AKC Agility Invitational Winner – Champion (20″): Phire – Handler: Jane Bronson

Jane Bronson with Golden Retriever Phire

 

Interview with Jane Bronson

 

How long have you competed in AKC Agility? How did you discover the sport?

Jane Bronson: I have been competing in AKC Agility for about 20 years. “Phire” is the fifth dog I have shown in Agility. I discovered Agility after I’d repeated every pet Obedience Class with my husband’s dog that St. Hubert’s in Morristown, New Jersey, offered. I told him the dog needed a job, and St. Hubert’s offered Agility classes that looked like a good fit for her. Once you start Agility, you get hooked!

 

Did you have a strategy for competing with “Phire” at the AKC Agility Invitational this year?

Jane Bronson: Preparing Phire for this year’s Invitational involved working with her fitness trainer, chiropractor, acupuncturist, and physical therapist, as well as hiking in the woods to keep her in top form. Our Agility instructor, Annie Pyle, reviewed recent courses designed by the Invitational Judges to look for patterns that we might encounter. The Invitational is my favorite event of the year, so once I get there I relax and enjoy it. I evaluate the dog’s path on course, figure out how to set the lines for Phire, and then try my best to stay out of her way!

I evaluate the dog’s path on course, figure out how to set the lines for Phire, and then try my best to stay out of her way!

 

Do you compete in other dog sports? If so, which sports appeal to you and why?

Jane Bronson: I have competed in Obedience in the past, putting a Utility Dog title on my Novice A dog, but Agility eats up all of my time now.