2025R4
2025r5
2025r20
2025r22
2025R12
2025r26
2025R13
2025r27
2025r21
2025R8
2025R7
2025R16
2025R19
2025R14
2025R11
2025R18
2025R15
2025R2
2025r3
2025r17
2025r23
2025R6
2025R9
2025R10
2025R1

Judge & Speaker Biographies

All Events & Judge Assignments are Pending AKC Approval

Conformation Judges

Tanya Ireland – National Specialty Conformation
Ellemich Cavaliers

I was pretty much born into the world of dog showing, as my mum bred and showed cavaliers. As far back as I can remember, dogs and showing dogs was, and still is my passion. Growing up I showed many of my mum’s cavaliers and was more than happy to enter the ring for other people if asked. At the age of 19 I went to stay at Shealagh Waters (Maibee) to look after the dogs for a week, I ended up staying for 20 years. In the time I was lucky enough to work for and with Shealagh and her top winning cavaliers and king charles, my love and knowledge grew and grew. One of my proudest days being when CH Maibee Theo (KCS) won the toy group at crufts 2013.

In more recent years I have joined forces with Michelle Chapman. We share our Ellemich affix for cavaliers and King Charles spaniels, and have been partners in the dogs for 11 years now. We make a great team and all decisions are jointly made, we are blessed to share our passion together.  We have had too many amazing wins to list in our time together, the big one being Crufts 2023 toy group winner. 

I am so looking forward to coming to judge this prestigious show, and I promise to judge you all without fear or favour. I will enjoy every moment. I hope you all do too.

(See Catalog for Full Bio!)

Jason Maret

Jason Maret – Ind. Specialty Conformation (Dogs/BOB)

I am a psychiatrist by day and a Cavalier lover by night (and on weekends). My wife, Kim, first got me interested in Cavaliers when we purchased our first one in the mid 1990’s. Kim soon had me involved in showing and breeding Cavaliers.

Highlights of our journey thus far include winning Best in Sweepstakes at the 2014 ACKCSC National Specialty with our B&T bitch, GCHS CH Nordic Hills Stormy Weather CA THDD CGCA TKN, and winning Best of Breed at the 2017 ACKCSC National Specialty with our ruby bitch, GCH CH Kimark Turn It Up at Nordic Hills.

I have in the past served on the board of our local club, Badgerland CKCSC, and have been highly involved at our own regional specialty each October, where we are fond of saying, “Everyone’s a Winner at Badgerland!”

We are all so blessed to have such a joyful breed in the Cavalier. We should celebrate that joy both inside and outside the ring. Each and every dog to which we have been entrusted is a treasured gift . . . and no more so than to his or her adoring owner!

lamont

Lamont Yoder – Ind. Specialty Conformation (Bitches/Non-Reg)

I was raised with terriers, cockers and one of my best childhood memories with an amazing Old English Sheepdog.  When I finished college and started out on my own, I did research on all breeds to decide what breed I would add to my life and as a result I discovered Cavaliers in 1989 and began showing with my second Cavalier, a tricolor female named Holly.  

Over the years I have served on many all breed and Cavalier specialty Clubs, and on the Board of Directors of the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club.  I have taught many AKC Judges Seminars on the breed, judged over 20 Cavalier Specialty shows including in Australia, and have judged Sweepstake and Futurity at the American National Specialty, and our founding The Cavalier Club Open Show in the UK.

I am deeply honored and incredibly excited to be invited to judge the ACKCSC Independent Specialty, and look forward to seeing some lovely happy Cavaliers that give me goosebumps and melt my heart.  We truly have the most amazing loving breed in the world, and I am thrilled for this judging assignment!

(See Catalog for Full Bio!)

Futurity & Sweepstakes Judges

Paula Ayers - Sweepstakes

Brookhaven Cavaliers

Paula Ayers always enjoyed the companionship of dogs.  In 1994, Paula’s sister, Brenda Martz, attended a local fun match and saw a couple with two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and she knew she had found the dog for her! Paula became hooked as well when she joined in Brenda’s search for a breeder. In 1995, Brookhaven Cavaliers was born with the addition of ”Luxxar Joyride,” a sweet tri-color female from Paula Campanozzi.

Joy became the foundation of Brookhaven Cavaliers. To date, as a breeder-owner, Paula has finished over 60 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the AKC, and has bred several Best in Show winning AKC & CKCSC, USA Champions. In 2015 it was a Dream Come True to gain an English Title on Eng, CKCSC USA CH & AKC GCH Brookhaven Believe It Or Not “Ripley”. Ripley has been the top Stud Dog in the UK for the past 3 years and the top Toy Stud dog for the past 2 years in the UK. In 2018 GCHG Brookhaven Here Comes Hogan checked another box by getting 4 all-breed best in shows (a very hard accomplishment for a Cavalier).

