Ms. Rosemary Green - Conformation Judge

(Chilolo)

I commenced my involvement with the world of purebred dogs in 1974 with the purchase of a young Rhodesian Ridgeback female. At that time I was competing at horse events such as One Day Events, dressage and showjumping and I wanted a dog who was suitable to come with me when I was pleasure riding. My mother spent her childhood in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and her family always had ridgebacks so she suggested I purchase one. In those days, pre mobile phones and Facebook, communication was not so easy and ridgebacks were almost unheard of in Australia so it took me a few months before I eventually found a 5-month-old bitch for sale. This was a life-changing decision and my passion for this breed has taken me all over the world.

My first litter in 1976 produced Aust Ch Chilolo Karoo who was awarded Best Puppy, Challenge Bitch and Runner Up Best in Show at the 1977 RR Specialty Show in Sydney. Together with my daughter, Emma Marshall, we have since bred over 90 champions in Australia, USA, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Europe. I have also been involved with Pharaoh Hounds, English Springer Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, American Cockers, Salukis and Whippets.

Our most successful homebred ridgeback, and by far the most successful Australian ridgeback, was Trio – Am Ch/Aust Supreme Ch Chilolo EB Show No Mercy (AI) who was awarded 27 Best In Show awards at All Breeds, Hound and Specialty shows. This is equal to the record set by MBIS/BISS Am Ch Filmaker’s Never Surrender FM JC ROM in the 1990s.

Moving from breeding/exhibiting to judging was a natural progression. I qualified as a judge of Rhodesian Ridgebacks in 1999 and became an ANKC All Breeds Judge in 2016. I have judged all groups throughout Australia and have completed international judging assignments in New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Russia, USA (including Best In Hound Group at Palm Springs), South Africa, Japan, Thailand, China, Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, and Sweden.

I consider the RRCUS National the most prestigious RR show in the world and it has long been a dream of mine to be invited to judge this show. I am so looking forward to it and particularly as 2024 marks 50 years of breed involvement for me.

Ms. Dawn Garbett - Sweepstakes, Stud Dog, Brood Bitch, Brace
(Celtic Lore)

I can not even begin to describe what an honor it is to be judging Sweeps at the 2024 National Specialty. I fell in love with this breed as a young teenager. I immediately fell in love with these powerful, elegant dogs. I was hooked. I was the barn girl that tried to bring home every stray I came across. My dad loves to remind me that earlier that same week, I tried to bring home a dog with three legs. I was determined to bring a Ridgeback puppy home and earned the money for my first puppy. Lady Guinevere came home and solidified my love of this breed.

In 2009, I brought my special liver girl, Bella (Ch Tam Lyn’s Sweet Celtic Siren, CGC TDI HIC TT ROM) home. She became my first show dog and my foundation. There are no words to thank Karla and Craig Boreiko enough for trusting me with their line and a little part of their legacy.

I bred my first litter in 2012. My keeper was the sassy, chubby puppy that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Luna grew up to be MBIS MBISS RBIS NBVISS GCHG Celtic Lore’ s Moonlight and Magic CGC TDI JC ROM. Luna was the Number One RIdgeback, all systems,  People’s Choice Winner and the Best of Breed Winner at Eukanuba in 2015. Luna was a breeder’s dream come true.

Since then I have produced multiple Top 5 dogs, including RBIS BISS GCHG Celtic Lore’s Perfect Storm JC ROM and GCHG Quest’s Straight From the Heart of Celtic Lore, multiple group winners, and multiple group placers. I have bred over 40 champions, the majority of them being owner handled.

I am currently a member of the RRCUS Board, the Junior Coordinator for RRCUS, and am also the Editor of the Ridgeback Magazine.

Mary Lynne Elliot - 4 - 6month Baby Puppy, 

Mary Lynne received her first Ridgeback in 1987 and bred her first litter in 1999. Along with several Champions she produced her first multiple group winning dog and has been hooked ever since.

She was appointed to the BOD for RRCUS in 1994. She took over the job of Judges Education Coordinator. From there she was appointed 1st Vice President where she served for many years as the board’s voice on how to run specialties. She was the show-chair for two specialties - Winter Park, CO and Rapid City, SD. She served as President twice. She served as 2nd VP in charge of Education. She now is RRCUS’s Delegate to AKC where she acts as the liaison between RRCUS and the AKC.

She is involved in several dog clubs. She is the VP of the Colorado Rhodesian Ridgeback Club where she has overseen the Regional Specialty since 1992. She is the secretary for the Evergreen Colorado Kennel Club, she is a working member of the Rocky Mountain Hound Association, the Flatirons Kennel Club, and the Morrison and Essex Kennel Club.

She now has a Ridgeback that is close to 13 and a seven year old Border Terrier. She co-owns a young Ridgeback bitch. She is an AKC judge licensed to judge the Hound Group.

She is thrilled to have this assignment and looks forward to judging the puppies!