AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best Junior Handler Seeks Financial Assistance for Crufts Trip

Raina Moss won Best Junior Handler at the 2015 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December. By winning this very prestigious award, she will represent the United States at the 2016 Crufts Junior Showmanship competition. However, she will receive no financial assistance for travel fees to Crufts. Raina has created a Go Fund Me account to raise money for her trip to Crufts. Click here to donate.

Here is a little more information about Raina:

“Hi! I’m Raina, I am 18 years old, and currently attending the Art Institute of Portland. I’m raising funds to travel to Birmingham, England, to compete in the International Junior Handling competition at the 2016 Crufts Dog Show this March.

Now, a little bit of background about me-
I have been involved in dogs since I was 8 years old, beginning in my local Dog 4-H program with my two rescue English Springer Spaniels, Zoey and Tessa. When I was 10, I got my first Clumber Spaniel, Betty. From there on- the rest is history! Throughout my entire AKC Juniors career I have shown my Clumbers, in both the breed and juniors rings. Since the beginning I’ve received numerous comments about showing a Clumber in the Juniors ring; for example comments like, “Clumbers are not Juniors dogs”, “You’ll really do better in the juniors ring with a more flashy breed”…. or one of my favorites, the year I went to Westminster and placed someone had told me, “Why are you even taking Totsi (my juniors dog at the time), Westminster is the big games, why not take another breed instead?” … regardless of some peoples opinions, including judges opinions, I chose to stick with the breed I love- and it sure has paid off. Not only have I been the first Junior with a Clumber to take the top spot at #1 Sporting Junior Handler, I held the top spot for 2 years in a row (2013 & 2014), I have also been the first ever Junior to make finals, let alone place at both Eukanuba and Westminster Limited Junior Competitions with a Clumber Spaniel. In my past 8 years in AKC, along with Juniors, I have also been very active in the Clumber Spaniel Breed ring. To date- I have shown and finished all 5 of my Clumbers to their Championship titles, including  the two that I bred carrying my Kennel name, Rainsway. I have also finished multiple grand championship titles. Along with ‘Specialing’ Dirk in the Breed ring these past few years, we have taken home many competitive Best of Breed wins, multiple group placements, OH Best in Shows, Best in Specialty Shows, and I have also finished the year with Dirk in the top 5 Clumbers, 3 years in a row (2013 to 2015). While showing almost every weekend in Juniors and Breed, I also helped out multiple Professional Handlers and Mentors along the way. This has given me the opportunity to get my hands on, and show many different breeds, which has only given me experience and improved my handling skills in the ring. 

Now, fast forward to this past December- By winning Best Junior Handler at the 2015 Eukanuba National Junior Showmanship Championship competition in Orlando, FL, this has qualified me to compete as the US representative for the 2016 Crufts Dog Show International Junior Handling Competition. HOWEVER, I will receive no financial assistance to go to Crufts! The funds raised are to provide air travel for myself and my mom(Darcy Moss) to Birmingham. The cost of each plane ticket is around $2000, and with that we will have some Hotel fees as well. Thank you AKC for subsidizing the heavy cost of the Hotel!

This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and such an honor to be the one USA representative this year. This is a goal that many dream of, but very few are ever able to achieve- one that I only ever dreamed of achieving. It is not only a huge honor to be this years USA representative, but it also a dream come true! 

I am so very thankful for all the support in achieving my dreams, and sincerely thank you for any support that will get me to Crufts 2016! “

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Posted by chesliepickett on Feb 1 2016. Filed under Featured, The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.