Hundreds of dogs and dog lovers are gearing up for the Cynosport Dog Agility World Games Presented by Purina Pro Plan, set to make its grand return to Murfreesboro’s Tennessee Miller Coliseum October 18 – 22. Admission is free to the public with action starting at approximately 9 a.m. each day in multiple indoor rings.
During the Cynosport Dog Agility World Games, the world’s best canine athletes will race over obstacle courses against the clock while being navigated by their human partner, using only voice and hand signals. Dogs perform against the clock over hurdles and A-frames, through tunnels, hanging tires, weave poles and even the see-saw. The objective is to score the fastest time with the least penalties. Dogs of all breeds and sizes compete in various classes where obstacles are set based on the height and experience of the dog.
This year, numerous Tennesseans have qualified to compete in the year-end championship, including:
- Tawni Millet of Christiana will return to Cynosport this year with her Border Collies Little Sparkle (8), Legendary (5) and Dazzle (2). “We are greatly looking forward to Cynosport® this year and making it another family event,” said Millet. “Dazzle, Little Sparkle’s daughter, will be joining us for her first national event! I love the puzzles involved in agility courses and dog training, but most of all, I love this sport for bonding and having fun with my dogs.” Millet, Little Sparkle and Legendary are heading into Cynosport fresh off winning a stack of medals for Team USA in the U.K. last month at the 2023 World Agility Championships hosted by the International Federation of Cynological Sports and Freeway Agility Breaks. The trio brought home four of Team USA’s 17 medals, with Legendary taking the gold in 600mm Individual Gamblers and Little Sparkle earning gold, silver and bronze in the 500mm All-Around Championship, Individual Snooker and Biathlon Championship, respectively.
- Anjie Crow of Hermitage has trained with her first agility dog, a 10-year-old All-American named Zoey, since 2015 and competed in the 2019 and 2021 Cynosport® games in Murfreesboro, and the pair will return this fall. “I remember sitting in the stands in 2017 with Zoey on my lap, watching all the competitors and telling her that someday we would compete together in that very arena. We had been competing for almost a year at that point. Little did I know that four years later, my little rescue dog would take us to the Grand Prix and Steeplechase Finals and become the Reserve Champion in 12” Performance Biathlon,” she said.
- Elizabeth Evans of Alexandria is a longtime competitor and professional agility instructor at Jump for Joy Agility in Watertown, Tenn. She will compete with two dogs this year: Polka-Dot, a 10-year-old rescued Border Collie, and Giddy Marie, an 8-year-old Pyrenean Shepherd. “Agility is a great sport for so many reasons,” Evans said “It’s mental and physical exercise for humans and dogs, an opportunity to develop your bond with your dog, and a chance to meet other people with similar interests. A lot of my clients tell me that their dogs start whining with anticipation on the twisting road leading up to the arena – they know it’s almost fun time!”
For more information, including details on the Vendor Fair & Trade Expo, event livestream and full competition schedule, visit cynosport.com.
Dog Agility World Games Tentative Schedule
WEDNESDAY, 10/18
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Warm-up Classes
Steeplechase® Quarterfinals (all heights)
Grand Prix® Quarterfinals (all heights)
THURSDAY, 10/19
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Masters Challenge BiathlonSM Jumpers
Dog Agility Masters® Team & Veterans Gamblers
Grand Prix Semifinals (all heights)
FRIDAY, 10/20
8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Masters Challenge Biathlon Standard
Dog Agility Masters Team & Veterans Snooker
Steeplechase Semifinals (all heights)
SATURDAY, 10/21
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dog Agility Masters Team & Veterans Jumpers and Standard
Junior and Collegiate Handler Showcase
4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Hall of Fame, Lifetime, and Volunteer Awards Presentations
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Steeplechase Finals (all heights)
SUNDAY, 10/22
8:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Dog Agility Masters Team 2 & 3 Dog Relay
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Veterans Showcase
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Grand Prix Finals (all heights)
