Bertshire
Andrea Holsinger - Regular Classes and BOB
I bought my first flat-coated retriever, Chaos, from Mark and Nancy Cavallo of Bertschire Flat-Coated Retrievers in 1985. Chaos became CH Bertschire Cotswold Chaos CD TD JH WCX HOF and was an owner-handled group winning top ten special. My first litter was co-bred with Nancy Cavallo in 1991. I took over the Bertschire affix in the early 2000’s and have since bred countless champions, obedience titlists, a MACH, hunt test titlists including Master Hunters, a Champion Tracker and group winning and placing FCRs. My breeding program has produced an FCRSA National Specialty Best of Breed winner, two National Specialty Best of Opposite Sex winners, WD, RWD, multiple Select Dogs, multiple JAMs, puppy and veteran sweepstakes winners (nearly all owner-handled) plus two additional National Specialty Best of Breed winners produced by our stud dogs. We also owned and imported two more National Specialty Best of Breed winners. In 2000, I had the great honor of judging the FCRSA National Specialty puppy and veteran sweepstakes. We continue to breed and show flat-coats and hope to do so for many years to come!
Windy Hill / Gamekeeper
Maria White - Non-Regular Classes and Juniors
Wind Dancer / Favor
Kerry Forni - Sweepstakes
Since 1997, I have been actively involved in breeding, showing, and competing in AKC conformation and performance events in Northern California with my Flat-Coated Retrievers. My first flat-coat was "Gambol" Ch. Shannara's Wind Dancer, JH, CD, AX, AXJ. Gambol's first litter, co-bred with Traci Spires, produced a two-time National Specialty winner BIS, BISS Ch. Shannara's Chamber of Secrets, JH, WC. I bred four additional litters under the Wind Dancer affix, and co-bred three litters with Keli Martin under the Favor affix. When I am not teaching fourth grade, I enjoy traveling abroad to attend Crufts, the World Dog Show, meeting breeders around the world, and visiting kennels to build relationships and to better understand type and character worldwide.
Prior to the Pandemic, I focused on putting Junior Hunters and Wes on my flat-coats and generally had a Special out competing in conformation. Since the Pandemic, I have been pursuing Master Hunter titles on my boys, and enjoying the camaraderie and support of my training group and fellow members of The Marlin Retriever Club and Sagehens Retriever Club. Three of four boys are competing, or close to competing in Master Tests, while the youngest male has just started running Senior Tests.
I have served the FCRSA in several capacities. I have served on the Board of Directors, Judges Selection Committee, Vice-President, co-chair of The Event Breeders Resource Committee, President, and co-chair of the "Summer of Love" 2016 National Specialty held in Sacramento. I recently joined the Specialty Fundraising Committee to help raise money for future National Specialties.
Thank you to the FCRSA Judges Selection Committee for this assignment. It is an honor and privilege to judge Veteran and Puppy Sweepstakes at the 2024 National Specialty.
Flatcharm
Kelly Holland - Beginner Puppy 4-6 Months
Flatcharm
Cindy Deak - Agility
I started agility in 2001 with my first Norwegian Elkhound. Since then, I have personally owned many breeds that I competed with in agility and other dog sports. I actively compete with my dogs in AKC and CPE, and have travelled all over the country to local, regional, and national events.
I am a multi-venue Judge and have been judging for over 15 years, and I enjoy judging and watching both the handlers and their dogs having fun. I have judged many breed National agility trials over the years, including Dobermans, Rottweilers, Australian Shepherds, Malinois, and soon the Flat-Coated Retriever Nationals and the Norwegian Elkhound Nationals.
I am looking forward to a terrific even and watching all of the Flat-Coats compete.
Ken Kinkaid - Obedience
Aimiee Kinkaid - Obedience
Aimee has had a lifelong love of animals. She had a mixed breed dog in the mid 1980s that was trained through much of utility long before mixed breeds were eligible to compete and even before Aimee knew what utility was. In 1998 she purchased an Australian Shepherd, Eli, for $375. Money well spent. Aimee took him for training at the local AKC obedience club so that she could have a nice dog with whom to live. He did very well and her instructor told her she should show him in obedience trials. The instructor helped fill out the entry form and the team came home with two green ribbons and two blue ribbons…the first two legs of their CD. She was hooked. Eli went from Novice A to UD and sired a couple of litters. Her husband, Ken Kincaid, purchased a puppy from one of those litters (yes, he was her husband at the time and yes, he purchased the puppy for full price…his decision) and he took the same road, becoming hooked on the sport of obedience also. Several more dogs and lots more titles resulted in a desire to judge. With the encouragement of a good friend, Deb Neufeld, Aimee started on the path to become an AKC obedience and Rally judge. Her husband joined her on this journey, also. Her first assignment was August 8, 2010.
Aimee and Ken live in Orlando Florida and own a dog training facility. They train, show, and breed Danish-Swedish Farmdogs. Aimee is looking forward to the joy the exhibitors will feel and wishes everyone a great weekend with their best Flat Coat friend.
Deb Neufeld - Obedience
Deborah Neufeld has been involved with AKC Obedience competition since 1981 and Rally since 2000. She is an AKC Obedience and Rally Judge, CGC, Trick Dog and AKC Temperament Test Evaluator. Deborah proudly represented the sport of Rally on both the first and second AKC Rally Advisory Committees. She judged the Inaugural Rally National Competition in 2013, the 2020 Rally National Championship, the 2016 AKC Obedience Classic, and the 2021 NOC. Deb also writes a regular column for Front and Finish.
Deb is a 40 year Union member with IATSE and is proficient in convention set up and wardrobe (dressing performers) for live theater. She creates beaded jewelry in her spare time. She currently resides in Kissimmee, Florida with her husband, Chip. They share their home with a brindle Boxer named Maya, a black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Dylan, a Danish-Swedish Farmdog named Daisy, and a Danish-Swedish Farmdog puppy named Bowie. All of her dogs train for Obedience, as well as Rally and Trick Dog.
Deb has trained an Irish Setter, Doberman, All Americans, Min-Pin, Toy Fox Terriers, Cocker Spaniel, Boxers, Cavaliers, and now Danish-Swedish Farmdogs.
Deborah recognizes the enormous honor and responsibility of being selected to judge the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America National Specialty, and she hopes everyone entered enjoys the experience as much as she will!
Good luck to all!