The World Agility Open (WAO) is an annual international event designed to:

• Provide the ultimate in dog agility competition where speed, efficiency, and consistency are all necessary for success
• Showcase the highest level of agility training, human/canine partnership, and athleticism
• Acknowledge the dog as an athlete and equally important member of the agility partnership
• Enable all dogs, whether pedigreed or not, to compete in an environment that is solely focused on the sport of agility
• Promote the design of better and safer agility equipment, new technology to improve the sport, and better show management processes.

The WAO provides competitors with:

• Jump height divisions where similar types of dogs compete against one another
• An excellent competition running surface and show environment
• Several different types of contests with maximum runs to adequately test teams for all the skill sets necessary to be the best in dog agility.

Meet the judges here

MARQ CHEEK (USA), SUPERVISING JUDGE

It is an honour to be part of the World Agility Open Championships. I have been appointed to oversee the competition judges and assist them with interpreting and implementing rules and regulations. My primary focus will be to meet WAO objectives for a positive and safe competition with fairness and consistency in judging. Course designs from three outstanding judges will provide a variety of challenges to reward brilliance in dog agility. Read more

ANTHONY CLARKE (ENGLAND)

Anthony Clarke is known as one of the UK’s top trainers and competitors with 15 years’ experience working with dogs and taking every dog he has owned to the very top level of British Agility.

Anthony’s agility expertise has taken him all over the world presenting inspirational and motivational seminars in countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, USA, Canada and Japan. Read more

Click here to view sample courses.

PATTY DROM (USA)

Patty started agility in 1986 with her Springer Spaniel “Scooter.” In 1991, judging for United States Dog Agility Association became a way to learn more about the sport and see the growth of agility across the USA. Judging for American Kennel Club started in 1994 with the inception of that program and was another way to contribute to the growth of agility here in the states. Read more

Click here to view sample courses.

JORGE PIRES (PORTUGAL)

Hello everybody!
I am 47 years old and a pre-retired Paratroop Lieutenant Colonel. My wife, Sandra, and I live in Vila Nova da Barquinha-Santarem, Portugal with our three-year-old daughter Margarida and our four dogs. We have three Border Collies and a Schnauzer. One Border Collie is dedicated to competing in agility and the others are dedicated to Animal Assisted Therapy; an activity that I carry out as a volunteer. Read more