One of the highest honors to come to Brookhaven Cavaliers was achieving a Legion of Merit (LOM) on Ch Pascavale Enchanted, LOM and Register of Merits (ROMs) on AKC & CKCSC, USA Ch Brookhaven Fairmont, ROM, AKC & CKCSC, USA Ch Brookhaven Dream Lover, ROM; AKC Ch Orchardhill Brookhaven Bliss, ROM; Eng.; Ch Pascavale Pancho, ROM; CH Pascavale Stanley, ROM and Ch Pascavale Jamie, ROM. To see the dogs in your house that you believe in, produce the next generation of champions is what every breeder wants to accomplish.

Paula has been involved in many areas in the Clubs including Board member Conyers Kennel Club, and presently President of Cavaliers of Greater Atlanta.

(See Catalog for Full Bio!)

Trudy Owens – Futurity

I am in my 26th year of having Cavaliers and my 20th year of breeding under the Cedar Creek Affix. Most of my 25 Champions have earned their title from the Bred By Exhibitor class.

As with life, I have seen Cavaliers ebb and flow in their conformation. As breeders it is always about breeding to the standard and knowing what to improve on, how to recognize what we need and having a plan on how to get the best puppies possible.

I look forward to seeing the work you have done at home in your programs and am honored to judge the 2025 Futurity class. It is one of the most important classes show casing you as a breeder.

Junior Showmanship Judges

Jr Showmanship Judge

Bev Hofschulte, Madee Cavaliers

My journey in Cavaliers started when I wanted a small house dog and thought a Cavalier would be perfect. My husband said no….and well here we are just about 2 decades into loving this wonderful breed. As time went on I realized I could give back to this breed that gave so much to myself and my family. Hence my journey started in showing and breeding along with my then young daughter Madelyn.

Throughout the years I have been blessed to have many amazing dogs on the end of my lead and in the whelping box. Highlights have been co-owning and loving the late GCH CH Milbu Hillary, ROM as well as all of her children and grandchildren, winning Best In Specialty Show with GCH CH Althof True Reflection as well as watching my daughter shine while she was into showing dogs. Each champion that I have owned or bred has a special place in my heart.

It is truly an honor to be asked to judge Junior Showmanship at the ACKCSC National Specialty. Juniors are the future of our breed, and it is so exciting to see their enthusiasm, dedication, and passion for the sport of dogs. Myself, along with the Junior Showmanship Committee, are dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where every participant feels valued, supported, and encouraged to grow.

Jr Showmanship Judge

Lamont Yoder, Woftam Cavaliers

I was raised with terriers, cockers and one of my best childhood memories with an amazing Old English Sheepdog.  When I finished college and started out on my own, I did research on all breeds to decide what breed I would add to my life and as a result I discovered Cavaliers in 1989 and began showing with my second Cavalier, a tricolor female named Holly.  

Over the years I have served on many all breed and Cavalier specialty Clubs, and  on the Board of Directors of the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club.  I have taught many AKC Judges Seminars on the breed, judged over 20 Cavalier Specialty shows including in Australia, and have judged Sweepstake and Futurity at the American National Specialty, and our founding The Cavalier Club Open Show in the UK.

I am deeply honored and incredibly excited to be invited to judge the ACKCSC Independent Specialty, and look forward to seeing some lovely happy Cavaliers that give me goosebumps and melt my heart.  We truly have the most amazing loving breed in the world, and I am thrilled for this judging assignment!

(See Catalog for Full Bio!)

Companion Events & Performance Judges

Agility Judge (Friday)
Pamela Sturtz

I’ve been doing agility since 1994 after starting my “doggie career” in obedience in 1981.  I attended the first AKC agility trials that were held in NYS and surrounding areas. 

I decided to become a judge and attended the judging seminar in Massachusetts in 1999 and have been fully licensed since 2000.  I have judged in many states, including Hawaii and Alaska.  I have run several different breeds of dogs- multiple border collies, a papillon, and mudis.  (I’ve also handled my husband’s German Shepherd Dog occasionally).  I have had the honor to attend several national events including agility nationals, agility invitationals and Westminster Kennel ClubAgility Masters and the thrill of earning several MACHs, PACHs, and an AGCH.

