Meet Our Judges

Joanna Jones – Scent Work Judge

Dr. Joanna Jones returns to judge the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America, Inc’s ® second National Specialty Scent Work trial. Her connection to the breed began in 1998 while still in college, and since then, she has trained and titled Australian Cattle Dogs in nearly every dog sport imaginable—Agility, Obedience, Rally, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, Fast CAT, Therapy Dog work, Trick Dog, and now even Dock Diving and Tracking.

A 20-year member of the ACDCA, Inc and board member of the Central Indiana Tracking Club, Joanna brings a deep, firsthand appreciation for working dogs and the sports that engage them. She began trialing in scent work as soon as AKC launched the sport, titling her dog “Trek” in AKC, CPE, and NACSW competitions. Trek is still one of only four Australian Cattle Dogs to earn an AKC Scent Work Master Elite title.

Joanna became an AKC Scent Work judge in 2022 and currently competes with her young dog, Tavi, who holds scent work titles across AKC, NACSW, and CPE venues.

We are thrilled to have Joanna Jones judging our Scent Work event and deeply appreciate her contributions to both the breed and the sport.

Erin Seely – Scent Work Judge

Erin Seely of Belleville, IL, is a distinguished NACSW Certifying Official, certified across all Advanced and Elite levels—Odor Search, Handler Discrimination, and Detective divisions. She holds Elite titles in multiple breeds and across organizations including AKC, NACSW, and CPE.

Erin grew up in a dog show family and has been around dogs almost all of her life. She started off as a junior handler and handled several dogs to their championship titles before she was even a teenager.

At 10 years old, she put her first obedience title on her German Shepherd Tammy, earning their CD. In her adult years she continued to trial her German Shepherds in many different performance sports, including Schutzhund, obedience, agility, tracking and rally.

Looking for something different to do with her dogs, Erin discovered K9 Nose Work. Erin became a CNWI and through her business, Happy Dog Concepts, teaches a variety of K9 Nose work classes in two locations in the greater St. Louis area and southern Illinois.

In addition to her German Shepherds, Erin also has Border Terriers. Her Border Terrier Gabby earned her ELT-CH in January 2018 and is the first Border Terrier in the history of the breed to do so. Her Border Terrier Joker earned his ELT-CH October 2021 and is the second Border Terrier to do so. German Shepherd Storm has his ELT1. The newest addition to the family, Border Terrier Philby is in training and has some mighty big paws to fill! In addition to K9 Nose Work, Erin and the Borders compete in a variety of sports including conformation, obedience, earthdog, agility and dock diving.

We are proud to welcome Erin Seely and deeply appreciate her dedication to advancing scent work and commitment to our competitors 

Natalie McManus – Scent Work Judge

Natalie McManus (Troy, MO) was lucky enough to get involved in K9 Nose Work in Southern California in 2009, with her first dog. She had access to many fantastic instructors, and quickly fell in love with the sport. Especially wonderful was the benefit to her reactive dog, as they found an activity and sport that they could participate and excel in.

She loves competing in nose work, having trialed 5 dogs of varying breeds, with the current oldest up to the Summit level. She has been teaching since 2011 and now teaches both in person and virtually.

Natalie is an AKC-approved Scent Work Judge, a Certified Nose Work Instructor, and a NACSW Certifying Official. She has titled dogs in multiple scent work organizations and continues to compete with her own dogs at the highest levels.

Natalie is a well-respected instructor known for her fair and balanced judging style and deep understanding of scent theory. She brings warmth and enthusiasm to the ring, offering supportive guidance that helps teams succeed. Her professional experience also includes developing search challenges as a Chief Search Designer for USCSS events.

We are delighted to welcome Natalie McManus to judge Scent Work at our event and thank her for her time and thoughtful evaluation of our competitors.

Ed Presnall – Tracking Judge

Ed Presnall is widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities in the sport of canine tracking. Since 1994, Ed has worked with thousands of dogs across more than 140 breeds, helping handlers develop advanced tracking skills through both weekend and week-long workshops held nationally and internationally. His training approach is built around innovative problem-solving, mental preparation, and component-based instruction designed to simulate real-world and urban tracking environments.

