{ Every experience with Miles is so special. I am beyond grateful for every moment. Photo: @robinventures }
Did you know that the American Kennel Club recognizes over 340 different breeds of dogs? Every year, the AKC holds two big agility events: AKC Agility Nationals and AKC Agility Invitationals. For Invitationals, the AKC invites the top 5-6 dogs from each breed (mixed-breed dogs are included as their own breed) who earn the most AKC Agility points over a year-long period. AKC Agility Invitationals is held one weekend of December every year in Orlando Florida at a vast convention center along with a variety of other large AKC events: AKC National Championship, NOHS and All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes (conformation shows), AKC Obedience Classic & Juniors Classic (obedience), Junior Agility Competition, NADD/AKC National Championships (dock diving), and AKC’s Meet the Breeds. There are also many dog shows leading up to the conformation Nationals, and countless vendors on-site all week.
One weekend a year in Orlando Florida, over 7,000 dogs compete in one building.
{ The AKC Invitationals “Golden Ticket” Top Dog Invitation}
Miles and I have been competing in AKC agility for only a few years. When I told my AKC agility friends that we’d been invited to Agility Invitationals, they said we should definitely go! I had nearly a year to save and plan.
{ Miles was also ranked #1 AKC Preferred Agility Welsh Terrier for 2018. We were invited to a banquet to honor the top dogs of the year }
As long-time M&E readers know, I always like to report on the “behind the scenes” aspects of big agility events. Half of the game of competitive agility is the mental aspect. Your time spent competing is only mere minutes compared to the hours of travel, and days living in a new place. If you start traveling for competitive agility, a big part of the game becomes travel nuances. Here are my quick notes about the non-agility aspects from my first-time Invitationals experience:
Venue: There is no way to prepare yourself for what a building containing 7-8,000 dogs (plus people!) will be like for your dog. The only way to practice for it is to become a solid team at other big events, and to go to Invitationals multiple times. A few people told me that their dogs became more accustomed to it when they went a second time. Miles is a seasoned competitor now, and the environment was very overwhelming for him. Travel: I tried to save money on the flight and got a red-eye with long connections. Miles flies under my seat with me, but flying overnight and well into the next day was more taxing on both of us than I expected. Accommodation: I stayed at the main host hotel, and was happy with my choice. I travel with my own food, so my only regret was the absence of a microwave in the room. It was fun to stay in such a busy spot with so many dogs, and I was impressed with how well the hotel staff kept the experience well organized. I also found the other dog people to be very courteous. Miles really likes other dogs, but it was probably exhausting for him to live around so many of them! Weather: The PNW is known for mild winters, so I underestimated what a shock to the system landing in Orlando in December would be. We went from 60-97F! When we landed and our hotel room wasn’t ready, I did what I normally do after a long day of travel and took us both for a long brisk walk. Even with constant water breaks, we still got heat stroke. I felt very guilty for Miles’ sake. Social: This event is a major social hub for the dog world. I found that I had constant social events and meetings. At such a sprawling event, it is worriesome to make commitments away from your dog for a long time. Because the event is so big and dog-friendly, I found it tempting to think that having Miles with me was the solution. In retrospect, I should have made more downtime for us, and Miles especially.
Miles and I were really lucky that my dad flew out to meet us for the weekend to support us! Here is little video he took of just a tiny part of the venue:
The Agility!
Below is a video of our favorite run of Invitationals. This was the last run, and we went out with a bang! It was exciting to show off a little of our “international” flair at the beginning of the run with a “backside jump” (what the heck is that?). In addition to watching this favorite run, if you are a nerd and want to watch a 10-minute makeshift mini-documentary of our other runs grab a snack and click here. Proudest moments for Miles: working through setbacks such as not hearing some of my verbal cues, and finding his footing in the extremely challenging environment. Proudest moments for me: my front crosses and backside send positioning. Happiest feeling: No matter what the environment or course threw at us, Miles and I were in a shared state of “teamwork bliss” as we walked off of the course every time. We were completely paired and game. We both gave everything we had, and we both cared so much about our team. The memory of this ecstatic feeling will be with me forever.

Now for the barrage of pictures!
All photos are from Great Dane Photos unless noted.
{ Photo: @robinventures }
{ Photo: @robinventures }
{ Photo: @robinventures }
{ Photo: @robinventures }
{ Photo: @robinventures }
{ Photo: @robinventures }
{ Photo: @robinventures }
{ Photo: @robinventures }
The People!
This picture is of Miles (who looks bizarrely large-scale in this iPhone shot), me, and Denise after Miles and my last run of Invitationals! Miles and I were exhausted but so happy here. Throughout Invitationals, Denise did not miss a single one of our runs. She was invaluable in helping me with the schedule and offering wonderful company. Denise is the founder of Welsh Terrier Record Holders and a very dear friend of ours.
Welsh Terrier Record Holders shared this special message in the competitor’s catalogue for us. Photo: Denise Yates, WTRH }
Miles and I with Keith Bailey and Sharon Abmeyer. Keith & Sharon are Miles’ breeders: Bayleigh Welsh Terriers. I thank them for placing a young puppy with me many years ago! Photo: @robinventures.
Katherine and Robin of @robinventures came for a day to meet us. Robin had never been to a agility event, let alone one held right next to a bazillion other dog events. He did very well! It was nice to spend some time with them in the midst of the chaos.
{ Photos: Denise Yates, WTRH }
One of the most special moments of the trip was getting to hug Sharon in person, and for her to see Miles. Sharon is Miles’ breeder. Miles was born in her home so many years ago! If you get a purebred dog, your breeder should be a friend for life. Sharon is and always will be a treasured friend of ours.
