in many countries including Australia and was very lucky to visit the Border Collie Speciality in 2008 in Missouri. The Border Collie is a very special breed and I am honoured to be associated with it.

Joanne Ratcliffe
I have owned Border Collies since 1985, and in partnership with my mother I have owned & bred 5 Show Champion Border Collies in the UK, under the Grandver Affix, plus many more CC, RCC & BP winners. In the past 2 years I have registered an additional affix, Arrodare, under which I have campaigned Altricia Lady Grace by Arrodare to the BCC of GB Top Bitch award in 2011.

I have judged the breed at CC level in the UK on 6 occasions, and in 2015 will judge the Dogs at Crufts. I have also judged in Denmark, Italy, and Ireland - and will complete more appointments overseas in the next 2 years. I also give talks/presentations on Border Collies. I love owning, showing & breeding Border Collies & would be delighted to judge the Breed in America.

I am a committee member of the Border Collie Club of Great Britain and one of their representatives to the Breed Council.

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. Much of my early dog-related knowledge was gained through projects in 4-H Dog Care and Training, Guide Dog Puppy Raising and Veterinary Science Projects. 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.

In 1985 I acquired my first Belgians and began herding in 1986. Since the AKC program didn’t exist at that time, my participation began with ASCA and AHBA trials and broadened to include AKC trials as their program came in to place and evolved. I have enjoyed watching the various breeds work and it has helped me to understand why their standards call for particular attributes based on their history and herding style.

I began judging in 1999 and am approved for the herding group. I have judged multiple specialties for the Belgian breeds and have also judged for the Border Collie Club of greater Los Angeles Greater Los Angeles and Collie and Briard Specialty clubs. I would be honored to judge your specialty.

Regional Conformation

Bill Edwards
Bill Edwards has been active in pure bred dogs since 1974. Although no longer an exhibitor, he was a breeder of Specialty winning and Group placing Bull Terriers for 22 years, four of which, through their exhibition years, finished #1 in AKC breed standings.

In 1998 Bill was approved by the AKC to judge Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers. Since that time has added the balance of the terrier group plus 13 herding breeds and his ultimate goal is to judge the herding group. He has judged AKC Specialties and all-breed shows throughout the United States, Russia, and China; he also judges for the American Rare Breed Association, FCI organizations and the International All Breed Canine Association. He is a member of several judging associations, past board member of specialty and all-breed clubs and is currently a member of the Los Encinos Kennel Club.

Bill lives with his wife, Patricia, in Glendale, California. Since his retirement from the railroad in 2006 Bill spends his time traveling the world with his wife and judging dog shows, both of which he thoroughly enjoys.

Bill Shelton
No biography provided.

CONFORMATION SWEEPSTAKES

Lee Levy
Lee Levy, currently assigned to Scott Air Force base, IL, has been a Border Collie Breeder/Owner/Handler/Fancier since purchasing his first Red Merle Border Collie while stationed in England in 1994. He has been active over the years competing with his Border Collies in Conformation, AKC and NADAC Agility, Herding, as well as several certified therapy dogs

Lee is current owner of LibertySky Border Collies and the former Co-Owner of Tonalee Border Collies with Border Collies from the United Kingdom, South Africa as well as foundation stock from Clan-Abby of New Zealand. His breedings have produced numerous conformation champions, herding titles, and even a MACH agility dog.

He has handled in the UK, the Netherlands, and at the Westminster Dog Show and was also fortunate enough to have one of his dogs earn an Award of Merit at Westminster.

Lee also was the Chief Ring Steward at the first-ever BCSA National Specialty in 1997 at Purina Farms, MO. and has stewarded many shows since over the years. He is also an member of and past treasurer for the Kentuckiana Tartan Border Collie Club .

As an aspiring Judge, Lee has judged several sanctioned matches around the country.

Additionally, he was the Northern California Judges Education Representative for the BCSA conducting numerous seminars and ringside mentorings for judges.
Lee, a New Orleans, Louisiana native, is currently serving in his 27th year as an Active Duty Air Force Officer.

Jaime Jackson
I have been involved with border collies since acquiring my first in 1987 as a 4-H project. I trained in Obedience and Showmanship earning many top 4-H awards. I entered my first AKC obedience trial in 1989. I continued competing in 4-H Obedience and Showmanship, as well as AKC Obedience and Jr. Showmanship putting a CDX titled on my dog and being awarded the first Best Jr. Handler award while handling a Border Collie (they were still a miscellaneous breed).

After the Border Collie was fully recognized with AKC, I showed the same dog to his AKC Championship (he was 9 years old). Since then, I have championed four of my own dogs, one co-owned dog, and three other Border Collies for other people. Additionally, I have championed one Flat-coated Retriever.

