Ringside Chat with Nanette Nance

Two-dog team champ values connection and trust.

This article was originally published in the December 2025 OVERview digital magazine.

Nanette Nance of Rogers, Arkansas, has competed in agility for about 15 years and often finds that team events are one of Cynosport’s greatest highlights. She always looks forward to competing, thanks to their mix of strategy, teamwork and pure fun.

Nanette Nance's Arai (Great Dane Photos)

“I enter the team event because it represents the best of our sport — connection, community and trust,” Nanette said. “Running as part of a team brings a little extra pressure, but I’m always lucky to have amazing teammates. Their encouragement and steady presence always turn my nerves into motivation. I focus more on consistency and teamwork rather than taking big risks in the name of speed. Putting in smart, clean runs gives my teammates something solid to build on.”

Nanette was part of the winning two-dog team “Filly’s Gone Arai” with her 4-year-old Border Collie, Arai. Bred by Julie Oakes of Grand Oakes Border Collies, Arai is powerful and thoughtful and brings Nanette so much joy in every run. 

“Watching him develop into such a confident, reliable teammate has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m so grateful to Julie for breeding such an amazing dog,” she said.

Cynosport 2025 Two-dog team champs Jennifer Thomas and Filly with Nanette Nance and Arai (Great Dane Photos)