WAG Agility

I’ve competed in dog agility for over a decade — I started as a junior handler at eleven, came up through AKC, and currently trial in UKI. I know the sport well. I registered with CPE for the first time this year because it has a reputation as one of the most accessible, beginner-friendly formats out there, and a natural gateway into more competitive agility and other dog sports. I work in animal welfare on the south side of Chicago, and part of what I do is connect youth and families with their pets in meaningful ways. Dog sports are a big part of that vision. I came to this trial to get some mileage in CPE myself and was also evaluating whether this was a community I could send people to and whether it was a place a first-timer would feel welcome. I misread the premium and arrived at 8:45 AM for day-of-show registration, which had closed at 8:30, not 9:00, which is when registration closed for pre-entries. When I approached the registration table, I was trying to ask how to proceed. The woman there cut me off, told me she didn’t have to let me compete that day, asked me how dare I assume I would be allowed to break the rules, told to “figure out what I owed,” and when I tried to continue the conversation, said “I’ll leave you to figure that out. I have things to do” and walked away. Several people nearby quietly told me not to take it personally, as this was “just the way this woman is.” Which is concerning, to have a trial committee member known for absolutely eviscerating newbies to the club and sport. I was ultimately allowed to register and run. The ring marshal was patient, welcoming, and exactly what this sport should be. He came up to me and asked if I needed help, which I did as this was my first CPE event and first Speedway event. Later, the same woman approached me to say she didn’t have to let me register and demanded to know what made me think it was okay to show up late. The conversation continued publicly — other competitors were visibly uncomfortable — and only ended when I said I wouldn’t be back. She then asked whether I was collecting her name to file a complaint with CPE, and that I shouldn’t file a complaint and rather just be grateful she let me stay for the day. There was no reason for any of that. Especially coming up to pick a fight with me AFTER the first incident, with the only goal to seemingly convince me not to report her atrocious behavior once she realized how out of line the situation had become. In general, this club is not friendly to new people, and especially not friendly to people new to dog sports. Crating is also extremely limited to those not a dues-paying member.