My dogs have competed successfully in agility trials, herding trials, and rally. Of the three dogs that currently share my home, one holds the title of Dual Champion, two have agility titles and flyball titles, one is working towards his advanced herding titles, and then will work towards his Dual Championship, and one that is the 2005 Border Collie Club of Greater Los Angeles Best in Specialty show winner and has numerous Award of Merit awards.

In addition to participating in various canine activities, I have been an active member of local Border Collie clubs. I served as President and newsletter editor of the Border Collie Club of Northern California (SNBCC). Most recently, I helped found the Sierra Nevada Border Collie Club and served as President for two years. Currently, I am the Secretary for SNBCC and Show Chair for the inaugural specialty show and obedience trial in 2012. This past year I was Hospitality Chair for the Reno Kennel Club All-Breed Show and Obedience/Rally Trial, and an active participant of the Border Collie National Specialty serving as the conformation chair.

Noel Sieh
I am honored to accept the nomination to judge the 2013 BCSA Conformation Sweepstakes!! To introduce myself, I have had a Border Collie in my life for 12 years and cannot imagine life without one at my side. Currently, I share my home with a handful of Border Collies that come from different backgrounds yet share very similar traits. My husband and I also have Parson Russell Terriers.

As a child I gained a lifetime of experience in the horse show ring riding many different breeds in many different disciplines. Starting off in hunter/jumpers, and then to Dressage which was my main focus. I was also able to experience the western disciplines along the way. This experience was my foundation in understanding that correct conformation and a successful performance go hand in hand. As I transitioned from horses into the world of dogs, I have used this foundation to better understand sound structure and its importance in a dog successfully doing what it was bred to do. “Form to Function”

Together my dogs and I are currently training in Obedience, Rally, Herding, Agility, Conformation, and Earth Dog events. While I am proud of my accomplishments, I am more proud of the puppies that I have produced that have gone on to be champions in the ring as well as those who simply excel at being a favorite family pet. I am a BCSA member, and have recently judged the 2012 conformation sweepstakes at the KTBCC regional specialty. I have also been involved with Border Collie rescue through the years as well.

HERDING

Geri Abrams
Geri Abrams was born and raised in the Bronx, with a poodle as the family dog. After graduating from college, and completing a career in social services with The City of New York, she retired to New Mexico with her pound rescue terrier. Her interest in dogs led her to become involved in agility and obedience training in New York which she continued in NM. When in NM she rescued her first Border Collie in 1997 which inspired her to pursue the herding venue, resulting in a 330-acre sheep ranch and training center in Mountainair, NM. Free To Be Ranch is home to several USBCHA herding trials throughout the year, as well as AKC and AHBA events.

Her first rescue Border Collie Maddie competed in the 2005 World Champion Sheepdog Trial in Ireland, as well as obtaining championships in AKC, AHBA, and ASCA. She also competed at the open level in USBCHA trials around the US, including the National Finals. Maddie is also named as a BCSA Stockdog of Distinction. Currently Geri is actively trialing five Border Collies, ranging in experience from started through advanced. She has obtained championships in AKC, AHBA, and ASCA, as well as winning Texas Ranch Dog of the Year, and multiple State Fair trials. She has qualified dogs for the USBCHA National Nursery Trial several times.

Geri has a solid background as a judge in AHBA and USBCHA trials where she is well known and respected. Running a large sheep ranch single-handedly has given her a working knowledge of handling dogs, livestock, and people. Geri has been an avid proponent of the sport of sheepherding and would bring a variety of talents to the BCSA National Specialty as a herding judge.

Bob Dias
Bob has been involved in sheep herding since 1993 and presently, he and his wife own a hobby farm in Ramona, California consisting of a small commercial flock of sheep, horses and, of course, plenty of Border Collies and one German Shepherd. He started herding with his German Shepherd Dogs putting two GSDs through the HX level and one, a two-time rescue GSD, earned its HCH in fourteen months from start to finish. Bob emphasized open field style training and his GSD earned the HCH on the ‘B’ course. Eventually, Bob competed successfully with these dogs in USBCHA trials at the Pro-Novice level. Shortly thereafter, Bob got his first Border Collie and ‘got serious’ about training and competition. When not working full time for the Federal Government, Bob trains and competes with his dogs primarily in the ‘open’ class at USBCHA sanctioned trials. He has competed in some of the toughest trials in the country including the Meeker Classic, Soldier Hollow, Lacamas SDT, Sonoma Wine Country SDT, Fireridge SDT and the USBCHA Nationals. He is a multiple ‘open’ trial winner at USBCHA trials and has won with four different Border Collies and placed high with several others. He has also qualified for the USBCHA Nationals each of the past five years.

Bob has judged numerous AKC, AHBA, and USBCHA trials across the country including the BCSA National Specialty twice before. He occasionally conducts clinics for all levels of handlers and all breeds.

