“Walking the green carpet.”
It’s a phrase whispered among agility competitors with equal parts awe and anticipation. At the Agility World Championship, the most prestigious event in the sport, handlers and their dogs step onto the turf knowing all eyes are on them. There’s only one ring. One chance. And one dream: to represent their country on the world stage.
For Agility Team Canada, that journey began long before the green carpet. It started with early morning training sessions, countless hours of preparation, and a shared goal: to compete, and belong, among the best in the world.
This past July, Team Canada represented the red and white at three major international agility events held in Abrantes, Portugal:
- Junior Open Agility World Championship (JOAWC) – July 11–13
- Senior Open Agility World Championship (SOAWC) – July 11–13
- European Open (EO) – July 18–20
Each event brought its own energy, from the excitement of junior handlers stepping into their first global competition, to the determination of experienced seniors and elite open competitors navigating high-pressure team formats and five-ring venues.
“The support for each other was phenomenal,” said Theresa Rector, special project leader with Agility Team Canada. “Not just from one or two people, it was everyone. The cheering, the camaraderie, the sportsmanship. It was incredible to see.”
“There’s so much pressure in this sport – on the dog, the handler, the team,” added Lindsay Benbow, assistant team leader. “But what I saw in Portugal was this beautiful shift. People weren’t just chasing results, they were cheering for each other, celebrating clean runs, near misses, and everything in between. That kind of culture is what keeps people in the sport.”
Across all three events, Canadian handlers and dogs delivered outstanding performances.
At the European Open, with over 800 dogs from more than 40 countries, Canadian competitors made a strong impression:
- Kirk Peterman & Grizzly placed 25th out of 171 in the Medium Team event.
- Jordan Jarvis O’Connor & Qwik finished 17th out of 173 in Medium Individual.
- Ciara Spurling & Cillian placed 46th out of 207 in Large Individual.
- Espirit with Ann Carrington and Fancy with Cathy Taylor both ran clean in Small Individual.
Four Canadian team members advanced to the EO Individual Finals, including:
- Ann & Espirit (17th out of 52 in Small)
- Jenn Coltman & Nyxie (13th out of 55 in Large)
- Dagmar & Annie Vézina (strong performance despite elimination in Intermediate)
At JOAWC and SOAWC, podium placements were achieved in the small dog divisions, and Canada’s junior program, which is still in its early years, showed tremendous promise.
“The juniors really blew me away,” said Benbow. “They were focused, talented, and incredibly supportive of one another. We’re still early in building our junior program, but I have no doubt these young handlers are the future of Canadian agility.”
More than medals, what stood out most was the sense of team spirit and mutual support.
Canadian competitors cheered one another on at every line, often with the signature Team Canada chant. In one touching moment, a junior handler took it upon themselves to hand draw a course map when none were provided and shared it with teammates. Across the board, the message was clear: no one stood alone.
“Even in our WhatsApp chats, you’d see these eruptions of excitement when someone had a great moment,” said Kate Polkovsky, team leader. “Not even a clean run, just a good moment. That camaraderie is so uniquely Canadian, and so real.”
Looking ahead: AWC in Sweden
In just a few weeks, attention turns to the Agility World Championship (AWC), taking place in Sweden from September 17–21, the most prestigious agility event.
Unlike EO or JOAWC, AWC is a one-ring, sold-out stadium event. Competitors walk onto artificial grass, past country flags and cheering sections, into total silence. There are no international teams, each dog-handler duo represents their country alone, under the scrutiny of a global audience and a livestream watched by thousands.
“You hear people call it ‘walking the green carpet,’” said Polkovsky. “It’s a defining moment and an honour.”
Because of Canada’s geography and the cost of travel, only one national tryout is held annually for all teams. From this single weekend of competition, teams are selected for EO, SOAWC, JOAWC, and AWC. The AWC team is the smallest and most selective, making it a particularly high achievement to qualify.
This year’s AWC team includes many returning competitors – experienced handlers with a shared vision and deep preparation. They’ve been analyzing course trends, training together regionally, and building team cohesion across provinces through accountability chats and collaborative planning.
For Kayl McCann, a veteran of the world stage, the Agility World Championship is more than just another competition – it’s the ultimate proving ground.
“For Canadian Agility athletes, the AWC is the pinnacle of our sport,” said McCann. “The atmosphere is electric, the pressure is real, and with only a few runs to make your moment, every step counts. It’s an honour and a privilege to stand among that elite group.”
“Ultimately, there is no higher level in our sport,” said Rector. “To step onto that green carpet knowing how hard you worked, how far you’ve come, is something truly special.”
A Message from Team Canada
As the team prepares to take the world stage once again, they’re not just competing for themselves, they’re representing the entire Canadian agility community.
“Agility is for everyone,” said Polkovsky. “It doesn’t matter your mobility, your age, or your breed of dog. Whether you’re running at a local trial or in a stadium overseas, it’s still the same joy, the same bond, the same incredible sport.”
The CKC couldn’t agree more.
To follow updates from Agility Team Canada, visit their
Facebook page and
Instagram. Be sure to cheer them on this September as they take on the world at AWC 2025 in Sweden!