He has played a pivotal role in shaping the sport, with his students earning over 600 advanced tracking titles, including more than 120 Variable Surface Tracking (VST) titles—making him one of the most prolific tracking coaches in the country. He also helped pioneer techniques that have become essential tools for teams pursuing Champion Tracker titles.

Ed’s reputation as both a judge and teacher is built on fairness, clarity, and an unwavering focus on dog-handler teamwork. His ability to think “outside the box” and adapt training to the unique challenges of each team has earned him national and international respect in the sport.

We are honored to have Ed Presnall again judge the Tracking portion of our event and extend our heartfelt thanks for sharing his deep knowledge and passion with our competitors. 

Debbie Maheu – Tracking Judge

Debbie Maheu is an accomplished AKC tracking judge and co-instructor alongside Ed Presnall in some of the most respected tracking seminars in the country. Her experience spans nearly three decades of training and teaching, with a focus on blending practical skills with innovative solutions to common tracking challenges.

Debbie has helped coach teams through more than 600 advanced tracking titles—including over 120 VSTs—and has worked with over 140 breeds. Her approach emphasizes routine development, mental focus, and handler confidence, with an encouraging tone that competitors consistently appreciate.

She travels nationwide to judge AKC Tracking Dog (TD), Tracking Dog Urban (TDU), and Variable Surface Tracking (VST) events and is known for thoughtful track design and supportive feedback. As part of her training mission, Debbie is proud to offer camps and workshops that simulate diverse real-world tracking environments.

We are grateful to have Debbie Maheu judge Tracking again at our event and thank her for her enduring commitment to the sport and to the teams who train so hard to succeed.

Craig Josling – Agility Judge

Craig Josling (Eudora, KS) is an AKC-approved Agility Judge and Volunteer Measuring Official with years of experience judging a wide range of agility trials across the U.S.

Known for his calm demeanor, clear course design, and steady ring management, Craig is respected for his ability to fairly evaluate dogs while maintaining an efficient and friendly trial atmosphere.

He began his agility journey to help rescued Keeshonds build confidence and better prepare them for their future homes. Craig believes that Agility is a sport that showcases the partnership between humans and dogs, making it visible for all to appreciate.

Throughout his journey, there have been numerous foster failures who remained to compete alongside him in agility. Craig and his dogs have achieved seven MACH titles during their agility career. With 25 years of involvement in agility and nearly 18 years as an agility judge, Craig feels privileged to give back to the sport that has allowed him to form strong bonds with his dogs. He firmly believes agility provides invaluable opportunities for humans and dogs to become better life partners, while also giving dogs a meaningful job.

Competitors appreciate his attention to detail, safety-conscious setup, and thoughtful feedback that helps handlers improve over time. Craig ensures that every run—whether Novice or Master—is judged with accuracy, consistency, and respect for the teamwork between dog and handler.

We thank Craig Josling for lending his expertise to our agility rings and for helping us create a smooth, supportive competition environment.

Rita Holloway – Regional Specialty Conformation Judge

Rita Holloway is a respected AKC Conformation Judge. With a career grounded in the love of purebred dogs and the art of presentation, Rita has earned recognition for her ability to evaluate dogs with fairness and accuracy while mentoring the next generation of handlers.

Her deep understanding of structure, movement, and breed type has been honed through years of breeding, exhibiting, and judging.

Rita has judged a wide range of breeds and events, with a particular passion for Working and Herding breeds. She has a particular fondness for the Australian Cattle Dog! Exhibitors appreciate her calm demeanor, constructive feedback, and focus on the exhibitor experience.

Her enthusiasm for the Australian Cattle Dog and her expertise ensure thoughtful and knowledgeable evaluations across the board. We are honored to welcome Rita Holloway and thank her sincerely for contributing her time, talent, and mentorship to our event

Jackie Esperance-Regional Specialty Junior Showmanship Judge

Jackie began showing dogs in 1988 when her family acquired their first show dog, a German Shepherd named Vale, from a family friend. Vale was a handful of a puppy and not yet ready for the junior’s ring with a novice. His breeder, Joyce Gray was kind enough to let Jackie learn and start showing her veteran Jazzy in juniors.

This led to many years of Jackie’s parents trekking around the Midwest to dog shows every weekend. After aging out of juniors, Jackie apprenticed for professional handlers to learn more about care, conditioning, grooming, and handling of breeds in all groups.

