Addison Connolly (15) of Galesville, WI, and Cooper (6) her Border Collie, were recently selected to join Team USA for the AKC Junior Handler Open Agility World Championship (JOAWC) held in Portugal in July 2025. Addison and Cooper are 5x WI State 4-H Dog Agility Top Handler/Dog Team Champions and compete at the excellent level for AKC standard agility and jumpers with weaves. Connolly serves on the WI State 4-H board as youth Vice President and volunteers as the dog agility youth leader for the Trempealeau County 4-H dog project, passionately mentoring aspiring dog agility 4-H members and their dogs.

Addison decided on a Border Collie after researching breeds on the AKC website since they seemed like a good match for our hobby farm lifestyle. Her dad researched reputable breeders, and we were honored to pick up the litter of 10 pups when they were 5 weeks old. We described our desire for a family dog over an overtly driven working dog and our breeder’s 30 years’ experience kicked in and she ultimately selected a different pup for Addison when we came to pick him up. We trusted her instincts and she made a brilliant choice.

Addison and Cooper began an immediate and intense bond. They completed puppy obedience, and he was proving to be a smart and willing partner. COVID hit when he was about 18 months old, and Addison had an abundance of time on her hands. She began watching videos on how to train agility from the AKC website and her crafty dad built her some obstacles, both Cooper and Addison had a new passion, they got to work training and showing, and the rest is history!

Learn more about the team Addison is joining in the Press Release below:

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

2025 AKC JUNIOR AGILITY TEAM USA ANNOUNCED: TEAM WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE JUNIOR OPEN AGILITY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (JOAWC) COMPETITION IN PORTUGAL 9-13 JULY 2025

News Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “24 JUNIORS AND THEIR 29 – K-9 PARTNERS SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE USA IN PORTUGAL” On 2 March 2025, Coach Susan Cochran announced the American Kennel Club’s 2025 AKC Junior World Agility Team USA. This is the only Junior agility team in the United States. There is no such thing as dog agility at the Olympics. To the 24 junior handlers and their 29 – K-9 companions who have been selected to represent the USA at THE JUNIOR OPEN AGILITY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (JOAWC) competition in Portugal – this is just as spectacular! Training daily and traveling the world to compete at the highest level of dog agility takes mental and physical skills, dedication, commitment, and heart. The JOAWC is an agility competition that is officially recognized by the FCI – Federation Cynologique Internationale (World Canine Organization) – and is the largest international federation of kennel clubs. The individual competition is held in categories of Small, Medium, Intermediate, and Large dogs and is divided into three handler age categories: U12 – born 2014 or later; U15 – born 2011 – 2013; U19 – born 2007 – 2010. There are two rounds (jumping and agility). The second round is run in the reverse order based on results from round one. The winner, respectively in each height category, is the junior with the best total results from both rounds. The competition is in Estadio de Abrantes, PORTUGAL 9-13 JULY 2025

This year the AKC JUNIOR AGILITY TEAM USA has 24 juniors: one U12, six U15, and eighteen U19 category handlers running 29 dogs: 6 All American dogs, 2 Australian Shepherds, 8 Border Collies, 1 English Working Cocker, 1 Golden Retriever, 2 Miniature American Shepherd, 1 Miniature Schnauzer, 1 Mudi, 1 Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, 1 Parson Russell Terrier, 4 Shetland Sheepdogs, and 1 Standard Poodle. This is the first time the Team has had an English Working Cocker, Mudi, and Parson Russell Terrier

The team consists of 23 females and one male. They represent: 19 states across the United States of America including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin; their Country, community, breed and the American Kennel Club.

Small

Ava Rawlings and Aksel(Miniature Schnauzer) Minnesota

Hayden Brown and Onyx(Shetland Sheepdog) Kansas

Hayden Brown and Stash(Shetland Sheepdog) Kansas

Katie Williamson and Butter(All American) Louisiana

Rowen Lyon and Fizz (Parson Russell Terrier) Georgia

Sadie Beale and Gem (Working Cocker Spaniel) Michigan

Sarah Ford and Denali(Miniature American Shepherd) Kentucky

Sarah Ford and Hazel(Miniature American Shepherd) Kentucky

Medium

Abigail LaSpina and Sky(Shetland Sheepdog) New York

Ari Beaudoin and Dodge (Mudi) Idaho

Cristiana Crespo and Zelda(Border Collie) Florida

Evelyn Lively and Skye ( Nederlandse Kooikerhondje) North Carolina

Lauren Ecker and Scout (All-American) Illinois

Intermediate

Baylee Bales and Rey (Border Collie) Virginia

Chloe Bales and Nova (Border Collie) Virginia

Kaitlyn Dill and Adios (Shetland Sheepdog) Colorado

Katie Williamson and Bungee (Border Collie) Louisiana

Rowen Lyon and Nori(Border Collie) Georgia

Large

Addison Connolly and Cooper(Border Collie) Wisconsin

Alexis Brammer and Zen(Australian Shepherd) Alabama

Anabel Kubacz and Molly (All American) South Carolina

Grace Anderson and Lane(Border Collie) Illinois

Keslyn Kampschroeder and Khloe (All American) Texas

Madison Capella and Ali(Standard Poodle) Maine

Sadie Beale and Zest (Border Collie) Michigan

Tessa Trusner and Lina (All American) Texas

Eliana Kubacz and Eliza (All American) South Carolina – reserve

Ava Fischer and Pax (Australian Shepherd) Washington – reserve

Maya Fuqua and Chief (Golden Retriever) New Mexico – reserve

Congratulations to these amazing juniors and their K9 partners selected to be part of AKC Junior Agility Team USA competing at the Junior Open Agility World Championships (JOAWC) this July in Portugal. Follow these teams representing our United States of America on their personal FB page! Donations: Unlike the Olympics, these juniors do not have sponsors and are responsible for funding their trip. Your gift of money goes directly to the Team, a specific handler, or a breed. Donations may be made through the Team’s PayPal account: PAYPAL.ME/AGILITYJUNIORS

Media and Fundraising Contact: Debby DuBay, Ret USAF, Team Manager ddlimoges@gmail.com