Atascadero resident wins best junior handler at Westminster Dog Show

Mallori Seifert. Photo from seifertlabradors.com.
– Atascadero resident Mallori Seifert with her Beagle “Miles” won Best Junior Handler at the 141st Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Madison Square Garden.
Seifert, handling her 3-year-old Beagle, officially known as CH Double D’s The Land Of Smiles At Copper Rose, took top honors in the Junior Showmanship competition besting a field of 87 entrants, narrowed down to eight finalists. Finalists were selected over two days of preliminary competitions held at Piers 92/94 on Monday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 14.
As the 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best Junior Handler, Seifert will receive a $6,000 Junior Showmanship Finalists Scholarship Award from The Westminster Kennel Club. Competitors in Junior Showmanship are from 9- to 18-years old and are judged on their handling abilities.
“Winning Best Junior Handler at Westminster is a dream come true for young dog handlers,” said Westminster’s Director of Communications Gail Miller Bisher. “These juniors work hard all year long just to qualify to come to America’s Dog Show. Congratulations to Mallori Seifert on her incredible achievement.”
Junior Showmanship preliminary rounds were featured on the live broadcast on Nat Geo WILD on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. For full Junior Showmanship results and video visit www.westminsterkennelclub.org.