DearBCC Starter,
It's a same privilege for me to be agility judge at the Border Collie Classic as at the European Open. I love this Competition as Border Collie Handler since many years ago.
I started with dogsports twenty years ago. First I tried all kinds of dogsports with rented dogs to finally fall in love with agility. In the beginning I was just active as handler, later also as a coach and since 2006 finally as international agility judge, Agility is now a big focus and passion in my life, which I can live actively with my girlfriend Claudia and our 4 dogs. I am also volunteering in the Austrian Agility Departement Commission.
With my first own Border Collie "Perfi" I was able to achieve very good results in national and international competitions like Border Collie Championships, IMCA, a.s.o. Then I got as heritage of a really good friend my Border Collie bitch "Ashly". Now I am competing with my Border Collie "Mac" at national and international events. My next generation, my young Australian Shepherd bitch "Apple", from our own breedingstation "Sam's Motley Crew" is the next challenge for me.
My favorite part being a judge is to design and build a course, which can be managed quickly, technically and fluently. I want to challenge the handlers with keeping my courses open form any different ways. I appreciate to see how the teams are thinking about their ideal lines and about the leadership technique of the respective course and implement it.
Some of my favourite competitions as judge so far were the Night Race, Austrian National Championships, Magna Racino, Blue Danube Trophy, EO Qualifications, AWC Qualifactions, Lolo Pets Cup (PL), CSI Bratislava (SK), Riga Cup (LV).
As Agility develops very fast, it is also very important forme to be active as a judge, only as long as I can be active as handler.
I wish you all a lot of fun, success and a great event. I would like to see only fair and sportive behaviour against your teampartner.
Have fun and enjoy this great tournament with your Border Collies!

Austria