Our Club is at the Nationals - Daily Posts from "Boots on the Ground" reporting . . .
- Patty McBride
- Sep 23
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Final thoughts on this week's National from a gal who loves the breed, but does not show her setters: It is not only the breed that my husband and I love, it's the people. Observing setter owners, breeders and handlers and their commitment to this amazing breed is a privilege and an honor. We are 21 years into our Settermania and hope for 21+ more. Hope to see many of you at next year's National in Missouri and before that at our local and regional events. Wishing those who are staying on for the next two days of specialties much luck and also safe travels to all as they pack up and head home. Blessings . . .
Friday, September 26, ESAA Junior Showmanship and Best of Breed Judging, followed by Raffle, Annual Meeting and Banquet
I have been posting results and photos, obtained from ESAA Club Facebook Page over the past several days - use the link below to view
Our Club proudly celebrates Haylee Lamey for her Best of Winners Award today in the final Best of Breed judging! She has had a really GOOD SHOW this week - CONGRATULATIONS!
Thursday, September 25, ESAA Judges Education
Our Club Vice President, BJ Parsons, DVM also serves as the ESAA Committee Chair for Judges Education. She provided a group of 9 with a didactic and hands on educational program. Following presentation and discussion on the breed standard, BJ took the group to the show ring and had several volunteers with their setters so that the class participants could put their proficiencies to the test. It was an honor to be able to sit in to "audit" the class. We have owned English Setters for over 21 years and are still excited to learn more about this beloved breed.
Thursday, September 25, ESAA Junior and Pee Wee Activities & Handling Class
Being a "tag-a-long" at this year's Nationals, I was privy to watching Kristen Apodaca, our Club President and ESAA Committee Chair for Juniors host this year's Junior & Pee Wee Handling Class. She solicited assistance from two seasoned, professional handlers, Stuart McGraw & Catrina Castro. While 8 juniors signed up, only 5 were able to make the trip to Seattle. The show ring was entirely theirs. For an hour and a half, these two handlers gave their students a thorough and thoughtful clinic. I loved observing the care they took with each, one on one, coaching and encouraging as they demonstrated, then observed and repeat. After the clinic, Juniors and Pee Wee were treated to a pizza party and given ring handling bags. It is wonderful to see the support being given to our next generation of handlers!
Shown above with Kristen is Isabelle Muir, age 16. Isabelle lives in Florida and has been showing dogs since the age of 9. She started by showing former Junior Handler, Jessica Braatz's Norman, (GCHB Huntwood's Smarter Than a Fifth Grader CGC, who incidentally was awarded this year's ESAA National Select Dog). Jessica's own puppy Elliot was unable to make the trip with her, so thankfully, Norman was here and available. (Thank you Jessica!) Isabelle is this year's winner of the ESAA National Junior Handler Award. CONGRATULATIONS Isabelle. We look forward to seeing more you and hopefully Elliot!
Thursday, September 25, ESAA Puppy Sweeps, Dog Classes, Bitch Classes, Pee Wees
Our club's BIG WIN of the day was Winner's Bitch Award . . . CONGRATULATIONS Haylee and Liberty!!!!
Judge Michael Faulkner showcasing this year's Pee Wee Handler, our own River Apodaca.
Friend Nina Brown loaned River her "Jasper" and they made quite a stylish pair!
Wednesday, September 24, ESAA "Day of Vision"
Maturity
Posted on Facebook by Anastasia Swarthout - Huge Breeder Moment for Rhonda Dillman and Myself!! "Wren" - Ch Bull Mtns Wicked Games BN RN VES 1 took Best In Maturity today under Judge Debbie Davis and "Lark" - Ch Bull Mtns Something Wicked This Way Comes JH took first in her class for the final line up! Huge Thank to Kristen Apodaca for taking Wren back in for me.
[Incidentally, This is the one and only time Kristen has handled Wren. CONGRATS to Anastasia and to Kristen, who stepped in at the 11th hour!!)
Futurity Classes
Posted by Patty McBride, 23 September, 2025 -
And this is what I love about out Club, look who is there at the airport to help out Haylee!
Posted by Haylee Lamey on Facebook, 23 September, 2025 -
Wish us Luck!
We are off to Washington for the English Setter National!
Posted by Patty McBride, 23 Sep 2025 -
Looks like Firehouse English Setters is on the way or may be already there!
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