One of the most sought-after accolades of the 2024 AKC National Championship week, presented by Royal Canin is the title of Best Junior Handler. Along with this coveted prize, the winner of the Junior Showmanship competition is also awarded a $5,000 scholarship.
Through Junior Showmanship, children between the ages of 9 and 18 can display their dedication to dog sports and training. Plus, it鈥檚 an opportunity for Juniors to learn valuable life-long skills and showcase their bonds with their dogs.
To compete in the Junior Showmanship competition, Junior handlers needed a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or equivalent for the September 2023 鈥� June 2024 school year. Scholarships from the American Kennel Club were awarded as follows: First 鈥� $5,000; Second 鈥� $4,000; Third 鈥� $3,000; Fourth 鈥� $2,000. The eight other finalists each received a $500 scholarship.
2024 Best Junior
The Best Junior at the 2024 AKC National Championship Junior Showmanship was Lila Holberg, 16, who showed her Pointer 鈥淣ate鈥� GCH CH Southern Summit Hot Gossip JH.
鈥淚 went to my first dog show when I was about 7 years old and I immediately fell in love with the sport. I loved all the pretty ribbons, all the fancy prizes, all of it,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 decided since I love dogs, I really wanted to continue to do well in this sport.鈥�
And she hasn鈥檛 stopped since. So what鈥檚 next for this team? Holberg says she plans on continuing to compete and hopes to show Nate more and special him.
Want to Get Involved?
The Junior Showmanship program offers children between 9 and 18 the chance to develop handling skills while learning about good sportsmanship, dogs, and dog shows.
Juniors are eligible to compete in events including Obedience, Agility, Rally, Tracking, Hunt Tests, Herding, Field Trials, Earthdog, Lure Coursing, Coursing Ability, and Coonhound Events. There is no minimum age requirement for sports other than Showmanship (where you must be at least 9).
If your child is interested in becoming an AKC Junior Handler, the first step is to watch a show and . Juniors under 18 years old can sign up for a . This number will be used to track their participation in AKC sports.
Except in Junior Showmanship, Juniors will exhibit in the regular classes and in the field along with all other exhibitors at the trials and tests, where they can obtain the same titles for their dogs and awards as adult handlers if they qualify.
Junior participation in AKC sports will be recognized through the AKC Junior Recognition Program. At the end of the year, the AKC awards the Junior Versatility Awards and Scholarships.
The AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin, is the dog world’s biggest event of the year! Learn more about conformation and follow your favorite breeds at . They might be competing for the coveted Best in Show title in December!聽