Trial Blogs
March 16, 2025
Monty, Maple & Viveka Shine at AKC National Agility Championship
This year’s AKC National Agility Championship in Tulsa, OK, was nothing short of spectacular. After months of training, preparation, and dedication, my hard work paid off in a way that was both thrilling and rewarding.
9/9 Clean Runs – A Testament to Precision and Teamwork
Running a clean course at a national-level competition is a remarkable achievement—but doing it in every single run is truly extraordinary. Monty and Maple delivered flawless performances, going 9 for 9 in clean rounds. Their consistency and precision underscored the strength of our partnership, proving that agility is not just about speed, but about trust, communication, and the seamless connection between handler and dog.
Maple’s Strong Finish
Maple brought her A-game to the competition, putting down stellar runs throughout the event. She placed 6th in Premier and finished 16th cumulatively, a remarkable achievement in such a competitive field. Her agility, focus, and determination were on full display, making every run a joy to watch.
Monty’s Podium-Worthy Performance
Monty wasn’t just competing—he was on a mission. With incredible focus and determination, he placed 3rd in Premier and finished 5th cumulatively after the three preliminary rounds. His outstanding performance earned him an automatic bid to the Finals. When the pressure was at its highest, we rose to the challenge, delivering a breathtaking finals run that secured a 2nd place finish. It was a triumphant moment—our first-ever podium finish at our fifth AKC National Agility Championship.
A Milestone Achievement
To stand on the podium at a national championship is a dream come true. It was the culmination of years of dedication, training, and an unbreakable partnership. This achievement is not just about winning—it’s about the journey, the challenges overcome, and the unwavering bond between my dogs and I.
I hope my achievement inspires wives, moms, and soon-to-be mothers to know that it's possible to chase your dreams while embracing all of these roles. And for those who want to relive the moment, we’ll be sure to let everyone know when it airs on ESPN®!
January 28, 2025
Back in the Ring: A Fantastic Start to Trial Season!
This weekend marked our first trial back, and it felt absolutely amazing! There’s nothing quite like stepping onto the course with my dogs and feeling that connection again.
Monty had a few forgetful moments with his criteria (oops!), but he still pulled off some impressive skills—especially considering we haven’t practiced them in a while! It’s always exciting to see him put things together in the ring.
Maple was the true star of the weekend! She continues to shine and grow with every run, earning QQs #17 and #18. Balancing different agility organizations can be a challenge—especially when life gets busy—but we’re steadily working toward her very first MACH!
A huge thank you to Nashville Dog Training Club for hosting another fantastic trial and kicking off our year in the best way possible. Can’t wait for what’s ahead!
November 11, 2024
Remembering Rascal: A Lifetime of Love, Loyalty, and Legacy
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Sheltie, Rascal, who was an extraordinary companion and a cherished member of our family. Rascal came into our lives as one of the first dogs we welcomed as a newly married couple, marking the beginning of a beautiful journey that he would share with us for over 12 years.
Rascal’s journey began when we returned from Montana to Birmingham. Through all the highs and lows, he was always by our side, offering love and companionship that words can hardly capture. His gentle, kind, and loving nature made him an irreplaceable part of the “Parker and Viveka” story, and he will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
He was there with us as our family grew, a steady presence from the moment we started having children. He was by our side through each new chapter, leaving paw prints in the lives of all four of our kids. From playtime to milestones, he was a beloved member of our family, sharing in every joy and memory along the way.
Rascal had an especially deep bond with Viveka, who made him an integral part of her dog agility career. Together, they trained, competed, and created unforgettable memories that defined a significant chapter in both their lives. Rascal was a natural on the agility course, and his passion for the sport was matched only by his devotion to Viveka, who poured so much of her heart into their partnership. Losing him is especially hard for her, as he was not only a teammate but a beloved friend. As a founding member of the "V Ruff Crew," Rascal will always be remembered with profound love and gratitude, leaving an impact that will live on in every course Viveka runs.
We are forever grateful for the years we had with him and will cherish the incredible chapters he helped us write in our lives. Rest in peace, Rascal. You will always be a part of our hearts, and your spirit will remain with us forever.
-Parker
August 28 - 31, 2024
A Weekend of Highs and Lows at the 2nd AKC® Agility League Championship
What a whirlwind of a weekend at the 2nd AKC® Agility League Championship! It was filled with both challenges and triumphs, but that’s what makes agility so rewarding. Monty, my wise and thoughtful partner, signaled early on that something wasn’t quite right. At first, I chalked it up to a mental block since he had some normal moments, but eventually, I listened to him and made the tough call to pull him from the second half of the competition. I know he’ll hate the downtime, but I’m confident a period of rest will have him coming back stronger than ever. As difficult as it was, I was actually relieved it turned out to be physical and not mental—it’s always easier to manage the body than the mind!
