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Paws pause in Maybell

Dog-agility trials return to Moffat County

Brandon Johnson

More than 60 of the region’s most agile canines will converge on Moffat County this weekend.

Dog-agility trials, sanctioned by the North American Dog Agility Council, will start at 8:30 a.m. Friday in Maybell Park.

Trials run Friday through Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free to watch.



The course will test the mettle of dogs from as far away as Montana and Arizona.

This weekend’s trials are a fund-raiser for October’s NADAC Championships in St. Louis.



One of the many seasoned veterans competing this weekend is Spoofer, a 9-year-old Welsh Corgi.

“She just has a real love of the sport,” Spoofer’s owner Lori Visintainer of Craig said.

Spoofer has won the NADAC championship in her class twice and her owners expect her to compete in nearly every event this weekend.

“She’s pretty good at all of it,” Gary Visintainer said.

Lori Visintainer said sometimes Spoofer gets too tired, but if she doesn’t, she’ll be in all the events.

The Visintainers helped organize this weekend’s trials and have a total of seven dogs, including Spoofer, competing.

“(Spoofer) is definitely the most enthusiastic of our dogs,” Lori Visintainer said.

The Visintainer’s and their dogs have been competing in dog agility events for nine years.

“We tried it one day and it was a hoot,” Gary Visintainer said.

Gary now works as a judge for some NADAC events.

Joy Booco of Hayden is one of a handful of locals competing this weekend.

Booco and her 6-year-old miniature schnauzer Ralphie have been doing dog agility events since Ralphie was just 7 months old.

“It’s fun to go teach your dog and when they finally start getting it, you can tell,” Booco said. “It’s fun for your dog and for you.”

Booco said Ralphie did “pretty good” at last year’s Maybell trials.

“He took home a few ribbons,” she said.

The Maybell trial is one of the closest events for Booco and Ralphie. Sometimes she drives as far as eight hours away for dog agility trials.

“It’s great we have one so close to home,” Booco said.


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