2026 Autumn Oaks Bench Show Judge Announcement
January 20, 2026
Source: Danielle Champ
Job Title: Bench Show Program Manager
Department: Hunting Ops
Email: dchamp@ukcdogs.com
United Kennel Club is proud to welcome and recognize the individuals selected to serve as UKC Judges for the 2026 season. These men and women represent the very best of our sport. Each one of them brings knowledge, experience, and a strong commitment to fairness, consistency, and professionalism in every ring and event setting.
Being approved to judge for UKC is more than a title, it is a responsibility that no one takes lightly. Its what most bench show judges strive for. UKC judges are expected to apply rules and standards accurately, demonstrate professionalism, and be impartial in every setting.
The 2026 judge roster includes individuals from a variety of backgrounds within the sport, many with decades of experience, a strong understanding of UKC policy and procedure, and a proven commitment to the programs they support. These individuals have helped preserve breed integrity, encourage sportsmanship, and represent the values that clubs and participants across the country expect from UKC events.
As we head into the 2026 season, were excited for another year of great events, strong competition, and the kind of sportsmanship that makes the UKC community special. Thank you again to each judge for your dedication and service. We look forward to a great year ahead.
With that, please help me welcome our 2026 Autumn Oaks judges:
Thursday
Michael Ford
Non-Licensed Bench Show
Hello, my name is Michael Ford. I am a fourth-generation raccoon hunter. I have owned and participated in coonhound events most of my life. I have been a licensed UKC judge for 15 years and have judged several state level events. It is truly an honor, and a lifelong dream come true to judge Autumn Oaks.
I have owned, hunted and shown each of the seven breeds at some point throughout my lifetime.
I believe in a well-balanced dual-purpose coonhound that can successfully complete the tasks for which it was purposefully bred for.
Kayla Cooper
Conformation Show
I grew up with hunting and working dogs my entire life, as my Grandfather was a professional trainer for both Upland Hunting dogs and Waterfowl Retrievers. My journey with Coonhound competitions and UKC began in 2006 and then came to incorporate conformation shows and all breed dog sports in 2008. The Catahoula breed found me in 2012 and my kennel, Warrior River Kennels, is now home to Redbone Coonhounds, Catahoulas, and a very special Labrador.
I have been a UKC Coonhound Judge since 2012 as well as holding multiple judging licenses in multiple other registries for various events and have served as the Sec/Tres of the Alabama State Coonhunter's Association for several years. I began Adventure Canine, my Training company, in 2019 and joined the UKC All Breed Sports team in 2022.
I am honored to judge any portion of Autumn Oaks and look forward to bringing my years of experience with a variety of hunting and working dogs to the ring as I evaluate some of the best hounds in UKC.
Friday & Saturday
Curtis Peace
I grew up in New Kent Va. on the family farm, my dad had deer and fox hounds, bird dogs and 2 coonhounds my dad would say don't know how we are going to feed all them dogs Purina Dog Chow $8.00 50lb Bag. Early years feed and clean dog pens was my job. Around 1980 I purchased a Black and Tan and shortly after I met Doc and Chirpie Birdsall, Chirpie would set in the parking lot at my work with Sally and Fancy and we'd go to show on Friday nights if we could find one, Saturday and Sunday on the way home 2 or 3 states on a weekend. And then we drove to Autumn Oaks 1983 and got a puppy( Dach Lair MR. Virginia) from Maurice Meuth and later on came Pride and Lady from Bill Mack, we showed pairs all over the country two big dogs. I have gotten to show and handle some pretty awesome hounds with Doc Lair and with Doc (Dad) and Chirpie (Mom) I have learned a huge amount of knowledge on movement, bone, muscle tone and angulation.
Autumn Oaks will be a very busy weekend. So in advance, let me thank you for letting me look at your dog.
Gerald Black
Gerald Black is from Greer, SC. I have been involved with coonhounds since mid-teens, when I would go with my dad, Stanley, and Uncle Tommy to dog events. I was also involved with horses and riding with Uncle Tommy at horse shows for many years. I helped with raising, training and showing Treeing Walker Coonhounds. I have been blessed to have won many events, handling some of the best dogs there were, including NGRCH of breed on my first trip to Autumn Oaks with a Treeing Walker coonhound. I've won the Winter Classic twice with Angel and Kat and the 2010 Purina race with Kat.
After meeting my wife, Cynthia, I began dabbling in Bluetick coonhounds. Again, I was blessed with great hounds to handle. I was able to take home the 2010 Purina Bluetick breed win with Rain and the overall NGRCH at Autumn Oaks with her a few years later. I've been able to win multiple overall placements at various national-level events and state events. I've been able to handle some great dogs that became like family. But the best gift I've received was meeting so many great people and being able to call them friends.
Guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event, UKC is a community for people and dogs to pursue excellence together. Founded in 1898, UKC has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of Dogs That Do More, and their owners, by providing essential resources to help owners and breeders make informed decisions. The dog-human bond is celebrated through family-friendly programs highlighting the instincts and heritage of purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike at over 18,000 licensed events annually.