Running Monty is a joy like no other, but my little powerhouse, Maple, was there to step up when I wasn’t fully focused. She absolutely crushed it this weekend, becoming the 12” Sophomore Individual Champion, 12” Senior Reserve Individual Champion, and 12” PhD Individual Champion! Despite my occasional handler errors, she didn’t E once. Her Sophomore team, Team2Beat, defended their title from last year and became the 2024 Agility League Sophomore National Champions! Huge thanks to my incredible teammates Jenna, Jennifer, Ashley, Betty, and Marissa—you guys rock!
Our other teams put up a strong fight as well, with our Senior team seeded 2nd heading into the finals. Unfortunately, some unlucky events, including two injuries, left our PhD team short-handed. We decided to take a gamble and brought in Driver and Jenna’s baby dog, Confetti, to step in for our steady-as-a-rock teammates—and wow, did they deliver! Driver brought her A-game, running beautifully in the Senior division to earn 3rd overall in the 8” class. She proved we made the right choice, snagging 8” PhD Reserve Individual Champion. I think we were all blown away by how well they handled these tough courses!
The weekend was filled with so much fun, camaraderie, and amazing courses designed by Gail, Carol, and Ashley. It was a fantastic experience with super teams, great competition, and an overall unforgettable event. Big thanks to Penny and the entire AKC® Agility League crew for organizing such a stellar event—it just keeps getting better each year!
Finally, thank you to all my teammates from WestRover Water Sports & Agility Club for stepping out of your comfort zones and giving it your all. Here’s to an incredible weekend and until next year!!
August 16 - 18, 2024
A Rollercoaster Agility Weekend: Wins, Lessons, and So Much Fun!
What a weekend! We came in with some high hopes, especially for Monty, but things didn’t exactly go as planned. During one of our runs, I totally blanked mid-course—something that happens more often than I’d like to admit. Usually, I’m quick enough to recover, but that day… not so much. Maybe it’s old age kicking in, or more likely, the chaos of managing so many kids! To avoid Monty thinking it was his fault, I quickly redirected to a straight line and finished the course, all while mentally kicking myself. Seeing the confusion on his face broke my heart, but that's agility—sometimes it’s just plain hard.
Despite wanting to wallow in self-pity, I had 10 dogs to focus on before Maple’s run, and I knew I had to shake it off and commit to doing better. And I did! I pushed through the guilt and not only ran a clean course but snagged first place! It was a big mental win for me, and even though I felt like I’d let Monty down, I reminded myself I did what was best for us as a team. It’s tough not to project my disappointment onto him, but I’m learning. Monty, being the best boy as always, still managed to grab another Master Series final bye and some prize money with his solid runs!
Maple, my little leaf, was fantastic! She ran her courses beautifully, and while there are still areas we can improve, that’s always part of the process. She took 1st in the ICE event, earning an invite to the 1-TDC Invitational, and finished 2nd in the Master Series!
And then there’s Driver—my wild card. Sometimes, I’m still figuring out how to handle her, but wow, she pulled off some incredible things this weekend! I got goosebumps watching how far we’ve come. Though she placed 3rd in the ICE event due to an E in round one, her second round was so impressive, I can’t even put it into words. She’s definitely keeping me on my toes, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here!
Huge thanks to Francisco for those stellar courses and Rene for the well-thought-out ICE layouts—they were challenging and fun. Full Speed Ahead Agility put on an amazing event, with a fantastic crew of hardworking, positive people and some of the coolest prizes! Special shoutout to Mike for the beautiful dirt (yes, I’m calling it that), which made running the courses even more enjoyable.
We left the weekend with so much joy and gratitude. Onward and upward!
July 19, 2024
Agility Out West: A Day at Yellowstone Dog Sports
Of course, there had to be some agility action out West! We spent an absolutely wonderful day at Yellowstone Dog Sports, and what an experience it was. The setting was stunning, the people were warm and welcoming, and the dogs? Well, they were in top form!
Monty, as usual, was his perfect self, going 5/5 and making it look effortless. Maple, on the other hand, was just one handler error away from perfection, finishing 4/5—still an incredible run! The facility itself was fantastic, and the atmosphere made us feel right at home, thanks to the kind, supportive community.
A special shoutout to our judge, Abbie, a fellow Southerner who brought the perfect blend of fast and challenging courses. Her layouts kept us all on our toes, but the mix of speed and technicality was just right for a fun and rewarding day.
We had such a blast and hope to be back soon. If you're ever in the area, Yellowstone Dog Sports is definitely worth a visit!
June 14 - 16, 2024
UKI Trial - Tiger, GA
Triumphs and Milestones!
This weekend was a whirlwind of excitement and achievements for our team! We ran 37 times, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.
Monty's Milestone
Monty earned his IAC2 title. While I missed when he got his first IAC, his progress is undeniable. Monty also placed 3rd overall, competing fiercely against some amazing dogs.
Maple's Mastery
Maple broke out of the novice category and emerged as the overall winner of the 12" master series. This victory not only brought home prize money but also secured a bye into the finals at the US Open. Maple's consistency was remarkable, running 12 out of 13 clean rounds.
Driver's Dominance
Driver shone brightly, winning overall in the 8" category with prize money and a bye into the finals. He performed beautifully on the courses, finding a great rhythm despite a few minor errors.
