Showsight March 2017

Lorrie contacted the Matherly’s about co-owning and three days later Bella would arrive in Detroit to be Erica’s very own show dog. Erica was the one to care for her exclusively, to feed and train her from the moment she arrived. The bond that grew was strong and it showed in the ring as well. The first show they competed at was the ACDCA Nationals when Bella was 10 months old. She won Best Junior handler from the Open Junior class of the nine entries under Judge Mr. Houston Clark and that moment also inspired Erica to work hard and keep going. She finished Bella’s championship in a few months and the very weekend she finished as a move-up, Eri- ca and Bella won Best of Breed with 32 Cattle Dogs entered under Judge Mrs. Donna Buxton. The top ranked ACD in the US was also entered, so Erica was now gaining confidence. A Grand Championship followed shortly after with several big wins and then the Bronze Grand Championship and now very close to Silver in less than 2 years time. This past summer another best moment was a Herding Group One under Judge Mr. Donovan Thompson and competing in the Best in Show. Wins like these are so appreciated to the judges who have recognized young juniors such as Erica who have a great dog and a great ethic in the sport and it inspires these future handlers to work harder yet. Erica finished 2016 with the #13 ACD breed, #10 all breed group placements and the #1 Australian Cattle Dog junior. Although she missed qualifying for Westminster by a hair, it did not get her down and she would still like to be the first ACD junior since one of her admired professional handler role models did in 1987, Crisanne Moore. She hopes to make a profession of it herself someday as well. Erica is also starting to show Bull Terriers for some friends and enjoys the difficult breeds that are a challenge. She has helped many adults and children in her travels with handling tips, carefully offer- ing advice when it was helpful and learning that the relationships behind the dogs are far more important than the ribbons at the end of the day. Of course she aspires for the biggest ribbon of all some- day, and will be taking a break with Bella to have puppies and hope- fully produce an exceptional one that she can raise and train to go even further with, and someday be competing at Westminster in the group ring. BIO Erica is 12 years old and in 7th grade at Gull Lake Middle School. She lives in Richland, Michigan with her parents and little brother Kace. They have 3 dogs, 3 cats, 4 horses and a guinea pig. She is an excellent big sister and works with Kace on his schoolwork and in his classroom, and also maintains all A’s on her own report card. She is hoping to see her brother show as well someday.

Best of Winners under Dr. Carmen Battaglia.

Erica Matherly along with her brother Kace and Australian Cattle Dogs.

In the ring, Erica’s first Best in Show.

128 • S how S ight M agazine , M arch 2017

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