MARY LYNNE ELLIOTT, NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT I became a Ridgeback owner in 1987 and bred my first litter in 1989, producing the first of multiple group winners. I have been passionate about Ridgebacks and dog shows ever since. Over the years I have finished and successfully campaigned numerous dogs of my own breeding and some wonderful dogs of other s breedings. I served on the RRCUS Board of Directors for 10 years and held the positions of President, 1 st Vice President and Judge s Education Coordinator. As Show Chair for the RRCUS 2011 National in Rapid City, South Dakota, I piloted one of the most successful and memorable Nationals ever. The underlying thread in all of my Ridgeback endeavors has been to make things fun. Currently I am a member of the RRCUS Board of Directors and education committee. I am openminded, fair, have the ability to see all sides, am a good problem solver and have good leadership skills. I live in the mountains west of Denver with my husband, Nathan, a Border Terrier and several Ridgebacks. I work for the Colorado Supreme Court where I investigate attorney misconduct. Both privileged and grateful for this opportunity, I look forward to serving as the RRCUS president. KAREN STEWART MORGAN, NOMINEE FOR 1 ST VICE PRESIDENT My interest in the Rhodesian Ridgeback began in 1992. I already had a Golden Retriever and knew that I wanted to get another dog and playmate for Riley, so I set out to the Lake Matthews Kennel Club dog show to do my research! It was on that day that I was instantly in love with the breed. That July (after 5 interviews!), I welcomed Niles into my home. As I was packing my 8 week old puppy up and getting ready to head home, the breeder said to me oh by the way he is a show dog, would you be willing to show him? I confidently replied sure (having no idea what that even meant!). This began my 20 year passion and commitment to the breed! Today I live with 2 Champions, a 7 year old dog and a 5 year old bitch. Jumping in with both feet, I had the wonderful learning experience of managing the show career of a #1 Rhodesian Ridgeback, the first bitch to achieve #1 Breed and All Breed status in nearly 20 years. July 2013 I added Breeder to my list of experiences, leaving me with a beautiful 8 week old puppy that will once again hit the show ring when she grows up. I have been a RRCUS member since 2007, and a member of the Bay Area Rhodesian Ridgeback Club for 8 eight years serving as the 1 st Vice President for 4 years and currently holding the position of 2 nd Vice President. For the last 3 years I have served as Show Chair for the Annual Bay Area Rhodesian Ridgeback Specialty where we host over 100 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Fanciers from all over the West. Prior to serving as show chair I served as the Assistant Show Chair for 2 years. I have lived in Moraga, California for 16 years and work in the Health Information Technology business, responsible for all of our product compliance and certification requirements. I am organized, articulate and professional. These skills certainly prepared me to be a contributing board
member, as well as plan, organize and run a large regional specialty show. I believe they have also prepared me to contribute to RRCUS as the 1 st Vice President. SANDRA L. WEAVER "SANDY", NOMINEE FOR 1 ST VICEPRESIDENT Rhodesian Ridgebacks have been part of my life since 1998, when I acquired my first ridgeback. Rubani was my soul mate and he loved to hike, go on camping trips and most of all meet people. He was truly an ambassador for the breed and showed me how really special this breed is. Currently, I own three Champion ridgebacks and can't imagine life without them. For several years I have handled my own dogs in the conformation ring and also on the lure coursing field, and have participated in agility and obedience training. What I consider one of my biggest rewards so far is fostering an RTI puppy-mill girl and watching her learn to trust, obtain confidence, learn to be a dog and to enjoy life. I have been a member and involved with the San Diego Rhodesian Ridgeback Club ( SDRRC ) since 1998. While living in San Diego I was SDRRC's Corresponding Secretary and Rescue Coordinator, during which time the club became licensed by the AKC as a regional specialty Club. I was also involved in organizing and putting on SDRRC s first few Regional Specialties before moving to Kansas. Since moving to Kansas City in 2004 I have served as Treasurer and Board Director for the Heartland Coursing Association, been editor of SDRRC's newsletter and assisted Ridgeback rescue organizations in whatever way I can. I have been an active member of RRCUS since 2002. I served as the Triathlon Chair for our 2011 and 2012 National Specialties, which has prepared me for my current role with RRCUS. I am currently the 2013 RRCUS National Specialty Show Chair and have been planning for this Specialty over the past three years. My position as National Specialty Show Chair has provided me with a lot of hands on learning experience. And what a great experience and education it has been! This experience and my 15 plus years in the breed will assist me in fulfilling the duties of RRCUS First Vice President. In my professional life, I am a certified paralegal and legal secretary. My legal training has taught me to be organized, efficient and focused, which is necessary to succeed in implementing policies and procedures for our National Club. If elected I would endeavor to represent all of the members of RRCUS in the duties and obligations required of this important position. It would be my honor to serve as First Vice President for RRCUS. BARBARA G. RUPERT, NOMINEE FOR 2 ND VICE PRESIDENT Barbara Rupert's interest in dogs began in her native Germany where her parents raised Dachshunds. After marriage in the United States, the first family dog was a Smooth Standard Dachshund. Rhodesian Ridgebacks followed in 1970 and Whippets were added a few years later, but Ridgebacks remain the primary breed. Careful breeding under the Oakhurst prefix produced gratifying results in the whelping box and show ring.
