My name is Ken Sharp and I am a retired elementary teacher living in Prince George, B.C. I have 3 married sons and 3 grandchildren . I have been involved in dog agility approximately 6 1/2 years and share my home with my long-suffering wife, Edie, and four dogs, Jake, Zac, Blitz and Rocky. Blitz was chosen for the world team and we are so excited about being able to participate.

 Blitz is a 3 1/2 year old Papillon who has had some early success in his agility career. He won first place at the B.C. Regionals in 2008. He placed first again in 2009. He placed second at the 2008 nationals in Sussex as well as second in the steeplechase final. This past August we had a farewell family reunion for our son who is now in Afghanistan and were unable to attend the 2009 nationals in Ottawa.

 We are looking forward to this wonderful opportunity to participate in the 2010 IFCS World Championship.

  I'm so excited to be joining the rest of Team Canada heading to the UK for the IFCS Championships in 2010!

  Training and running Recess has been such a dream come true (sometimes I have to pinch myself just to make sure it is real)! I mean - really - I could never have imagined bringing home my first border collie puppy 6 years ago that we'd have the chance to play our favourite game on the world stage!

  These days we’re having a blast playing agility, whenever we can sneak away from taking care of the men and newest girl (baby Kenzie) in our pack. If you see us at a trial near you, please come say HI!

 Cheers,
 Kim & Recess

 "Known to everyone in Barrie Ont. as the owner of "Artifact" and a retailer who is just odd enough to have three dogs behind the counter when she works.

  The agility bug bit me and my part BC Whitney about 1995 and I have been actively training and competing since then. I am happily owned by three very active and talented Border Collies. My first BC, Ricochet came to me in 2000 and her full sister Shiraz joined us in 2003.

  Last year Shiraz was bred and the third member of the family is Shiraz's son Zydeco. Shiraz is my partner for the IFCS competition and

I am delighted to accompany her to England. She has competed successfully in AAC, USDAA and CKC and always gives her whole heart to her job.

  This will be our first time competing at IFCS and we are thrilled to be part of the team representing Canada in 2010."

I have been involved with agility for about 15 years. I started when I was about 10 years old, running a family Borzoi. Since then I have trained and helped train many different breeds. The first dog that I fully trained and trialed myself, was Cass, a Sheltie, who was given to me when he was 6 years old. He had no agility experience when I got him, but he learned very quickly, and was soon one of those dogs that did everything perfectly, and just fast enough to beat everyone :)

  Cass was a dog who was taken away way to soon left behind one litter of very good dogs, two of whom have been on the FCI World team multiple times, Dart and Bounder. He also produced a beautiful blue girl in that litter, who was bred to produce my current Sheltie Cypher.

  Cypher is now 5 years old and VERY much like his Grandfather, Cass. He is also a little bit spoiled :) But he has taught me a lot about training and a lot about agility. In only three years of competing we have acquired 2 Regional Championships (2008, 2009); an AAC National Championship (2008); and been chosen to compete at the FCI World Championships in Austria (2009), where he placed 26th (highest individual placing on the medium team).

  I am looking forward to competing in the IFCS Championships, and am also enjoying training a Border Collie from Croatia named Tylt.

  I discovered dog agility in 2001 with my first agility dog Haggis; became driven by the experience and have been ever since. What I learned from Haggis has benefited Ghillie –– my guide and perfecter over the past seven years in what I consider to be an extremely exhilarating and challenging team sport. Often when we compete it is an extreme sport!

  When she’s not doing agility, Ghillie is quite the ‘trickster’ and enjoys showing off between runs or when we pass school yards during our walks –– did I mention that she’s a city girl? She enjoys basking in the sun while I’m having cappuccino on a Montreal térrasse or getting treated to a bowl of ‘special cold water’ at suppertime on the piazza of a Vancouver five-star Italian restaurant or snuggling under the breakfast table at a posh hotel in Bauer/Germany.

  Sounds expensive but she’s a really cheap date –– her favourite motivational toy is a brown paper bag. She loves the sound of it being rolled up before I give her the OK to tug with it. Whether its agility or tricks or just hanging out, Ghillie and I share a common goal –– perfect the moment.

  I’ve shared many memorable moments with Ghillie but I think my most memorable so far was in 2008 when we traveled to Germany to compete as a member of the Canadian team in the largest agility event in the world –– the European Open.

  I am honored to have been selected for such a prestigious team. Setna (5 ½ year old Australian Kelpie) and I have been fortunate in our agility journey. We have been exposed to top quality instruction, and have been generously supported by the agility community. We have received challenges and guidance from McCann Professional Dog Trainers, Theresa Rector, Say Yes Dog Training, Susan Salo and many more. A special thanks to my training buddy Denise. We have competed in AAC , USDAA and CARO.
  I look forward to being a part of such a challenging endeavor.

  I've been participating in dog sports for 25+ years starting with obedience up to Schutzhund. When my Dobe died I decided to get a puppy for the first time, a Border Collie, who ran me ragged the first year of her life. I realised she needed something more and started her in agility classes. We were hooked immediately and started competing 7 months later, achieving many milestones within our first 2 years as a team. Unfortunately Abbi tore her cruciate and I was told she wouldn't heal sufficiently to compete again. With this news I started looking for my next agility dog. Rhyval came 8 months later.
  Rhyval is a spitfire in personality and has no issues with telling me what she thinks most of the time hence her 'Yappy Pappy' moniker. She rules the house and tries to be the 'toy-border-collie-with-pricked-ears' that she thinks she is. She has more obsessions than any dog I've ever had - a few involve chasing laser lights, buzzing insects, snow, shovels, and brooms - which makes her all the more loveable.
  After a year of being just a puppy Rhyval began her agility training while her big sister unexpectedly returned to agility. At the 2009 AB/NWT Regionals both girls won their respective divisions - Rhyval at the tender age of 22 months.

  Kayl shares her home with her partner Mike and their 7 dogs, 4 of which are present and past members of the IFCS world agility team.

  Ping Pong is her oldest and at 11 is embarking on her last trip to the world championships this year and is hoping to end her agility career with a bang before moving to veterans. Ping has been on the 04, 06 and 08 team travelling all over Europe and earning over 20 metals at the world championships. Kayl is incredibly proud of her old girl and hopes to use Ping’s determination, experience and consistency to make Canada Proud in 2010.

  Slyce, her 7yr old BC, is an alternate for the 22” height group. In 2008, Slyce went to Belgium with the team and won 6 metals, 3 of which were gold! She hopes to regroup and try for the 2012 team!

  Batman her 5yr old Papillon is also an alternate but for the 10” height group this year. This is quite a feat, as Batman was rescued 3 years ago and went through an intense behaviour rehabilitation to work through some major problems. Last year, he won the 10” Reg. division at the 09 Regional Championships. He has come a long way in 3 years and to be an alternate for the world team is such an accomplishment!

  Kayl is very excited about another opportunity to compete in agility at the World level.

  Best of Luck Canada!

   Encore Blenkey-Garrett is proud to be representing Canada once again at a World Championship. Her excitement for the game goes to a new level each time she takes the world stage. Travel to the championships now as a six year old dog she promises to do her best to make Canada proud.

   As a two year old, Feature is thrilled to be named as an alternate on her first World Team. Feature wants all of Canada to know she loves agility will be ready when her time comes to go to the big show.

   As a handler, I am thrilled to once again be given the opportunity to represent my country and the AAC at another world Championship. I am proud to be selected amongst this very talented group of Canadian dog and handler teams.