Judging Panel

We are pleased to announced the judges for the 2015 GSCA National Championships and Field Trial!

Judging the National Championship, which will begin on Nov. 2, is Howard Burbach (#18585), from Missouri, and Mark Johnson (Z8880), from Illinois.

Howard Burbach has been associated with bird dogs for over 45-years. He hunted behind Spaniels and Pointers as a child, but now competes in field trials and conformation shows with German Shorthair Pointers. He has finished six of his Shorthairs and Field & Show Champions, with one achieving Dual Champion/Amateur Field Champion status. He has actively judged AKC and American Field trials for several years, including the Great Plains Championship (KS), Region 10 Championship (WA) GSP Nationals (KS) German Wirehared Nationals (WI), All Breed Championhsip (IL), Vizsla Nationals (NE), Brittany Nationals (AR) and AKC Gun Dog Championship to name a few.

For more than 30 years, Mark Johnson has been involved with the Viszla breed in both AKC and American Field venues. He has judged 20-plus national and regional pointing dog championships. He has finished several AKC field champions and amateur field champions. He serves as president of the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois, working with 40 bird dog organizations in his state.

Judging the National Amateur Championship, tentatively set to begin Nov. 5, is Jerry McGee (ZG179) and Brooks Carmichael (Z1579).

Jerry got his start in dogs with a German Shorthaired Pointer he purchased from a field trialer back in 1969. It was his first experience in training his own dog and trialing. In the late 1980s he got his first Brittany, joined the LaSalle (Ill.) Brittany Club and became involved with many club activities, including Hunt Tests and Field Trials. After retirement in 1994 he dedicated his time to training his dogs and his hard work has been rewarded with several champions. He has also owned and trained three Dual Champions.

Brooks owns and operates Hickory Ridge Kennels in Virginia, Neb. He recalls entering his first AKC Field trial in 1969 and soon after was hooked. He has been running GSP’s and judging ever since. His proudest moment came when his dog, Trey, won his first national Championship in 2012 and then repeated in 2013.

Serving as Judge's Marshals will be Robbie Gulledge (Z1532), from Kansas, and Rodney Albin (44591), of Missouri. Rodney will also judge the Walking Gun Dog stake with Jerry McGee.

The Open Puppy will be judged by Howard Burbach and Brooks Carmichael.

The Open Derby will be judged by Mark Johnson and Brooks Carmichael.

We are excited to have these fine judges in the saddle to watch our Gordon Setters!