Judges
Christine Mandy
I am honoured to be invited to judge the 2025 BC/VI/Yukon Regionals and look forward to sharing your time in the ring.
Some of you may remember me from judging previous BC Yukon Regional Agility Championships, while others may recognize my name from having served as the AAC VP from April 2018 to December 2022. To add to my agility resume, my club (The Agility Connection) has been hosting AAC trials since 2006 in addition to being the host club for the 2023 and 2024 AAC Nationals.
My judging journey began in 2010 and it has taken me from coast to coast. I have had the very good fortune to go to places that, in all likelihood, I would have never been and to meet some of the most amazing people and their teammates I would not have otherwise met.
As you will see from the photo, my breed of choice is Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. I often get asked why… Be that as it may, my heart also belongs to my two beloved All Canadians and Mabel the Cat, our CEO!
Although, of course, I hope the Agility Gods smile upon each and every one, I will leave you with the following thought… it’s not new but it is worth repeating.
The real joy is not found in points or Q’s.
The real joy is found when you step up to the line with the dog you love.
Denise Reid-Clarke
I am super excited to be chosen to be part of the 2025 BC/VI/YK Regional Championship judging team!
I took an obedience class with my very first dog which included an intro to agility over 20 years ago and have been obsessed ever since. I have competed with 2 shelties, I am currently competing with a border collie and training my youngest, another sheltie. I have been judging for 10 years and love designing fast, flowing courses with fun challenges. I am looking forward to watching all the teams showcase their skills and make wonderful memories.
Good luck everyone!!
Joanie Leclair
It is with great pleasure that I will be one of your judges for the BC/YK Regional Agility Championships!
My name is Joanie Leclair, and I am from Montreal, Quebec. I’ve been involved in the sport of agility for more than 21 years now (yes, I know, I kind of have a baby face still…) and been judging AAC since 2015 and UKI since 2022. Over the course of my short judging career, it’s been very important for me to learn and keep getting better, which is why I signed up to the Global Judging Program (GJP), and a few rounds of the On Course online classes with Tamás Tráj, Petr PupĂk & Jan Egil Eide. I also had the pleasure to judge our Quebec regional championships in 2023 & the National Agility Championships in Maxville in 2023.
There is only one word that comes to mind when I think of agility: Passion. This passion that has been with me for 21 years now (yes, I know, I kind of have a baby face still…) and which just keep growing. As a passionate competitor and humble judge, this sport has taught me so many lessons & brought me so much fun, excitement and happiness. I have learned a lot, and I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to be involved in this wonderful world that is dog agility.
I would like to thank the organizing committee for this opportunity to be in the front row to see you all participate, have fun and take on the challenges that will present themselves to you during this weekend.
Enjoy your weekend and your dogs who are just wanting to spend time with you. Challenge yourself, roll up your sleeves and see every moment as an invaluable learning opportunity.
Good luck to everyone.
Joanie Leclair
AAC Judge
WOOT! WOOT!
C’est avec un immense plaisir que je serai l’une de vos juges pour le Championnat provincial d’agilité du Québec ! J’aimerais remercier le comité organisateur pour cette opportunité d’être aux premières loges pour tous vous voir participer, éprouver du plaisir et relever les défis qui se présenteront à vous durant cette fin de semaine.
Il n’y a qu’un mot qui me vient à l’esprit quand je pense à l’agilité : Passion. Cette passion qui m’habite depuis maintenant 20 ans (oui, je sais, j’ai encore l’air toute jeune) et qui n’a cessé de grandir avec le temps. En tant que compétitrice passionnée et humble juge, ce sport m’a apporté tant de leçons, de plaisir, d’excitation et de bonheur. J’ai appris énormément et à tant de niveaux.
Profitez de votre fin de semaine et de vos chiens qui ne demandent qu’à passer du temps avec vous. Donnez-vous des défis, retroussez-vous les manches et voyez chaque moment comme une opportunité d’apprentissage inestimable.
