PRELIMINARIES
FINALS
2025 JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP JUDGES
PRELIMINARIES
MR . ADAM PETERSON of Seagrove , North Carolina . Mr . Adam Peterson ’ s involvement in the dog show world began at age 13 by showing his family ’ s Rottweilers and Miniature Longhaired Dachshunds in Junior Showmanship . Soon after , he acquired his first dogs — a pair of Whippets and a Gordon Setter — marking the start of his lifelong commitment to the sport .
Following his junior career , Adam apprenticed under respected handlers for over a decade , building the foundation for his own career as a professional handler and AKC Registered Handler . Together with his wife , Maddie , he breeds Wirehaired and Longhaired Dachshunds , Golden Retrievers , and Smooth Fox Terriers .
As a provisional Juniors judge , Adam is deeply invested in the future of the sport , bringing dedication to each assignment . This Westminster appointment marks his first judging role at this esteemed event .
MRS . KELLIE WILLIAMS of Riverview , Florida . Kellie Williams entered the world of dog sports at the age of nine , competing in 4-H before she was introduced to the AKC . During her Junior Showmanship career and into her twenties , she had the privilege of working with renowned professional handlers who mentored her and instilled in her a deep passion for the sport . Kellie credits these invaluable experiences with shaping her skills and dedication to the world of purebred dogs .
Her judging career began at just 18 years old when she aged out of Junior Showmanship to begin judging this competition . Kellie has since been honored to judge at prestigious events , including the Royal Canin preliminaries and the Louisville Kennel Club . She is especially thrilled to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to her first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show , where she will proudly judge our Junior Showmanship Preliminaries .
FINALS
MRS . ELIZABETH JORDAN-NELSON of Sacramento , California . Raised in the world of dog shows , Mrs . Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson exhibited her first dog — a Boxer — at the age of seven . She advanced to Junior Showmanship , and by age 16 , she achieved the # 1 Junior Handler status in 2000 , followed by a memorable win as Best Junior Handler at the Westminster Kennel Club in 2001 . Today , as a secondgeneration all-breed professional handler , Elizabeth has guided multiple breeds across various groups to championships , Group wins , Best in Shows , and specialty victories , including National Specialty titles . Generations of her family have been passionate advocates of the sport .
Mrs . Jordan-Nelson has been judging Junior Showmanship for over 20 years , beginning with her first assignment in April 2003 . This Westminster event marks her second judging assignment , having previously judged Junior Showmanship Preliminaries in 2021 .
WESTMINSTER . There ’ s only one ® 41