John Willis, ON

Hello to all!

I am very happy and honoured to have been asked to be one of the judges for the 2010 Nationals - our 10^th Nationals event - in Calgary at Spruce Meadows.

            I’ve been involved, as a judge or competitor for all but the first Nationals. I know that it is always a fun and exciting event for all and I hope to help make sure 2010’s is the best ever.

I first got into agility, with my BC Norton, in 1994. I had helped with the preparation and running of many Ottawa area AAC trials since 1996 and I became an AAC judge in 1999 when I thought I’d like to get a different view of the sport. Things have progressed considerably since then and there have been a lot of changes both within the Agility Association of Canada as well as in the sport of agility itself. The handling and skill levels of the Canadian teams are very impressive.

I have enjoyed judging and meeting many of the agility handlers and their dogs across Canada.

This year’s Nationals promise to be a fun event and it will be nice to be at Spruce Meadows where the first AAC Nationals took place.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there – both competitors and volunteers. On behalf of all of the judges this year - we wish you successful and most of all fun runs!

Claude Dionne, QC

Bonjour,

 I began agility by accident, just knowing that my dog at this time, a black lab named Balzac, had a lot of fun doing it.  But I have learned!  My current dog, a Border collie named Skye, gave me the agility fever and it was in Calgary that we attempted the first ever nationals in 2001.

            I am not only an AAC masters level judge, I am also an AAC course approver and judge’s clinic facilitator.  It’s fun to see all the different courses coming from all regions of Canada as well as the interest shown by AAC members to join the ranks of AAC judges.  Teaching and “grading” are things I am always prepared for, because I am now a retired teacher.  Teacher one day, teacher forever!  And I just love to talk about agility.

            I am talking about things related with dogs, but let’s go on the other side of my life. I have two wonderful children (Anne-Marie and Frédéric) and I am grandfather of two amazing girls, Mia and Azalia, and two lovely boys, Justin and Philippe. That is more than fun for me – that is simply love and nothing else.

            I also like to travel for any reason. So far, I have visited many alpine ski resorts in Canada, US and Europe.  I have also visited many countries, beginning with the USA, Mexico, as well as many others like Italy, France, Switzerland, England, Egypt, China, Russia, Estonia and Scandinavia.  Where to next…?

I am really thrilled to be going back to Calgary to judge at the 2010 Nationals, the tenth running of this competition.  I am no longer a newcomer, as I have judged many Regionals across six provinces, and I will be judging at the Nationals for the sixth time.  I have many good memories of Spruce Meadows and it will be fun to be there ten years later, in the middle of the ring, judging all your wonderful dogs!

            Ok, let’s play and have fun.  Don’t forget to hug your dog for me.

            Best regards,

Claude Dionne

Gerry Sloan, BC

I lived most of my life in a small town in Saskatchewan where I still enjoy a visit to the family farm. After moving to Victoria, B.C. in 1988 and spending 3 yrs in the Canadian Navy, I planted roots and got my first dog Dylan, a Golden Retriever. I didn’t discover agility until after I got my second dog Shelby.

I was introduced to agility through beginner’s classes with the Capital Comets in 2000. I entered my first trial that same year with Shelby, my Deerhound / Border collie X, and was hooked for life. I competed in my first National competition in 2002 where I was fortunate enough to place 4^th in the 22” specials category. Since then, following the achievement of Shelby’s Agility Trial Champion title, we have gone on to earn Shelby’s Silver Award of Merit and are still competing.  I also currently compete with my second dog Nitro, a 6 yr old Australian Shepherd, who has achieved his ATChC, as well as a fellow club member’s sheltie, Tristan, who is almost there.

In 2003 I began to instruct agility for the Capital Comets and I became judge for the Agility Association of Canada. I have thoroughly enjoyed judging assignments in B.C, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Among these I have been fortunate to be one of the judges at the 2005 AAC Nationals, 2007 Saskatchewan/ Manitoba Regionals and the 2009 Alberta /Northwest Territories Regionals.

Good Luck to all the 2010 competitors!

Gerry Sloan

Carolyn Dockrill, NS

For a judge, one of the greatest honours is to be invited to officiate at a Nationals competition.  I am absolutely thrilled to be on the panel for the 10^th AAC National Championships.

This event is especially poignant for me as I was one of a panel of three judges for AAC’s first Nationals here at Spruce Meadows, along with colleagues Sue Miller and Dee Gleed (now retired).  Therefore, this event is not only an important benchmark for the Agility Association of Canada, it is an important personal anniversary for me as well!

I am proud to say that I have attended every AAC Nationals, either as a judge or as a competitor.  I’ve also experienced the excitement of judging more Regional competitions than I can remember as well as the excitement of competing in Regionals where my dogs have been consistent first place winners.

On the National scene, my Bouviers have earned the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th aggregate podiums, and little Argyle, my 6” specials Scottish Terrier - always a “bride’s maid”, in 2^nd place for several years - won the 1^st place podium at the 2005 Nationals in Saskatoon.

Whether judging or competing, the Nationals are icing on the agility cake!  I am so happy to be here with the many friends I’ve made since our first one in 2001.

Love and luck to all,

Carolyn

Deborah  Rhodes, SK

I have been involved in agility since 2001, as well as judging for 8 years, and still enjoy it immensely.  My husband, Dick, and I own five dogs at the present time, four of whom compete in agility and one, Janie (our 10 year old Weimeraner), is retired. 

I handle a 12 year old Springer Spaniel cross named Molly who has enjoyed success in agility at both the provincial and national levels and has also earned her Lifetime Achievement Award.  Molly and her best friend Spring may potentially share the tremendous honour of being two of only a handful of dogs competing at this year’s nationals who were at Spruce Meadows for the 1^st Nationals in 2001.  If that comes to pass, it will be my greatest achievement – to have had a dog with a 10 year agility career!

I also handle an 8 year old Border Collie named Britt, a 5 time provincial agility champion herself, who is also closing in on her Lifetime Achievement Award.  Her niece, Belle, and I are just beginning our agility career and Dick is running a 2 year old Hungarian Vizsla.

And our 5 year old daughter, Cassidy, you have probably seen out on the fields at many of the trials we attend.  We have high hopes that she will soon be one of AAC’s newest junior handlers.

I am looking forward to judging the Pre-Qualifier at the 10^th running of the Nationals this year.

Good luck everyone!!!!

Deb

 (More biographical information for our judges to be posted .)