Oakhurst's breeding program is widely recognized for both outstanding conformation and temperament, having produced close to 100 champions with many achieving the highest honors, including 10 All-Breed Bests In Show and 3 dogs that earned # 1 Ridgeback in the country. The most recent one, a bitch for 2011. Barbara has been chairman of the Standard's and Elaboration Committee and serves on the Education Committee for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the U.S. She has developed and presents Ridgeback Seminars throughout the U.S. Barbara's AKC judging license was granted in 1985 and is currently approved for the Hound Group and Best in Show. Her assignments have taken her all over the world including All Breed show assignments in Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Russia, South Africa. Her most memorable assignments included judging the Ridgeback National in the U.S. twice - most recently in 2012-, the World Congress in the Netherlands as well as the Australian, French, Swedish and Brazilian Nationals. Life after dogs include grandchildren, classical and jazz music, reading, gardening, cooking and friends who like to share new adventures. Barbara and her husband Dick share their southern California home with several Ridgebacks, a Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund and a co-owned Whippet. Barbara has been involved with RRCUS education for the past 20 years and served as 2nd V.P. on the BOD. She is passionate about educating new comers to the breed and helping judges understand the breed to the fullest extent. If elected, she will continue to dedicate her services to Education and the Wellness of the Ridgeback. SALLY SWENSON, NOMINEE FOR RECORDING SECRETARY I entered into the fabulous world of Rhodesian Ridgebacks in 2003. My husband and I acquired our first Ridgeback from Dr. Susan Ralston of Ridgeview Ranch. I had long been an endurance runner and an avid marathoner and wanted a faithful companion to do endurance running with. I needed a dog that could run long distance and also one that I felt could protect me in the remote areas I was running in. Upon much research, the Rhodesian Ridgeback seemed to be the breed for us. This proved to be true and I have also found the additional benefits of owning this breed to be endless. Our first ridgeback Cirque, NSBIF DC Ridgeview s Cirque of the Towers, ROM, SC, RN, NA, NAJ, CGC, FCh, GRC, TT, TDI, ET, entered me into the world of showing dogs. I had observed a dog show while researching the breed and thought I would like to try to handle my boy to his championship. We were successful and I fell in love with the fancy. I went on to finish my other two Ridgebacks as well. In addition, I have finished many more for family and friends. So far I have finished 10 Ridgebacks and am in the process of handling several more. In addition, I have personally assisted all my dogs in the earning of their various performance titles. It has truly become a passion for me. I love assisting a well-bred Ridgeback to receive the merits it deserves. I have run 3 endurance trials as part of RRCUS National Specialties and was the Endurance Trial Chair at the South Dakota National. My faithful ridgebacks have helped me to successfully train for several marathons.
