Judge Michael Leonard –
National Specialty Judge
Michael Leonard has spent 47 years in the dog world and is an Irish Kennel Club and FCI All Breeds Judge and AKC. He has made champions in Old English Sheepdogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Japanese Spitz, and Tibetan Spaniels, and has held key roles in several breed clubs, helping establish multiple breeds within the IKC.
Michael has judged extensively across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, including Best in Show appointments and major assignments at the World Dog Shows in Sweden (2008), Amsterdam (2018), and Geneva (2023). He has judged numerous national specialties, notably Cavaliers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and the Bernese Mountain Dog National in America—where he was the first Irish judge elected by members.
He has judged in most European countries and further afield in Argentina, America, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Japan, Columbia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, China, Philipines, Mexico, Indonesia, Peru. Uruguay, Thailand and USA. Under the Leonfort prefix, he bred and campaigned multiple champions.
See Catalog for Full Bio!
Ind. Spec. Judge Tracie Laliberte
Dogs, BOB, Non-Regular
Tracie Laliberte, Ph.D. (Infinidad) has extensive knowledge and a lifetime of love and experience in the professional field of dogs. She is a Breeder of Merit for Lhasa Apsos and CKCS, winner of Best Junior Handler at Westminster Kennel Club and Crufts Dog Show. She completed a Doctor of Philosophy about “dogs” at Salve Regina University. Tracie has instructed classes in Canine Communication, Holistic Approaches to the bond, and basic dog care for public and professional groups. In addition, she is CPDT-KA, a speaker for civic and community groups, and is a multiple award-winning writer.
Traci has finished Cavaliers in all four colors, had the top-winning Cavalier in CKCSC, USA in 2013, the top-winning Cavalier in the Quebec Province, CN in 2017, and has shown Cavaliers to Toy group, Best in Specialty and Best in Show wins. Tracie has judged for all-breed, national and specialty clubs.
Ind. Spec. Judge Carla Holt
4-6 Month Puppies Jr Showmanship, Overflow Classes as Needed
Coming soon!
Futurity Judge Danna Robinson Saathoff
I’m honored to be considered to judge the Futurity at the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel National Specialty. Raised in the heart of the Midwest, I’ve always valued commitment, integrity, and community—principles that continue to guide my approach to breeding and exhibiting dogs.
My journey into the world of purebred dogs began long before Cavaliers captured my heart. I spent years presenting multiple breeds at AKC All Breed shows, gaining hands-on experience with working, sporting, non-sporting, and herding dogs. That foundation gave me a broad perspective and a deep respect for canine structure, movement, and breed standards across the sport.
In 2003, I welcomed my first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel into my life, thanks to Karin Ostmann of Sheeba Cavaliers. Her trust in me sparked a lasting friendship and a co-breeding partnership that has brought immense joy and fulfillment. Over the past two decades, I’ve bred, owned, and presented numerous Cavaliers, including Best in Specialty Show winners, group winners, and multiple AKC Champions. One of my proudest recent moments was seeing GCHB CH Sheeba Henrietta earn the Register of Merit (ROM).
My passion for Cavaliers extends beyond the show ring. I’m committed to lifelong learning and actively seek opportunities to deepen my understanding of the breed. Whether through seminars, mentorship, breed clubs, or rescue work, I strive to foster an environment of shared knowledge and mutual support. The friendships I’ve built within the Cavalier community are among my greatest treasures, and I’m proud to contribute to a legacy of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and love for these extraordinary dogs.
Sweepstakes Judge Karin Ostmann
My name is Karin Ostmann of Sheeba Cavaliers. I was born and raised in Switzerland, where my work with Laurent Pichard of La Vigie introduced me to many breeds—and to my first Cavalier, Queeny, bred by Molly Coaker of Homerbrent. That single dog began my lifelong path as a Breeder in Cavaliers, supported early by mentor Gunilla Kuhni of Stonehills.
Trips to England strengthened my commitment, especially through my friendship with Veronica Hull of Telvara Cavaliers. Veronica had combined the lines I thought to be the most influential, and I was very impressed by her knowledge and the quality of her Cavaliers. This started a journey of a great friendship.
After moving to the United States in 1991, I joined and later judged in the CKCSC, USA, and celebrated the breed’s AKC recognition in 1996.
