Best In Show Junior

For the past two years Becker Reep, our 11 year old middle son of the Mtn-to-Sea gang, has been the South Eastern Newfoundland Club‘s top Junior Handler. However, he stepped in up a notch in February of 2011 by deciding he would set a goal for himself of qualifying for both Eukanuba National Championship and Westminster Kennel Club Dog Shows. Becker’s Juniors Dog and best friend is HoneyLane’s BeeCreek Mtn-to-Sea Stella, formerly know as BadStella.

Stella was entrusted to us by Ginny Graham of Bee Creek and Kelli LePore of HoneyLane’s Newfoundlands. Kelli used our very own Stitch as a stud dog, and the Stella was shared with us by Ginny and Kelli. Stella came here as a ten week old puppy and immediately made herself known in household as being a wild child! She and Becker developed a very special relationship. Becker took ownership, and started training his dog himself. In the Summer of 2010, he earned his three Junior Novice wins, moving up into Junior Open. He then went on for several nice wins in Open, before heading into the travel soccer season.

While Becker was playing soccer, Stella took a maternity leave from the ring. Becker skipped school to assist in whelping her litter, and actively helped care for her babies. Becker took obedience classes at A Good Dog’s Life with instructor Susan Wilson giving him lots of advice on how to motivate Stella, and provided him with a foundation to train his dog.

Stella was still home with her puppies in February when Becker decided that he really wanted to qualify for Westminster in 2012, so he practiced with Doby, BiSS GrCh Voldemort at Chekrd Des Oursons du Vent, and together pulled off his first qualifying win for the 2011 calender year. Soccer was still an obligation, so Becker was getting to a show a month, but still managed to pick up a couple more wins. Then, at the Concord, NC show in April 2011 with Stella back, Becker and Stella won Best Junior in Show!! This was a large entry of 28 Juniors, with multiple other Best Junior In Show Winners as competition. For an eleven year old boy and his Newfoundland dog to win a Best Junior was a major accomplishment.

In June, 2011, at the Asheville Kennel Club, Becker picked up his fifth win, and qualified for Eukanuba National Championship show. The following weekend in Wayneville, NC, Stella and Becker did it again– winning a second Best Junior in Show, again with large entries!

The feedback from the judges is what epitomizes the team– they have all commented about the relationship between Becker and Stella, and how special it is to see the two of them work together. Stella adores her boy, and tries her newfy best to please him. She has learned what is expected from her in the ring, and Becker has continued to work on his handling skills. Professional Handler Lara Spears takes time at every show they are together to give him tips and advice on how to present his dog. Marie Tumlin has been showing him how to groom his dog himself. And all of Becker’s human brothers and sisters were present and cheering when he won his second Best Junior!

Becker has had the privilege of showing Maxine for Pat & Judy Randall, of Cru Newfoundlands in the breed ring and Rebel for Terry and Suzanne Lane in the Veterans at a Regional Specialty (and winning too!!) Most recently, in Orlando, FL in June of 2011, Becker and Stella won Winners Bitch for two points on Friday, and on Sunday went Winners Bitch, Best of Winners for a 3 point Major! Five points in three trips into the ring was a pretty big accomplishment for a little kid and his dog.

In Junior Handling, the child is being judged on their skills as a handler, and in the breed ring, the dog is being judged against breed standard. Becker and Stella both have what it takes!!  Watch out for these two!!