In 2004, Jackie moved to Oregon where she attained her degree in Healthcare Administration and met her husband, Justin. Now, she works as the Director of Quality for a local health system and shows dogs professionally as a member of PHA.

Jackie enjoys mentoring the youth of our sport and supporting Junior’s programs for the breed clubs she is a member of.

Jackie has had the opportunity to pilot numerous top winning dogs of a variety of breeds. Including the first Reserve Best In Show winning Australian Cattle Dog, GCh. Catchpen IR Kraven 2B On The Go “Hazel”.

When she is not at a dog show, you can find Jackie and her husband fishing on their boat with their two dogs, KC and Rip.

Charlotte Mielziner – Rally Judge

Charlotte Mielziner (St. Charles, MO) brings nearly three decades of experience as a Rally and Obedience judge. An educator at heart, Charlotte has taught canine behavior, authored training guides, and developed community 4-H dog programs that continue to shape junior competitors. She is also an ASCA judge and a frequent seminar presenter.

Charlotte’s approach is defined by fairness, clear communication, and a genuine desire to see teams succeed. Exhibitors value her ability to create a calm, focused environment and offer feedback that improves future performances.

We are grateful to have Charlotte Mielziner judge our Rally competition and thank her for her commitment to positive, skill-building ring experiences.

Kathryn Schwabe – 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy Judge

Kathryn Schwabe is an AKC-approved or permit judge many herding breeds as well as Skye Terriers and the Cirnechi dell’Etna.

She is also approved for the 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy class. In this beloved introductory event, Kathyrn’s nurturing and knowledgeable ring presence sets the tone for young puppies and first-time exhibitors. She brings a calm demeanor, a keen eye for structure, and a warm smile that makes early experiences in the ring both educational and enjoyable.

We thank Kathyrn for helping make the very first ring moments of our future champions so memorable

Nancy Simmons, National Specialty Conformation & Junior Show Judge

Nancy D. Simmons, from Flower Mound, TX, is a distinguished AKC Conformation Judge with approval across the Working and Sporting Groups, Best in Show, and Junior Showmanship—all for our prestigious National Specialty. A breeder-owner-handler with Great Danes and several other breeds over her long career, Nancy consistently brings depth of knowledge and a balanced eye to her assignments.

Her judging experience includes ring work at National Specialties and prestigious cluster events such as the Westminster Kennel Club on several occasions. She also holds high performance titles in obedience and rally, reflecting a well-rounded insight into structure, movement, and temperament. Exhibitors appreciate her consistent, educational critiques that highlight both breed type and ring finesse, offering guidance to exhibitors at all levels.

At our event, Nancy will lead our Conformation rings from breed to Best in Show, bringing her refined sense of breed standard and a polished approach to youth presentation. We are deeply honored to have Nancy judge this signature portion of the National Specialty and humbly thank her for contributing her extensive expertise to our championship showcase.

Kristen Read – Sweepstakes & Versatility Conformation Judge

Kristen (Kris) Read has been a distinguished and influential figure in the Australian Cattle Dog community since 1982. With more than four decades of devotion to the breed, Kris has served as a Parent Club Mentor, guiding aspiring judges through the nuances of correct breed type, structure, and temperament. She holds the AKC Breeder of Merit designation not only for Australian Cattle Dogs but also for her equally successful work with Wire Fox Terriers.

Kris’s contributions as a breeder, owner, and professional handler have had a lasting impact on the breed’s history in the ring. Dogs owned, bred, or handled by her have won Best of Breed at four ACDCA National Specialties—1992, 1995, 2003, and 2008. As a handler, she has guided Australian Cattle Dogs to more than 200 group placements, including numerous group wins and one of only two ACD bitches ever to earn multiple all-breed Best in Show titles.

Her professional handling career spanned over 20 years, during which she finished champions in every AKC group. Her own Wire Fox Terriers have earned multiple Best in Show wins, showcasing her exceptional eye and skill across breeds.

In recent years, Kris has added agility to her repertoire, including several appearances at the AKC Agility Invitational, demonstrating her commitment to versatile, well-rounded dogs.

We are thrilled to have Kristen Read return to judge Puppy, Veteran, and Versatility Sweepstakes at our National Specialty. Her lifelong passion, deep breed knowledge, and history of excellence make her an ideal choice for these special classes. We extend our warmest thanks for her continued service to our breed and our club