Obedience – Debra Schneider
Debra Schneider started in obedience in the mid 80’s. Her “A” dog was a basset hound named Kelsey. No one told her that bassets weren’t common in obedience. Kelsey was always a crowd pleaser, even if she struggled with some things. She earned her Novice title and was the reason Debra continued on in competition with other dogs. Kelsey was an important dog in her life. Behind her came a border collie named Jezzie who earned her utility title and rally titles. After that were 2 more bassets, a yorky, and two more border collies all earning obedience and rally titles. Other dogs were in her life as well including three bloodhounds, two mixes and a lab. She currently has a 2 year old border terrier named Seeley who she is looking forward to working with.
As she was competing she was also attracted to the world of judging. She would spend many hours watching others compete and judge. It was that attraction that made her decide judging was a world she would enjoy as well as competition. She started her journey in 2005 in Novice and all levels of Rally and finished her utility in 2015. Although it took her time, she stayed on track. During this time she was also running an obedience and behavioral canine school, which is now 30 years old.
She thoroughly enjoys her life with dogs and people, and is honored to be your Obedience and Rally judge for your trial!
Rally – Leslye Pinnell
Leslye has always been passionate about animals. She grew up in Namibia, Africa in a dog and horse show family. She was involved in the show scene from a very early age. Her family had German Shepherds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Leslye spent hours training and showing.
In the early nineties, she switched breeds to Schipperkes. She showed in conformation and finished a few Schipperkes. Wanting more of a team connection with her dogs the sport of Obedience got her attention. By then, Border Collies were her breed of choice. She laughingly admits that she did earn an expensive CD on one of her Schipperkes! She says, “it took a while, I was new in the game, and Schipperkes can be a bit independent”.
After years of obedience, she and her husband purchased a small farm and imported some Border Collies from Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. They were successful herding competitors and bred some very nice working dogs. After her husband died, the farm was sold, and she moved to the suburbs. Still wanting to be involved in Dog Sports, she was given a 9-year-old Border Collie and trained and competed with him from a CD to a UD before he passed away at the age of 11. As far as Dog Sports go, she has titled dogs in most venues. In addition to Obedience and herding, she has earned titles in Flyball, Dock Diving, Barn Hunt.
Leslye has always been an active member of the dog community. She was a founding member of the Bull Terrier Club of Tampa Bay, President and Board Member of the Myrtle Beach Kennel Club, and President of the Atlanta Obedience Club. Then in 2020, she achieved a lifelong bucket list adventure, and went to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race!
Leslye is actively training and showing her Border Collie, Rocket, in between judging assignments. They recently finished his RM and she is now working towards her UD.
I am so excited to be a part of this show and hope to see some great teams.