Catching Up with the Seniors of Cynosport

Age is just a number for many canine athletes.

Proving that age is just a number for many of our canine athletes, more than 35 dogs that were born in 2012 or earlier were entered into this year’s Cynosport^® Dog Agility World Games Presented by Purina^® Pro Plan^®, with the eldest dogs born in 2005 and 2006. We caught up with several of these competitors to learn more about their journeys and congratulate everyone for their many accomplishments over the years!

Veterans All-Around 12” Winners: 1st Jeannie Bonsignore and Denali,
2nd Brett Duke and Punch, 3rd Cliff Anderson and Zoe (GreatDanePhotos)

JoAnn Burtness and Valkyrie — Louisburg, N.C.

Because Valkyrie was such a fast, lean and dedicated dog from the beginning, JoAnn had to work hard to become a better handler and partner. After 11 years, the now-13-year-old Bedlington Terrier has become the all-time highest scorer for her breed. Some of JoAnn’s fondest memories include running on the beach while making their way to competitions and competing for USDAA teams with some of the nation’s best handlers and dogs. JoAnn is also proud and honored to have earned a bronze medal at the 2022 IFCS World Agility championship alongside their team partners, Leanne Russell Williams and Simon Says.

“The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was jitters and the overall mental game,” JoAnn said. “I now step to the start line knowing I have the best teammate in the world. If I start to feel panicked, I just remember Valkyrie’s enthusiasm to tackle any challenge with her whole heart. She knows her job, and there is no game we cannot overcome with joy.”

JoAnn Burtness and Valkyrie

Brett Duke and Punch — Anoka, Minn.

Brett and his 12½-year-old Border Collie, Punch, have competed together for about 10 years. Although they lost two years along their journey to Brett’s hip replacement and Punch recovering from shoulder and back injuries, the duo has shared many wonderful memories in the ring. Their numerous Top Ten awards, Lifetime Achievement awards and a second-place finish in the 2018 Cynosport Performance Speed Jumping Finals culminated in their sixth Cynosport appearance with this year’s Veterans Showcase. Brett said this Cynosport will likely be Punch’s last event, and what a photo finish: They brought home second-place honors in the 12” division.

Brett Duke and Punch (GreatDanePhotos)

Meg Haviland and Dyson — Raynham, Mass.

With 12 years of agility and three previous Cynosport Games under their belt, Meg and her 13-year-old Miniature Schnauzer added the Veterans All-Around 4” Championship to their list of accomplishments this year. That win did not come easily; as Dyson grew older, his A-frame performance became increasingly unpredictable. He began to come off higher and higher up the frame until he became known for needing flight clearance. Worried there was some pain causing the issue, Meg moved him to the Veterans classes specifically for the lower A-frame once they earned their Platinum Lifetime Achievement. Meg is grateful for Veterans classes that allow older dogs to enjoy a run or two at trials and honored to have spent so much time with Dyson in the ring.

Meg Haviland and Dyson (GreatDanePhotos)

Kevin and Tracey Kent and Lyric — Woodstock, Ill.

Lyric is the fourth Border Collie in Kevin and Tracey’s family and has trained with them for the sport since she was a young pup. Now 12½ years old, Lyric marked her sixth time competing at Cynosport with her last appearance in the Performance 16” division. Kevin and Tracey have both handled Lyric throughout her life, getting a feel for her quick decisions and tight turns and jumps. Although it was hard to qualify Lyric during her early career, the trio have since created fantastic memories, including many wonderful runs in Lyric’s favorite event, the Masters Challenge Biathlon℠.

Lyric - Kevin and Tracey Kent (GreatDanePhotos)

Laura Miller, Nelson and Hoo! — Opelika, Ala.

Ten years after their first Tennessee Cynosport, Laura and Nelson entered this year’s Cynosport at the 8” Performance height for the first time. She and the 13-year-old Jack Russell Terrier have overcome several health challenges together, motivated by their shared desire to continue their agility journey. They have traveled across the country competing and made several tournament finals at five previous Cynosport Games. Joining them in Tennessee for the second time was Hoo!, an estimated 10-year-old Chihuahua whom Nelson found living in the bushes at an agility trial in July 2016. Laura didn’t intend to keep Hoo! initially, but they started training for the sport together later that year and cemented their bond. Laura was thrilled to have Hoo! compete this year with two fellow street dogs, Alanna Lowery’s Nessie and Courtney Holscher’s Ella, in the Three-Dog Team “Street Cred.” The pair also walked away with the Steeplechase^® Performance 4” Reserve Championship.

Nelson and Hoo! - Laura Miller

 

Mary Obidinski and Porter — Vista, Calif.

Porter is Mary’s second agility dog but the first she has had since puppyhood. Now 12 years old, the Rat Terrier started his foundational training at about four months old, and he and Mary have played in the sport ever since. Mary brought him to his first Cynosport in 2013 to start building their traveling experience and familiarity with bigger events. The duo has made some of Mary’s favorite memories at every Cynosport since, including competing in their first final in 2016 in Scottsdale and claiming their first podium finish in 2019 in Murfreesboro.

“It’s hard to believe, but I think this will be our 10th Cynosport together!” Mary said. “He is a very sensitive dog, and he was always worried about the dogs outside the ring when he was young. There were times when I wondered if he would ever get over the ring stress. As his confidence grew, he started running with the speed I knew he had in him.”

Porter - Mary Obidinski (GreatDanePhotos)

Toni Whitfield and Hasten — Harrisonburg, Va.

Toni has not had the easiest journey with her 13-year-old Parson Russell Terrier, Hasten. They have trained together since Hasten was five months old. Joined by Toni’s husband and Hasten’s younger siblings, Jacks and Ciaran, they completed their third Cynosport this year with second-place honors in the 8” Veterans All-Around. Although they were each sidelined from several surgeries over the years, their biggest obstacle has been simply working together.

“Hasten has never been the type of terrier who makes things easy for you,” Toni said. “She is always impatient and very impulsive. It scared me so badly when we started, but she has been a good teammate and has never been the reason we didn’t finish well. It’s been a struggle, but a fun one!”

Toni Whitfield and Hasten (GreatDanePhotos)