Bebe Mathews reflects on her Best Junior Handler win at the 2024 Montgomery County Kennel Club All-Terrier Show.
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Bebe Mathews: Never in a million years would I have expected this win. Ever since I first started showing dogs three years ago, I heard about the world-famous “Montgomery County Kennel Club” and the significance of winning Best Junior at this prestigious show. The handlers that I’ve worked for always spoke highly of this specific show, so I knew it must be a big deal. I spoke to previous Juniors who had won in past years, and each one I looked up to and gained tips and knowledge from. This past year, I have been working very hard with my Juniors dog “Wizard” to give my best performance possible. I am extremely grateful for Miss Ashleigh Rutzel for finding us in such a difficult lineup of top Terrier Juniors. This is truly a win that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Bebe Mathews: My personal experience at Montgomery weekend 2024 was INCREDIBLE! My Mom and I started our drive from our hometown, Atlanta, on Tuesday, right after I got out of school. We arrived at the show site on Wednesday afternoon and set up to be ready bright and early for the first day of showing, which would be on Thursday. Throughout the weekend, I showed a Kerry Blue Terrier puppy in Junior Showmanship that I had been training in Sweepstakes and 6-9 Puppy class, and my personal Kerry Blue in Veterans for his final show before retirement. I had a great time hanging out with friends and meeting new people!
Bebe Mathews: The first person I texted after I won was my Dad. Sadly, he was not able to attend the show this year as he had work and needed to take care of my younger sister back at home. Even with all of the excitement from the win, he was the first to know! Both of my parents have been my biggest supporters from day one. Starting from a family with no background in dogs made it difficult for me, but their support means the world to me and they will always be the first to know about my successes.
Bebe Mathews: I took a flight home that night to make it to school in time on Monday morning, but when Wizard got home he got lots of treats and loving!
Bebe Mathews: I have only shown either my Kerry Blue (Reilly) in Juniors or my Russell Terrier (Wizard), unless it was a strange circumstance. Once I got Wizard in May of 2023, I focused on him more in Juniors as he was a completely new challenge and so much fun to show. He came to me barely able to walk on a show lead and keep all four feet on the floor, but with a lot of determination and practice I trained him into the perfect show dog for me. It was a given that I would be showing him for my final year at Montgomery Juniors.
Bebe Mathews: Wizard has been not only my Juniors dog but our family pet since May 2023. He fit in with our house the moment I brought him home. I knew he would be special and teach me so much, but I would have never thought that we would accomplish what we have together. This win does not define the love that I have for him. I could not care less about winning or losing. What is special to me is the bond I have with him and that he always gives his best performance at any show we go to, and that is what he did!
Bebe Mathews: I was the first in my family ever to show dogs and I started at a late age of 15 years old. Even so, Junior Showmanship and dog shows have gifted me with so many incredible opportunities that I will forever be grateful for. Learning from top handlers has helped me grow so much as a person, pushing me outside of my comfort zone to try new things. I have met so many amazing friends who have been there in my journey since day one. Junior Showmanship has awarded me scholarships that will help me pursue my life after high school in college as well. I cannot imagine what my life would be if I did not attend that one show in Atlanta that started it all.
Bebe Mathews: Miss Ashleigh Rutzel was this year’s Juniors judge, a handler that I look up to so much. I could tell that she did not just pick the kids with the “flashiest” dogs in the rings, but for the Juniors who had a strong bond with their dog and worked for it. I respect Miss Rutzel very much as a person and as a judge, and it made the win extremely special!
Bebe Mathews: Definitely get advice from Terrier handlers or Juniors! Terriers are very difficult to show in Juniors—but also so much fun. Getting breed-specific advice is always great as it will help greatly at this tough Terrier Specialty. If you are a Terrier lover, it is not a show to skip out on as you will see so many of them and learn so much!
Bebe Mathews: I age-out of Juniors next month, November 2024. I am in my senior year of high school and I plan on attending college for animal sciences. I am still deciding on where I want to go, but I hope it’s close to home so that I can go to as many dog shows as possible.
Meet the Junior Handlers
Junior Handler Jemma Panzarino shares her journey in the sport, memorable wins and experiences, and goals for the future with purebred dogs.
