JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP
Junior Showmanship competition is for children ages 9-18 years of age . In this competition , the young people are judged solely on their handling skills , independent of the dog ’ s traits . The competition promotes proper training and animal care to prepare future generations for responsible dog ownership , sportsmanship , as well as the opportunity to bond with one ’ s dog .
These young handlers must demonstrate breed knowledge in the presentation of the dog and the economy of motion . The judge is considering how well the handlers present their dogs regarding control , teamwork , composure , and unexaggerated movement . Like the best adult handlers , the goal for the Juniors is to enhance their dog ’ s qualities to the judge without using distracting , unnecessary motions .
Since 1934 the Westminster Kennel Club has offered Junior Showmanship competition ( formerly known as Children ’ s Handling class ). Today , Junior Showmanship at Westminster is a limited class for young people who have won Best Junior Handler awards five times or more at AKC dog shows over a specific one-year time frame . The competition has preliminary judging round where nearly 100 Juniors from across the country are judged , with eight finalists being selected to move on to the Finals competition . The competition concludes with the awarding of a Best Junior Handler and 2nd , 3rd , and 4th place winners . This exciting finale for the youth of our sport will be judged on Wednesday evening , June 22 , 2022 , prior to the Group judging .
Since 2010 , the Westminster Kennel Club has offered Junior Showmanship Finalist Scholarship Awards to the eight Finalists : First place $ 10,000 , Second place $ 5,000 , Third place $ 4,000 , and Fourth place $ 3,000 . Each of the other Finalists receives a $ 500 scholarship award .
JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP FINALS JUDGE
MS . KAREN MAMMANO of Webster , New York grew up the sport of dogs . Her mother was a longtime Golden Retriever breeder ( one of their dogs , Liberty , went to President Ford in the White House ). Together , they bred Goldens ; her mother showed in conformation while Ms . Mammano exhibited in Obedience and Junior Showmanship , first qualifying for Westminster at the age of 10 . She went on to work for dog handlers and then at the age of 18 , Ms . Mammano began her dog handling career which now spans over 30 years .
CHRISTINA FRAUSINI
As a youngster she had dreamed of winning at Westminster and even drew a picture of herself with a Golden Retriever on the winning platform . That dream came true in 2020 as she handled a Golden Retriever named Daniel to first place in the Sporting group .
Other highlights of her handling career include , winning Best in Show from all seven groups , and Best in Show at the World Dog Show in Portugal . This is her second judging assignment at Westminster .
WESTMINSTER There ’ s only one ® 37