Clive has been involved in Agility since the early days of its introduction into Victoria. He has judged extensively the length and breadth of Australia. Also he has judged in Singapore.  Clive was for some years on the testing panel for Victorian aspiring Judges.  He was heavily involved in the latest changes to the Agility rule book. Coordinating the conference agenda and new rule book. (note coordinating).  Clive is currently the Agility Show manager for the Royal Melbourne Show.

Clive would like to wish everybody involved at the 2008 National Agility Trials the very best for a very successful event.
 

(Rainie ) Lorraine McKay

I have been involved with Agility since the it started in 1987, my Min Poodle  Jackie was the 1^st dog to gain an AD in Vic. She also went on to win the Melb. Royal 5 years straight and also winning at Canberra Royal in its inaugural agility trial. I also travelled to most of our country clubs, Mt Gambier, ACT and Tassie to teach instructors about agility. I have judged agility since 1987 and have officiated in all of our states also Hong Kong and Singapore. I ran an Instructor course for the Singapore Kennel Club here in Vic. in 2000.

My Border Collie Jezza won Agility Dog of the Year in 1998 after having won Obedience Dog of the Year in 1995, she was a great dog and still the only dog to have qualified for both these events she was also one of our foundation bitches for Bel Adele Kennels. I am currently trialling her daughter Jaffa and training her granddaughter and great granddaughter..

I and my partner Angie have competed at every National since the 1^st in 2001, my dog Toto won the Novice Jumping there in SA at the age of 13.We even made the trek to Perth in 2005 with 5 dogs and a campervan.

I am looking forward to judging, competing and commentating on the finals and would like to wish everyone both judges and competitors the best of luck at the 2008 Victorian Nationals. 

My introduction to the dog world started in 1968 with my first Shetland Sheepdog competing in obedience trials and confirmation shows. While competing in trials I began my “life” as a Judge with Obedience in 1973 and then progressing to Agility in 1988, Jumping in 2000 and Agility Games in 2006. I have judged Agility and Jumping trials extensively throughout metropolitan and country Victoria, interstate in New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and overseas in Singapore in 2003 & 2005.Some of my Australian judging highlights include the Hobart Royal, Melbourne Royal, Adelaide Autumn Festival, and Victorian Jumping Dog of the Year.

I look forward to judging at the 2008 Nationals.

I  have been involved with dog training in both obedience and agility for 27 yrs. I am currently trialling my border collie in agility and jumping and gained masters level with my old border.
I have been judging for close to 5 years covering many city and country trials. 2006 I  judged in Albury and also judged at the Victorian state trial.
2007, I was asked to judge at the Adelaide Royal, a highlight for me!
I wish all who enter the Victorian Nationals every success and hope you have a great time.
 

I started agility with my first dog in 1998 and he was a natural at the sport, so much so that it didn’t seem hard at all. Yes I was wrong, which is why I’m still finding new ways to teach my dogs and others how to gain those hard earned pass cards.

I gained my Agility and Jumping Judging Licence in 2002 and Games Licence in 2006,

also a member of the 2008 Nationals Agility Committee, you would have thought I would have learn my lesson back in 2003.

I have been involved in the dog world since 1989 when I acquired my first dog, a Collie Rough.  He was extremely special and taught me all the wonderful joys of dog ownership.  I now own two Collie Roughs and two Shetland Sheepdogs.

 I have judged in many locations throughout Australia.  The major events being Sydney Royal, Launceston Royal, Queensland State Agility Trials, National Agility Trials 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, Victorian Agility Dog of the Year 2004, Adelaide Autumn Festival and Advance National Agility Teams Challenge.

 I have two young sons aged 13 and 11.  We live on a small farm in Moorooduc, Victoria, enjoy the outdoors and all that the Mornington Peninsula has to offer.

 I am looking forward to Judging at the 2008 Agility National Trials and wish all the competitors the very best of luck.

I have been involved in Agility for some fifteen years as a Competitor, Trial Secretary, Judge, Steward & general dogs’ body. I started training with a German Shepherd, then to dad’s GSD, obtaining both an AD and ADX title. With that dog, I represented Victoria in the Old teams’ event on three occasions.  I am now training two Border Collies.  I was Trial Secretary for the second ever Double Agility Trial at the ripe old age of sixteen.