I have been actively involved in lure coursing and am currently a Hunt Master for the Utah Sighthounds Racing and Coursing Club. I was the Agility Chair at the National Specialty in 2006 in Utah and have the honor of being the Cochair for the 2014 Nationals in Utah. I am looking forward to the experience. At the RRCUS National Specialty in Gettysburg I handled Cirque in earning his Therapy Dog Title. We have gone on to provide therapy for preschool children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as military veterans. We have found this work to be deeply rewarding. In 2009 my husband, Ridgebacks and I had to honor of being featured on Animal Planet s program Dogs 101. We hope that the program has been used to educate people about the unique qualities and requirements in sharing your life with this fabulous breed. To date I have had the privilege of judging puppy and veteran sweepstakes competitions in both New York and Colorado. I enjoyed the experience of judging and I hope to have the pleasure of doing so again. I have found this breed to be endlessly versatile and such a true pleasure to share my life with. I am proud to say that our dogs have been exclusively owner handled to earn their many achievements. I am endlessly thankful to my mentors; Dr. Susan Ralston of Ridgeview Ranch, Dr. Danielle Sand of Ivy League Ridgebacks as well as Penny Weston of Freedom Farms. I have met so many fantastic people through this breed and have made countless friends. This breed has truly changed my life in so many positive ways and I took forward to a long future in this exceptional breed! Thank you for your consideration in becoming a Board Member for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States. It is truly an honor to be considered. ROSS JONES, NOMINEE FOR CORESPONDING SECRETARY. I first became involved with Rhodesian Ridgebacks in 1982 when I met Cherie Starr of Cimarron. It was not long before my Great Dane and I become a part of her Ridgeback family. We have bred 18 litters through the years and have attained over 40 titles on our puppies. These titles are in Conformation, Obedience and Lure Coursing. We bred, owned and handled the first Ridgeback Brace to go Best in Show at an All-Breed Show and also the first Ridgeback to go Best In Show Veteran Exhibition at an All-Breed Show During the course of the following years I became a member of RRCUS as well as Rio Grande Kennel Club, Sandia Dog Obedience Club, Eastern Slope Coursing Assoc. and The New Mexico Stewards Asso. In other words I was HOOKED. I have been a Member of Rio Grande Kennel Club for 30 years and have held the positions of Director, Vice-President and that of President from 1994-1999. I am presently serving as President once more. I was Show Chairman for 11 years and have been Cluster Chairman for the last 4 years, and am past president of the Eastern Slope Coursing Assoc. I am the equipment Manager for the Albuquerque Whippet Fanciers Asso. I became a member of RRCUS in 1983. I have served on various committees for RRCUS, and was appointed by the Board to the position of Recording Secretary in January 1999. I was re-elected in 2000 and 2002. I then served one term as a Director and was elected to the position of Corresponding Secretary in 2006 and have served in that capacity since. I have not missed a BOD
meeting while I have been on the Board as I feel it is extremely important to attend all meetings of the Board. In my professional life I was employed as a senior construction estimator. We were involved in residential and light commercial construction and reconstruction as a lot of our work involved the rebuilding of homes after fires and other catastrophes. Obviously this work involves dealing with many different types of people and their attitudes. If elected to the position of Corresponding Secretary I will insure that the RRCUS Data base is kept up to date on a daily basis on the web site and the official RRCUS Membership Rosters are published as early as possible. I would be honored to continue severing as the RRCUS Corresponding Secretary. ASTA McCORMICK, NOMINEE FOR TREASURER I grew up in rainy Lithuania, and have moved to the US in 1999. I hold a BA degree in accounting from Coastal Carolina University, and have been practicing accounting since 2005. I am pleased to have been serving as RRCUS Treasurer since 2009. I currently reside in Michigan, and I am employed as an accountant with the largest grower-owned blueberry company in the world. Dogs are my passion, and I have been actively involved in canine sports since 1992. The first RR joined my family in 2007, and I can no longer imagine my life without these incredibly intelligent dogs. I am actively involved in conformation, lure coursing, rally, obedience, and agility training with my Ridgies. I am looking forward to serving as RRCUS Treasurer for another term, and offering my time and skills to