USA Agility sparkled on the international stage in July for a combined event in Germany. AKC’s Junior and Senior teams competed at FCI Junior Agility Open and Senior Agility Open events.
The Juniors team, for handlers younger than 18, is geared toward experience and lessons in life as well as agility.
“These kids were incredible ambassadors for AKC Agility and the USA. Being on the team gave them a chance to meet other juniors, gain high-level competition experience, learn the responsibilities of traveling with dogs, and, together with the Senior team, show their enthusiasm for the sport,” said AKC Agility Operations Manager Arlene Spooner, who accompanied the teams to the events in Mannheim, Germany.
The team experience is not limited to agility. Each year, juniors get the experience of traveling to a different country, interacting with juniors from other teams, learning customs and appropriate behaviors, and feeling supported by the community cheering for them on location and back home.
“Juniors also receive a wonderful life lesson in being part of a team. They supported each other throughout the competition and trip,” Spooner said.
The Juniors Team coach is Jennifer Crank, and her assistant is Susan Cochran. Cochran has been the juniors coach for more than a decade and is retiring this year.
“Susan has done an amazing job mentoring these young handlers. AKC appreciates her service and will greatly miss her,” Spooner said.
Many thanks to everyone who supported the Juniors Team and made their journey to Europe possible.
Coach for the Senior Team, which is for handlers 55 and older, is Kathie Leggett, and her assistant is Britney Imhom.
The teams earned a number of top placements and medals, with the Senior team putting the USA high in the medal count for the third year in a row.
“The Senior handlers and coaches were exceptional ambassadors for Team USA. They competed with pride, supported one another every step of the way, and demonstrated the dedication and work ethic it takes to succeed on the world stage,” said Jen Young, AKC Agility Field Representative in attendance. “Their performances were a true reflection of the commitment they brought to representing the United States. It was an honor to witness their performances and celebrate their success.”
For all the results: https://www.jaosao2026.com/en
AKC Team Results:
JUNIORS:
Large Dog Team
- SILVER MEDAL, Jumping U19, Elizabeth Kolath and Nim
- 9th Team Agility, Addison Connolly and Caper
- 10th Team Agility, Anabel Kubacz and Molly
Intermediate Dog Team
- 4th Combined U19, Evelyn Lively and Liri (4th in Agility, 13th in Jumping)
- 9th Agility U15, Baylee Bales and Zen
- 6th Team Jumping, USA Mixed Nuts – Chloe Bales and Nike (6th), Baylee Bales and Zen, Evelyn Lively and Liri, Priscille Lescure and Petra
- 10th Team Agility, USA Mixed Nuts – Baylee Bales and Zen (2nd), Priscille Lescure and Petra, Chloe Bales and Nike, Evelyn Lively and Liri
- 5th Team Combined, USA Mixed Nuts
Small Dog Team
- 8th Agility U15, Ethan Bauchmoyer and Sting
SENIORS:
Small Dog Team
- GOLD MEDAL – Team Agility, USA Stars and Strides – Jennifer Foster and Zuppa (3rd), Diana Yares and Rush, Cassandra Schmidt and Sola, Mary Ann Wurst and Ticket
- GOLD MEDAL- Agility 65, Diane Patterson and Happy
- 5th Combined 65, Debbie McLean and Gem (5th Agility 65, 16th Jumping 65)
- 6th Combined 65, Cassandra Schmidt and Sola (6th Jumping 65, 10th Agility 65)
- 9th Team Jumping, Debbie McLean and Gem
Medium Dog Team
- GOLD MEDAL – Team agility, USA Top Shelf – Cynthia Hornor and Nimble (1st), Tammie Gigstad and Maui (6th), Jen Pinder and Wicca, Deb Schulman and Trek
- GOLD MEDAL – Agility 55, Cynthia Hornor and Nimble
- SILVER MEDAL – Jumping 65, Deb Schulman and Trek
- BRONZE MEDAL – Combined 55, Tammie Gigstad and Maui (5th Jumping 55, 9th Agility 55)
- BRONZE MEDAL – Agility 55, Byron Dail and Dodger
- BRONZE MEDAL J- umping 55, Donna Staivecki and Cinco
- 2nd Team Agility, Donna Staivecki and Cinco
- 5th Combined 65, Deb Schulman and Trek (2nd Jumping 65, 11th Agility 65)
- 7th Agility 55, Estelle Robinson and Brodie
- 7th Team Jumping, USA Canis Rapidus – Donna Staivecki and Cinco, Christine Brew and Indi, Byron Dail and Dodger, Estelle Robinson and Brodie
- 7th Team Jumping, Tammie Gigstad and Maui
- 9th Combined 55, Susan Bintliff and Minute
Intermediate Dog Team
- GOLD MEDAL – Team Jumping, USA The Young and the Rest of Us – Lisa Andrews and Nell (4th), Don St. Croix and #1 Hottie (5th), Anne Marie Hopkins and Little Bit (7th), Dawn Fillips and Sista
- SILVER MEDAL – Jumping 65, Lisa Andrews and Nell
- 1st Team Agility, Soshana Dos and Jam
- 2nd Team Jumping, Christine Brew and Boo
- 10th Combined 65, Anne Marie Hopkins and Little Bit
Large Dog Team
- BRONZE MEDAL – Combined 55, Jeffrey Botelho and Flare (3rd Jumping 55, 14th Agility 55)
- BRONZE MEDAL – Jumping 55, Jeffrey Botelho and Flare
- 5th Jumping 55, David Jeffers and PUP
- 8th Team Combined, USA Age is Just Our Alibi – Esther Shrader and Zest, Annette Thompson and Moxxy, David Jeffers and PUP, Yohko Katz and Lotus
