USCA Performance Judge #51
Jacob Pope
Tracking
I have actively engaged in the working dogs sport industry for over 30 years and have filled a variety of roles from serving as a Club President, Helper, Teaching Helper, Performance Judge, and Training Director. I have also competed with my dogs on the regional, national, and international levels in Tracking, Obedience and Protection.
Participating in the working dog world has provided the opportunity to learn different behavioral philosophies that have enhanced my beliefs both personally and professionally. This sport has given me so many great opportunities and it is my desire to give back when and where I can.
I am extremely honored and very proud that my dog, Hammer von Heater Proof von Stanford and I were members of the 2015 USA World Team who came in second place amongst teams representing countries from around the world. Another performance highlight came when my Heath and I won the
GDSCA 2018 IPO3 National Championship.
Throughout my professional career as a public school and university administrator, I have worked hard to be recognized by students, community partners, and those I have had the honor to supervise as being fair, firm and deliberate in my execution of leadership duties and responsibilities. I have consistently fostered an atmosphere of open communications where all voices can influence collective success. It is with those same characteristics that I accept and perform my duties as a USCA Performance Judge.
I wish the best of success to all competitors.
USCA Performance Judge #11
Michael J. Caputo
Obedience & Protection
Michael has been a member of United Schutzhund Clubs of America since 1979. As a competitor he achieved membership in the SchH3 Club in 1985 and was awarded the SV Masters Sports Medal in Gold in 1987. As a handler, he titled 5 dogs to SchH/FH/IPO titles and 2 dogs (one male and one female) to “V” ratings in the conformation ring. He is a former three-time regional champion and won the USCA National FH Championship in 1987 with Ingo vom Horsatal (97 points). He began his Judging career in 1985 as an apprentice, then received his USCA license in 1987, a UDC license in 1992 and was affiliated with the SV From 2009-2015. As a Performance Judge, he has presided over hundreds of trials and dozens of National and Regional events in all three performance phases.
Throughout his 35-year judging career, Michael has enjoyed most his seminars on teaching trainers and handlers the various standards and performance elements of showing their dogs in a performance (Schutzhund/IPO/IGP) trial. This training seminar “How to Maximize Your Points” has been attended by hundreds of dog sport enthusiasts and kept them updated on the various changes in the performance rules and the judging expectations that are built into those guidelines. Driven to continuously learn, improve and assist the USCA Judges Program, Michael is a long time member of the USCA Judges Committee and actively participates in the continuing education process for the USCA Judges College.
For this NW Regional event, Michael states “I have a long history with the SJGSDC having shown here in the early 80’s, apprentice judged in 1986 with Walter Hoffman, and performance judged several trials as a guest of the Vollrath’s, the Ratliff’s, and the Riedel’s during the 1990’s and 2000’s. I look forward to returning and sharing this wonderful German Shepherd Dog sport with several friendships that go back some 35+ years. It will be an honor to officiate as the stadium Judge for the 2022 USCA Northwest Regionals and to be on this historic field with each and every participant. Good luck to all and remember to have fun!”