MILLERTON RESIDENT TO COMPETE AT
140th ANNUAL WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW
IN FEBRUARY IN NEW YORK CITY
A Millerton resident and current student of The Hotchkiss School will be competing at the 140th Annual Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show in New York City on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15-16, 2016.
Amelia Smith and Grace (GCH. CH. Starkweather How Sweet the Sound) will be among more than 3,000 dogs competing in the events of Westminster Week, which includes the iconic all-breed dog show, its 3rd Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster and the Inaugural Masters Obedience Championship.
Amelia began handling at the age of nine, debuting with a Pug and, later, a Smooth Collie. Having experienced the world of dog showing at a young age when her parents hired a professional handler to exhibit the family Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Amelia decided after much research that a Norwich Terrier would be a great addition to the pack and her choice for her first show dog. She trained Diesel, the Norwich, and began handling him when he was six months old. In little time, the pair found great success in Junior Handling and Breed Conformation. Diesel received a Reserve Winners Dog title at the Montgomery County Terrier Nationals, a prestigious terrier show in Blue Bell, PA and earned his Championship in 2012. The two traveled to the Eukanuba National Championships in Orlando, FL in 2011 and 2012 and to Westminster in 2012.
After Diesel’s retirement in 2012, Amelia’s family purchased Grace, a Border Terrier. Grace has become a star in the ring, earning multiple Best of Breed wins and Group Placements with limited showing. She earned her Championship in 2014 and her Grand Championship in 2015. In 2015, Grace was awarded Best of Breed at Montgomery, defeating 93 Border Terriers and catapulting her to the #14 Border Terrier in the nation. Amelia has won nine Best Junior title this year with Grace and is the #4 Border Terrier Junior Handler and #12 Terrier Junior Handler in the United States for 2015.
Breed competition in Westminster’s world-famous dog show will be held during the day at Piers 92/94. The evening finals (Groups and Best In Show) will be held at Madison Square Gardenand televised live from 8-11pm ET on CNBC, Monday, Feb. 15 and on USA Network on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
The dog show is preceded on Saturday, Feb. 13, by the 3rd Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster on Pier 94 as part of the “Meet & Compete” event which also includes AKC Meet The Breeds® presented by Purina Pro Plan on Piers 92 and 94 giving Westminster Week a full range of informational and fun dog-related activities.
For the full Westminster Week schedule, please see www.westminsterkennelclub.org.
