Judges

We are pleased to introduce you to our Judges for the 2024 AAC National event as follows (from West to East) :

Cindy Swiney (AB)
Most of you that already know me know that I currently own and operate a small boarding kennel on 80 acres NW of Calgary, AB. It is also home to my collection of herding breeds and many of the foster dogs I look after for Alberta Herding Dog Rescue (a nationally registered Not-for-Profit). If I was not self-employed and living with a pack of dogs, as a geologist I would probably be working in the oil industry but dreaming of making a living fossil hunting or panning for gold or gems, instead. For those who do not know me yet, I started in agility after graduating from the U of S in 1990 and inheriting my mom’s young sheltie. Just going for walks around the block was boring and when I saw an ad in the Saskatoon paper for agility classes, it sounded infinitely more interesting. Misty (the sheltie, AAC #371) made it seem easy because she was very willing to do whatever I pointed to, even though she was jumping 18″ and climbing a 6’3″ A-frame at the time. After teaching agility and organizing trials for many years, both in Saskatoon and Calgary, I became a judge at the AAC masters level in 2000 and I became a course approver in 2009. I was also judging CKC and USDAA but have since resigned only due to the limited number of assignments and time. I love course design and continue learning (& hopefully improving) through seminars and online courses so that I stay current with the newest trends, although I have yet to master the handling lingo. I was also active on the DC committee (back when everything was done by snail mail & teleconference) and I served 3 terms as the President of AAC, at the time when everything was going online. I have trained, trialed and titled multiple dogs in agility and have competed in, judged at or been on the organizing committee of many the Regional and/or National Championships since their inception in 2001. During my long involvement in this sport, there have been many, many changes over the years – some for the better, some not so good and some still open for comment – but it is still a great venue to meet people of similar interests and foster long term friendships. Not only have I had the pleasure of judging across Canada for local groups, I have had the honour of judging 13 regional and now 6 national championships. Two years ago, at the 2022 Nationals, I noted that life changes in the near future would mean that I would not be able to take these weekend getaways as often as I used to. Needless to say, I was VERY excited to receive the invitation to judge the 2024 AAC National Agility Championships and even more excited that my dog sitter gave me the go ahead. I can think of no better way to bounce into retirement than to judge AAC’s premier event, meeting some new competitors and getting re-acquainted with the many competitors I have met on the course in the last 30+ years. Good luck to all!
Susan Miller (ON)
My name is Susan Miller and I am thrilled to accept an invitation to judge this years AAC Nationals in Maxville. I started agility in the late 1980’s at Swansea Dog Obedience Club, and ran in my first AAC trial at Manotick at a K-9 Guide facility and I was hooked. Through the years I have stayed with my Duck Tollers. Such entertaining dogs with a great sense of mischief and humour. I went to one of the first judges clinics in Ontario. Soon after became a Master judge. Agility can be all consuming, and for me it certainly was. My highlight was running Lily at AWC in Italy. I also had podium placements at Regionals and Nationals. I am so looking forward to designing open fast courses, and to enjoy people crushing them. Good luck to you all. Remember you have the best partner running with you and celebrate each victory large or small.
Jonathan Luce (QC)
2024 AAC National judge!!! It still hasn’t really sunk in to be honest. I have been involved in agility as a competitor since 2003 and a judge since 2015. I have had the opportunity to participate in Provincial, National and International competitions and now after more than 20 years (is that possible?!? Somebody needs to check my math..) I’m ecstatic to be able to add the new agility experience of being an AAC National judge! I have to say that as excited as I am to judge this years event, there were some tough emotions to digest. It is a true honor to be asked to be part of the judging team for the 2024 Nationals, but my competitive side has me wanting to take part of Canadas greatest agility event with my 10 year old Nova Scotia duck Toller ‘just one more time’. There is no better feeling than taking to the line, shoulder to shoulder with the best of the best in healthy competition. On the bright side, if I’m not going to compete in the Nationals, there is no better place to be than in the best seat in the house! Getting to watch and judge all of Canadas greatest dogs will be an awesome experience which I take seriously, and I am truly looking forward to. Believe in your team and your training and trust that the cream will rise to the top! Good luck to all!!
Pierre-Luc Cyr (QC) – Junior Stakes
Today, I would like to introduce myself in a different way than usual. I started agility in 1999, at 9 years old, with my mother’s dog. 2 years later, I demanded a dog for my birthday to compete with my own dog. It’s a family story, because my brother and my sister also participated with their own dog and my father followed us in all the competitions. In the beginning, I was passionate about training, I trained my dog every day. My goal was to have a Qualification. I had to wait until the third season before having this famous Qualification. Few years later, this goal slowly evolved into being in Agility Team Canada and having my own canine centre. Currently, I have competed with 8 different dogs, competed in every Regional since 2007 with different podium placements, competed in the majority of Nationals with different podium placements and been selected 10 times to be part of the Canadian team. I also opened my own canine center in 2013. Now, my next dream is to win an international medal! I’m here today, because I had the support of my parents, my coaches and everybody who have supported me since I was young. You will understand why, it is important for me to encourage the next generation! Thank you to the parents, their supporters and the agility community for being there to support them. The next generation is the future of our sport!! For juniors handlers who have goals with their dog or dreams of something, I encourage them to believe it. Despite the difficulties, everything is possible! Good success to all juniors who will participate to the National! Have fun! I am honored to have been invited to judge National Juniors!!!

Check out some of our Judges’ past courses!