MRS . VICKI SEILER-CUSHMAN of Xenia , Ohio . Mrs . Vicki Seiler-Cushman began showing dogs when she was 12 years old , winning a group fourth at Westminster when she was 14-years-old , with her Siberian Husky , Ch . Lobo Rey . She competed in Junior Showmanship , finding it to be one of the best experiences for growing friendships and learning to compete gracefully .
Vicki became a Professional Handler , guiding many top-winning dogs in all seven groups . She has piloted dogs to more than 200 Best in Show wins and won two awards for her handling from Kennel Review Magazine ( Top New Professional Handler and Female Handler of the Year ). She was honored to judge for The Westminster Kennel Club ( 2019 ), Morris and Essex Kennel Club ( 2021 ), The AKC National Championship ( 2020 ), and The National Dog Show ( 2022 ). Vicki is on the board of the Dayton Kennel Club , a Member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America ( Chairman of the Judges Education Committee ), and The Giant Schnauzer Club of America .
Vicki judges more than 80 breeds over six groups . She is approved to judge the Working and Non-Sporting Groups , Sporting and Toy breeds , Junior Showmanship , and Best in Show . This is her third judging assignment at Westminster .
MRS . BETTY-ANNE STENMARK of Grass Valley , California . Mrs . Betty-Anne Stenmark has spent a lifetime in dogs , specializing in Dandie Dinmont Terriers since 1975 . She is the recently retired show chairman of Del Valle Dog Club , which , along with Skyline Dog Fanciers , host the successful Harvest Moon Classic Cluster .
Betty-Anne is approved for the Sporting Group , Hound Group , Terrier Group , half the Working breeds , and both Corgis . Most recently she was appointed the Dandie Dinmont Parent Club Breeder Education Coordinator . She has judged the Westminster Hound Group in 1998 and 2015 , the Terrier Group in 2005 , and Best in Show in 2018 . This is Betty-Anne ’ s 13th Westminster Kennel Club assignment .
MS . JOYCE VANEK of Evergreen , Colorado . Ms . Joyce Vanek was introduced to the world of dog shows with her mother ’ s Cocker Spaniels in St . Louis , MO in the 1960s . During high school and college , she owned and showed Miniature Schnauzers . She moved to Colorado in 1975 where she met her future husband , Dr . Steve Nielsen . He gave her a wonderful Old English Sheepdog ( OES ) puppy as an engagement gift .
With her Timbermist OES she competed first in obedience , then conformation , herding , eventually achieving many Group wins and obedience titles . Subsequently , a fabulous Portuguese Water Dog ( PWD ) strutted into her life . Joyce is the breeder-owner-handler of Best in Show and Number One ranked multi-titled Timbermist PWDS & OES .
She is approved to judge Best in Show , Herding , Working , Sporting , some Non-Sporting , and Miniature Schnauzers . She has judged in all 50 states and internationally in Australia , Scandinavia , South America , Mexico , Europe , and China . She has judged Westminster , Kennel Club of Philadelphia , Kennel Club of Palm Springs , Hatboro , Morris & Essex , Woofstock , and many specialties .
MR . JOESEPH R . VERNUCCIO of Stratford , Connecticut . Mr . Joe Vernuccio has bred Cairn Terriers under the Ashwood prefix for over 25 years . He handled and conditioned all his own dogs to win top honors at multiple National Specialties , The Westminster Kennel Club , and in the Best in Show ring . He is an active Board member of the Cairn Terrier Club of America and chair of the national club ’ s judge ’ s education program .
Joe was an integral part of the committee that wrote the Illustrated Guide to the Cairn Terrier , the breed ’ s updated illustrated standard . This booklet is considered the definitive guide to understanding the essence of the Cairn Terrier and is used throughout the world today .
Joe has judged in the UK , Denmark , Finland , and Belgium and he has travelled to the World and European Dog Shows and Crufts many times . He also has judged multiple Terrier breed specialties , including the Cairn Terrier National and Roving National . Currently , he judges the entire Terrier Group and one Toy breed . This is his first Westminster judging assignment .
32 THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2024