JC & Hazel Thompson - 1997 - Pioneers of Dog Agility

JC & Hazel Thompson

J.C. Thompson of Haw River, NC, was a well-known figure among agility enthusiasts, lauded for his competition wins and loved for his generous spirit. J.C. retired from his position at IBM at the age of 65 and competed in his first agility competition with his border collie, Robby, at a regional event in 1989. He placed second and won the 30" height division of the Grand Prix of Dog Agility® Championships in 1990. 

He and his wife, Hazel, traveled around the country, entering almost every agility event they could. They were the first to use herding commands almost exclusively to do distance handling. He also served on the USDAA/Pedigree® World Teams at the FCI World Dog Show from 1991 through 1996, competing in Germany, Spain, Argentina, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria. His handling finesse was positively recognized by his European counterparts, and during the 1991 event in Germany, he received two rounds of enthusiastic applause for his run, the first for his handling finesse and the second when his age was announced. The following year in Spain, J.C. drew a standing ovation for his unprecedented handling strategy and style.

JC & Hazel Thompson 2J.C. served on the Pedigree®/USDAA Exhibition Team from 1991 to 1996 in such places as Gladstone, New Jersey, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the sport's major television debut in Baltimore on the CBS network. He and Hazel participated in more than 20 exhibitions at major U.S. equestrian events, including the Pan American Games and the Arabian International Horse Show. 

J.C. was named USDAA's Handler of the Year in 1990 and 1991, to recognize his contribution to the sport as a role model in performance and outstanding sportsmanship.

In 1997, J.C. and Hazel were both inducted into the USDAA Hall of Fame as a Pioneer of Dog Agility.

J.C. and Hazel were often the first to arrive at a trial and the last to leave, eagerly volunteering anywhere their help was needed. They were married for 67 years when JC passed away in 2017; Hazel passed away in 2018.