Judges Named for 2026 Cynosport World Games Presented by Purina Pro Plan

Meet this year's officials!

We’re thrilled to announce the judges for the 2026 Cynosport^® Dog Agility World Games Presented by Purina^® Pro Plan^®, which will be held in Tucson, Arizona, November 11-15. 

Ken Boyd

California resident Ken Boyd started judging the sport 28 years ago and is currently a judge for three agility organizations. He and his wife have always been involved in dog-related activities such as obedience and flyball; they started agility 34 years ago with the San Diego Agility Club. During their careers, the duo has competed with a Welsh Pembroke Corgi, a Doberman and several Border Collies and Rat Terriers. Although Ken is not currently competing, he occasionally helps his wife run her 4-year-old Border Collie and continues to build their at-home practice ring.

“I love watching handlers and dogs have fun out on an agility course,” Ken said. “We all have different objectives and levels of skills, but I love it most when a team tries their best — Q or NQ, win or lose. 

“I have judged in numerous national and world-team qualifying events, but my greatest dream is to judge at Cynosport,” he added. “As a competitor, I loved qualifying for and competing in Cynosport. It’s the premier agility competition in the U.S. To this year’s competitors: Be respectful, courteous, and thank the volunteer workers. An event like this can’t run without them.”

Ken Boyd

Dave Grems

Dave Grems started competing in 2000 with his first Border Collie, Roxie. In 2016, the Texas resident became a judge to be more involved in USDAA and the sport. As an agility instructor, he wanted to be more aware of the rules to better help his students, and he had more spare time after retiring from his job in medical billing software development. His role as a judge has taken him on many adventures and helped him learn new handling moves from some extraordinary handlers and dogs.

“Above all else, competitors should have fun and enjoy the time with their dogs,” Dave said. “Our time with them is so fleeting, and they try their best to please us. It’s the moments and memories you create together that will stay with you long after the runs have finished.”

Dave’s current dogs include 12-year-old Spy, who is now retired; 8-year-old Max, an All-American from Border Collie Rescue whom Dave calls a wildcard in the ring; and 4-year-old Revel, who is still in training. Outside the ring, Dave enjoys most outdoor activities, including gardening and landscaping. 

Dave Grems with Spy, Max and Revel 

Steffi Hundt

A professional bookkeeper and agility trainer from a town near Basel, Switzerland, Steffi Hundt has competed in the sport for over 20 years. She successfully completed her judge’s training with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 2013. While she sometimes wishes she could run her own courses in competitions, she always has fun watching others enjoy themselves in the ring.

“Agility is developing rapidly,” Steffi said. “My goal is to always set courses with beautiful, safe lines for the dogs while presenting challenges appropriate to the class.”

Steffi shares her life with several dogs from Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Poland, and will start competing again in April with her youngest dog, Sway. 

Steffi Hundt

Meagan Skelton 

For 15 years, Meagan Skelton of North Carolina has judged dog agility to give back to the sport that has given her so much. She started competing with her obedience dog 28 years ago to build its confidence, and she’s never looked back. Now, she competes with Wookie, a 9-year-old Border Collie, and Vez, a 5-year-old Border Collie; she is also starting to train her Border/Whippet/Papillon puppy, Rigatoni.

“Judging has taken me to so many amazing places,” Meagan said. “I have seen and met people all over the country, and that’s the best part. To all our competitors: Remember to have fun with your dog. We only get so many runs, so try to look for the joy in each.”

Outside the ring, Meagan loves to travel, run marathons (she always trains with her dogs), knit and read. 

Meagan Skelton

Tetsu Watanabe

Tetsu Watanabe of Tokyo, Japan, has judged local USDAA-sanctioned events for over 15 years, but this year marks his first judging in the United States. He started competing in agility over 20 years ago when his supervisor and mentor introduced him to the sport. With his first partner, a Belgian Malinois, he participated in both the Cynosport and IFCS championships. Now a dog trainer by profession, Tetsu does not compete with his own dogs but occasionally steps to the line with his clients’. 

“I love seeing competitors correctly read the intent of my courses and successfully execute,” Tetsu said, “but both training and competition should be approached with enjoyment. It’s important to keep learning and developing your skills while having fun.” 

Tetsu Watanabe