2026 MONTGOMERY COUNTY KENNEL CLUB: JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP JUDGE

MORGAN MILLER

Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the Junior Showmanship Finals at the Montgomery County Kennel Club All-Terrier Show?

I was thrilled to receive the honor to judge. I remembered how special and prestigious Montgomery County Kennel Club was to exhibit at as a Junior who specialized in Terriers.

How did you prepare for this assignment? Any “day of ” strategies?

Safety of Juniors and dogs is the number one priority in my ring. Closely followed by having fun and a positive ring experience. I made sure to keep my directions clear and concise, and remind the Juniors to enjoy the moment with their dogs.

Can you talk a bit about your typical process for judging Junior Showmanship?

I look for individuals with “quiet hands.” Terriers can be feisty, and being able to control and present those breeds to the Standard are key. I would trust any of my winners to handle my own dogs, which is the greatest compliment.

Was there a heightened energy in your ring? Did you feel any excitement from ringside?

Yes! Many former Juniors, and successful handlers in our sport, came to observe the future generations. The Best Junior selection was incredibly fierce and made me proud to stand in the ring amongst them. The sportsmanship of the Juniors cheering on their fellow competitors was amazing.

Did the Juniors in your ring seem especially focused? Any nerves on display?

In any prestigious high-stakes show, there will be nerves. With the crisp Fall air that morning, the dogs were also on their toes.

How evident was breed-specific presentation among the finalists?

All of my selected finalists exhibited each individual breed to the best of their ability. Knowing the nuances of each breed is part of the reason each Junior is at the level they are.

With so much talent in your ring, how challenging was this assignment?

Extremely challenging! It was a joy to have such a large entry of Juniors at this show compared to previous years. The future is bright!

Is there anything you’d like to say to this year’s Junior Handlers?

Making a final decision in each of my classes was challenging. The difference between first and second many times came down to tiny preferences. Dog showing is about finding something you love with your best friend by your side. Keep practicing, and enjoy each and every moment with your dog. Win or lose, you know you did the best you could.

Do you have any advice you’d like to offer to your winning Junior?

This young lady did an amazing job with her dog. I would trust her to show any of my difficult breeds in the future. Her poise and calm hands with a dog that challenged her made her stand out. Keep up the great work!

Based on this assignment, would you say the future of the Terrier Breeds is in capable hands?

I am confident that the future of our Terrier Breeds is in GREAT hands! I look forward to seeing what they all accomplish in the future!

2026 MONTGOMERY COUNTY KENNEL CLUB: BEST JUNIOR HANDLER

KADENCE LANCASTER

Congratulations, Kadence, on your Best Junior Handler win at the 2026 Montgomery County Kennel Club All-Terrier Show. Is it a dream come true?

Yes! To be awarded Best Junior Handler at such a prestigious dog show like Montgomery County is truly an honor. I have always heard people talk about how important this particular show is and how incredible the competition would be as well, so I felt the stakes were high. This is the last time I could compete at Montgomery as a Junior before aging-out, and this added a lot of pressure. When I started working for Tracy Szaras, it immediately became a goal of mine and to achieve this win was so rewarding.

How was the overall experience of being in Pennsylvania for you? Were you busy all weekend?

My personal experience this week was amazing! Being surrounded by the quality of dogs that are beautiful representations of their breeds was very exciting. Montgomery County has a very special energy throughout the whole week, which is unlike any other show you attend. While being an assistant and working for Tracy Szaras, we were busy all week, but I can’t image the week being any different. It was very exhilarating.

Who was the first person you called or texted after you’d won?

I was lucky enough to have Tracy at the ring supporting me during Juniors. Aside from her, on my way back to the setup, I called my good friend Taylor Stone who won Best Junior at Montgomery County the previous year.

To be awarded Best Junior Handler at such a prestigious dog show like Montgomery County is truly an honor. I have always heard people talk about how important this particular show is and how incredible the competition would be as well, so I felt the stakes were high.

I’ve learned so much and met so many people that I now consider family. I consider myself lucky to have parents who have been so supportive of my dreams, especially this year with the stress of rankings.”

How have you celebrated your victory? Did you and your dog enjoy a special meal that night?

The best answer to this question is we celebrated with a long nap. Rian got to eat lots of cookies, take lots of pictures, and was the center of attention, which he loves.

You’ve shown several different dogs in Juniors. How did you choose which dog to show this year?

I have had the privilege of showing many great dogs in Juniors, but it was an easy decision. I had been showing Rian here and there for quite some time, and when showing him as a Juniors dog was offered to me, I immediately said yes. Rian is a dog I thoroughly enjoy showing, and feeling the challenge that comes with it makes this win even more rewarding.

What does your dog mean to you now that you share this win together?

Rian is a very special dog and I hope we can continue to achieve many things together before my time in Juniors comes to an end. He is such a fun little dog to be around and I can’t imagine showing a different Terrier on such a special day. I can’t wait to watch what he achieves in his career with his handler, Tracy Szaras.

How has Junior Handling made a difference in your life? In your family’s life?

Junior Showmanship has had a large impact on my family’s life. I have been showing in Juniors alongside my twin sister since we turned nine, and quite frankly, I can’t imagine my life without the opportunities that Junior Showmanship has given me. I’ve learned so much and met so many people that I now consider family. I consider myself lucky to have parents who have been so supportive of my dreams, especially this year with the stress of rankings.

Would you like to say a few words to this year’s judge? To your competitors?

To my Juniors judge, Miss Morgan Miller, thank you! Not only for awarding me, but for your compliments on the connection that Rian and I have and how well we work together. It was such an honor to win under a former Junior who understands the stress of this particular competition. To all of my competitors, I wouldn’t be where I am without you. Thank you for pushing me to be the best I can be.

Can you offer any advice to Juniors looking to compete at next year’s Montgomery?

Learn as much as you can. This is a week where you can learn about any Terrier breed, from the best in the sport. I would advise working for a handler to truly get the full experience of adrenaline and competitiveness that this week contains. I would also advise those wanting to attend this show to embrace the traditions. You can only go to a show like this once a year.

What’s next for Kadence Lancaster?

I will be aging-out of Junior Showmanship soon, so I hope to enjoy my last few months while I can! I will continue working as an assistant and plan to learn as much about Terriers as I possibly can.