AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP
OCTAVIA STENSEN 2023 BEST JUNIOR HANDLER 1. Congratulations, Octavia Stensen, on your Best Junior Handler win at the 2023 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin! Is it a dream come true? This win has absolutely been a dream come true. Literally, I have dreamt of this moment! 2. How was the overall experience of being in Orlando for you? How were the Preliminaries? I adore this show. I would say it’s my favorite show of the year. The buzz of the show is so exciting that I feel like I can never be in a bad mood there. My Mom and I always say we will do stuff around Orlando, but instead we spend most of our days staying at the show and watching various breeds out of enjoyment. The Preliminaries were great, but it takes a long time to get through so many talented Juniors. It takes a lot of patience and it can take a toll on your dog’s focus. Every Junior in the ring is so deserving and talented that I felt extremely blessed to be chosen as one of the six to make it as a finalist of my group. 3. Who was the first person you called or texted after you’d won? I didn’t look at my phone for at least 30 minutes after I stepped out of the ring. I was enjoying the moment with my Mom and my friends who attended the show. When I did check my phone, I texted my two closest friends, Briana and Linnea. They woke up at 5 AM to watch me in the Preliminaries all the way to the Finals. I am endlessly grateful for them and all they do for me. 4. How have you celebrated your victory? Did you and “Pine- apple” enjoy a special meal that night? That evening I went out to dinner with some close friends. We went to the Sugar Factory and enjoyed some extremely large milkshakes and a great dinner. Pineapple had a celebratory large dinner and plenty of hugs and cuddles. Pineapple just wanted a good night’s sleep.
© Kaitlyn Price
196 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024
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