better this club. MICHAEL TEELING, NOMINEE FOR AKC DELEGATE I have been knowledgeable of Rhodesian Ridgebacks for about 28 years beginning with the initial suggestions of my (then) fiancée Mary regarding various breeds while I was in graduate school. It was Mary s background and knowledge as a veterinary technician and in showing dogs that engaged my research ultimately arriving at the Rhodesian Ridgeback. About three years later, my wife Mary and I drove to Chicago and picked up our first pet Ridgeback. Little did I know that day in February 1989 that we would have the #1 Bred-By-Exhibitor bitch at the 1993 National Specialty, go on to host the 1998 National Specialty, have Award of Merit winning dogs at several National Specialties, the Best of Breed at the 2002 National and a Best of Opposite Sex at the 2004 National. Between 2000 and 2003, I had the privilege to serve on the RRCUS Board as a director and then as President. In early 2009, I became your Delegate to the American Kennel Club and have been serving that post since. Personally and professionally I am a Certified Professional Geologist. I have worked as a technical specialist for NASA and a small firm specializing in defense-related activities. For the last 22 years, I have worked as a Program Manager and Techncial Lead with several environmental/engineering consulting firms specializing in environmental remediation. I am responsible for the technical implementation of multi-million dollar portfolios for several large energy companies across the United States and Canada. I support these activities through a combination of effective team development/management across multiple office locations, field assessments, regulatory negotiations, legal research and expert testimony. All of these activities involve significant interpersonal correspondence to achieve respective goals.
Aside from my continuing participation in the national scene, I am also a founding member of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Association of Western New York, Inc. (established in 1993). I am also a member of the Kennel Club of Buffalo, Inc. and the Tonawanda Valley Kennel Club (all-breed clubs) and participate in locally held shows and events. I live in the Western New York area with my wife Mary, our two children Kirsten (ok, she s in college) and Lauren, and four RR mates. In consideration of the last four years serving on the Board and as AKC Delegate, I have thought about the many issues we face as a club. Our chief goal is the protection and betterment of our Breed, but a few favorites include: Proper socialization and training of our dogs; please get your ridgebacks certified as Canine Good Citizens (CGC). Promotion and continuance of research (health and genetics) into Ridgeback health issues. Addressing legislative and other factors seeking to alter our rights as responsible owners, breeders and guardians of our Ridgebacks. This involves extending ourselves beyond our breed and out to the entire fancy. It is with this knowledge and desire to serve the Ridgeback community that I tender my resume for your consideration to continue as your Delegate to the American Kennel Club. Valley Village, Calif. JOE BERGER, NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR For consideration for Board of Directors for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States. I am excited about the opportunity to return to the RRCUS Board and contribute to the breed on a national level. I love this breed and want to be sure all of our members get the support they need and the quality of service they deserve. Background: My wife Myrna and I have been members of RRCUS since 1965 the year we started in Ridgebacks. We were first attracted to the Rhodesian Ridgeback for its temperament. These dogs have it all: looks, brains, great with children, guardians to their people just fantastic companion animals. Our kennel name is Rob Norm and we have been active in RRCUS as officers and directors in years past. My wife Myrna has been a Senior Mentor since the program s inception. We were ownerhandlers through 2007. We have had the good fortune of handling over 32 of our own dogs and bitches to their championship under the banner of Rob Norm Kennels, including winners of four national specialties and two regional specialties. Indeed, our lovely girl Gidget (Ch Rob Norm Cee Gidget) was the oldest dog to win a RRCUS medallion with a supported entry of 33. Our boy Ebon (Ch Rob Norm s Ebon), was the youngest dog at 14 months to win a RRCUS National Specialty. We have also enjoyed earning titles in obedience and Myrna had some extra fun with agility! Experience: RRCUS Positions held: Member since 1965 Board of Directors for 14 years Treasurer from 1975 to 1976; and 1985 to 1986
