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Raley Beth Maddox and her Australian shepherds earned enough points during the 2023-2024 show season to be invited to the Australian Shepherd Club of America Nationals in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Raley Beth, who competes in conformation shows with her Aussies, took Grand Island by storm. She is in the eighth grade at Red Level School.

“Having the opportunity to compete at the national level means a lot to me because other junior handlers and adult handlers were unable to make the trip to Nebraska. This experience allowed me the opportunity to compete against the best handlers in juniors and the adult rings,” Raley Beth said.

Raley Beth, along with her mother Darshana Maddox, family friend and co-owner Kimberly Cecil, left Andalusia on Oct. 10 and drove to Nebraska with Flair, one of her Aussies. While there, she and Flair competed in three pre-shows against junior handlers from all over the world and the junior finals.

Raley Beth and Flair had only been a team for one show prior to competing at nationals in Nebraska.

“Raley was set to go with one of her other Aussies, Pixie. However, Pixie had some medical issues and was unable to compete at nationals. She was also completely devastated in September when her best friend and awesome show dog passed over the rainbow bridge,” Raley Beth’s grandmother Dawn Kelley said.

While they were in nationals, Raley Beth was also asked to show someone’s Aussie she had never handled before. She and Teddy did very well in the Working Trial Champion ring but did not place in the ribbons.

In the junior handling finals, Raley Beth and Flair finished fourth overall. They competed against junior handlers from all over the world.

“After taking this trip and competing at nationals, I learned I can handle dogs that are not as experienced in the conformation ring. One of the dogs I handled does not regularly compete in this venue and was unsure of himself, but we worked through his squirrelliness,” Raley said.

This was Raley Beth’s last big competition prior to having to have left knee realignment surgery in November.

“She is recovering very well and hopes to begin showing again in January in conformation classes and later in the year in scent detection, fast cat, and agility. Raley is very thankful for the opportunity to compete against such wonderful handlers and appreciative of the judges who always encourage her to be better. Raley and her family would like to thank everyone who contributed to her through making donations, buying raffle tickets, or participating in the coon hunt,” Kelley said.

Raley Beth added that the support she received from loved ones, friends, and corporate donors means a lot to her.

“I am very grateful for the support from my family and friends I received in order to have this opportunity to go to Nebraska. Without everyone’s support and encouragement, I would not have been blessed enough to compete at the national level. At this time, I am rehabbing my knee from realignment surgery and am hoping and praying to be able to compete at all this show season. I really want to get my young dog, Goose, in the show ring and scent detection trials,” Raley Beth said.

Raley Beth has shown dogs since the age of 2. She is the daughter of Darshana Maddox and the granddaughter of Dawn Kelley with a younger brother, Dawson Maddox.