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2013 WODAC PET EXPO
 
 GALLAGHER CONVENTION CENTRE
19-21 JULY 2013
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Welcome to our three Overseas International Judges for 2013:
 
DOG JUDGE:  MR SHHARAT SHARMA (INDIA)
CAT JUDGE: MS BARBARA LA ROCCA (AUSTRALIA)
DANCING WITH DOGS & AGILITY GRAND PRIX JUDGE: MINNA ESTEMAA (GERMANY)
including our international line up of South African Cat Judges - 
Dr Kim Cutter International and ACC All-Breeds Judge
Mrs Rita Wiseman - International and ACC All-Breeds Judge
 
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Brief CV's of our International Judges
  
Dogs - Mr Shharat Sharma (India)
The first steps into the vast and wonderful world of show dogs were taken in 1979 when Shharat bought his first KCI Registered Labrador bitch.  The last three decades have seen about 50 champions born and shown under the Ratnbela Prefix.   The kennels have been home to Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, German Short Haired Pointers, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Dachshunds, Boxers, German Shepherds and Chihuahuas.   The moment of glory came in 1988-99 when his Irish Setter Ch Eirennmada Manhattan (co-owned) was declared the Reserve Dog of the Year.  Shharat is a found member of the Gurgaon Kennel Club and is credited with the successful organisation of the 5th and 6th FCI shows at Gurgaon.  Shharat is a 1989 batch Civil Servant by profession.
 
Cats - Ms Barbara La Rocca (Australia)
Barbara  was introduced to and instantly fell in love with the Burmese breed and in 1984 began breeding under the Riokay prefix.   In 1988 she decided to breed Abyssinians as well. She has imported Somalis from the USA and bred Burmillas, Tonkinese and Maine Coons.   Barbara has bred Supreme Exhibit winners in both Burmese and Abyssinians and had numerous Best Kitten and Cat of the Year Awards with QFA.  She has proudly been awarded Group 3 Prefix of the Year twice with QFA.   Barbara is President of the Queensland Feline Association Inc ((QFA) a position which she is very proud to hold.    Barbara's continued interest in the welfare and breeding of healthy, good natured cats is still a priority and she still enjoys the immense pleasure of judging.  
 
"I will always be indebted to the Cat Fancy for providing me the opportunity to meet and make new and long term friends and colleagues with whom I hope to have a lifetime association".
 
Dancing with Dogs & Agility - Ms Minna Estemaa (Germany)
Dancing with Dogs :  Minna started freestyle in 1996.   At the time she had two Wirehaired Dutch Shepherds.  She achieved the Advanced level national with her male.      Her next freestyle dog, also a Wirehaired Dutch Shepherd was called Pinkki.    she received her Bronze Bar on freestyle, competed in Perfect Dance Partners with Freestyle and Advanced in Heelwork.  She also competed at the Open European Championships in 2011 in Denmark.    Minaa sadly lost Pinkki - her once in a lifetime dog.    At the moment she competes with two Malinois' Chic and Dappie.   Chic has twice competed at the Open European Championships both in Freestyle and Heelwork. She was also reserve Dutch champion in 2011.  Dappie competes in Advanced freestyle.  Dappie loves rescue dog work and protection dog work and agility, dog dancing is a way for us to work on the obedience side.  Minna also has a Malinois cross called Hoopje. She competes in perfect Dance Partners on freestyle and Advanced in Heelwork to Music.  Last but not least Minaa has Possu who is still young but very intelligent, enthusiastic and has a very high food drive.   

All Minna's dogs do agility, tracking and the Malinois also do protection work.     

Agility : Apart from Dog Dancing Minna participates in agility and schutzhund.    For agility she has Wirehaired Dutch Shepherds, Dutch Smoushond, a Malinois and a German Hunting Terrier.  She has an agility training group and trains a variety of breeds.  She has competed twice in the Dutch team for IMCA and also  has been placed in the top three in the agility dog of the year competition and at the Dutch Sport Dog Federation championships with both large and small dogs.  In Schutzhund she trains her own Malinois and also gives group training to different breeds.     Minna will be giving workshops for Dog Dancing, Agility and Schutzhund during her time here in South Africa.
 
Thank you to Shharat, Barbara and Minna for making the long trip to South Africa to officiate at our prestigious 2013 event.
 
 
  
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Dog Judges from 1996 todate :-
 
2013  Mr Shharat Sharma (India) - Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
2013  Mr Godofredo B. Salud (Phillipines) - Durban Exhibition Centre, KZN 
2012  Snr. Ramon Podesta (Chile) - Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
2011  Alfonso Thovar Y del Solar (Spain) - Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
2010  Harry Vella (Malta) - Good Hope Centre, Cape Town
2009  Ana Beatrez Knoll (Brazil) - Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg
2008  Eugene Yerusalimsky (Russia) - Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg
2007  Horst Kliebenstein (Germany) - Durban Exhibition Centre
2006  Peter and Peggy Bailey (United Kingdom) - Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg
2005  Horacio Pizzorno (Uruguay) and Torbjorn Skaar (Sweden) - Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg
2004  Kath and Gerald Mitchell (United Kingdom) & Hans van den Berg (Holland) - Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg
2003  Wendye Slatyer (Australia) & Sean and Kathy Delmar (Ireland) - Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg
2002  Wendy Streatfield (United Kingdom/SA) - Durban Exhibition Centre
2001  Partha Sekhar Chatterjee (India) - Durban Exhibition Centre
2000  Elke Peper (Germany) - Durban Exhibition Centre
1999  Wera Hubenthal (Norway) - Durban Exhibition Centre
1998  Mike Stockman (United Kingdom) - Durban Exhibition Centre
1997  Bill Egan (Australia) - Durban Exhibition Centre
1996  Geoff Corrish (United Kingdom) - Durban Exhibition Centre