I have been judging now for nearly 5 years, starting at the old age of 21 & becoming the youngest Judge in Australia.  Judging has taken me around Victoria & Tasmania.

It was a great pleasure to accept this year Master Snooker & Masters Agility. The Master Agility course is running the same course as My Old Man James.

 Have fun & Good Luck to all.

I have been involved in Agility for some twenty years as Competitor, Trial Secretary, Judge, Steward & general dogs’ body. I have trained three GSD's, one in conjunction with my daughter Belinda, obtaining Master pass while we still had the cross-over.  Injury prevented my other two going pass Novice.

 I have been judging now for nearly 15 years.  Judging has taken me to New South Wales, South Australia & Tasmania.  I have had the pleasure of judging the Final of Novice Jumping at the first Nationals held in Victoria, also judging Victoria Top Dogs.  My greatest pleasure I have had in Agility & Jumping was when Belinda at the old age of 21 took up judging & came the youngest judge in Australia. It was a great pleasure to accept this year Novice Agility & Masters Agility. The Master Agility course is running the same course as Belinda's.

Have fun & Good Luck to all.

Along with my husband Ron who is also an Agility/Jumping/Games Judge, we have both been involved in the dog world since 1993.     We started our dog obsession with a Doberman and a Foxie Cross.

We currently have 3 dogs a Labradoodle, Working Kelpie and a Mini Poodle - quite a mixed bag. Along with our 2 children this sees the family regularly attending dog activities or events on weekly bases. 

 I obtained my Agility and Jumping Masters Licence in 2005 and Games Licence in 2006 & Obedience CCD Licence in 2008. We reside in Ballaarat – once upon a time, many moons ago, Ballaarat was well known for its cold, wintry and wet weather. We live in hope of such blissful weather blessing our home town very soon. However we do hope the weather in Melbourne for the Nationals is spectacularly dry!!!I’m looking forward to judging and competing at the National’s, so good luck to everyone entered.

Cheers Heather

I started Obedience training in 1994 when my Kelpie/Blue Heeler puppy had become unruly. Later Bluey and I gravitated to Agility and competed successfully in Masters for many years. In 2001, I gained an Agility Judge’s licence. I have trialled and judged the east coast of Australia. As a Judge, I enjoy watching up close the performances of dogs and their handlers in the Agility ring.

In 2002 I was elected to the Victorian Agility Committee. In 2004 I was elected as Chairman of the National Agility Committee and managed the tortuous process of the development of the current ANKC Agility Rules and Games Rules.

Bluey has passed away and I now have Nova, a Working Kelpie. You might see Nova competing soon as I have decided to retire on Anzac Day this year.

I hope that the 2008 National will be a momentous occasion for all.

Along with my wife Heather and our 2 children, our family is heavily involved in dog activities and events on a weekly base. We as a family dual handle our dogs, we have been very fortunate with our dogs each bring different traits and training experience to enhance my dog knowledge.   I am a committed instructor at our local club – Ballaarat.  I enjoy sharing my dog knowledge with others. I obtained my Agility and Jumping Masters Licence in 2005 and Games Licence in 2006.  I enjoy judging, having competitors unlock the challenges my courses presents, is satisfying to competitor and myself. I love the clean runs. I’m looking forward to judging at the National Trial. I wish everyone the best at what is shaping up to be another exciting national event.

Cya there!  Ron.   

I started agility with my first dog Rusty, a German Shepherd cross, in 1998.  I never wanted to do competitions, but got talked into doing our local clubs trial.  We came home with a stack of ribbons and trophies and I was hooked on the sport.

I have been an active member in the agility and jumping community.  Been a member of numerous top agility and jumping finals and interstate teams – a highlight was winning the 2001 national Agility Challenge in NSW.

My second dog, Jay Dee, has been extremely challenging and I have learnt so much training him.  I am sure he has dog form of ADHD. I am one of the newer judges in Victoria and so far a highlight has been asked to judge last years Victorian State Agility Top Dog Final.

As judge/Competitor and 2008 National Agility committee member, I wish everyone a fun and successful weekend.

I have been in the sport for about 8 years, Buster is my first dog I have ever trialled. As a very new judge in Victoria it has brought a new aspect on the sport I love. I have been judging for three years with Agility/Jumping and Games Licence and have assisted with games training with all our judges. I also have been part of the Victorian Agility Committee for three years.

