Update: Center for Canine Sports Agility Classes and Trial Successes!
Thursday morning agility classmates at Center for Canine Sports! L-R: Jody Faulkner; Jan McCloskey and Clover; instructor Crystal Ragan; Amy Rogers; Deborah Bridge and Prizm. Not pictured: Betsie Bolger
CCS students and their dogs are thoroughly enjoying their Wednesday night and Thursday morning agility classes at Center for Canine Sports in Garland.
On Wednesday night, Brooke Ortale trains Beginner agility dogs (and their handlers) as well as Advanced and Masters dogs (and handlers) at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm respectively; at 10am Thursday, Crystal Ragan is the instructor for Skills & Drills plus coursework for dogs of all levels.
Instructor Crystal Ragan explains the next Skills & Drills exercise to students Jan McCloskey and Clover, Deborah Bridge, and Jody Faulkner.
And everybody’s hard work is paying off! The winter trial season kicked off in January with a USDAA-sanctioned trial at Lucky Dog Training Center in Tyler, TX, plus AKC-sanctioned trials held at Myers Park in McKinney, TX.
Competition continued through February with USDAA trials at DePaw Dog Sports & Training Academy in Leander, TX (including Team) and again at Lucky Dog; in addition, DenTex and DFWESSA sponsored AKC trials in McKinney.
The cusp of February into March brought DAWG’s USDAA trial at Myers Park — including a hotly contested Team event — while the first weekend of March brings a three-day AKC trial also sponsored by Dallas Agility Working Group.
CCS Student Betsie Bolger and her Agility4 brought home an impressive haul of ribbons from Lucky Dog's January USDAA trial.
Competing successfully at some or all of the above trials were:
Betsie Bolger with her #Agility4 (Coco, Teddy, Fast Eddie, and Wiley Riley)
Deborah Bridge with Pixel
Diana Dann with Rylee
Christie Deen with Dutch
Jody Faulkner with Brio and Wyatt
Jan McCloskey with Clover
Crystal Ragan with Brill and Max!
Amy Rogers with Six
Helena Roman with Gimme
A good time was had by all! As for specifics: “Teddy earned a Team Q in Leander, which puts him one step closer to qualifying for Cynosport 2026,” said Betsie, “plus Coco earned her first Veterans title there, in Jumpers. Fast Eddie is now fully qualified for this year’s Cynosport, and Wiley Riley has earned his first Advanced Gamblers Q and is running fast and happy.”
Wednesday night classmates Lisa Ortale and Diana Dann (with Rylee) survey the agility course de jour.
Diana and Rylee also laid down numerous qualifying runs. Christie said, “Dutch and I didn’t Q at Lucky Dog in February, but he gave me so much good stuff. Training-wise, it was a great weekend, and we had so much fun!”
Jody scored an impressive number of Qs with Brio and Wyatt, including a Team Q last weekend at DAWG. Amy and Six have earned new titles. Jan continues to be amazed by Clover’s progress and love for the game of agility. Deborah and Crystal brought home both Tournament and Titling Class Qs from all three USDAA trials as well as several AKC Qs.
Coming up next month is a USDAA-sanctioned trial on these students’ own home field: Center for Canine Sports’ CCS Spring Trial 2026, April 25-26. Ken Boyd from California is slated to judge. Entries close April 13. Go to these links to get the Test Schedule and Entry Form. Hope to see you there!🐾👣