Meet the Junior Handler Natalie Van Tassel

Meet the Junior Handler Natalie Van Tassel

1. Where do you live? Where do you go to school?

Natalie Van Tassel: My name is Natalie Van Tassel, and I reside in Covington, Washington. I am in the 12th grade and attend Washington’s Connections Academy.

2. Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? Do you have a job?

Natalie Van Tassel: I do have other hobbies! They include enjoying nature, drawing, and cooking. While I don’t have an official corporate job, I groom dogs and clean kennels, as well as create art commissions for pets and logos.

3. Have you grown up in a doggy family? What is your breed(s)?

Natalie Van Tassel: My family has always had dogs by our sides; from the time I was very little I don’t ever remember a time that we didn’t have dogs. My heart breed is the Australian Shepherd, and this is the current breed that resides in our home, but I have fallen in love with a few other breeds like the English Springer Spaniel and Border Collie.

4. How were you introduced to Junior Showmanship? When did you start competing?

Natalie Van Tassel: I was introduced into Junior Showmanship a little over five years ago when I received my first Australian Shepherd puppy, “Remington” (aka “Remi”), and my mentor invited me to a handling class. After that first class I fell in love and found my purpose; the rest is history!

5. What do you remember about the first time you showed as a Junior?

Natalie Van Tassel: I remember my very first time showing in Junior Showmanship. It was at an ASCA (American Shepherd Club of America) show at my mentor’s house and I remember being very nervous and green, yet I was never deterred or considered giving up. Every once in a while I still see photos of my first time showing and laugh looking back on it, but you have to remember, everyone starts somewhere!

6. How do you prepare your dog and yourself for the ring? Any rituals? Any good luck charms?

Natalie Van Tassel: Preparing my dog and myself before ring time starts with the grooming, for both me and my dog. I make sure he (or any dog I’m showing) is looking his very best, and after that is done, I make sure I look the part as well. A professional look is a must. Ringside, I always make sure to work my dog, to get both his and my mindset in place and warmed up for the ring. I also like to give him a kiss on the head and tell him that he is a good boy before we go in the ring.

7. What’s it like in the ring when the pressure is on? Do you have a secret for handling the nerves?

Natalie Van Tassel: When the pressure is on, I tend to get very fidgety, touching or repositioning legs, flattening or brushing hairs (that probably look fine), and sometimes my hands tremble. My biggest secret for handling these nerves is to fake it till you make it. If you aren’t feeling confident that day, fake it, and eventually you will trick your mind into thinking you are confident and the best thing out there.

8. Do you have a mentor in the sport? Have you assisted any Professional Handlers?

Natalie Van Tassel: I have many memorable, esteemed, and wonderful mentors in this sport, all who have taught me to be the handler I am today. I am eternally grateful to each and every one of them, and I am so blessed to have them in my circle. I also have assisted many renowned Professional Handlers and have learned a lot, and I am forever grateful to them as well!

9. Are there any wins for which you are particularly proud? Any memorable losses?

Natalie Van Tassel: There are so many memorable wins that I have made throughout the years of showing, a couple examples being my boy, Remi, winning Best of Breed Altered at the 2022 ASCA Pre-Show, and my first AKC (American Kennel Club) Best Junior with my boy. Another memorable win would have to be qualifying for The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the first time, and then Masters after that. I don’t have any memorable losses because, even though I may not have won or placed that day, I remember that it’s the judge’s opinion that day and, no matter what, I am walking out of that ring with the best dog.

10. How do you accentuate your dog’s breed type in the ring? How do you try to stand out?

Natalie Van Tassel: To accentuate my dog’s breed type in the ring, I really focus on presenting him in a way that shows off his best features. I’m not afraid to switch things up; sometimes I’ll kneel, or move out away from him to get a better picture for the judge. I always make sure I’m moving at the right speed to match his natural gait, so his movement looks clean and effortless. Stacking is also a big part of it; my dog tends to rock back on his feet, so I’ve taught him a cue—“rock it,”—to push himself forward into the correct position. It’s small details like this that really help us stand out.

11. Is your breed generally well-suited for a Junior Showmanship career?

Natalie Van Tassel: Australian Shepherds are a very energetic, highly intelligent breed that can be very biddable and eager to please. They are a wonderful size and are also easy to maintain, as they are very “wash and wear.” However, since they are a Herding breed, training and socialization are very important to ensure a well-balanced and well-adjusted dog. They may not be a good choice for everyone, and I recommend doing research and contacting breeders as being essential for picking any Junior dog.

12. Are there any breeds that you would like to show but haven’t shown yet?

Natalie Van Tassel: There are! I have always wanted to handle Borzois, Scottish Deerhounds, and Irish Wolfhounds. I find them to be very elegant and mythical dogs; they have always caught my eye.

13. What can be done to encourage more young people to participate in Junior Showmanship?

Natalie Van Tassel: One way to encourage more young people to participate in Junior Showmanship is to make the experience more accessible and welcoming. Even small things, like keeping Junior entries affordable, can make a difference, especially since many Juniors are entering on their own or with limited support. I understand clubs have expenses, but sometimes the entry cost can be the deciding factor for whether or not a Junior gets to compete. Encouraging mentorship, creating more Junior-friendly events, and promoting the program through schools or youth groups could also help to bring in new faces and grow the sport.

14. Have you bred or co-bred a litter? If so, can you share what you’ve learned from the experience?

Natalie Van Tassel: While I haven’t bred any of my Australian Shepherds yet, I have co-bred a few Border Collie litters and helped to whelp a few Aussie litters as well. I have learned so much, from things like heat cycles, progesterone windows, breeding, temperature drops, gestation, and problems that can happen after birth.

15. Is breeding something that you’d like to pursue? Is breed preservation important to you?

Natalie Van Tassel: Breeding is one of my longtime dreams that I want to pursue in the future. I want to better and preserve our breed to the best of my ability, and possibly, one day, give another Junior their very first best friend.

16. What are your goals for the future? Do you see yourself continuing in the sport once you’ve aged-out?

Natalie Van Tassel: My goals for the future are deeply connected to my dream of becoming a breeder. I hope to one day have my own successful breeding program and champion the dogs I’ve bred. More than just finishing titles, I want to produce dogs that truly represent the Breed Standard, both in structure and temperament. One of my biggest dreams is to win a Best in Show with a dog I’ve bred and handled myself; that would be the ultimate full-circle moment. Even after I age-out of Juniors, I absolutely see myself continuing in the sport. I love everything about it—the dogs, the challenge, the community—and I want to stay involved as a breeder, handler, and mentor for future Juniors, just like others have done for me.

17. Can you share a word or two about your relationship with your current dog? What does s/he mean to you?

Natalie Van Tassel: My boy, Remi, means the absolute world to me. He is my other half, and he gives me purpose in life. I am forever grateful to him for being my first best friend, and for always cheering me up when I am down and for showing his heart out for me.

18. Is there a funny story that you can share about experiences as a Junior Handler?

Natalie Van Tassel: While I don’t have any wild or over-the-top funny stories—like losing a shoe in the ring or having my skirt fall off—I do have a sweet, funny memory that always makes me smile. One time during the exam with my dog Remi, the judge was going over him when Remi suddenly tilted his head back and gave the judge a big, wet kiss right on the face. I was so embarrassed in the moment and didn’t really know what to do, but looking back, it was one of those innocent, charming things that just reminds me how much heart our dogs have. It ended up being more wholesome than anything, and now it’s a moment I’ll always remember fondly.