National Show Chairman: 1989 and 1997 Orange Coast Rhodesian Ridgeback Club: Myrna and I are Charter members of the Orange Coast Rhodesian Ridgeback Club, since it began in the 1980 s and continue to be active members to this day. We have held positions on the Board of Directors, including Treasurer, for many years. I had the pleasure of being Show Chairman for the first five years we held our regional specialty. Kennel Club of Beverly Hills: Members from 1980 to the present. Show Chairman 1986 to 1989. Assistant Show Chairman 1989 to 1997. Treasurer 1991 to 1998. Handling classes taught since 1980. MELISSA CARLIN, NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR I grew up, dogless, in New York City, getting my first dog the second I moved out of my parents home. After a pet shop Collie I purchased my first show dog, a Vizsla in 1977. She became Ch. Firebrand s Witchy Woman, CD, JH, VC and produced my first 2 AKC Champions and Dual Champion, Amateur Field Champion F.K. s Rivendell Reaghan, CDX, MH, VC & member of the Vizsla Club of America Hall of Fame. My first Ridgeback was purchased in 1985, the daughter of an African import bitch, I found that she had been misrepresented by her breeder/co-owner and was not AKC registerable. I got my first show Ridgeback from Mike Szabo in February of 1988 the same year I became a RRCUS member. I ve never looked back. I ve brought in Ridgebacks from South Africa, Australia, the Czech Republic and Ireland. I bred my first litter in 1993 and exported a male from my second litter to South Africa. He became a South African Champion and my current dogs trace back to my original imported girl through him and his litter sister. I ve had the great good fortune to have been guided/mentored over the years by no less than four Master Breeders (in Alphabetical order): Barbara Sawyer Brown, Ulla-Britt Ekengren, Alicia Hanna & from South Africa Laurie Venter. I owe all of them a great debt for freely sharing tremendous amounts of information, knowledge and experience then setting me loose to form my own opinions. My major concerns are the general health of the breed and maintaining its versatile nature. Triathalon, endurance, agility, obedience, rally & coursing shouldn t be the red-headed stepchildren at our National Specialties. I think we need to be concerned about temperament in our breed as well, and perhaps we should consider offering ATTS testing at our Specialties.
I believe that DM testing with disclosure of abnormal results should be added to the required tests in the code of ethics as the best tool we have to avoid producing affected individuals. As responsible breeders we need to market ourselves to set us apart from commercial and Back yard breeders and make clear why purchasing from a RRCUS breeder is actually less expensive in the long run. I think we need to educate on the most popular internet puppy sales websites, explaining that reputable breeders health test and that certification claims should be cross checked on the OFFA website. I ve attended 15 National Specialties since 1990, and haven t missed one for the last 6 years. I ve attended board meetings as an observer for the last five National s and if elected I look forward to attending as a participant. My hope is to be an active Board member who is available and responsive to the membership. Thank you, Melissa Carlin SANDRA GORDON, NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR I saw my first ridgeback on TV at the Westminster Kennel Club in 1990. It was love at first sight! I was immediately on a mission to own one of these magnificent dogs and my first Ridgeback took over my house less than a month later. With over 20 years of experience in conformation showing, lure coursing and other activities, my dogs have become my passion. During that time, I have been active in my local ridgeback club (Greater Valley Forge RRC) having served on the board for over 10 years. I helped get the GVFRRC AKC lure coursing program off the ground and was the organizer of GVFRRC s inaugural Regional Specialty in 2001. My accomplishments to date have included RRCUS Breeder of the Year 2001 & Owner Handler of the Year 2001. I have bred over 65 conformation champions, including multiple dual champions. Ridgebacks bred under my Dimond kennel name have also gained titles in obedience, and agility, including the first-ever U.S. endurance trial winner, as well as being certified and active therapy dogs. One of my biggest thrills to date in service to the breed has been as the judge of large sweepstakes entries and now to have the honor of being elected to judge the National Sweepstakes in 2015. I am an active member of several all-breed clubs including Bryn Mawr Kennel Club, Morris & Essex Kennel Club, and I am currently on the Board of Directors of the Greater Philadelphia Dog Fanciers Association, having been on the Board of Directors for over 15 years and having acted as show Chairman for the club s all-breed spring shows for the last 11 years. Last year I undertook the project of helping revamp the RRCUS Website. It was an exciting project and I look forward to continuing to keep it fresh and informative for club members. I bring to the Board my depth and breadth of experience and knowledge in conformation, lure coursing, breeding, show management, and as a member and official of breed-specific and all-breed clubs, which will contribute to my service as a Board member in representing the interests and needs of a wide range of Ridgeback owners
