The first ABC member to be awarded the AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award is Karla Davis. Members were asked to nominate fellow ABC members by providing a “reason for the nomination,” “why that person is considered exceptional,” and “how they have made a difference in the world of purebred dogs.” Responses were collected anonymously and the 2020 nominees are compiled below.
Kara Staroski
- She does a wonderful job and makes herself available 24/7
- She’s a hard-worker, loyal to the breed and it’s club and conducts herself in a non-judgemental and professional manner always
- She works her dogs in the sport they were bred for
Ashley De Noma
- As a newbie to the breed, Ashley was VERY quick to offer every ounce of help she could in every avenue. She has always wanted to make me and my dog a better team and has gone above and beyond even to no benefit to herself. She is kind, honest, and genuinely just wants to see the Beauceron as a breed succeed.
- She is selfless. She thinks of the breed before herself and her own dogs. She does not play into the politics and has gone above and beyond to help the breed for multiple people.
- She has encouraged and spured interest in many new beauceron owners in conformation where those new owners may never have tried it. This is not only an asset to the breed to have more Beaucerons in the breed ring but it is an asset to the sport of conformation to bring in new handlers and owners.
- Ashley is the first person at a show to help people both inside and outside of the ring. If someone is a stranger and showing a beauceron, the cease to be a stranger to her. She will give pointers, hold your dog while you change numbers, even help find someone to get a dog in the ring at the cost of her own “calmness” for getting her dogs ready. She picks up dogs from hours away with no payment to herself so that we have healthy, correct breed competition to build majors and make the sport fun for everyone. I have lost to her dogs and won against her dogs. No matter the outcome, she has been congratulatory and positive. Her openness to newbies and drive to get everyone hooked on the sports she loves is truly admirable.
- She always goes above and beyond. Not just nice words, but valuable constructive criticism to make you and your dog harder competition. She internalized the idea that conformation is both a sport and the evaluation of breeding stock so it’s not just about gaming the system to get a blue ribbon – she makes sure that everyone in the ring shines to their fullest.
- She has brought many beauceron newbies into the sports of conformation and rally. There are more people playing in AKC because of her. I have faith that this is a pattern that will continue for decades to come.
Sidney Wilcox
- IMO I believe the member deserving of this award is Sidney Wilcox. She has worked so hard on the board, for the national event. Getting things going for the health committee and the breed standard. She has worked so hard this year for the club. And not to mention will and has always at the drop of the hat stepped up for Beauceron rescue.
- Her dedication to the breed for every singel aspect.
- Trying to better the breed though a million different aspect and putting together an amazing national event for all members.
Karla Davis
- Karla has done so much and is always so kind to new people about showing even if their dog is not a stunner.
- It’s Karla Davis. She’s basically one of the matriarchs of the breed and time & time again has gone out of her way to stick up for the underdogs. She’s quick to lend you leashes, collars, bait, etc., at the shows too.
- She was one of the founders of the breed in America and helped bring them to AKC recognition.
Victoria Paul
- She owns 2 Beaucerons and is involved in multiple AKC sports with both of them. Her male, Han Solo du Chateau Rocher, is the first to achieve the Gold Versatility Award from the American Beauceron Club. As well, her dogs are ambassadors to the breed, participating in official Meet the Breeds events as well as informal meet ups. She is always available to Beauceron owners who might have any question about the breed, the AKC or any dog sports.
- Victoria works tirelessly with her dogs in many venues and sports. In fact, on the Gold Versatility certificate for Solo, it took 3 lines to get in all of his titles. Beyond just trialing her dogs are ambassadors for the breed and Victoria is always willing to show them to new people and to teach people about the breed.
- She shows us all the best of what a Beauceron can be.