Over the years, Bob has taken great pride in training and competing with Border Collies which other handlers had given up on as being too willful. Once a dog becomes a member of their pack, which usually means anything after one day, it has a home for the rest of its’ life. Bob and his wife are particularly proud of their own breeding program which spans three generations of working Border Collies.

Marie-Paule Gherardi
Since I was born (French), dogs have been part of my life, rescue dogs and German Shepherd Dogs from both my grandfathers.

As a married woman and mother of 3 boys, I wanted to be more involved with training and working with a dog. This is when a Briard entered my life more than 30 years ago. From there, I have always had at least one Briard at home. I currently have two females. One is 13 years old, retired from show and herding rings and I presently trial with a 6 years old Briard.

While in France, I have trained in obedience, tracking and R.C.I (Program including tracking , obedience and attack-defense all in the same course).I was interested in herding but this discipline was open to ranchers only . So it was when I moved to California that I started learning herding and never stopped since (20 + years). I have attended numerous herding clinics ( and still do ) even with foreign trainers. Learning is never ending.

I competed with my first Briard and achieved AKC and AHBA Herding Championships, and titles in ASCA too. I have competed in all AKC, AHBA different courses. In 1999, I obtained my AKC judging license and judged at various AKC specialty and all-breed herding clubs.

What started as a pleasant time spent with my dog became a passion for my Briards. I would have never thought where a talented herding dog would bring me in life. I enjoy every aspect of herding : judging, training, trialing , meeting all different dog breeds and being in company of herding friends I made over the years.

Tracy Parciak
I began herding in 1996 and have been a competitor in AKC, AHBA, and ASCA herding trials since 1998. I am an approved AKC and AHBA Herding Trial Judge.
I have my own facility, RottiEwe Farm, where I raise Dorper, St. Croix, and Katadin cross sheep as well as call ducks. I have hosted many trials at RottiEwe Farm including many National Breed Club Specialties. I also supply and lease my call ducks for herding trials.

I have trained and trialed multiple herding breeds at all levels. I have also coached and trained handlers with a variety of herding breeds at all levels.

I have owned, bred and trained Rottweilers for over 17 years and also have two German Shepherds and an Australian Shepherd. I have trained and trialed my own dogs as well as client dogs earning Herding Championships in Sheep and Ducks. I trained and handled a friend's dog to AKC's 7th Rottweiler Herding Champion and 3rd Rottweiler Dual Champion. I also trained and trialed my own German Shepherd to be the second Dual Champion in the breeds history.

I am a founding member of the St. Louis Herding Club formed in 1996. In addition to herding, I compete in AKC Agility, Obedience and Conformation.

Joy Sebastion-Hall
No biography provided.

OBEDIENCE

Cindy Pischke
I started training dogs in 1977 as a hobby and diversion from being a Child Protective Services Social Worker. In 1988, I started judging obedience classes. I have titled several Golden Retrievers to the UD level, one UDX. I have also titled dogs in rally, agility, conformation, tracking, and field work. In 2005, I began judging rally classes. It is always a pleasure to judge obedience and rally, where I get to observe the performance of many fine dogs as they work with their handlers.

Karen Anderson
At the tender age of nine years, Karen was mentored by a neighbor who competed in obedience. She says that training dogs seems to have always been a part of her life.

In the 1960's, her first Doberman literally came off the truck bound for a research facility. Through the years Karen has trained and competed with a number of other breeds, but in the 1980's returned to her favorite. She has had Dobermans ever since, and currently shares her life with two of them and a Manchester Terrier.

Karen's dogs have earned many UD titles both here and in Canada, qualified for the Dog World Award (when Dog World Magazine had that title) and Front & Finish's Platinum Award; HC and HIT's, and RAE. Her Dobes have also been honored by the Doberman Pinscher Club of America being ranked in Doberman Top 20 Obedience. Besides training, showing and judging, Karen has instructed obedience classes for 20 years and works with her county's 4H dog project training the youngsters to train their dogs.

Jerry Iermiero
My interest in dogs began in 1979 when my wife and I obtained our first Labrador Retriever puppy. We enrolled him in obedience classes, and after a few setbacks we were well on our way to total involvement in the sport. Five years later “Toby” earned his OTCH. Two other Labradors and an American Staffordshire Terrier followed, with obedience titles earned both in the U.S. and Canada. I presently own a wonderful rescue Smooth Fox Terrier.

I have been approved to judge obedience since 1986. In 1992 I served on the AKC Obedience Advisory Committee, which recommended the UDX obedience title. I have been invited to judge at the 1995 and 2003 AKC National Invitational obedience tournaments and have judged at numerous national and regional obedience events.

I judged Obedience for the BCSA National in 1998.

In 2005, I retired from 32 years in the construction industry and, my wife and I have moved to Florida.

Page Updated 06/16/2012