Breed and Junior Showmanship
Debbie Campbell
I was born into a show dog household with my parents raising Miniature Poodles on a small scale. I showed in conformation beginning at age 10 (trying to stay in the Puppy Class away from the top Poodle handlers) and by age 13 I had attained two CDX degrees on two Champion Poodles in full Continental Show Trim, hairspray and all!! I also won several placements in Juniors. I attended the University of California Berkeley and received my BA and MA and eventually married my wonderful husband of 25 years, Bill.
I have been involved in English Cockers for 25 years, have bred over 90 champions under the Sandcastle prefix and had several generations of BIS and National Specialty (our home bred Ch. Sandcastles Livin La Vida Loca went BOB at the National in 2004 under English judge Mr. John Gillespie) and many Regional Specialties. We have also bred many ECM (English Cocker of Merit) and Top Producers.
While I have had so many memorable wins, each BIS win is so treasured as we had several dogs attain them. Most memorable is probably showing one of our dogs -- breeder, owner, handled -- to BIS at a very large prestigious show here in California and, of course, winning the Breed at our National which is every breeder’s dream.
I am currently licensed to judge all Sporting, all Toys, and six Non-Sporting Breeds as well as Best In Show.
Being asked to judge the English Setter National is quite an honor. I have always held the beautiful breed of English Setters close to my heart and I want to thank all of the exhibitors for this thrill of a lifetime.
Futurity-Maturity
Gretchen K. Schultz
As a second generation member of the dog fancy, I have devoted the majority of my life, at a professional level, to the sport of pure-bred dogs. Born and raised in Southern California, the daughter of Walter and Joyce Shellenbarger, I became proficient both in and out of the show ring assisting with the family business of professional handling as well as breeding and raising German Shorthaired Pointers under the Gretchenhof registered kennel prefix. My folks piloted Ch. Gretchenhof Columbia River to BIS at the Westminster KC in 1972.
My first champion, owned and shown by myself, was in 1963, an English Cocker Spaniel, (because when you’re only 8 years old, the shorthairs are pretty big to handle), Ch. Gretchenhof Blue Smoke. My mother, Joyce, retired from the show ring as an all-breed professional handler, most notable for her handling of both German Shorthairs and Clumber Spaniels, but lost her battle with cancer a few years ago. My father, Walt, is currently licensed by the AKC to judge all Sporting breeds, all Hounds and Best in Show. We actually judged a show together last April, a memory I will always treasure!
Starting in the mid 70’s, my then-husband Bruce Schultz and I set off on a career of professionally handling dogs as well as selectively breeding dogs and assisting our clients with their breeding programs, which continued for over 25 years. Recognized members of the PHA as well as AKC registered handlers gave us the opportunity to handle a variety of top-ranked dogs, multiple Best in Show winners, numerous National Specialty winners, (including ESAA three times with Ch. Goodtimes Silk Teddy), numerous group wins and placements at the Westminster Kennel Club show, as well as the opportunity to work for some really incredible clients. My personal specialty included Sporting, Hounds, Working and a few Toy dogs, probably most recognized as piloting many Mastiffs and Bloodhounds to numerous wins over the years, and being given the affectionate nick-name of “The Slobber Queen” by Wayne Cavanaugh on a televised Animal Planet production.
Divorced in 2003, I re-located to Northern California, where I currently divide my time between family, judging, golfing and grooming dogs, as well as being involved with cancer outreach programs, Relay for Life, and The American Cancer Society. I am currently battling cancer, as I have for the past 5 years, and was asked to join the Event Committee this year, for the first Relay for Life event in Oakley CA, as the Survivor Chairman. I am very committed to Relay for Life, as I am a survivor!
As a past member of ESAA, (for 20 plus years) it is truly an incredible honor to have been selected to judge the Futurity and Maturity at this year’s English Setter National Specialty.
Veteran Sweepstakes
William (Bill) Stauder
I acquired my first mixed breed dog at a very early age. My first pure bred was an Orange Belton English Setter that I bought when I was 14 or 15. My involvement with Gordon Setters began in 1973 with hunting dogs. In 1974, I purchased a show bitch, Hickory Smoke Kelli Mac Queen, from Hickory Smoke Kennels. Kelli became my first champion. I bought my first male, Sangerfield Good Will, in 1975 from Sangerfield Kennels. Willy became my second champion. These two Gordons changed my life forever. I have been breeding and showing Gordon Setters for over 36 years.
Over the years I have had several outstanding dogs. A few that come to mind are: Ch. Greenglen’s Gypsy Flair, a dog that I hunted with, went Best of Opposite Sex at the 1988 Gordon Setter National Specialty; Ch. Winteridge Rio Lobo, a dog I bred and owned, became a top producer, having sired only three litters; and now his son, Ch. Sealgair’s Good Lookin’ is two away from becoming a top producer; and an English Setter I bought from Jackie Anderson, Ch. Marksman Winteridge Legend, was an excellent show dog and companion.
I have been involved with Gordon Setters on the national and local level. I have been a member of the Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc. since 1973, and served a total of 15 years on the Board, two years as Vice-President, and eight years as President. At the local level, I have been a member of the North Country Gordon Setter Club of Minnesota, Inc. since 1981. I served on the Board for six years, one year as Secretary and one year as President.
My involvement in the dog world has continued to expand. I am currently a licensed AKC Judge for Gordon Setters, English Setters, and a Provisional Judge for Irish Setters and English Springer Spaniels. My goal is to be licensed to judge the entire Sporting Group. I currently have Gordon Setters and continue to breed and show them.
I would like to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to judge Veteran Sweepstakes at your National Specialty. This is truly an honor.
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