Highlights as a judge
The best part of being a judge is the thrill of seeing people achieving a fast qualifying run on a challenging course, judging interstate and seeing how other states are progressing in the sport.

Highlights for me and Buster as a competitor.

Buster and I have achieved ADM JDM GD SPM together. We have been lucky to have won "Top Jumping Dog of the Year" in Victoria 2005 and runner up in 2004. Last year in Adelaide’s Nationals Buster and I came 9^th in the Masters Jumping final after Buster being out of the sport for 12 months with an injury  (and very little training). 

May I say good luck to every competitor all over Australia for the 2008 Victorian Nationals

I would have to say that I am one of the new breed of agility judges that has risen through the sport as a competitor, and who feels that I have a responsibility to put something back into the sport.

 I obtained my agility licence in 2002 and since then have judged at many local Victorian trials, whilst continuing to trial my own competition dogs. I have also judged interstate, at Wagga, NSW in March 2003, in the ACT in June 2003, in SA (at the State Championships) in August 2003, and recently in Tasmania in January 2005. I also judged the ACT State Championships over Easter 2005 and the Adelaide Royal in September, 2005.

 I have trained and trialled dogs in Agility for approximately 13 years now, and have trialled a dog to reach the finals of the Victorian State Championships for 9 consecutive years. This culminated with a win in Agility Dog Of The Year with my Vizsla bitch in 2003.

 To further serve this exciting sport, I was voted onto the inaugural Victorian Agility Committee and served in that position for my full term. I have also acted as Judges Training Coordinator for the Victorian Agility Judges Training Scheme, which was another chance to further serve my chosen sport.

 I feel honoured to have been asked to judge at the 2008 National Agility Championships. It is an appointment that I am really looking forward to.

I first became involved in Agility as a fun event in the mid 90’s in an effort to spark up my original Border Collie ‘Ricky’ in the obedience ring. The turning point came in mid 96 when we entered an agility trial, and we never looked back after that.

In 2002 and between dogs, I obtained my judging licence, with highlights since including judging 2006 Victorian Top Jumping Dog and 2007 Canberra Royal.

I’m currently trialling an 8-year-old Border Collie ‘Amy’ as well as training her young son, ‘Tornado’.

I’m looking forward to Judging at the Nationals and observing competitors from other states.

My passion for agility commenced almost 20 years ago after entering my first agility trial.  Over the years I have been a regular competitor with my GSP and Standard Poodle plus my wife’s Hungarian Vizslas.  I currently compete with my working Kelpie.

 In 1997 I became Victoria’s first Specialist (non-obedience) agility judge subsequently judging in all states.  Judging highlights include Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra Royals, National trials in Victoria, ACT and Western Australia and the SA Autumn festival and Autumn International.

 I look forward to the 2008 National Agility Trial and again meeting agility friends from all parts of Australia.

My involvement with dogs started in 2000 with a Mini Poodle/Labrador cross named Dougal. Our Agility training started in 2002 and by early 2004 we had achieved our Masters title in both Agility and Jumping.  My agility highlights include qualifying for the Victorian Agility Dog of the Year final in 2004, 2006 & 2007 and qualifying for the Victorian State Agility Team in the same years.

I obtained my Agility and Jumping Masters Licence in 2005 and Games licence in 2006. My judging highlight to date has been the 2007 Royal Melbourne Show Agility, Jumping & Games trial.  I am looking forward to judging at the 2008 Nationals as well as catching up with all my interstate friends. 

I was first introduced into the Obedience world in 1965 at the age of 8yrs with a Labrador. Since then, I have been involved in the fields of Obedience, Tracking, Endurance, Agility, Conformation and Retrieving.
I have been involved in the Agility discipline since its inception in 1986 in Victoria and started judging in 1987. As well as judging locally in Victoria, I have judged extensively around Australia and Singapore.
I have just started training a new dog after retiring my last two dogs at the age of 11½.
I look forward to the 2008 National Agility Trial and catching up with the various people I have meet when travelling to all parts of Australia.

