Agility

Experience

  • Northeast Agility Championship

  • Team Competition

  • Versatility Awards

  • Friday B Match

  • Allison Vicuna Sportsmanship Award 

  • Sunday is “Game Day”

Meet Our Judges

Jan Skurzynski is a long time agility competitor and judge. Her first agility dog was an Australian Shepherd, “Reckless Kelly Rose” in 2002. That set the stage for a lifelong love of stepping to the line with a beloved teammate at the side, matching skills and teamwork to navigate a challenging course. That love has remained through several dogs since, each teaching new skills and bringing new challenges. Her current teammate, a 2 year old Border Collie named Deni, is certainly stretching her handling skills in new and different ways! Jan’s love of the sport led her to become an AKC Agility judge in 2009 and a USDAA judge in 2014. Designing courses that have both smooth runs and meet the legal challenges is part art and part science, and enabling flow for the dogs is always a primary goal. Having been a judge at the NE Thanksgiving Cluster in 2024, Jan is very happy to be back at such a great event this year.

Jan Skurzynski

Jan Skurzynski is a long time agility competitor and judge. Her first agility dog was an Australian Shepherd, “Reckless Kelly Rose” in 2002. That set the stage for a lifelong love of stepping to the line with a beloved teammate at the side, matching skills and teamwork to navigate a challenging course. That love has remained through several dogs since, each teaching new skills and bringing new challenges. Her current teammate, a 2 year old Border Collie named Deni, is certainly stretching her handling skills in new and different ways!

 

Jan’s love of the sport led her to become an AKC Agility judge in 2009 and a USDAA judge in 2014. Designing courses that have both smooth runs and meet the legal challenges is part art and part science, and enabling flow for the dogs is always a primary goal. Having been a judge at the NE Thanksgiving Cluster in 2024, Jan is very happy to be back at such a great event this year.

My first glimpse of Agility was in Tampa, Florida in 1996 when I watched a local agility trial and was hooked as soon as I saw a dog running over the teeter. I enrolled in an Intro to Agility class and was fortunate to have my first agility dog love agility as much as I did and she was fast and driven. As a judge and as an exhibitor, I love watching dog/handler teams run courses and when they are well connected, I see their “dance”. As I judge throughout the US, I enjoy watching the different handling styles. I’m always amazed how much the AKC Agility Program has advanced and grown since I started with my Novice A dog and I’m thrilled to be able to be part of it – both as an exhibitor and as a judge.
I’m very proud of my Brittanys and their Agility performances. I own and have bred several generations that have qualified for multiple AKC Nationals and were invited to many AKC Invitationals. I am blessed to have a husband who is very supportive of my passion and he cheers me on every weekend and patiently waits for the results when I return home on Sunday. Having judged for these clubs at the Thanksgiving Cluster many times over the years, it has been incredible to watch this event grow. Being part of the 25th Celebration remains one of my favorite memories, and I am deeply honored to return to the ring for this year’s competition. I look forward to watching your runs and sharing in the memories you make this weekend. Best of luck to all!

 Victoria MacVicar – Spring Hill, FL

My first glimpse of Agility was in Tampa, Florida in 1996 when I watched a local agility trial and was hooked as soon as I saw a dog running over the teeter. I enrolled in an Intro to Agility class and was fortunate to have my first agility dog love agility as much as I did and she was fast and driven.

As a judge and as an exhibitor, I love watching dog/handler teams run courses and when they are well connected, I see their “dance”. As I judge throughout the US, I enjoy watching the different handling styles. I’m always amazed how much the AKC Agility Program has advanced and grown since I started with my Novice A dog and I’m thrilled to be able to be part of it – both as an exhibitor and as a judge.

I’m very proud of my Brittanys and their Agility performances. I own and have bred several generations that have qualified for multiple AKC Nationals and were invited to many AKC Invitationals. I am blessed to have a husband who is very supportive of my passion and he cheers me on every weekend and patiently waits for the results when I return home on Sunday.

Having judged for these clubs at the Thanksgiving Cluster many times over the years, it has been incredible to watch this event grow. Being part of the 25th Celebration remains one of my favorite memories, and I am deeply honored to return to the ring for this year’s competition. I look forward to watching your runs and sharing in the memories you make this weekend. Best of luck to all!

 

I am honored to serve as a judge at the 28th Annual Thanksgiving Agility Cluster. My agility journey began with a rescue sighthound mix who taught me early on that a sense of humor is one of the sport’s most valuable skills. My next teammate, Jasper the Brittany, set my feet firmly on the path of canine sports earning his Versatile Dog Excellent title with owner-handler achievements in field, breed, and agility. Since becoming an AKC Agility Judge in 2023, I’ve had the privilege of judging several breed specialties. What I enjoy most is watching the teamwork, trust, and connection that unfold between dogs and their humans as they navigate courses together.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I’ve called Ashland, Virginia home for the past 34 years. I share life with my husband, Steve, and my mom—both unwavering supporters of my adventures in Dogdom. My current agility teammates include Reina (Brittany), Cappyccino (Border Collie), and my “loaner” Border Collie, Tazzie. My warmest wishes to all competitors for a weekend filled with great runs, good laughs, and cherished memories.
Christine Harrison – Ashland, VA
 
