Meet Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson – 2025 WKC Dog Show Junior Showmanship Judge

Meet Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson – 2025 WKC Dog Show Junior Showmanship Judge

Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the Junior Showmanship Finals at Westminster?

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: Pure excitement! What an honor to have been asked to judge the next generation of greats at the world’s greatest dog show.

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

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: Honestly, picking out my dress was the hardest part, lol! I knew ahead of time what my ring procedure would be, and having that mapped out in my head made it fairly easy.

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

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: I start by evaluating each participant by how they show their breed to the way their breed should be shown. Every breed is different and should be shown slightly differently. Bites are shown differently; to hold or not to hold a tail; speed at which a dog is trotted… all play a part.

Was there a heightened energy in your ring? Did you feel the energy of the spectators?

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: Oh, my goodness, YES! Madison Square Garden is huge and when the crowd goes wild it’s exciting! The energy is felt by judges, handlers, and dogs alike.

Did the Juniors in your ring seem especially focused? Any nerves on display? I definitely felt some nerves, but who wouldn’t be nervous?!

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: Nerves can be used to fuel the fire to succeed, so I felt they all used them wisely.

How evident was breed-specific presentation among the finalists?

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: It was a HUGE factor in my final decision. As stated above, breed-specific handling is key.

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

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: Every young lady in my ring has a gift and made my decision tough. I truly appreciate their skill and passion for our sport, and I love that they made my decision a hard one. Great job, ladies!

Is there anything you’d like to say to the Juniors who made it to the Finals this year?

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: Life’s greatest accomplishments come from hard work and big dreams… never stop either one!

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

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: Taylor Johnson, you showed your Old English Sheepdog beautifully that night. Keep doing what you are truly gifted at and enjoy every minute.

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

Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson: More than capable hands. These ladies prove every time they step into a ring that we are going to be A-OK.