Hundreds of top canine athletes from across the country will head to Murfreesboro to compete in the U.S. Dog Agility Association’s prestigious Cynosport Dog Agility World Games Championship, Oct. 20–24 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum.

These talented dogs will perform against the clock over hurdles and A-frames, through tunnels, tire jumps, weave poles, and over the see-saw, guided only by voice and movement cues from their human teammates. Dogs of all breeds and sizes compete in various classes where obstacles are set based on the dog’s height. Competitors will aim for a course with the least number of faults in the fastest time and will battle for the sport’s most coveted awards, including the Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Champion title and the right to compete for $15,000 in cash prizes.

Several Murfreesboro locals are no strangers to the annual championship, including Michael Shirley and his 10-year-old daughter, Mahayla. The two attended the 2019 Cynosport games in Murfreesboro because it was free and Michael thought his daughter would enjoy it. As they watched from the stands with a straight-on view of the weave poles, something sparked inside Mahayla, inspiring her to get involved in agility.

The Shirleys got a Havanese puppy after severe allergies stopped Mahayla from riding horses. Mahayla and her dog, Dolly Barkin, first worked together in obedience classes, completing the Canine Good Citizen certification and a tricks and acting class before turning to agility.

“I started in our living room and set up a small course with the things we had,” Mahayla said, describing homemade obstacles such as a Hula Hoop doubling as a tire and a blanket-covered piano bench becoming a tunnel. Dolly’s introduction to agility was a success, and the pair went on to enroll in a beginner agility class at the Murfreesboro Obedience Training Club.

Michael and his wife, Amy, are owners of the Murfreesboro veterinary practice Family Pet Health. Each member of the Shirley family has been involved in animal training throughout their lives, and this year, Mahayla and Michael will volunteer at the event that got her started in agility.

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Murfreesboro veterinarian Jean Lavalley started in dog agility while she was on summer break during vet school 26 years ago. Her first agility class took place in her friend’s yard, and she has qualified to compete at Cynosport this year with Venture, a 5-year-old sable Sheltie co-owned by Linda Robertson. Lavalley will also be attending with Bee, a 2-year-old blue merle Sheltie co-owned by Jennifer Crank, competing in the team events while Crank competes individually.

“I’ve always had Shelties, and I think they are a perfect fit for agility,” Lavalley said. “I love the unique bond we form through training and competing together.”

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Tawni Millet of Christiana will return to the Tennessee Miller Coliseum to compete for another championship title. In 2019, the last time the national championships were in Murfreesboro, she was the 22″ Grand Prix of Dog Agility Champion and took home second place in the 22″ Masters Challenge Biathlon with her dog, Jolt. Although the Border Collie is now 10 years old and won’t be competing, Millet has qualified with Jolt’s daughter, Little Sparkle, and son, Legendary.

This year marks Legendary’s first national event, but Millet and Little Sparkle have competed nationally and internationally during their career. The pair represented the United States at the 2019 World Agility Championships in Hellendoorn, Netherlands, earning a gold medal in Little Sparkle’s first international competition. Millet, who owns LiveWire Agility Training in Christiana, will also have students competing at Cynosport.

The championship is free for spectators to attend. Daily activities run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 24, with evening events on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. Check the event website at cynosport.com for current details on each show day.

For those who cannot attend the event in person, there will be a livestream at vetzpetz.com/cynosport courtesy of Vetz Petz Antinol, the official joint supplement of USDAA. Coverage includes live commentary of the action and award presentations.

Launched in the U.S. in 1986, The United States Dog Agility Association is the world’s largest independent authority for the sport of dog agility, dedicated to promoting it as a recreational, family sport that fosters responsible pet ownership. With more than 45,000 registered competitors and more than 200 different breeds of dogs, USDAA represents affiliated groups across the country that offer training classes and conduct USDAA events. For more information, visit usdaa.com.