The AKC Rally National Championship got more than just a new champion in 2025: the event also got a new location and an extra day. The 12th annual AKC Rally National Championship took place at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri, over the course of three days of competition: July 3, 4, and 5.
Over 100 different breeds took place in the 2025 championship, across 683 handler-dog teams from 49 states. All-American Dogs made up the highest number of breeds represented, with 83 present. Border Collies made up 66 of the total dogs in the competition, and Golden Retrievers at 58.
The winners were crowned in the Champion, Master, Excellent, Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice divisions. Winners in Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master were crowned on Friday at the end of the day’s competition. Champion and Excellent division winners were announced Saturday at the end of the day’s competition.
Crowning a Winner
The winners were crowned in the Champion, Master, Excellent, Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice divisions. After three days of competition, the 2025 AKC Rally National Champion was crowned. Golden Retriever “Tara” OTCH2 RACH3 Summer Brook Nothing But Love UDX2 PCDX OM5 RM7 RAE7 AXP OJP CGC, handled by Karen Summers of Chelsea, Alabama, took home the top prize.
“We’re very excited and surprised,” Summers says. “She’s already completed a couple OTCHs, and she loves to do Rally.”
Tara loves rally so much that when it thunderstorms, Summers practices the sport with her to get her mind off of it. “She loves to work, she’s a great dog.”
At nine years old, this year’s AKC Rally National Championship, it may well be this Golden’s retirement run. “Next year I’m afraid she’s gonna be too old because she’s already slowing down on the jumps, so really, this was her last chance,” Summers says. “It’s wonderful to end on such a high note.”
The 2025 AKC Rally National Championship Winners
Rally Novice Winner
Call Name: Farley
Registered Name: Majestic Livin Down Bi The River RN FCAT6
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Handler: Christine Hubacek
Score: 300/300
Time: 192.36
Rally Intermediate Winner
Call Name: Piper
Registered Name: Hyper Piper RAE FDC CAA FCAT4 SWA SHDN CGCA CGCU TKA ATT FITG
Breed: Miniature American Shepherd
Handler: Kristen Liesman
Score: 300/300
Time: 255.75
Rally Advanced Winner
Call Name: Jinx
Registered Name: GCH CH Nighthawk’s Jinx, You’Re It! CD BN RE CGC TKN
Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Handler: Daviann Mitchell
Score: 300/300
Time: 186.47
Rally Excellent Winner
Call Name: Soba
Registered Name: Vos Van De Nacht I’ll Take Another RE OA AXJ OF CA BCAT CGCA TKA
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Handler: April Pelletier
Score: 300/300
Time: 234.76
Rally Master Winner
Call Name: Mattie
Registered Name: RACH Mattie Ross CDX BN RM3 RAE6 AX OAJ XF CA BCAT SWA CGC
Breed: All-American Dog
Handler: Arwen Price
Score: 297/300
Time: 322.3
The 2025 AKC Rally National Champion
Call Name: Tara
Registered Name: OTCH2 RACH3 Summer Brook Nothing But Love UDX2 PCDX OM5 RM7 RAE7 AXP OJP CGC
Breed: Golden Retriever
Handler: Karen Summers
Score: 400/400
Time: 335.8
Full Results
Full results of the AKC Rally National Championship can be found at AKC Companion Events. The AKC National Obedience Championship also took place at Purina Farms in conjunction with the Rally Championship, on July 6 and 7, making for a fun-filled weekend of dog events.
Any dog can get started in AKC Rally, no matter their age, breed or skill level. Find a class or a trainer from a club near you and get started in this great teamwork sport today!
The 2025 AKC Rally National Championship has crowned its champion! See who won the competition in each division, and check out the full results.