Meet the 2025 JUDGES H NATIONAL SPECIALTY ina received her first AKC Toy Poodle as a gift from her mother on her 10 th birthday, the start of it all. Her mother was an avid dog lover, a passion passed down from her father. By the following year, there were multiple show Poodles in Gina’s family which eventually became the home of Hell’s-a-Blazen Poodles. Located on five acres of farmland in Connecticut, Hell’s-a-Blazen was built with the guidance of their mentor, Wendell Sammet. Gina’s mother, Frances, was the driving force behind the development of Hell’s-a-Blazen. In 1975, Gina became a licensed AKC professional handler and continued actively breeding and showing with her mother. Hell’s-a-Blazen has bred approximately 200 champion Poodles worldwide and continues to be present in most white Toy Poodle pedigrees today. In 2005, Gina’s show and breeding kennel, located north of Tampa, FL, suffered a total loss following a pounding hurricane. While moving through the slow reconstruction process, in March 2006, Gina decided to accept a position as an AKC Executive Field Representative. She worked for 14 years covering the Midwest region. She also presented the PCA Poodle Judges’ Education for AKC Advanced Judges’ Institutes, was a regional rep for the AKC Registered Handlers Program and traveled to China as an educator during the development of the NGKC judging base. Gina’s involvement with Judges’ Education began in the 70’s with the Dover Poodle Group, a Poodle education group under the tutelage of Jim & Annie Clark. Retiring from AKC in 2020, Gina now judges and is actively involved with her parent club, Poodle Club of America. Gina serves PCA as a breed mentor, Junior Education Chairperson, and Judges’ Education Director. She works as the general manager for a designer boutique, active in her local city government and board member of the Weston-Platte City Kiwanis Club. The small town of Weston, MO is home for Gina and her husband, Cliff. The resident fur-babies are Ziggy the Toy Poodle, Mary Frances the Chi, and Tula the cat. Gina and Cliff have two sons, Nate and Danny, and five awesome grandchildren. G Gina Wieser Toys Mrs. Helen G. Tomb-Taylor Miniature Poodles elen Tomb-Taylor is highly regarded in the Poodle breeding community. She is particularly known for her expertise in judging and selecting top quality show Poodles, with reviews often highlighting her discerning eye for breed standards and commitment to producing healthy, beautiful dogs. She has finished 40 Miniature Poodle champions, many owner-handled. She is an active member of Poodle Club of America, Bluebonnet Poodle Club and Houston Kennel Club. She has been active in dogs since 1982 and judging since 2003. he prefix “AFTERGLOW” was registered by Michael Gadsby over 40 years ago. It produced a champion and group winner in the second recorded American Cocker litter. This American Cocker was the beginning of what would become one of the UK’s most successful kennels ever. There have now been over 150 British champions owned and/or bred across 22 different breeds. Included are 17 different BIS winners in American Cockers, PBGV, Afghan Hounds, Toy and Standard Poodles. Breeder of 2 Crufts Supreme BIS winners and a further 3 Crufts Res BIS winners in three different breeds. On 4 occasions, the kennel has produced the Top Dog All Breeds in the UK. Twice with Standard Poodles and twice with American Cockers. Mike has judged extensively around the world, and in the UK, awards CCs in 37 breeds and judges 4 groups and BIS. T Michael Gadsby (UK) Standards 46 January-March 2025 • POODLE VARIETY
Poodle Variety Magazine January-March 2025 January – March 2025: Page 46
