With the purchase of a pair of Budgies in 1970, Gil Barboza embraced the Budgerigar Fancy, and has since developed a fine stud of birds. Gil has exhibited in many shows throughout the United States and has placed consistently on the top bench including three All American wins. He qualified to become an ABS panel Judge in 1978, and has since judged several major shows, Including 5 All American Shows. He has also Judged in England, Canada, and in 1994 was selected as one of the Judges in South America where he had the opportunity to visit and exchange ideas with many outstanding budgerigar fanciers, thus enriching his already deep knowledge of the fancy. He currently houses about 250 Budgies, breeding about 30 pairs every year. While Light Greens dominate, Pieds play a large part in the breeding and exhibiting program. He is consistently ranked as one of the top ten exhibitors in ABS each year.

A resident of Hurst, Texas, he has served as ABS Registrar, Secretary of the Judges Panel, 3rd Vice President, and Chairman of the Judges Panel.

Champion

Gilbert Barboza – Hurst, TX

He also has served as President of the Fort Worth Bird Club and Texas Bird Breeders and Fanciers Association. In recent years, he has formed The North Texas Budgie Club in District 8 and serves as District Director. At the 2001 All-American, he was recognized for his 25 years as an ABS Panel Judge and was inducted into the ABS Hail of Fame.

Originally from the Windy City (Chicago) Wally & Louise now reside on 4 acres in Florence, Mississippi, complete with a beautiful home, swimming pool and one of the finest aviaries in the country. They have exhibited their budgies all over the US for a mere 28 years. They have been outstanding ambassadors of ABS having traveled to England where they have made many lifelong friends.

Wally became an ABS Judge in 1980. Only 5 active judges have served a longer period of time. He has judged at a total of three (3) All Americans and has judged in every major show in the US. Wally currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Judges Panel.

He has many other talents besides raising quality budgies. In their new Mississippi home he has designed and built their spacious aviary, gazebo, barn and greenhouse, all of which are of the highest quality. It is also a consensus opinion that Wally makes the best potato salad, grills the best steaks and pork chops, and cooks the best Polish and Italian Sausage this side of the Mason Dixon Line. A man of many talents who enjoys life to its fullest. Written by: Earl Nichols

Intermediate

Walter Loepke – Florence, MS  

I started breeding Budgies in 1988. In December 1986 I bought my first birds from an add for "English Budgies" in the local paper. I did everything wrong right from the start. I bought the birds on a whim; I have a handicapped son who was in the middle of a six week hospital stay at the time - I guess I was looking for a diversion from reality. I did not even have a cage to keep them in. This was a sore spot with my wife for years; it took a long time for her to accept that we all cope

Novice, Rare and Junior

Rick Millspaugh – Poway, CA  

I have been married (to the same wonderful woman) for 23 years in July. We have a 20year old daughter in College and a 17-year-old son. My Son Erick started breeding budgies a couple of years ago as a science project. I gave him a couple pairs of “pretty” birds after I paired mine up. Of course he bred a stormer and has outdone Dad at the shows ever since. August 2003 is my 26^th year in the US Navy. I started as a Helicopter Rescue Aircrewman but now I “fly” a desk as a Squadron Command Master Chief.

My first "Aviary" was four by 14 feet; I had an Eight-foot flight and a six-foot breeding area that held 12 breeding cages. This lasted me until 1994 when my family and I moved to a more rural area. My aviary is still small by most standards at 11 by 16 feet. I was lucky to have local Intermediate breeders (Ken and Marie Bright) take me under their wing. They helped me build breeding cages, nest boxes, and show cages. They showed me how and what to feed, and all the other basics. They took a real interest in my success. Everyone in the San Diego Club was and still is supportive. I feel a good club goes along way in the success of a new breeder.

At my first show, with a hen bred from Watkins and Miller stock, I took second best novice and third best hen in show. I was definitely hooked. Jeff Watkins and John Miller both spent considerable time showing me the "finer" points of Exhibition Budgies. In 1999, I passed all the hurdles to become an ABS Panel Judge; the time John and Jeff spent with me in those early years has really helped me as a judge.

I have always loved the rare varieties and have been working with Clearwings almost from the start. They are a difficult variety to improve. I have also kept Yellows and Whites for a few years and started breeding Red Eye Lacewings in 2001. The Yellows have done well in the shows and I’m very happy with some of the Lacewings. I definitely enjoy breeding them more than showing them, but enjoy doing well at a show too.