JUNIOR & SENIOR
AGILITY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
JUNIORS
Important information for team leaders & starters
As judges of the JAO, we welcome...
Anna Schönenberger (CH)
I have been incurably infected with the Agility Virus since 1995. I love judging – the feeling when someone reads my course perfectly for their dog, chooses the optimal handling options, and the team dashes through the course in breathtaking harmony. In my courses, I want the teams to showcase their skills and potential, but still have a lot of fun regardless of the result. I try to give the handler and the dog real and fair opportunities to solve the situations on the course. Being nominated for the event has been a dream come true, and I am very excited to present my courses to the young competitors from all over the world. I wish everyone good luck, even more fun, and unforgettable moments. No risk, no fun – so run, run, run, but don’t forget: “Love your dog first, and then the sport”
Christine Faltner (NOR)
My Name is Christine Faltner, but most know me as Christl. I am 36 years old and living in the south of Norway together with my girlfriend and our 6 dogs, three of them are mine. Jamjam and Mimi who are Tervueren and HalliGalli the Papillon aka the Prince of our house. I started Agility in 2002 and got my own first dog when I was 13 years old. Ever since I have been competing nationally, internationally and at several Championships. In 2022 I became a judge and since that I got the opportunity to judge at several competitions and events in Norway and Europe. As a judge my main goal is to design safe, fair and fun courses and judge righteous, equal and respectful. I am excited and honored that I got selected to judge JOAWC in 2026 and looking forward to seeing our young and enthusiastic Agility teams at this very special Championship!
Marcel Schlühr (GER)
My name is Marcel Schlühr, and I am very excited to be part of the JAO 2026 as an agility judge. I have been actively involved in the sport of agility for 25 years now. A time during my enthusiasm for this fascinating dogsport has never faded. For the past 15 years, I have also been aktive as an agility judge, during this time I have had the pleasure of judging at numerous competitions and championships in Germany and abroad. When designing courses, I place great importance on creating lines that are smooth, athletically challenging, and fair for dogs and handlers. As a judge, I see myself not only as an evaluator of performance but also a part of the sport itself. My goal is to give handlers the opportunity to bring out the best of themselves and their dogs while providing the audience with exciting and harmonious runs. As a big fan of this event, I am truly looking forward to being part of the JAO 2026, meeting many new teams, and sharing an inspiring and fair agility experience together.
Jörg Zenner (GER)
My name is Jörg Zenner, and I am proud and grateful to be part of the JAO. I’m looking forward to seeing many talented young agility athletes demonstrate their skills – whether in the U12, U15 or U19 category. The agility youth especially inspires me. It’s truly a joy to watch young handlers connect with their dogs, tackle challenges together, and perform with such lightness and enthusiasm at a high level. Adults can often learn a lot from this attitude – and that’s exactly what fascinates me about our sport. Through my daughter Sun (13), I’ve had the chance to experience many international youth events firsthand. She competed in her first agility trial at the age of seven. Because of this, I know the sport from different perspectives – as a parent, trainer, the kids point of view and now also as a judge. Since 2001, agility has been my greatest passion. I began with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Pyrshep, and today I’m active with my Border Collie. As a competitor, I represented my country at the FCI Agility World Championship in Norway (2007) and at the European Open in 2012 and 2014. In 2015, I supported the German team as team leader at the EO, and since 2023, I have been part of the Team Management of the AWC Team Germany. I have been standing in the ring with the whistle since 2009, and since 2016, I have been designing courses as an FCI Agility Judge. This gives me the opportunity to actively help shape and develop our sport. Over the years, I have had the honor of judging many international competitions, including championships and World/EO qualifications. I particularly enjoy designing courses that combine smooth, flowing lines with technical challenges. My focus is on teams that embrace modern, positive dog training and compete with joy, trust, and harmony. For me, it’s always about the human–dog partnership – competing fairly, skillfully, and with a lot of fun along the way. I am truly excited to be part of the JAO and to give young agility athletes from all over the world the chance to show what they’re capable of – while experiencing that special team spirit and energy that makes youth agility so unique.