Starting from a background of breeding and conformation showing of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, I progressed through obedience to trialling and judging during the 80’s before tripping across Agility. I quickly got involved and have been hooked ever since. After agility titling one of my grunty little Cavalier KCS, my second agility quest, a Kelpie, promptly set about teaching me all about the finer points of agility, as Kelpies are a little ‘want’ to do. In the early 90’s I gained my judging licence in agility at a time when the sport was in its early developmental stage, and in the mid-90’s founded the Agility Dog Club of Victoria of which I am the current president. My passion for judging is fuelled by the ‘blast factor’ I seek when designing flowing yet challenging courses.  I always aim to offer a course that encourages the most positive outcome for both dogs and handlers from the challenges I put on the ground. As such, I plan my Excellent Jumping course at the Nationals to be just that – a ‘blast’ for all!

I have had a lot of enjoyment judging agility around Australia and in Asia. The experience has been most rewarding. The thing that strikes me most about the agility trialler on the whole, is that they are so helpful to each other. There is nothing quite like the scene of “walking the course”.

Until recently I have been an active agility competitor. I just love competing in the sport and have been quite successful with my GSD Vixen, who unfortunately was injured and had to be retired just short of her Masters titles in both agility and jumping.  My other dogs will be trialling soon, hopefully. I look forward to the Nationals in Melbourne and wish all the competitors clean runs and the best of luck.

I was introduced to agility seven years ago with my Jack Russell terrier “Saffy” and have been an addict ever since.  I am an active  member of the Manly Club, the Agility Dog Club of NSW and the Northern Suburbs dog Training Club here in NSW, at all of these clubs I train regularly and instruct periodically. I have been judging now for 3 years and I am amazed at how the sport has evolved during this period.  The biggest buzz I get while judging is when a Dog/handler team negotiate the challenges within a course smoothly and with ease, especially at master level. I have been a member of the Dogs NSW Agility Committee for the past 18 months and believe that our sport can grow and be competitive at an international level. I currently run four Jack Russell Terriers in the 200/300 height categories with my rescued dog Gyp still in novice (after 6 years) and my other three Saffy, Pavarotti and Pickle  competing at Masters level. Agility Highlights: 

• Saffy achieving ADM /JDM whilst still jumping 380mm (she is 250mm tall),

• Passing Judges training and being awarded my licence

• Gyp getting a title (JD)

 I wish every competitor at the Vic Nationals the very best of luck and look forward to putting faces to names during the three days.

A smart little BC ‘Vern’, and attendance at a Bud Houston seminar in Victoria 8 years ago, sucked me into the agility void.  Unfortunately, agility in Tasmania has progressed very slowly since then, primarily due to only two dog clubs in the state offering agility, one in the north and one in the south.  We have approximately 20 competitors in the state, and hold less than one trial per month.  We organize our own trials, and competitors regularly run, steward and judge the events out of the back of a single trailer of agility gear!  Despite the lack of competition, Tassie competitors are very enthusiastic (tragics!), and this year we have negotiated visas for the largest contingent ever to invade the mainland.  You will definitely hear us during the Teams Event!  

 Through agility, Veronica and I have traveled extensively throughout Australia and established numerous friendships with ‘mainland tragics’.  Thanks to the committee for the opportunity to judge at another Nationals, and I wish all competitors the best of luck.

 Pete Hofto    

I started my agility obsession with an Aust Terrier in 1988.

I quickly became aware that the sport was better suited for working dogs, so I

became and still am a Border Collie owner.

I gained my agility judges licence in 1996 and have thoroughly enjoyed judging throughout Qld, NSW and in Canberra.

My most memorable moments in agility are winning the Teams event & the Open Agility class at the 2003 Melbourne Nationals, and gaining my AG CH title with my 10 yr old Border Collie "Cher".

I am looking forward to judging and competing at the 2008 Nationals.

My name is Mel Rhoden and I have been in agility for the past sixteen years.

 In 1993 I started training a German Shepherd X in Agility, (OB Ch Max ADM JDM ET). In 2000 I purchased a GSD (Millie) during our partnerships, we competed in the first ever 2002 National Agility trial held in Adelaide and represented WA in the Cloverdale Team Challenge in Sydney.

 Max and Millie represented WA in the first National Agility Team event held at the 2003 Agility Nationals in Melbourne as well as the subsequent 2004 Agility Nationals in Canberra.

 In September 2002 with the help of some dedicated people, I started the Agility Club of Western Australia (“ACWA”). Since our very first night, the club has run successfully and we have now about 170 members.