DACOF 2025 is officially “In the History Books”

Hello DACOF Membership!

DACOF 2025 is officially “in the history books,” and we’ve already received many kind words suggesting that each year somehow gets better than the last - which is always the goal of the Board! We also want to thank you for the valuable feedback and thoughtful suggestions we’ve received on how to increase participation in future years. In fact, the Board has already been working on an exciting enhancement based on many of your most repeated recommendations…

Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement!

As we wrap up this year’s event, I’d like to take a moment to recognize and thank the many individuals and groups who come together to make DACOF the incredible experience it is.

While I am often on the receiving end of many thank-yous leading up to, during, and after the event - and I sincerely appreciate them - I always emphasize that DACOF’s success is the result of an entire team of dedicated individuals working together toward a common goal. It truly takes a village, and while I risk missing someone (apologies in advance if I do!), I’ll do my best to recognize as many contributors as possible.

First and foremost, my deepest thanks go to the amazing DACOF Board of Directors:

Kathy Marble Brown, Jen Young, Erica Benson, and Ashley Escobar.

Each brings their own unique talents and ideas to the table, and together we collaborate year-round to plan and deliver a better event each year.

But it doesn’t stop there. We are also fortunate to have an incredible network of Committee Chairs and their teams, whose contributions are vital:

• Tracy Hanna, our Judges Liaison, who handles the outreach, communication, and contracts with our Judges.

• PK Lichtenberger and the DTCSP Teams, who handle the crating space assignments.

• Marie Oulette and the Endless K9’s Teams, who staff and organize the DACOF Raffle.

• Cindy Little and the DTCT Team, who manage the Team Packet and Course Map distribution.

• Erica Benson, Ashley Escobar, Jill Potter, Rhonda Koeske, and their helpers, who organize the Friday Run-Thrus – and also, a BIG THANKS to all the volunteer Run-Thru ring workers too!

• Tamara Aull, our Housing & Hotel Coordinator, who works hard each year to secure pet-friendly accommodations.

• The Teams who “Adopt a Judge” to make sure they have their favorite drinks and snacks all weekend - Debra Mason & aGILLity, Maureen Setter & Endless K9’s, and Cindy Little & DTCT - thank you for your hospitality!

  
  

The contributions continue with many more behind-the-scenes heroes:

• Jacqui O’Neill, Jill Roberts, and Jean Murray - our tireless Trial Secretary, Scoring Crew, and Software Developer.

• Mike Padgett, for preparing and grooming the arena surface.

• Gary Stevens & Practice Makes Pawfect, Tracy Hanna & Paws in Motion, and Jen Young & TCKC WTF - who tackle the demanding (and often sleep-depriving) task of course building.

• Young Gunz Venture Group, LLC, for supplying and transporting all three rings of agility equipment and ring fencing to the arena.

• Palm Bay Agility Club, for providing the third ring of Timing Equipment – and to Jane Tutton for transporting it to Kissimmee.

• Laurie Lawson & Elizabeth Dott, who started each competition day with beautiful renditions of our National Anthem.

Let’s also extend our gratitude to our many wonderful vendors, who provide valuable products and services throughout the weekend, and to our sponsors 1-TDC and especially St. Rocco’s Treats - for their generous support and product samples.

A special thanks to our outstanding Judges: Laura Kuterbach, Randy Capsel, and Craig Josling, who brought fun, and challenging courses and were a joy to work with throughout the event.

And of course, we owe much to our former Board Members and DACOF Founders - whose wisdom and experience we often seek as we explore ways to improve while honoring DACOF’s original mission and spirit.

Finally, and most importantly, thanks to YOU - Our DACOF Members!

Without your participation, there would be no event to organize. We know you have many choices for how and where to spend your agility time and money, and we’re honored that you choose DACOF - an event that offers no titles, just bragging rights, camaraderie, and the joy of friendly competition. When we hear, “DACOF is our favorite event of the year,” it fuels and inspires all of us who pour our hearts into making it the best it can be.

So, while I may be the one who most often hears your appreciation, there is plenty of credit to go around to all the individuals, Organizations, and Teams who bring DACOF to life each year.

With heartfelt thanks,

Bill

Now, we are thrilled to celebrate the achievements and spirit of our amazing competitors, and Teams from DACOF 2025!

All 2025 DACOF Scores and Results have been posted to the DACOF Facebook Page “Files” section, and we are working to get them uploaded to our web page, dacof.com under the “History” tab, “Winners/Results” drop down.

First, Congratulations to Deb Smith!

She is our 2025 Randy Reed Memorial Award Recipient.

Deb has selflessly dedicated years of service to DACOF - having served two separate terms on the Board spanning a total of six years in total, and for helping bring teams from many Organizations to DACOF. Beyond DACOF, she’s given her time and heart to numerous agility and dog-related groups across Florida. Her continued impact on our community makes her exceptionally deserving of this honor.

Thank you, Deb!

Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards were presented to:

Gary Stevens, Gary Makas and Joanie Taugher

Honorable Mentions: Jane Tutton and others received well-deserved nominations for their admirable sportsmanship.

2025 High in Trial Junior Handlers:

Mason Escobar with his teammate Jet - 12 Years of age and Under

Sophia Weaver with her teammate Dana - 13 Years of age and Older

These young handlers represent the future of agility - and we couldn’t be prouder!

2024 Team Winners:

1st Place:        Dazzlers / Dog-On-It

2nd Place:      Dynamos / Dog-On-It

3rd Place:       Cocaine Cowdogs / Paws in Motion

4th Place:       Saints / Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg

5th Place:       Pro Bowl Puppies / Brevard County Dog Training Club

The Dog-On-It Dazzlers will have the honor of choosing the obstacle for the 2026 DACOF Pin!

2025 CATCH (Crating Area Team Challenge) Winners:

Paws in Motion - Large Team 1st Place ($100 towards 2026 Team Entry)

aGILLity - Large Team Runner-up ($75 towards 2026 Team Entry)

Jupiter Agility – Honorable Mention

DTC of Tampa - Small Team 1st Place ($75 towards 2026 Team Entry)

All Revd Up - Small Team Runner-up ($50 towards 2026 Team Entry)

Jen Young was presented with the "Bill Becker" Shine Your Light Award

She has provided over 11 years of exceptional service, dedication and leadership within DACOF! Jen has served as DACOF Treasurer since 2015, managed all aspects of the DACOF T-Shirts since their debut in 2022, and singlehandedly created and launched our new, streamlined online entry process for 2025. Her creativity, commitment, and calm under pressure make her an irreplaceable part of our team.

Congratulations, Jen - you light the way for so many of us!

A Special Thanks to Jacqui O’Neill, our Trial Secretary & Lead Scorekeeper, Jean Murray for once again helping with the scorekeeping software and reports, and to Jill Roberts who rounded out the scoring Team in 2025!

And Finally... THANK YOU to the Entire DACOF Membership!

DACOF works because we all work together - and once again, 2025 was nothing short of outstanding. Your energy, commitment, and passion are what make this event so special.

As mentioned earlier, keep your eyes open for an exciting announcement coming soon about enhancements to DACOF, inspired by many of the thoughtful suggestions we’ve received to help increase participation.

We can’t wait to see you all again next year!

With Gratitude,

Bill, Kathy, Jen, Erica & Ashley

Your DACOF Board

P.S. Please save the dates of June 26, 27 & 28 for our DACOF 2026 Event!