Consistency is Key
Our brown dogs were incredibly consistent, with Monty running 10 out of 11 clean rounds and Maple 12 out of 13. The courses designed by Mike Padgett were fantastic, so much so that we ran out of 1st place and clean round ribbons!
A Special Thanks
A huge thank you to Full Speed Ahead Agility for hosting such an amazing trial. The atmosphere was electric and truly hard to beat. We're already looking forward to the I.C.E. Event in August!
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our agility journey!
June 7 - 9, 2024
European Open Team Practice - Vincentown, NJ
Team USA Practice Recap
We had an incredible time at the European Open Team USA practice held at the stunning Premier Sports Center in New Jersey. It was our first visit to this facility, and it exceeded all expectations!
A Huge Thank You
Thank you to the Premier Sports Center for hosting and to all the amazing volunteers who made the event run smoothly. Your hard work and dedication were top-notch!
Invaluable Coaching
A special shoutout to our coaches, Annette Alfonso and Sheyla Gutierrez. Your guidance and encouragement are always invaluable and greatly appreciated.
Team Spirit
To the entire team, your support and laughter made the long days enjoyable. Monty and I had a slow start, but we found our groove and finished the weekend with two clean sections in our relay practice. This was a significant achievement for us, especially after last year's hiccup.
Learning and Growing
We had many learning moments and left with plenty of homework to strengthen our team. Watching the immense talent on Team USA has been an honor.
Looking Ahead
European Open, watch out! Team USA is coming strong!
September 10 - 11, 2023
Canine Capers- Alpharetta, GA
Introducing MACH3 Monty!! Saturday was a little tough with an off course tunnel keeping that last QQ out of reach, but it made Sunday even sweeter!!! Totally made the 4:30am alarms and 5 hour drives both days worth it!!! Nice cool weather and friends celebrating alongside, made it a perfect weekend!!
August 20 - 21, 2023
Full Speed Ahead Agility Trial - Tiger, GA
We had an absolutely spectacular time at Full Speed Ahead Agility’s UKI trial in Tiger, GA!! It’s such a great group of people and the courses are just built for Monty and I!!! Francisco Berjon continues to make marvelously fast, challenging course that make me so excited to step to the line with monty. I was thrilled that the trial was FULL - gives me so much hope for more UKI!
August 5 - 7, 2022
Dalmatian Club of America and Clarksville Kennel Club Trial - Murfreesboro, TN
We are all finished for qualifications for world team tryouts - and while I really do think Monty jumps beautifully at 20”, we are back down to 16” in AKC!!! He nailed some great courses and we had an absolute blast. Thank you so much to the Dalmatian Club of America and Clarksville Kennel Club for a phenomenal trial before school starts! I love my big brown Sheltie boy that continues to surprise me and give his all!!
June 25th - 26th, 2022
Cape Cod Kennel Club Agility & Teamwork Agility Club of Central Massachusetts Trial
Coming off a great first Westminster showing, I was thrilled to compete in a new state.
The Cape Cod Kennel Club and Teamwork Agility Club of Central Massachusetts put on a great event in Rhode Island.
Monty placed 2nd in his T2B (Time 2 Beat) course and placed 2nd in his Standard run on Saturday, June 25th. Sunday, June 26th, he killed it with a triple Q (Qualification). He scored first place in FAST, second place in JWW (Jumpers With Weaves) and a third place in his STANDARD run.
We met a lot of people, made new friends and received numerous compliments. Rhode Island is in the books and now time to head back down South for a seminar in South Carolina!
June 18th, 2022
Westminster Masters Agility Competition 2022
“I can’t believe that we are here!”
I kept telling this to myself every time I had my husband Parker pinch me to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. After not being admitted last year, to a postpone of the event in January of this year…Monty and I had plenty of excitement and jitters built up!
This was a super quick trial. The Westminster Masters Agility Competition is a one day trial and you get two opportunities to run. We had a Standard Run first and then wrapped with a Jumpers With Weaves course.
Not the teeter!
During our Standard Run Monty jumped off his teeter early. I thought it didn’t happen, but he missed his mark and we received an NQ (Non Qualifying). We sure did fly though. Our final time in Standard was 4th, but we were out due to the NQ. I knew it was going to be nearly impossibly to make it to finals now, but we had one more run to go. Next was Jumpers With Weaves at the outside course.
“Momma can I walk the course with you?”
Walking the course is the time period you’re allotted before actually running a course in dog agility. This time allows for you to get a sense of the judge’s course and how you will run. Since having children, it has become a tradition for me to walk with my children. This Jumpers With Weaves is my final run of the day and another chance to perform on the world stage…with both my boys hand in hand along the way.
We came in 4th for the Jumpers With Weaves course! I could not be more proud of Monty. After all the results came together, we did not make it into the finals, but we did place 12th out of 75 dogs in the entire competition. It was such an honor to have the opportunity to compete at Westminster and I hopefully look forward to many more years of coming back to New York and showing the world what I can do!
