10 Questions ...

Profession: Dog and cat boarding kennel owner

Dog-sport involvement: Conformation, Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder, soon to be Tracking enthusiast

Hometown: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Astrological sign: Gemini

1. Do you have any dog-show superstitions?

I have to wear the same jewelry and perfume. I also tend to wear blue or purple. Always three rubber bands and keep the bands from a BIS.

2. TV-show guilty pleasure?

“Yellowstone,” “Mayor of Kingstown” and “Alone.”

3. If you were president of AKC for one day, what would you do?

I’d increase the promotion of purebred dogs with the focus on the benefits of buying a puppy from a reputable breeder and where to find them, plus promote breed features/knowledge to the general population. Also, I would implement a system in Junior Showmanship where in the finals or larger competitions there is a final cut of the Juniors and they are allocated a “surprise” breed to work with for a short period of time and return to the ring with them to present them.

4. Most valued material possession?

While it’s not a material possession, my time is my most valued possession. It’s limited. Second to that are my dogs.

5. What is something no one would guess about you?

I love to fish, particularly with a bow.

6. Who would you compare yourself to?

No one. I strive to be the people I admire and if I ever get that point, I would stop learning.

7. What are you “famous” for?

Depends who you ask ... my cooking and my ability to be ready early but still run late, according to my boyfriend, “being the organizer of the group” by my friends and being the best daughter (and only child) by my mother.

8. What website do you visit most often?

Amazon and Chewy.

9. What was more memorable, your most satisfying win or disappointing defeat? And what was it?

I am always satisfied by wins — little or big — whether the win is the ribbon or the performance. Defeats, though, are what I learn from, so by default, they are more memorable. One of my earliest big defeats was at my National Junior Handlers Final in Australia. There were a few things I really should have done better, starting before I even walked in the ring. Those things have lived with me for more than 20 years and are some of the first things I take into consideration and make sure they don’t get repeated, even today.

10. What do you wish someone would ask you?

“Can I be your driver?”