Octavia Stensen Wins Best Junior at 2023 AKC Junior Showmanship Finals

Dr. Adam Stafford King presents the 2023 Best Junior Award to Octavia Stenson and her Norwegian Buhund, Pineapple. Photo: AKC – Melanie Haid

ORLANDO, FL –  December 16, 2023 – The 2023 Best Junior honor at the 2023 American Kennel Club National Championship Junior Showmanship Finals goes to Octavia Stensen, 19, of Everson, Washington. Stenson showed her 3-year-old Norwegian Buhund, “Pineapple” GCHB CH Cultiva Cruisin For A Bruisin.

The Junior Showmanship competition, for handlers between 9 to 18 years of age, was held for the 23^rd year at the AKC^® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The Junior Showmanship event gives Junior Handlers, ages 8-18, to display their dedication to dog sports and training an opportunity for Juniors to showcase their bonds with their dogs.

“It means the world to me,” said Stensen who placed fourth in last year’s 2022 Junior Showmanship Finals. “It’s just a true recognition of all the work I’ve put in, and that means so much to me.”

Since she was ten years old, Stensen has been a dedicated participant in the AKC Junior Showmanship program. She started by showing Shiba Inus. After her beloved Shiba passed away, Stensen’s grandmother discovered the Norwegian Buhund breed at a dog show. The breed Intrigued Stensen, and she decided to start showing a Norwegian Buhund.

She began by showing Pineapple’s mother for about six years. Then, three years ago, Stensen decided to breed her. Since that breeding, Stensen has been proudly showing Pineapple in Junior Showmanship competitions. “I bred her myself,” Stensen says. “This is my first-ever show breed, and she’s my first-ever breeding.”

Currently in her first semester of college, majoring in business, Stensen remains passionate about the world of dog shows. She explains, “I love dog shows, and I love this world. I am passionate about it, so I want to see where life takes me.” Stensen plans to continue participating in conformation competitions while pursuing her business degree. At 19 years old, the future is uncertain, but Stensen’s dedication to the show circuit is unwavering.

Left to right – Dr. Adam Stafford King, Octavia Stenson with her Norwegian Buhund,  Jade Chase with her Black Russian Terrier,  Taylor Johnson with her Old English Sheepdog, and Hadrian Towell with his Manchester Terrier.  Photo: AKC – Melanie Haid

Also honored were 2nd Place winner Jade Chase with her Black Russian Terrier, 3rd Place winner Taylor Johnson with her Old English Sheepdog,
and 4th Place winner Hadrian Towell with his Manchester Terrier.

Junior Showmanship allows Junior Handlers, ages 8-18, to display their dedication to dog sports and training. It’s also an opportunity for Juniors to showcase their bonds with their dogs. Junior handlers need a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the September 2022 to June 2023 school year to compete in Junior Showmanship. Winners of the Junior Showmanship Finals were awarded scholarships as follows: First Place: $5,000, Second Place: $4,000, Third Place: $3,000, and Fourth Place: $2,000.

Dr. Adam Stafford King judged the 2023 Finals. Jennie Hynes and Kasey O’Brien judged the Preliminaries.

The Junior Showmanship event and finals coverage is available on AKC.TV.

To learn more about the AKC Junior Showmanship program, visit akc.org.