Grand Prix of Dog Agility Celebrates 35th Anniversary
Launched in 1988 as first dog agility tournament in North America.
It’s been 35 years since the framework was set for the USDAA® Grand Prix of Dog Agility® World Championships, providing a competition for the top canine athletes and handlers to showcase their talent.
One of the premier world tournaments in the sport today, the championship kicked off its inaugural event on August 5, 1988, when USDAA founder Ken Tatsch established the competition. In its debut year, it was the first dog agility tournament in North America, with 79 competitors from across the United States competing.
1988 first Grand Prix of Dog Agility
FRONT: 2nd Place Leah Purcell with Bridgette, 3rd Place Sallye Swedburg with Soloman, 1st Place Joyce Zmek with Trooper, Jacqueline Brown (Judge); BACK: Eric Smethurst (Pedigree Breeder Services), Ken Tatsch (USDAA), Norman Hills (The Kennel Club), Dave Ray (Agility Club of Great Britain)
Joyce Zmek and her Sheltie Trooper were the first winners of the 1988 tournament. Joyce continued to compete at the Grand Prix in subsequent years, and though she never made it back to the podium, she became a fixture helping around the tournament when she finished her runs. Now with more than 30 years’ experience, she has served as chief production supervisor for the Grand Prix and Cynosport® World Games, earned Pioneer of Dog Agility and Meritorious Service Hall of Fame recognition, and become known as the ever-present “chuter,” a ring steward who straightens the chute on the collapsed tunnel in the Grand Prix championship finals.
“The community in this sport has always been so welcoming,” she said. “Trooper gave me his all whenever we ran, and competitors cheered each other on in the ring. By 1990, the sport was already getting faster than my knees at my age would allow, so I decided to participate another way. I’ve loved watching the sport evolve over the years.”
Since 1988, the Grand Prix of Dog Agility has evolved from a three-day weekend event to include more than 100 local qualifying events leading to a dozen or more regional championships and the quarterfinals, semifinals and world finals. Athletes from more than 20 countries have competed in the events over the last 35 years. From 1998 to 2001, the championship was aired on the Animal Planet television channel, and in 2003 was featured in a two-hour presentation on the HD Sport Network.
“There have been remarkable transformations within the sport over these past 35 years, and there will be more to come,” said Tatsch. “All sports evolve, and dog agility is no different. Without a doubt, refinements in training and handling techniques over the years have enabled competitors to ‘push the envelope,’ keeping the sport fresh and exciting.”
Today, the Grand Prix of Dog Agility is one of USDAA’s four annual tournament series that culminate each autumn at its annual flagship event, Cynosport® Dog Agility World Games. Beginning with the 2024 tournament season through 2026, Purina® Pro Plan® will be the exclusive title sponsor for the Grand Prix of Dog Agility, along with the other three USDAA tournament series: Purina Pro Plan Dog Agility Steeplechase®, Purina Pro Plan Masters Challenge BiathlonSM and Purina Pro Plan Dog Agility Masters®.