Gillette, New Jersey PATRICIA HOFFMANN, NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR I've always had dogs in my life: My childhood companion was a Poodle, and when my husband Bob and I were first married, we had an English Springer Spaniel and a mixed breed. We acquired Reggie (Ch. Caperidges Reginald), our first Ridgeback, in 1991, and have owned five more since then. Bob and I finished the championships on all six of them, owner-handled. Reggie was an ASFA and AKC lure-coursing champion. These days, I am very active in agility with my younger male Ridgeback, Henley (GCh. Kimani's Take It to the Limit,OJP,NAP,NFP,CGC), and we have trained at Top Dog Obedience School in Flanders, N.J., regularly for the last three years. I have been a member in good standing of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States for 20 years. I consider the health of the breed to be one of our most important concerns as a breed community. I have been involved with organizing the Rhodesian Ridgeback booth at the AKC's Meet the Breeds in New York City since its inception in 2009. Last year I was honored with a special RRCUS award for my organization of the Meet the Breeds booth, though watching our Ridgebacks be such spectacular ambassadors for the breed amid thousands of strangers is reward in itself. I have attended 10 national specialties, and I regularly attend conformation shows and agility trials. Though I do not breed myself, I have owned and managed stud dogs, and for a decade I was involved with a long-established kennel where I learned a great deal about breeding, whelping and general care. For the last 20 years, I've been a member of my local public barn, and I have been very involved in helping organize its many dog-related events and fund-raisers. DIANE JACOBSEN, NOMINE FOR DIRECTOR I got my first Ridgeback Zamlindbraut Sombra, in 1962. In late 1963 she was bred to Lorraine Hulbert's Ch Batoka's Thaba Bosigo and whelped a litter of 10 puppies. Out of that litter came the 2nd Ridgeback to attain a Tracking title. She also got a UD on the way and I wish I could say I did it but my accomplishments in the Obedience ring amounted to several CD titles. I did compete with Baulenes Moshi Pepo CD in Open for 2 years and he showed me exactly how inventive and creative a RR can be. He exhibited me for 2 solid years without ever qualifying but had a great following as he was quite the clown.. I joined RRCUS in 1963 but dropped my membership for several years sometime after that. I have had a number of Top Ten dogs in the Breed ring, Stud Dogs and Brood Bitches. My top producing stud dog was either CH Calico Ridge Honky Tonk Hero ROM with 42 Champions or Ch Calico Ridge The Warlord ROM with the same number or maybe more. My top producing bitch was Ch Calico Ridge Sweet Thing ROM with 17 Champions to her credit. I have been on the Education Com and the Standards Com when the Standard was re organized and the wording clarified as per AKC request. I was on the Elaboration Com and Chair for a time and worked with Leisa Temple on the drawings. I was also Chair of the Ethics Com. Being on the RRCUS BOD is not really about winning dogs but the ability to hear members when they have a complaint or praise and acting on it. Not everyone will ever be completely pleased about the results but the effort is made. I am a very fair minded person and not easily impressed or swayed by
pressure. I try to reason things out and do what I think is in the best interest for the Club and not the individual. ANNE JONES, NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR I purchased my first Rhodesian Ridgeback in 1990, she was to be my obedience competition dog. She was, earning a UD and was also the first Ridgeback to earn an MX in agility. I was hooked. Since that time I have shared my life with many more performance and conformation Ridgebacks. I ve been a co-breeder on 5 litters, but never whelped a litter at my own home. My love is the performance side obedience, agility and coursing primarily. While performance is my first love, I do believe that our breed standard is very important and strive to produce a physically and mentally sound Ridgeback that adheres to it. Three of my dogs have earned AOM s at national specialties and two were ROM s. Two of the AOM winners are also Triathlon winners. I adopted my second Ridgeback through Ridgeback Rescue in 1992. I was the regional coordinator in GA for several years in