Junior’s Perspective · Inside The Minds Of The 2025 Westminster KC Junior Showmanship Judges

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86 – April, 2025

By Jessica Braatz

With the 2025 Westminster show in the rear-view, what better time to reflect upon the incredible depth of talent demonstrated by the Junior Showmanship competitors? This year, 100 juniors competed for over $20,000 in scholarships, but the competition was made extra special by the judges—all previous junior handlers, themselves. Each graced the ring with deep insight from years of handling professionally. They were transported back to their own time competing in Junior Showmanship, offering them a nuanced understanding of the competition and the experience of competing at Westminster.

Almost a month after their time on the green carpet, these three judges generously shared their thoughts on their assignments and Junior Showmanship competition overall.

What is your background in dogs and how do you feel your background prepared you to judge Junior Showmanship at Westminster?

Kellie Williams (Preliminaries):

I grew up competing in Junior Showmanship almost every weekend from ages 10–18. Growing up, I learned it’s okay to be competitive in the ring and still be close friends outside of the ring with many of the kids I competed against regularly. Junior Showmanship taught me a lot of life lessons that I still use to this day. I feel that experiencing Junior Showmanship firsthand, and all of the pressure and nerves that come with being on the green carpet, helped prepare me to judge Junior Showmanship at Westminster.

Adam Peterson (Preliminaries):

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86 – April, 2025

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Posted by AnthonyA on Apr 6 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.