MS . DENISE FLAIM of Sea Cliff , New York , grew up in Queens , less than five miles from the 2023 Westminster show site . A breeder of Rhodesian Ridgebacks since the early 2000s under the Revodana prefix , Denise has served the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States as its historian , health-and-genetics chair , and AKC Gazette columnist . A professional journalist and award-winning author , she spent more than 20 years as an editor and columnist at the daily Long Island newspaper Newsday . Leaving the newsroom in 2008 , she became involved in dog-show magazines , publishing the popular quarterlies Sighthound Review , Modern Molosser , and The Ridgeback Register for the better part of a decade . A devoted student of dogs and their histories , today Denise publishes fine-quality dog books with a special focus on the evolution and preservation of our heritage breeds . Judging all breeds in the Hound and Working Groups , with a special interest in Sighthounds and Molossers , Denise has judged at all-breed and specialty shows in Germany , Italy , France , Denmark , and the United Kingdom . This is her first Westminster assignment .
MS . VALERIE HAMILTON of Brush Prairie , Washington , is a second-generation dog person whose family began in the sport in 1964 with Borzois . A few years later , they had a group winning Borzoi ( one of the nation ’ s top-ten Borzoi ) and established the kennel name of Khiva . Mrs . Hamilton ’ s parents purchased a Whippet for her in 1971 so that she could participate in Junior Showmanship . This Whippet became the foundation of Khiva ’ s Best in Show line of Whippets .
Having always admired the beauty of the Salukis , Khiva purchased their first Saluki in 1975 . The accomplishments include multiple Best in Show wins , numerous Specialty Best in Show wins , coursing , obedience , and Canine Good Citizen titles . Furthermore , she successfully owner-handled the number-one-ranked Saluki in America for three years in a row ( 2002 , 2003 , and 2004 ).
Mrs . Hamilton obtained her judging license in 1995 . She has judged internationally , including in Sweden , France , Germany , Australia , and Poland . Mrs . Hamilton is approved to judge several Hound breeds and Junior Showmanship . This is her first assignment at Westminster .
MRS . STEPHANIE S . HEDGEPATH of Lexington , South Carolina , began showing and breeding dogs in 1969 with a German Shepherd Dog . Since then , she has owned and shown dogs from the Herding , Sporting , Toy , and Non-Sporting Groups , finishing champions in each group . Since 1977 , Ms . Hedgepath has been breeding and showing Pembroke Welsh Corgis and is an AKC Breeder of Merit Gold .
Ms . Hedgepath began judging in 1988 , and notable assignments include the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Specialties . In 2011 , she was honored to judge the Welsh Corgi League National Show in England . Additional international assignments include Canada , Jamaica , Finland , Norway , Sweden , New Zealand , Australia , China , the Philippines , Ireland , and Mexico . She is approved to judge the Herding , Sporting , Toy , and Non-Sporting Groups . This is her second assignment at Westminster .
MRS . SANDRA PRETARI HICKSON of San Bruno , California , purchased her first show dog , an Akita , in 1993 . She exhibited the breed for many years , and then in 1996 , Ms . Hickson met and later partnered with longtime Dandie Dinmont breeder Betty Anne Stenmark . This partnership began with Sandra ’ s first Dandie Dinmont , CH King ’ s Mtn . Mouse Trap , a top producer who changed King ’ s Mtn . Dandies forever . In that litter was Ms . Hickson ’ s first All-Breed Best in Show winner , GCH King ’ s Mtn . Minnie Mouse , the top-winning owner-handled Dandie Dinmont in breed history , and her first National Specialty Best of Breed winner , CH King ’ s Mtn . Stuart Little , sire to MBIS / MBISS GCHB King ’ s Mtn . Angelina Ballerina , the top-winning female Dandie Dinmont in breed history . Also notable is MBIS / MBISS GCHB King ’ s Mtn . Prima Ballerina , the top Specialty-winning Dandie Dinmont in breed history with four National Specialty wins ( 2016 , 2017 , 2018 & 2019 ).
Ms . Hickson is currently approved to judge most Working breeds , Dandie Dinmonts , Dachshunds , and Otterhounds . This is her second judging assignment at Westminster .
MR . JASON HOKE of Madison , Wisconsin , is a second-generation dog man whose family began in the sport of purebred dogs breeding German Shepherds . In the following years , he and his family became successful Great Dane breeders under the Jamara prefix . He continued his career by becoming a professional all-breed handler , garnering many top awards in his career . Following his career as a professional dog handler , Mr . Hoke began a culinary career . He was a chef at esteemed restaurants , such as the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia . Mr . Hoke has enjoyed a judging career with appointments throughout the United States and worldwide , judging in thirty different countries . Mr . Hoke is still active with Great Danes and served on the Board of Directors as well as being the
WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2023