the late 90 s. I believe in giving back to our breed whenever it is possible. My first Ridgeback literally changed my life. The skills I learned through our training led me to a new career, added new hobbies and many many new friends. Because of Kimba, I left my management position with ToysRUs in 1996 and have been training dogs and teaching classes ever since. When not working, I train my own dogs, hike with them when I can, enjoy taking photos of dogs and landscapes, love to read and am also on the board of our local performance club. All of this of course carefully worked around our trials and show schedule. MARK RUDD, NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR In 2001, my wife Ann and I brought our first Rhodesian Ridgeback into our home, a decision that enriched and changed our lives. By 2002, we had joined RRCUS and the Raisin River Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Michigan (RRRRCOM). To date, we have owned four Ridgebacks and have been very active in both conformation and performance with our dogs. In addition, we have co-authored a column for The Ridgeback called Agility Corner for several years. I am both an AKC Agility judge and an AKC Lure Coursing judge. Since joining RRCUS, I have participated 10 National Specialties, and if all goes as planned, I ll be Topeka this month. I have served as the RRCUS National Specialty Agility Trial Chairman or Co- Chairman 3 times, served as Ways and Means Chairman for approximately 5 years, and at the Texas National Specialty Ann and I were in charge of the Herding Instinct Tests. For my local club, RRRRCOM, I have served as President, Board member, Companion Events Chairman and Agility Trial Chairman. I worked with other club members and the AKC to gain approval to sponsor Conformation Events such as our Regional Specialty, and to hold AKC Agility and Lure Coursing Trials. Our club sponsors events such as Meet the Breed, Canine Good Citizen Tests, Responsible Dog Ownership Days, Microchip Clinics, Herding Instinct Tests, and local doggy fun days. In Conformation, Ann and I have finished 3 AKC Championships and are working on our fourth, 2 Canadian Kennel Club Championships, 4 United Kennel Club Championships, and 2 IABCA Championships.
In AKC Agility, we have finished 13 Master Agility Championships, and attended the Eukanuba Agility Invitational 4 times. Ann and I have both been judging agility since 2008. In Lure Coursing, we have completed one AKC and one AFSA Field Championship, with two other dogs pointed in AKC Lure Coursing. I also recently completed the requirements to Judge AKC Lure Coursing, and have started to take a few assignments. In Obedience, we competed with our first two dogs, earning a CDX on the first one and a CD on the second before catching the agility bug. Thank You for taking the time to read my Bio. If elected, I will serve the RRCUS membership with integrity. I believe for Ridgebacks, both form and function are equally important. I promise to always work towards what is best for our club and our breed. Thank you again Mark Rudd ROSANN SEXTON, NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR We began our journey with Ridgebacks in 1966 when a visiting friend from Cleveland showed us a picture of her ridgeless Ridgeback that they had been given. We lived in a suburb of Chicago at the time, and when we saw an ad in the Chicago Tribune the next Sunday for a litter of RR s, we went to see them. We decided later that fate led us down this road many times I wonder what our lives would have been like without our beautiful dogs.very empty, I m sure. Our first litter was in 1969, and after that we only had seven or eight more litters. Our four children and George s job took up our spare time, and we all know that litters, buyers, and follow ups with owners take a great deal of time! When we moved to Vermont we scaled back to one dog after a while, and now my companion is CH Rifrug Mvuvu of Diamond. He misses George as much as I do, and he s a wonderful dog to have with me. I joined RRCUS about 1968-9, and have been a member ever since. I never have run for office, because George was on the Board, first as a Board member, then Secretary, then Delegate, and I didn t think it would be right to have two family members on the Board. However, I chaired several Nominating Committees, worked on many Specialties, did George s secretarial work when he was Secretary, and was for a long time, the official Krispy Kreme lady at the Board meetings.. We belonged to the Midwest RR Club in the 1960 s in Chicago, and currently belong to NERCC AND BRAWNY clubs. I m currently the Delegate from our local Woodstock Dog Club to the AKC. In 1996 I judged the Sweepstakes in Allentown, and have judged many Sweepstakes and matches around the country. I feel I have contributed to the Board the past four years with an open mind, and would like to continue being involved.