In my non-doggie life, I was a science teacher and taught biology and physics at the high school and junior college levels.  I am married with a son, and 2 granddaughters and live in Afton, NY.

I love judging agility.  I love to watch each team as the decide how to run the course and I love meeting people and making new friends.  I am very happy to be judging tor the ACKCSC.
Agility Judge (Friday-Sunday)

Cheri Tyre-Roberts

Cheri, a highly experienced agility trainer and AKC Agility Judge, joins us for this exciting weekend of competition. Her background includes 35 years as a head swim coach and 25 years as a teacher, giving her a deep understanding of skill development and positive training methods. As a master agility competitor, she has trained many dogs of various breeds to national competition.

We are grateful for her expertise and commitment to the sport. Cheri would like to thank the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club for the invitation and honor to judge your National Specialty .

Agility Judge (Sat-Sun)

Rhonda Bermke

Canines and the sport of pure-bred dogs have always been a big part of my life. I grew up participating in dog events with my mother and, with the exception of college life, have never been without a dog. My very first AKC licensed show was in 1979 with my Shetland Sheepdog. Since then I have “grown up” and established my own kennel, White Ridge, located just outside of Green Bay, WI.

I am married to Rob and we have one son, Sam. Currently we share our home with two Standard Longhaired Dachshunds and three Border Collies. I am involved and titled my dogs in multiple AKC venues, including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, scent, and earthdog work.

In 2011 I became an AKC agility judge and soon followed with my junior showmanship license, rally license and conformation license to judge some hound, working and herding breeds. I have been honored to judge the AKC Nationals in 2016 and 2017, the finals at the AKC Invitational in 2019 and Westminster Kennel Club in 2022. I appreciate and delight in watching each and every team that steps to the start line in the agility ring.

Rally & Obedience Judge

Denise D Lacrois (both days)

When I was 9 my parents bought me my first dog, Tinkerbelle, a rough Collie that I trained to do tricks and some obedience. I guess I have been judging dog shows since I was 11 when I would put on dog shows in my yard judging the neighborhood kids with their dogs. My first obedience dog as an adult was my Great Dane, Brindle. We never made it to trials only matches. We bred and showed (confirmation) Alaskan Malamutes for years. No obedience but they loved to pull sleds. My first obedience dog was my Standard Poodle Ledgeland’s Tiger Lily UD. Our love for Corgis started in the 70’s when we bought our first Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Rottie, for my son Billy to show in Jr Showmanship. My corgis have earned numerous obedience, rally, tracking, agility and herding titles. We have earned 3 AKC Versatile Companion Dog 1 titles and 2 VCD 2 titles. Right now, I have 2 corgis Molly 1 year old   and Duncan 7 ½ years old.

I have been an AKC Obedience judge since 2001 and Rally judge since it started. I also judge AKC Farm Dog, Temperament Testing, CGC, Fetch and Trick Dog. I really enjoy judging. I still compete so I can feel your pain and celebrate your victories. I wish more competitors would realize our dogs love us, win or lose. I dislike competitors that get upset with their dogs when things don’t go right. Dogs are dogs, they don’t purposely not sit or ignore you on the drop on recall. They don’t ask to be in the ring, they are there because they love you. We ask a lot of them. We should be more understanding. My Maisey, who we lost in March at almost 16 was a rescue. We started fostering her when she was 4 1/2, then decided to adopt her. She was dog reactive; a fear biter and we had to chase her around the house to catch her. She was Ledgeland’s Miss Maisey VCD 1, NA NAJ BN PCD TD HT FDC. TKA, CGCA RAE CDX RATS. Her scores were never the best, but we were thrilled to walk out of that ring with a green ribbon. You should be too. Our titles don’t come with scores.

Try to keep it fun for you and your dogs. I look forward to judging for your club.

Thank you, Denise Lacroix

Seminar Speaker Biographies

Breeder Education Roundtable Participants
To Be Announced

Health Seminar Presenter

Devin Berthiaume, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Dr. Devin Berthiaume is a native of Worcester, MA. He obtained a master’s degree in bovine calf nutrition from the University of Vermont in 2006 and is a 2010 graduate of Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation from Tufts, he completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, followed by a one-year specialty medical and surgical neurology internship at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle.

His formal training in neurology culminated with a three-year medical and surgical neurology residency, also at VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle. Dr. Berthiaume joined the staff at VCA South Shore (Weymouth) Animal Hospital in 2015 and became board certified in neurology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2016.

ACKCSC 2025 National Specialty

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