Agility Competitors Going to the Cynosport World Games Share Their Journeys
Along with crates, leashes, tug toys and treats, competitors headed to the 2024 Cynosport® World Games Presented by Purina Pro Plan November 6th – 10th in Tucson, Arizona, are packing their goals and expectations.
The national championship, which is the culmination of the yearlong agility tournament series hosted by the United States Dog Agility Association®, Inc. (USDAA®), draws hundreds of dog and handler teams. It brings together the best in the sport.
The journey to the Cynosport World Games involves years of training and conditioning. Competitors have honed their skills, style and speed at countless agility trials and championships. A dog that has natural drive, biddability and a close bond with the handler makes for a winner at Cynosport.
“Our goal is to be the fastest and to finish first,” says Roger Ly, of San Jose, California, who will be competing at Cynosport with a 6-year-old male Belgian Tervuren named “Firefly” (ADCH IWAC Haute Volée’s Can’t Take The Sky From Me).
Having recently hit a 10-year milestone as an agility competitor, Roger says, “The bigger events like Cynosport put more pressure on me and him to push things.”
Firefly was raised during the COVID-19 pandemic when agility, like other canine sports, came to a standstill. He is the first dog Roger has trained from puppyhood. Their success has come together as Firefly has matured. Their resumé includes representing USDAA two times at the International Federation of Cynological Sports World Agility Championship as members of Team USA. In 2024, Roger and Firefly were on the Silver Medal Small Dog Team that competed in France, and in 2023, they were on the Gold Medal Small Dog Team and placed second in the Individual Biathlon at the event in the U.K.
“At Cynosport, I would love to run in the Grand Prix® and Steeplechase® Finals,” Roger says. “Firefly’s drive is his biggest asset,” he says. “As soon as he sees an agility ring, he is focused on the tasks around him. He is very expressive – screaming and spitting as he runs - and his speed is great.”
Agility trainer and competitor Kate Moureaux of Simi Valley, California, says she is looking forward “to getting out there and running on fun courses, testing our skills and doing the best we can.”
“I enjoy the atmosphere of the big events, and especially Cynosport,” she says. “I love seeing the different types of agility and the different skills of people from a new perspective. It inspires me to work harder on my own skills.”
Kate began training in agility at age 6 and was teaching at her mother’s agility school at age 13. In 2004, Kate opened her own school, DrivenDogs Agility.
A Border Collie enthusiast since she was 13 years old, Kate bred her first litter (Excel Border Collies) at age 16. Her love for the breed is tied to “their enthusiasm to participate in anything with you,” she says. Kate is bringing her fourth and fifth generations of homebred female Border Collie agility competitors to Cynosport.
One of her unstoppable performers is 7-year-old “Prize” (MACH ADCH IWAC WCSS Excel Eye On The Prize MXS MJS XF TKP), who was the Grand Prix champion in the 16-inch division at the 2023 Cynosport World Games in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Prize was also a member of Team USA in 2024 in France and earned a Silver Medal in the All-Around Standard event.
Prize’s 4-year-old daughter, “Lightsaber” (Excel Light On Her Feet AX MXJ OF IND SSN), completes the Excel/DrivenDogs team competing at Cynosport.
Kate’s agility journey took on a personal challenge in 2016, when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Treatments have made the disease manageable for the active trainer and competitor.
“I definitely fatigue. I try to channel my energy into my performance and doing the best I can,” Kate says. “I rest between runs, and I may use a golf cart to get around. “My motto is, ‘Do all the things you can, because tomorrow is not guaranteed,’” she says.
Heather Venkat, DVM, of Surprise, Arizona, has been competing in agility for five years. She is excited to be going to Cynosport with her 4-year-old female Borderpap, “Lyla” (MACH MeNMy Shades Of Magic RI FDC MXB MJB MXF T2B BCAT ACT1 ACT2J SWN RATN CGCA CGCU TKA VHMP VSWI FITG FTI MAD).
A spunky, fearless competitor, Lyla is the first dog Heather has trained from puppyhood through the Masters level of agility. “It took a while for me to learn how to handle her,” Heather says. “I had to learn how to communicate with my hands, body language and verbals. While you are running fast, you have to tell them in a timely manner where to go, so they pick the right obstacle.”
Living in Arizona, where summers are very hot and most training facilities are outdoors, Heather and Lyla often travel five to six hours to compete at events in New Mexico and California. It allows them to keep up on skills and stay fit.
“Lyla is so driven. She has advanced so quickly, and with her being so young, it’s really amazing,” Heather says. “She loves the sport so much. She goes fast, which helps her in competition.”
Importantly, Heather, Kate and Roger are looking forward to seeing friends and cheering them on at Cynosport. “It will be fun to see Team USA members whom we were with in France,” Roger says. “Agility is really the best dog community,” Heather says. “This community of great people is one of my favorite things about going to a competition.” “It’s always wonderful to see people from across the country and get to visit with them,” Kate says.
As for the competition aspect of Cynosport, Heather says, “I am always just competing against myself, never against other people. I think that mindset has helped me to enjoy the sport more and enjoy the camaraderie of the community.”
No matter where you are on your agility journey with your dog, follow the ways of Roger, Kate and Heather by having fun and enjoying like-minded competitors at the Cynosport World Games.