Diane Goodspeed started training dogs in 1992. Her first obedience dog was a Lhasa Apso. In between having babies, Diane and Sandy completed their AKC CD, CDX, and UD and attended two Pupperoni Eastern Regionals. After obedience, Sandy and Diane took up agility for fun and Diane was soon hooked. Kayla, a border collie out of Betsy Scapicchio's Jinx, earned her CD and CDX quickly so she too could focus on agility. Kayla earned her AKC NA in April 1999 and completed both excellent titles 18 months later, qualifying for the 2002 Agility Nationals where they finished 30th. Kayla earned her MACH in 2002, just before Demon joined the family. Demon, a Sheltie, was a surprise birthday present from Diane's husband. As an agility team, they quickly became a competitive force in the 16" division on the East coast. Their last five years of competition is impressive and they're no where near retirement!   2006 25th at their first AKC Agility Nationals in Tampa, FL 1st at the All Star Tournament in the16" class 2007 14th at the AKC Agility Nationals in Columbus, OH Attended their first AKC World Team Tryouts 1st combined at the AKC ISC Eastern Regional in Springfield, MA 2008 3rd at the AKC Agility Nationals in Tulsa, OK 3rd combined at the ISC 18" State Team Tournament 5th overall at their second AKC World Team Tryouts with multiple pointed rounds 2009 6th overall at the AKC World Team Tryouts with multiple pointed rounds Qualified for the USDAA Nationals; semi-finalist in Grand Prix and Steeplechase 2nd at ISC Eastern Regional in Springfield, MA 2010 5th at the AKC Nationals in Tulsa, OK 2nd overall to win a spot on the AKC World Team (2nd and 3rd place finishes in 3 of 5 rounds) 15th at FCI Agility World Championships in Germany with clean rounds in both classes 2011 2nd combined in the ISC 18" State Team Tournament 4th in the ISC State Team Tournament 5th overall at AKC World Team Tryouts with multiple pointed rounds Diane is now working with another Border Collie, Kenzie, who is Jinx's granddaughter out of Betsy's Chloe. This young team has moved steadily through the levels into Excellent and is working for qualifying rounds for the 2012 AKC World Team Tryouts. Having worked with a wide variety of dog breeds, Diane has a unique perspective on training and has developed her skills as a handler, trainer and instructor for many different agility teams. She understands the challenges that handlers face and has built a program that lets all types of dogs learn and enjoy agility!

 

Susan Bintliff

Susan Bintliff and her husband Glen live with their five Shelties in South Jersey. Both Susan and Glen are regular fixtures competing their Shelties at many of the agility trials in the Tri-State area. Susan has been involved with training and competing dogs and horses since childhood. Susan has been competing in Agility for over 10 years. Dog Competition Experience: Susan showed a Siberian Husky in Junior Showmanship and Obedience as a child. As a young adult, she competed her first Sheltie in Obedience, earning many firsts and a few High in trials. Seven years ago Susan decided to give up the horses and concentrate on her dogs full time.  Up until then, she had been heavily involved with training and competing horses for most of her life. She competed in many disciplines including Hunter/Jumpers, Dressage and Eventing. Susan now handles several different breeds of dogs in Agility and has earned six MACHS on four different dogs. She has experience competing in every jump height. She has competed or is currently competing 3 Shelties, 2 Border Collies, a Toy Poodle, a Cocker Spaniel, a Red & White Irish Setter, 2 German Shepherds and an Aussie. Susan has qualified and competed in five National Agility Championships and has coached many of her students to MACH and National Agility Championship qualifyers as well. Susan breeds Shetland Sheepdogs and has owner handled many of her home bred dogs to their breed Championships and Herding titles. She has bred many competitive agility Shelties currently out competing. Susan has hosted and attended many agility seminars over the past 10 years. She has trained with many different agility instructors including Jennifer Crank, Susan Crank, Linda Mecklenburg and Rosie Sutherland. Susan's teaching style, philosophy and beliefs derive from a culmination of the seminars and lessons she has taken, her competition experience, her background working with many types of dogs in agility and other disciplines, and her extensive experience with horse training and competition. She believes in a motion based handling system with emphasis on keeping a connection with your dog by balancing a set of natural and trained cues. Susan is dedicated to creating a positive lesson experience for her students and encourages them to have a very positive attitude towards training their dogs.