Clean Run - January 2014 - 58

Although Alaskans might lament their
lack of access to trainers and seminars,
judges who fly into their state don't see
a big difference in Alaskan competitors'
skill levels in comparison with those in
other states. Bonnie McDonald, who has
been judging AKC agility since 1999,
says, "I was surprised to find that Alaska, although remote compared to the
lower 48, was as advanced if not more
so than anywhere I have judged (pretty
much across the U.S. and Puerto Rico).
The Alaskan agility community boasts
some of the top handlers and dogs in the
U.S.." When asked about any differences
between Alaskan competitors and those
from elsewhere, McDonald says, "There
aren't as many individual styles. Alaskans tend to mostly handle similarly to
each other due to the relatively few outside influences, whereas, elsewhere you
do see multiple handling styles depending on what influences a club, group, etc.
Perhaps [Alaskan] isolation is a blessing
in disguise as they are not always chasing the latest handling craze." Rick Fyfe,
who has been judging since 2008, agrees:
"The dogs and handlers that I saw in Alaska were well trained, but nothing seemed
to be unique to Alaska. There were welltrained dogs in Novice through Master."
McDonald and Fyfe were both impressed
by the warmth of the agility community.
Fyfe says, "One thing that really stood

out to me as I was judging was the interest that they all took in each other's runs.
The cheers were loud and sincere! Everyone seemed to root for each other. It
was a very pleasant experience. Another
thing that was very noticeable was the
number of exhibitors who volunteered to
work. Without fail, when I came back to
my ring after doing my paperwork between classes, the ring help was already
there waiting to start. I never heard a request for ring help at all."
McDonald brought her German Shepherd Dog to Alaska to compete once.
She says, "The warm people of Alaska
made me feel very welcome, more so
than most places I've traveled to run
my dog. If you have the opportunity to
travel, Alaska should be on your list of
places to visit."

Community
The Alaskan agility community is tight
knit. Many competitors travel to nearly
every trial in the entire state, so everyone knows each other. Reesa Hauge
says, "All the same people go to each
trial and it's fun to be able to catch up
with friends because most of them live
many miles from me." Kristen Nelson
agrees, saying, "It's a small community,
so we tend to be very supportive of each
other. For me, living in Anchorage, I really feel the community when I go to
out-of-town trials. Many of us camp, so
we get together for potluck dinners and
talk agility. It makes those weekends so
much fun. I don't see the 'camping with
my homies' at the out of state trials I've
gone to." Krissy Rupe continues, "We
are one big family. We see each other
every trial and we support each other...

Judging in Alaska

in the contiguous states, many competitors stated, as Gates does, "Lots more
classes and seminars!" Terzi, Rupe, and
Hauge all mention access to more trainers and seminars as being a major pro of
living in the lower 48.

We share in each other's achievements
and disappointments."
The continued growth of the agility community in parts of Alaska has practical
benefits. Shonda Oderkirk says, "Now
there are so many folks in Fairbanks
that many private training groups have
formed to help share the cost of winter
training. It's a good thing, people coming closer together and forming friendships that they may not have, if it weren't
for agility."
The Alaskan agility community shares
bonds that go beyond the sport. Erika
Flagg says, "The group is very close knit
and we care a lot about each other's personal lives as well. We understand the
challenges of living far away from family and the agility friends are often times
like family." Donna Gates has had a similar experience. She says, "[We are] there
to help each other not only with agility
challenges but life challenges as well. I
recently went through a very tough time
in my personal life and felt very supported and loved by my agility family." Erin
Knotek sums it up: "The Alaska agility
community has now become my family.
Truly. They have embraced my children,
my husband, and myself the last seven
years. They know my ups and downs in
life... I know I can call upon any agility
friend at any time and they will be there!
You will hear Alaska referred to as the
Great Land. It derives from Alyeska, an
Aleut word for Alaska meaning 'mainland,' 'great country,' or 'great land.'
What I like to say about our Alaskan
agility is this: Great Land... Great Agility... Great Hearts."D

Brenna Fender is a writer and editor who works for Clean Run Magazine and the United States Dog Agility Association. She lives in Florida with her husband, two children
age 10 and under, a Whippet, a Papillon, a Beagle, and a young Border Collie, as well as various other furry and not-so-furry creatures. Over the years, her dogs have
been titled in conformation, agility, Junior Hunter, Junior Courser, rally, obedience, and Canine Good Citizen. Tessa is currently competing in disc events while training
for agility. Brenna can be reached at brennafender@gmail.com and you can read her humor blog at www.laughingattherain.blogspot.com.
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Clean Run - January 2014

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