Top Junior Handler: Obedience 2006
Courtney Ferrell


(photo courtesy of Sara Nugent)

My name is Courtney Ferrell. I live in Vandalia, Michigan with my family and all of our animals. My family has eight dogs, but four of them are mine: Rhythm, an Afghan hound; True, a Shetland Sheepdog; Splash, a Shetland Sheepdog; and Skyler, an Australian Shepherd.

I have loved animals as long as I can remember especially horses and dogs. When I saw competitive obedience and agility the first time, I just knew it was for me. I loved learning how to train since I started. The greatest thing for me has been the time with my dogs and the great relationship I have built with them.

The year leading up to the Junior Invitational was a year full of work. Skyler and I were having some training problems and I was not even sure they would be resolved to get us to Premier. As the months progressed on, we were getting better as a team. I was starting to feel hopeful we might make it. By the time the Junior Invitational was getting closer, I was hoping our work would pay off and we would perform as a solid working team.

My dream came true and our work paid off, Skyler and I gave a solid performance that day. I was so proud of us, we had overcome so much. When the placings were made that day I could hardly believe my ears, we had won the Junior Invitational with a score of 198.


Top Junior Handler: Weight Pull 2006
Top Junior Handler: Agility 2006
Top Junior Handler: Junior Showmanship 2006