JUNIOR & SENIOR
AGILITY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
Richter der SAO
Alexander Beitl (GER)
Since 1994, I have been passionately involved in dog sports and have trained puppies, obedience, and agility dogs over the years. Since 2000, I have also been teaching abroad, gaining valuable international experience and learning from many talented dog handlers around the world. I have represented Germany several times at the FCI Agility World Championship and the FCI European Open. Since 2011, I have been the team leader of the German National Agility Team. Agility has become an integral part of my life – as a handler, trainer, and judge. I began judging in 2006, and in 2010 I became an international agility judge. To date, I have judged more than 570 competitions, over 290 of them abroad. Among the most important events I have had the privilege of judging are the FCI World Championship in Liberec, the European Open, the Norwegian Open, the American & Caribbean Championship, and numerous national championships such as the German Championship, the German Classics, B.A.C.K., the Gotor Cup, the Moravia Open, the Finnish Open, the HAM, and the Luxembourg Open, to name just a few. I enjoy designing flowing and harmonious courses that challenge both handlers and dogs. My courses reward precise timing and a good understanding of the dog's running line. For me, a solid foundation in agility training is the key to success – in every competition and on every course. It is a great honor for me to be judging the SAO 2026, and I look forward to providing all teams with exciting and challenging courses.
Philipp Glur (CH)
Since 1994, I have been passionately involved in dog sports and have trained puppies, obedience, and agility dogs over the years. Since 2000, I have also been teaching abroad, gaining valuable international experience and learning from many talented dog handlers around the world. I have represented Germany several times at the FCI Agility World Championship and the FCI European Open. Since 2011, I have been the team leader of the German National Agility Team. Agility has become an integral part of my life – as a handler, trainer, and judge. I began judging in 2006, and in 2010 I became an international agility judge. To date, I have judged more than 570 competitions, over 290 of them abroad. Among the most important events I have had the privilege of judging are the FCI World Championship in Liberec, the European Open, the Norwegian Open, the American & Caribbean Championship, and numerous national championships such as the German Championship, the German Classics, B.A.C.K., the Gotor Cup, the Moravia Open, the Finnish Open, the HAM, and the Luxembourg Open, to name just a few. I enjoy designing flowing and harmonious courses that challenge both handlers and dogs. My courses reward precise timing and a good understanding of the dog's running line. For me, a solid foundation in agility training is the key to success – in every competition and on every course. It is a great honor for me to be judging the SAO 2026, and I look forward to providing all teams with exciting and challenging courses.
Mark Fonteijn (NL)
In my agility career since 2000, as a trainer, I use my professional experience to bring out the best in my students and make the impossible possible. I teach the positive approach using various methods. My priority in agility is to have fun. However, when it comes down to it, my competitive spirit kicks in. When I compete with my dog, I want to get the best out of him, but not at any cost. My dog's health is paramount, both physical and mental. I have been judging since 2013 and try to bring out the best in every team by designing flowing courses with plenty of speed. It's important to me that the dog is independent and that the handler stays active. The difficulty of the course must be noticeable for the handler, but manageable for the dog. I like to challenge the teams by offering them many options in my courses. My goal has always been to judge the major FCI competitions. I was one of the judges who had the privilege of officiating at the 2019 European Open in the Netherlands, which makes me very proud. I am very proud to be officiating at the South East Asia Open in Mannheim, Germany, in 2026. I wish all participants the best of luck and, above all, lots of fun.
Dirk Kuschnierz (GER)
Dirk Kuschnierz – Judge with a Passion for Agility I am very pleased to be a judge at the Senior Agility Open (SAO) 2026 in my home country. From July 10th to 12th, 2026, I will have the honor of officiating at this special event – a great honor and a true highlight of my career as a competitive judge. The SAO stands for fairness, sportsmanship, and the special team spirit that defines our sport. How it all began My journey in dog sports started in 2008 when I joined the HSV Bochum-Südwest. Even after the first training sessions, it was clear: Agility is more than a hobby – it's a passion! With my Mini Australian Shepherd, Copper, I traveled to competitions for many years and experienced unforgettable moments. Today, I compete with my three-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, Jaybe, in the A3 medium performance class. Furthermore, I'm currently starting the first steps in agility training with my young dog, Vida – a fond reminder of the joy and enthusiasm of the early days. From runner to judge Besides the active sport, the creative side of agility fascinated me from an early age. In 2012, I began designing my own training courses, and in 2015 I decided to train as a DVG (German Dog Sports Association) agility judge. Since 2016, I have been judging in the Westphalia regional association, and since 2023, also as an FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) agility judge. I design courses that are fair, flow smoothly, and are fun to run. I pay attention to clean lines for the dogs and multiple handling options for the handlers – so that every team can find its own way. When runners say after the run, "That was really fun – but I had to think!", then that's the best compliment for me. Looking forward to the SAO 2026 The Senior Agility Open 2026 is a very special tournament for me. I find it impressive how much joy and passion the senior teams bring to the starting line – this spirit is simply contagious. I'm looking forward to exciting runs, creative teams, and many familiar faces. I wish all the participants fair runs, lots of success, plenty of fun – and that famous bit of luck that sometimes makes all the difference.
