Hi there - welcome to the eighth AAC National Championship.  Every time I come to the Maritimes it feels like coming home and I'm honoured to be asked to be one of your judges this year. 

I started competing in agility with our first Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Shadow, in 1998.  He was a great teacher for me and he placed first in 16" specials at the Ontario Regionals in 2003.  He's retired now and I work with Chica, a miniature Aussie, who is currently teaching me how to handle at speed!

Having been involved as part of the organizing teams for Ontario Regionals and the Palgrave National Committee, I know how much effort and emotion is put into these events.  I'd like to thank everyone for the behind the scenes work you've done to get ready for this event and all the volunteers who will be working over the weekend!  We keep saying that we can't do it without you and it's true!  Please take time during the event to say thank you to as many volunteers as you can as you compete.

In the ring, it's extremely important to me that there is a sense of competition and sportsmanship, fairness and fun.  All any of us can wish for is that we perform with our dogs to the best of our ability in each run... and a bit of luck never hurts.  Best of luck to all of you!!!