Irish Setter Owned and Handled by 14-Year-Old Adam Kucera Takes Top Spot in 2023 AKC National Owner Handled Finals

AKC President, Dennis B. Strung presents NOHS Best In Show NOHS Award to Adam Kucera and GCHB CH Kinloch So There!

ORLANDO, FL – December 16, 2023 – The AKC^®National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honor went to GCHB CH Kinloch So There!, an Irish Setter affectionately known as “Stryker” owned and handled by 14-year-old Adam Kucera and bred by Patty Fanelli and Mike Fanelli. Adam and Stryker beat out 874 other dogs to take highest honor.

Another Junior Handler, 15-year-old Savanna Michalak, won Reserve Best in Show with her Australian Shepherd GCHS CH Serendipity Collinswood Kestrel CGCA CGCU TKN ATT, known as “Hawk,” and bred by Clare Cox, Terri K Collins, Erin Aufox.

The 2023 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner was crowned by AKC President, Mr. Dennis B. Sprung, after intense competition at the AKC^® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on December 16^th.

“Congratulations to this year’s winner of the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals,” said Guy Fisher, Manager of Club Development. “We are thrilled to see the next generation of handlers showing their passion and excelling in the ring. The competition was exciting, and each competitor showed their tremendous skill and dedication.”

The top ten owner-handled dogs (plus ties) in each breed from the 2023 qualifying period were invited to compete in the Finals, and the 875 competitors entered represented 209 different breeds/varieties.

Group Winners

After winning their Best of Breed competitions, the following top dogs went on to win in their respective groups and compete for AKC National Owner-Handled Series Best in Show:

Sporting: GCHB CH Kinloch So There!, an Irish Setter known as “Stryker” owned by Linda Layfield & Adam Kucera and bred by Patty Fanelli and Mike Fanelli.

Hound: GCH CH Sobers Hazelyn, a Greyhound known as “Hazel” owned by Armando Sobrado, W Santiago, Bitte Ahrens and bred by Bitte Ahrens.

Working: GCHG CH Ridgetop’N Marconian’s Aventador ATT, a Bullmastiff known as “Hugo” owned by Olga Contant & Ronie Whittall & Galina Taylor and bred by Olga Contant, Rene A Contant, Galina Taylor.

Terrier: GCHB CH Grabo Frankie Goes To Magor, a Bull Terrier known as “Frankie” owned by Sarah Byzewski and bred by Grace S. Thomas and Robert K Thomas.

Toy: GCHS CH Landd Shooting Star, a Papillon known as “Zeke” owned by Deedy and Larry Sorenson and Paige Fink and bred by Linda Knight.

Non-Sporting: GCHP CH Paintabull I’m the Pied Piper CGC TKN, a Bulldog known as “Piper” owned by Phyllis Portera and bred by Phyllis Portera and Greg Rodgers.

Herding: GCHS CH Serendipity Collinswood Kestrel CGCA CGCU TKN ATT, an Australian Shepherd known as “Hawk” owned by Savanna Michalak and bred by Clare Cox, Terri K Collins, Erin Aufox.

For full breed results, visit www.akc.org.

Complete coverage of the 2023 NOHS is available on AKC.TV

Click here to learn more about the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Program.