I am honored to serve as a judge at the 28th Annual Thanksgiving Agility Cluster. My agility journey began with a rescue sighthound mix who taught me early on that a sense of humor is one of the sport’s most valuable skills. My next teammate, Jasper the Brittany, set my feet firmly on the path of canine sports earning his Versatile Dog Excellent title with owner-handler achievements in field, breed, and agility.
Since becoming an AKC Agility Judge in 2023, I’ve had the privilege of judging several breed specialties. What I enjoy most is watching the teamwork, trust, and connection that unfold between dogs and their humans as they navigate courses together.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I’ve called Ashland, Virginia home for the past 34 years. I share life with my husband, Steve, and my mom—both unwavering supporters of my adventures in Dogdom. My current agility teammates include Reina (Brittany), Cappyccino (Border Collie), and my “loaner” Border Collie, Tazzie.
My warmest wishes to all competitors for a weekend filled with great runs, good laughs, and cherished memories.
Jack has owned Cairn Terriers for over 40 years. “As a kid, my family always had a dog of one type or another. The dogs always found us, and stayed ”. “ As an adult, I saw a Cairn pup in a pet store. I then checked out a few breeders, and bought the first of a long string of Cairns.” Within a year or so, Jack joined the Albany (NY) Obedience Club, and soon earned CDs on two Cairns. Jack was then invited to be an assistant instructor at the Club. He became a full Instructor and taught for over 30 years, and is now a Life Member. In 1995, a breeder friend placed a two year old Cairn with him. The dog had had two failed placements. At first, Jack tried working him in Obedience classes, with minimal results. The Training Director suggested that he might try Agility with this dog. “What’s that?, I asked. I then went to an Intro to Agility Seminar. The Dog, Happicairn Sherman Too, went on to become the first Cairn to earn the MACH Title! Back in Obedience, he then earned a CD, and a CDX. He also became a Therapy Dog, as did Stewie, another of my Cairns. The two of them enjoyed going to Nursing Homes, and performing their repertoire of tricks.”
In September of 2004, Jack passed the Judge’s Seminar in Raleigh, NC. “ I enjoy judging around the Country, meeting exhibitors, and seeing some really great runs from the best seat in the House.” Jack currently serves as the AKC Delegate for the Washington State Obedience Training Club .As such, he serves as Assistant Chairperson of the Companion Events Committee. He has also served as Show Chair for two All Breed Clubs, and Trial Chair for an Obedience Club. He has held a number of Board positions over the years in these Clubs. As a Licensed New York State Social Worker, Jack worked for many years in the Behavioral Health field, most recently serving for 20 years as the Mental Health Commissioner in an upstate New York County. “I am really looking forward to November, and hope that all of the Teams have great, fun runs and a most enjoyable and memorable time”.

Jack Cadalso

Jack has owned Cairn Terriers for over 40 years. “As a kid, my family always had a dog of one type or another. The dogs always found us, and stayed ”. “ As an adult, I saw a Cairn pup in a pet store. I then checked out a few breeders, and bought the first of a long string of Cairns.” Within a year or so, Jack joined the Albany (NY) Obedience Club, and soon earned CDs on two Cairns. Jack was then invited to be an assistant instructor at the Club. He became a full Instructor and taught for over 30 years, and is now a Life Member.

In 1995, a breeder friend placed a two year old Cairn with him. The dog had had two failed placements. At first, Jack tried working him in Obedience classes, with minimal results. The Training Director suggested that he might try Agility with this dog. “What’s that?, I asked. I then went to an Intro to Agility Seminar. The Dog, Happicairn Sherman Too, went on to become the first Cairn to earn the MACH Title! Back in Obedience, he then earned a CD, and a CDX. He also became a Therapy Dog, as did Stewie, another of my Cairns. The two of them enjoyed going to Nursing Homes, and performing their repertoire of tricks.”

In September of 2004, Jack passed the Judge’s Seminar in Raleigh, NC. “ I enjoy judging around the Country, meeting exhibitors, and seeing some really great runs from the best seat in the House.”

Jack currently serves as the AKC Delegate for the Washington State Obedience Training Club. As such, he serves as Assistant Chairperson of the Companion Events Committee.

He has also served as Show Chair for two All Breed Clubs, and Trial Chair for an Obedience Club. He has held a number of Board positions over the years in these Clubs.

As a Licensed New York State Social Worker, Jack worked for many years in the Behavioral Health field, most recently serving for 20 years as the Mental Health Commissioner in an upstate New York County.

“I am really looking forward to November, and hope that all of the Teams have great, fun runs and a most enjoyable and memorable time”.

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Inga began competing in Agility in 2009 with Baron, her Golden Retriever. She currently competes with Brig (6), a Golden Retriever, and Widget (3), a terrier mix. Inga resides in South River, NJ with her husband, Kevin; their son, Griffin, works as a free-lance sports photographer in Los Angeles. Now semi-retired, Inga works part time at Starbucks, avidly supports the New York Red Bulls, and enjoys crocheting when not preparing for judging assignments.

Inga Hooper – South River, NJ 

Inga began competing in Agility in 2009 with Baron, her Golden
Retriever. She currently competes with Brig (6), a Golden Retriever,
and Widget (3), a terrier mix. Inga resides in South River, NJ with
her husband, Kevin; their son, Griffin, works as a free-lance sports
photographer in Los Angeles. Now semi-retired, Inga works part time
at Starbucks, avidly supports the New York Red Bulls, and enjoys
crocheting when not preparing for judging assignments.

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