202One National Award Winners

The Ty Cup:   Given in recognition of a Spinone that demonstrates exceptional performance in three or more areas of activity, by considering NAVHDA, AKC, and Therapy Certifying Agencies. This award can be awarded for a lifetime of achievement.  

The winner of this award is “Veloce,” Dry Grass Veloce Diavolo Castellano del Lago CD BN RA JH ACT2  ACT1J  THD  CGCA  CGCU  TKE  VHMA (TDIA)  NAVHDA NA Prize 2, owned and loved by Chris Sweetwood and Lauren Friedman.

 Veloce has excelled in obedience, rally, hunting test, agility, Trick Dog, therapy, the canine good citizenship program, public education, canine research studies, confirmation, and as a breed ambassador to the public. Adhering to covid-19 restrictions he has participated in Virtual therapy and Library visits. In obedience, he earned the SCOA high in trial trophy in 2019 and has two 1st place finishes toward his CDX, a Trick Dog Elite performer title, and Rally Excellent title. His virtual water test video is an example of "how it is done" on the AKC website and his appearance on ESPN in 2019 further promoted the breed. He has participated in eight distinct areas, including the NAVHDA hunting test program.

The Kemo Cup:  In recognition of the top performance in the field by a Spinone Italiano.  The committee has considered NAVHDA and AKC field performance in the previous year.  

The 2021 winner is “Louie’” GCH CH Penny Lane’s Hero Braveheart SH, CGC, NAVHDA NA2 and Utility Prize 1, owned and loved by Erin Dunn and Ted Wentink.

Louie had a very good year with field testing in 2020, despite Covid restrictions on much testing.  In June of 2020, he ran a NAVHDA Utility test, scoring a 196-point Prize 1, qualifying him for the 2022 NAVHDA Invitational in New Mexico. 

In September, he ran and received his first qualifying Master Hunt score with the St. Croix Brittany Club, in Baldwin, WI.  He’s also an amiable fellow who never fails to entertain the judges!

Award of Recognition:   Awarded to the Spinone that has produced direct offspring of significance to the breed. 

This year’s winner is “Gemma,” GCHB Kala’s Regina Dell’ Affascinante Owned and loved by Kathy Hamaker and Matt Cole, nominated by Angela Matias

Gemma has produced some beautiful puppies that have accomplished a lot in a few short years.  She has 4 puppies who are grand champions and 7 that have finished their championships for a total of 11 champions. Her babies have also been successful in the field with several NA prizes, a UT prize, and JH titles.

Many of the kids also have trick dog titles and CGC titles.  Her second litter also received a NAVHDA breeders award.

Cos Cup:  Given in recognition of the ultimate companion dog.  As stated on the actual trophy; named “in honor of ‘Cosimo’, who exemplified the ultimate companion Spinone.  Never demanding, but always willing to accept a pat or a bite of your lunch.  Not a beauty contest winner or a top field dog, just a loyal friend who was always there.”

This year’s Cos Cup is awarded to “Mick,” Ch Kosmic del Subasio JH CGC. 

He was a loving, steady presence who was happiest when he was with his people. At home, he was the one who wanted to be touching. A head-on my foot, laying on the couch next to me with his paw touching my leg.  It wasn’t invasive, just a loving physical connection, always. Mick was never the dog who wanted to be in the spotlight.  He was a loving, loyal friend who savored the quiet moments together.  He was happy when we were happy, and vice versa. 

Owned and loved by Ken and Becky Tevis

The Rufus Cup:  An award given in recognition of the Spinone demonstrating exceptional performance in both the field and conformation ring. This Spinone has prized in a NAVHDA Utility Test, is at least an SH, and has excelled in the conformation ring. 

It was Ember who drew Sam into the hunting world. At a farmer’s market after obedience class, a man approached us who happened to be President of the Northern Illinois NAVHDA group, and invited Sam out to a training. The rest, as they say, is history. The bond built between Sam and Ember in obedience classes was essential in hunt training and has only grown stronger through their new hobby. Hunting has become a passion for both Sam and Ember.  Although hunting is now Ember's main interest, she was initially added to the pack because Evan wanted to try showing. Despite a severe handicap of being shown by a total newbie, Ember rose above her handler's challenges and earned her CH. 

The winner of the Rufus Cup is “Ember,” CH Mals-About My Lucky Star UD SH CGC, owned and loved by Sam and Evan Emmons. 

Asti’s Compassion Trophy:   In recognition of the Spinone demonstrating Superior performance as a therapy dog.  This year’s winner is “Fiona,” GCHS Quattro Zampe Cosabella “Fiona” owned and loved by Teri Turner.

Fiona spends two hours a week at an afterschool program for elementary children. She is the official greeter as the students come in from their classrooms. During her time there she will be read to, or maybe brush up on her tricks. But her favorite thing to do is just hang out with the kids, eating up all the petting they can give.  

She also spends two mornings with the elementary counselor. She might go into the classroom to help with a lesson on friendship or she might be a part of a small playgroup in the counselor’s office.  On one of her visits, she was in a playgroup with four kindergarteners. One little boy who also happens to be hearing impaired was having an especially bad day. His father had died a couple of weeks earlier. He had been staying with a grandmother. This day was the first day back for him since all the turmoil in his life. He curled up on the floor of the counselor’s office very quietly sobbing. Fiona very softly crawled up to him and just stayed by his side the whole time the group was there. The boy put his arm around Fiona and just lay there holding her until it was time to go.  He then quietly got up gave her a hug and went back to his classroom. Kids are her world.

Volunteer of the Year: - Barb Spence. Hands Down. Slam Dunk. Through 2 pandemic-driven cancellations, reschedules, and loss of her co-chair, Barb never flinched and picked up the ball and made the 202One National Specialty not only happen but also a huge success. Many a Thank You goes to Barb.

AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award:  From the AKC website, “This award honors those individuals who deserve special recognition that has made a difference in the sport of purebred dogs, embodied the AKC Code of Sportsmanship and have been an active and valued member of an AKC members club. Medallions are awarded solely at the club’s discretion.”  The winner of this medallion is determined by the SCOA Board of Directors.

The winner of this medallion in 2021, is again Barb Spence.  Not only did Barb make the 2020ne National Specialty happen, but she also did it all with grace and a positive, can-do attitude.  When the chips were down, Barb was up and making things happen, and all performed with good humor.

Huge Congratulations to these deserving award recipients!

(And a few more awards, these determined by the previous year’s statistics:)

     Top Show Dog of the Year:  This trophy is awarded to a SCOA member for conformation excellence, based upon AKC conformation points for the previous year.

      This year’s winner is “Josie,” GCHB CH Collina D'Oro Solo Un Bacio, owned and loved by Claire Wisch-Abraham & Stacy Belt

The Rico Cup:  Awarded to the top Spinone owner/handled of the year.  This trophy is awarded to the SCOA member who is the top-ranking Spinone handler as determined by the AKC National Owner-Handled Series rankings for the previous year.

This year’s team is “Atlas,” OHMBIS GCHS KaLa’s Fly Me To the Moon JH, and Angela Matias

   Annual Best Junior Handler Award:  Awarded to the SCOA member, Best Junior Handler for the year.  Points determined by AKC and based upon results from conformation, as well as performance events.  The winner this year, selected by the Juniors Committee, is Theron Hull-Walton