Bonne chance Ă tous et Ă toutes.
Joanie Leclair
Juge AAC
Pierre Lalonde
I’ve had dogs all my life. I took my first obedience class in my late teens & was hooked. As my training experience grew, I volunteered with the local instructor with hopes of becoming an obedience judge one day. That goal became a reality in 1995. Since then, I judged across Canada & in Bermuda. My judging responsibilities are now limited to AAC agility after retiring from CKC agility, obedience & rally-obedience. I was the AAC Vice-President for 1½ years. And did AAC & CKC course approvals for 12 years. I’ve had the honour of judging the AAC Nationals championship six times, several AAC Regionals and a myriad of trials in every province except PEI.
I chose my first Shetland Sheepdog in 1985 & bred Shelties for 10 years. When I moved from the city to the country in 1991, my first Belgian Shepherd dog became part of the family. I currently share my home with 2 shelties and 2 St. Bernards.
The achievements with my dogs include an OTCH and the First National Agility Trial Champion in Canada with my first Sheltie, Phoenix on August 26, 1990. I also have a variety of titles in obedience, (CD, CDX) and agility, (ADC, AADC, MADC), along with several Masters game titles. I still compete occasionally in obedience & agility with our family’s dogs.
My wife and I created Backyard Agility Dogs (BADogs) 14 years ago and when I’m not judging, training my dogs or hosting trials, I spend my weekdays working for RONA Rockwood in Teulon, Manitoba as a kitchen designer and the contractor desk. I still ply my trade as a licensed carpenter on a part time basis, specializing in the finishing aspect of construction and occasionally building agility equipment.
I would like to extend good wishes to all competitors participating in the 2025 AAC BC/YK Regional Agility Championships.
Enjoy & have fun and good luck!
Sandi Maday
I caught the agility bug over 20 years ago when I took my first class to try something new with my young American Cocker Spaniel, Colby. Who knew that that first class would lead me to meet so many wonderful people across the country. I started to compete in AAC agility in 2003 and have earned ATChC’s and many other agility titles with my dogs, as well as attending numerous AAC Regionals and Nationals events.
I became an AAC judge in 2015, and have had the pleasure of meeting even more wonderful people and their dogs! After almost 10 years of judging, I have enjoyed witnessing the progression of many dog and handler teams in my own region, as well as other parts of the country. The best part is when I get to stand centre stage for a run, where a dog and handler team truly connect. Sometimes those runs are just mastering a piece of a run or actually a qualifying run, and sometimes they provide a long sought after title for dog and handler. At other times they provide a special podium placement! No matter what the celebration, I enjoy the rush I feel when I get to witness those runs from centre stage, and the joy I feel for the dog and handler as they celebrate!
I currently have 2 American Cocker Spaniels, Dodger and Gabbi. Dodger is retired from agility, but he and I are currently training in Nosework. My buff girl Gabbi and I, continue to play agility and I’m hoping that by the time I attend the 2025 BC Yukon AAC Regional Championship, I will be able to say that she too has earned her ATChC, as she is just one snooker away! I am also feeling some puppy fever as I am on the lookout for my next agility partner.
Over the years, my dogs and I have competed in agility with AAC, CKC, AKC, UKI and NADAC. We have also participated in scent hurdle racing, flyball, trick training and rally, and are now learning the sport of Nosework.
I am honoured to be asked to judge again for the 2025 BC Yukon AAC Regional Championship, and my wish for all competitors is to run fast, run clean but more than anything, enjoy your journey with your canine partner(s).
Sandi Maday
Teri O’Neill
I am honoured to have the opportunity to be able to judge for the 2024 BC/VI/Yukon Regional Championships. I have been competing in agility for about 30 years with a multiple variety of breeds currently competing with border collies and a sheltie. Being a judge for a few years now I love watching each and every team get around a course. Good luck to everyone !!!