And of course, I am so grateful for my 6’6 dad, who came from the East Coast via plane despite being only two months into recovering from being hit by a car. Since I was a little kid in dog 4-H, my dad has always been extremely supportive of my dog endeavours (no matter how messy, loud, cold, or extreme they have been).
I would like to also thank my dear friend Cathy Aragon who was also there and who has been my biggest support in AKC Agility!
I have been wondering what you and Miles have been up to. This sounds like an exhilarating and exhausting event! Beautiful pictures. You and Miles look great!
Hi Nancy! I was sick with some sort of super-bug (Tracey had it too!) since early October. I was sick during Invitationals but am glad I still went! By then I was a seasoned pro at being sick I guess. So that is why I haven’t been hankering after all cold woodsy walks. Miss you guys a lot! We need to hang out!
Wow! Thanks for sharing, I’ve been wondering about you and Miles lately. These are memories that will never leave you, savor them…and thanks for taking us along for the ride. Good boy, MIles!
Hi Mary Anne, it is nice to hear from you too! I really appreciate all of the kind words and support you’ve given us, you’ve really been part of our ride!
What a surprise! Such a beautiful post that I opened up this morning! you and Miles are amazing.
Thank you Jean! I am so happy you liked it!
Your photos are the BEST, Emma! Denise, Keith and Sharon, your Dad, and especially the great shots of Miles. I always feel like I’ve “been there” when I read your accounts! What an honor, what a thrill, how very special. You and Miles are so inspirational. You have proven what can be done when there is motivation. I am immensely proud to know you. Thank you for everything. Darcy and Sally
Aww thanks Darcy! Miles says hi to Sally too! I’m emailing you right now.
What a beautiful posting. You and Miles are amazing!
Congratulations Miles and Emma, that was fun to watch, well done!
Thank you for the kind words Marilyn! I am so happy you enjoyed watching!!
You two are the best!! I have a Welsh and they can be a handful, love him anyway.
I really like your collar and leash and was wondering where to buy them.—-Thanks
Hi Sandi! Awww thanks! Your support means a lot because you clearly know the breed! ? The collar and leash are what is called a “agility sliplead.” Many people make them, but they usually are by hand so it can take a while to get one. The really nice person I got Miles’ from is: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SoftestCollars I don’t see any of the “agility slipleads” on her store right now, so you might have to message her to inquire. Let me know if I can help further, agility slipleads are fantastic! – Em
Hi Emma, it’s Martha Blanton who wrote you a while back asking about traveling with a Welsh in a carrying case under the seat of a plane. I smiled the entire time watching Miles run the course. What a great boy he is!!
Hi Martha! I sent you an email but didn’t hear back, I hope you got it. It warms my heart to know how much you enjoyed the video! I’ll give Miles a treat in your honor.
Well done great little dog love him
Thank you Mary-Ann! I think your Airedale and Wire Fox would be proud of Miles, don’t you?
Congratulations, Miles! We loved your video and all of the photos! You are a SuperStar to us!
Thank you Molly! If only Miles could meet Molly. Hes a respectful gentleman and would love her dearly! She is too cute. Thank you for your support, always!
I LOVE the cover portrait (in my favorite portrait mode, no less) of you and Miles by @robinventures. Normally, I watch your videos over and over again with George, but this voluminous collection of stop action photos really shows off Miles’ athleticism and conditioned body. I was thrilled to watch you and Miles in person for the first time. I will always remember Invitationals in Orlando, but really looking forward to the next big adventure. Thank you for the shout out: welshterrierrecordholders.com is proud to recognize and to champion the efforts of Emma and Miles, the No. 1 All-Time Most Titled Welsh Terrier Internationally (Welsh Terrier Record Holder, booyah!)!!
Thank you for the thoughtful comment my dear! Portrait mode on a 70-200 2.4 lens hehe! You will know it’s weight soon enough. Its a whopper! And thank you for alerting me to Miles’ accomplishments “on paper.” I’d never actually tracked them so extensively before!
Wow Emma! I too have been wondering what you and Miles have been up to lately, and now I know. This event looks like lots of fun – but intense! 7-8000 dogs plus people?! Kudos to you and Miles for handling that like champions.
I loved your recap of all your thoughts about the event – so different than a much smaller event like outside Ottawa. And as always, I loved the video and the pictures. Those action shots are super neat (particularly where he looks like he’s flying) and Miles looks so happy!!
I’m glad you had a good time and got to spend it with friends!!
Hi Danielle! To think that AAC Nationals requires so much focus and it is only 400 dogs is so crazy. My biggest sadness about the Ottawa one will always be not being able to drive to your place and spend more time with you. Agility is so all-consuming and the travel is so draining. Sometimes I think about that even just taking Miles to a farmer’s market, all of the energy I expend making sure he doesn’t get stepped on. Traveling for agility is a lot like that. We need to catch up soon! I love seeing pictures of Oliver. As they become more mature gentlemen I am amazed at how young they look. Very well cared for and loved! – Em
This was so exciting to see in your video and all the photos. My Sadie has the same breeder, and even though she isn’t as accomplished as Miles, she is a very special dog. She is a therapy dog at our local hospital and does an excellent job of loving people who are hurting. Congratulations to both of you, and continued success in agility.
Hi Kim! Sadie sounds very special indeed! I would love to hear more about her and see photographs of her in action! My email is emma.kesler@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your kind words and support. The same goes to you in your amazing work with Sadie!
Good post guys!
Thank you so much for sharing!