More than 1,300 dogs competed in 2022 AKC National Agility Championship in Ocala, Florida April 1-3 in hopes of being named the top Agility dogs. However, only a few could be crowned National Agility Champions.
“It was so exciting to see all the competitors come out this year and show off their skills,” said Carrie DeYoung, Director of Agility. “These canine athletes are the best of the best in the sport, and we’re proud to celebrate them and their talented handlers.”
Champions were announced in each of the six height divisions (8″, 12″, 16″, 20″, 24” and 24C” respectively).
8″ Agility Champion
Lark the Papillon
Call Name: Lark
Registered Name: NAC MACH4 Aerilee’s Songbird MXC PAD MJB2 PJD DCAT
Breed: Papillon
Handler: Betsey Lynch
From: Delaware, OH
Age: 5
Time: 37.91 seconds
12″ Agility Champion
Rio the Shetland Sheepdog
Call Name: Rio
Registered Name: MACH Scene Stealer Shak-A New World MXS MJB
Breed: Shetland Sheepdog
Handler: Jennifer Crank
From: Fairborn, OH
Age: 6
Time: 35.77 seconds
16″ Agility Champion
Little Sparkle the Border Collie
Call Name: Little Sparkle
Registered Name: MACH Rival’s Spark In My Heart At Livewire MXB MJB DS
Breed: Border Collie
Handler: Tawni Millet
From: Christiana, TN
Age: 7
Time: 33.57 seconds
20″ Agility Champion
Hallelujah the Border Collie
Call Name: Hallelujah
Registered Name: NAC Pride Creek’s Now We’Re Talking MX MXJ MJB
Breed: Border Collie
Handler: Jessica Ajoux
From: Wyncote, PA
Age: 5
Time: 31.56 seconds
24″ Agility Champion
Kaboom the Border Collie
Call Name: Kaboom
Registered Name: NAC GCH CH MACH5 PACH Shorelands Explosion On The Darkside CD BN MXS2 PAD MJS2 PJD MXP3 MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX XF T2B DJ
Breed: Border Collie
Handler: Amber McCune
From: Bedford, NH
Age: 8
Time: 37.44 seconds
24C” Agility Champion
Truant the Border Collie
Call Name: Truant
Registered Name: MACH On Target’s Don’T Be Late! MXB MJB XF T2B
Breed: Border Collie
Handler: Cynthia Hornor
From: Ellicott City, MD
Age: 5
Time: 34.23 seconds
Preferred Winners
- 04″ – “Fortune” GCH CH MACH3 PACH3 Starstruck Predict My Future MXG MJG MXP9 MXPG MJP9 MJPG PAX3 BCAT, (Papillon) handled by Andrea Samuels
- 08″ – “Pixel” MACH3 Sheza Mega Pixel MXG MJC PJD MXP MJP XF T2B, (Miniature American Shepherd) handled by Ami Sheffield
- 12″ – “Déjà Vu” MACH2 De Ja Vu MXS MJG MXP MJP XF, (Border Collie) handled by Brenda Kelly of Flower Mound, TX
- 16″ – “Verb” MACH On Target’s A Little Less Talk MXS MJB MXP MJP OF, (Border Collie) handled by Perry DeWitt of Wyncote, PA
- 20″ – “River” AGCH MACH6 PACH Glenhighland’s Raging River MXB2 PAD MJS2 MXP4 MXPB PADP MJP3 MJPB PJDP PAX MFG TQX OFP T2B3 T2BP CA BCAT RATO, (Border Collie) known as River, handled by Jeanie Burton of Warrington, PA
Find more on the preferred winners here.
Want More?
Catch the regular finals on ESPN2 April 17 at noon ET, and learn about the oldest dog who competed this year.
Get Started in Agility
Any breed — including mixed breeds — can participate in Agility. The first step is making sure your dog is registered. Mixed breeds can register as Canine Partners.
A great first step is working toward your ACT title. The Agility Course Test (ACT) is an entry-level agility event designed to introduce and welcome beginning dogs and their handlers to the AKC sport of agility. Any dog 15 months or older can participate and the title can now be earned virtually.
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