Westminster | Coupeville Sports

Posts Tagged ‘Westminster’

Gabriella Gebhard enjoys Westminster dreams

Posted in AKC dog showing, tagged AKC, CHS Wolves, dog showing, Gabriella Gebhard, Westminster on August 18, 2022| 2 Comments »

Gabriella Gebhard takes one of her setters for a run at a recent dog show. (Photos courtesy Stephanie Gebhard)

Gabriella Gebhard is on her way to the big time.

The Coupeville High School rising sophomore, among the best in the nation in her age group of competitive dog handlers, has earned an invite to the biggest show on the books.

Coming off of two more wins as Best Junior at AKC Sporting Dog and All Breed Shows, Gebhard has qualified for the Westminster Dog Show.

The premier event on the circuit, it started in 1877 and has run uninterrupted through the Great Depression, world wars and pandemics.

Gebhard will participate in the 147th edition of Westminster, which is slated for next summer.

To qualify, she had to earn seven Best Junior awards between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022.

Wins #6 and #7 came in Enumclaw, where she teamed up with her faithful canine companion, Walker (Set’r Ridge’s Legend in the Making) to win a Grand Championship.

While that duo is Westminster-bound, Gebhard also has Set’r Ridge’s Climbing to the Top (Everest), who bagged two wins and a Best of Opposite award.

Perfect form, and the awards keep coming.

Altogether, Gebhard has three setters, including Set’r Ridge’s Eternal Faith, and each of the trio is a champion.

While Westminster is the internationally known, broadcast on TV main event, Gebhard and her pooches have plenty of other shows ahead on the schedule.

That includes the Royal Canin AKC nationals, set for Dec. 17-18 in Orlando.

“She (Gabriella) is over the moon,” said mom Stephanie. “We are so excited!”

Westminster-bound.

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CHS freshman best in show

Posted in AKC dog showing, tagged CHS Wolves, dog showing, freshman, Gabriella Gebhard, Westminster on July 21, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville High School freshman Gabriella Gebhard and a canine companion pose with some of her many awards. (Photos courtesy Stephanie Gebhard)

On point, always.

She’s at the front of the pack.

A talented group of freshmen athletes will enter the hallways of Coupeville High School this fall, with one already flying high on a national level.

Gabriella Gebhard, who also ran cross country at the middle school level, has been blazing a bright path at dog shows, and is just a step or two away from hitting the really big stage.

Coupeville’s ace is currently the second-ranked juniors English Setter handler in the entire nation, trailing just Jessica Braatz of Fort Myers, Florida.

Having defeated 300+ opponents (and their dogs), Gebhard is just one win away from qualifying for the Westminster Kennel Dog Club Show — the top destination in the sport.

“She needs to win Best Junior, so has to beat all other junior handlers, including seniors in high school, and kids who have won 10 best juniors (masters class),” said mom Stephanie.

As she makes a move at claiming the top spot, Gabrielle Gebhard and her talented pooch, Walker “Set’r Ridge’s Legend in the Making,” have been busy piling up awards.

The duo claimed every honor in sight at the Island County Fair, including three rally grand championships, and a grand championship for team obedience and judging.

That follows on the heels of claiming Best Junior and Best of Breed while competing at the Puyallup Kennel Club.

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Gebhard, canine companion best in show

Posted in AKC dog showing, tagged CMS Wolves, dog showing, Gabriella Gebhard, Royal Canin AKC Nationals, Westminster on May 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Gabriella Gebhard and her English Setter are coming for all your dog show awards. (Photos courtesy Stephanie Gebhard)

Gabriella Gebhard is taking the world of dog showing by storm.

The Coupeville Middle School 8th grader, who is also a Wolf cross country runner, is just two wins away from qualifying for the world-famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The duo showcase their skills at an event.

First, Gebhard and her English setter, Walker “Set’r Ridge’s Legend in the Making,” head to Florida for the prestigious American Kennel Club National Championships presented by Royal Canin.

That event is December 18-19 in Orlando, Florida.

Gebhard, who has been working towards her Westminster dreams since age nine, brings out the best in her canine companion, and vice versa.

The duo have been claiming awards everywhere they go, winning Best Puppy in Sweeps, Best Junior, and Reserve Winner’s Dog at the recent Monterey Bay English Setter specialty in California.