With my family and friends’ support, this has been an awesome journey. I have owned and bred over 230 AKC Champions, multiple group winners, as
well as several BIS and many BIS Specialty winners. Over the years, we also
had some awesome wins at the National Specialties. The most fun part is to
have bred and owned several top-producing sires and dams. I love spending
time with other breeders and Cavalier lovers. I am always looking forward to
meeting new Cavalier lovers and never stop learning about these amazing little
Cavaliers.
Karin Ostmann
Sheeba Cavaliers
See catalog for full bio!
Natl Specialty –
Jr Showmanship Judge Angela Lloyd
Ind Specialty –
Jr Showmanship Judge Carola Holt
Obedience & Rally Judge Lynn Currie
Lynn Currie’s passion for Obedience began in 1996 after watching a Chihuahua perform scent discrimination with Q-Tip sized articles. Inspired, she enrolled in her first Obedience class later that year with her German Shepherd, who earned multiple titles and introduced her to Agility and Rally. Since then, she has competed with several dogs, including Rain, her first AKC UDX-titled Border Collie, and Spirit, who reached the highest levels of Obedience and Rally. Her German Shepherd, Tonic, found success in Nose Work and Tracking, leading to her becoming an AKC Scent Work Judge. Today, she continues training and competing with a young Sheltie.
She has taught obedience, rally, puppy foundation, and CGC classes, served as an officer of Suffolk Obedience Training Club, and been active in many national dog organizations. She became an AKC Rally Judge in 2008 and judges Rally and Obedience for several other organizations.
Agility Judge TBA
Scentworks Judge
Lisa Kretner & her beloved Ki
Having judged the Cavalier Inaugural Scent Work Trial in Texas, Lisa has remained with us, became one of us, without a Cavalier!
Recognized not only for her knowledge, but her patience, kindness, and willingness to help provide successful trials. Since the 90s, she has titled dogs in Conformation, Agility, Herding, Tracking, Rally, and of course, Scent Work with her beloved breed, the Belgian Tervuren. Scenting accomplish-ments include two AKC Detective titles, and NACSW Elite Champions.
One of the initial Expert AKC 2017 Scent Work judges, Lisa’s background is with the original nosework organization, ACSW, who started it all, via law enforcement trained dog handlers. With their in-depth credentialing, she is an NACSW certified CO, Judge and Instructor.
Being a fulltime Scent Work instructor, she has coached many students to success at all levels, and feels privileged to share in their journey.
Her motto ~ all training should be “Tail Wagging Fun!” …ask her students… her classes are full!
We are fortunate to have Lisa on our team.
Scentworks Judge
Amanda Hutchinson
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Amanda Hutchinson later lived in San Jose, California, before settling in Efland, North Carolina. A lifelong dog enthusiast and student of the Japanese language, Amanda has devoted decades to breeding, training, exhibiting, and judging dogs.
Her AKC journey began in conformation and performance events, ultimately leading her to NACSW nosework, which became her true passion. When AKC announced its Scent Work program in 2017, Amanda was soon approved to judge all levels of the sport.
Amanda’s heart-dog, Royal, was the first Australian Shepherd to earn the AKC Detective, Master Elite, and Human Discrimination Master Elite titles. Royal was also the first All-Breed dog to hold these three premier titles, while earning Elite-level titles through NACSW.
Amanda’s deep appreciation for the sport, as a competitor and judge has earned her the respect and admiration of fellow competitors across the country. Having instructed countless teams, she has a sincere desire to see them succeed… but, just as importantly, to enjoy the journey.
Scentworks Judge
Lisa Bell
My dog training journey began in 1996 with my first Rottweiler. Since then, I have owner-handled multiple dogs to their conformation Championships in AKC, UKC and International venues.
Over the past 30 years I’ve trained my Rottweilers in canine sports, to include obedience, rally and barn hunt, but my real passion is scent work. Starting in 2015 with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW), I handled my dog to his Elite-Champion title. With the inception of AKC scent work, 2017, I’ve titled in all levels, all elements through Elite and Detective. Attending AKC’s inaugural Scent Work Masters National in 2025, I handled my Redbone Coonhound mix to the finals, finishing 43rd of 200 entries.
I’ve been lucky to have a great mentor. With her guidance, and my years of experience in trialing and instructing, I became a scent work judge for both AKC and UKC in 2023.
My goal as a judge is for the teams to learn something from every run and to have fun and continue to build on the relationship that scent work fosters between dog and handler.
Breeders Education Presenter
Health Education Presenter