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Kerry Smith |
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Kerry has worked with top instructors in both the US and Europe: Jenny Damm, OMD Coach Marco Giavani, Chiara Sandovi, Tobias Wurst, Daniel Schroder, Alen Marekovich, Elicia Calhoun, Daisy Peel, Ann Braue, Dudley Fountaine, Greg and Laura Darrett, to name a few. Kerry has used the knowledge from others, along with her own experiences, to develop an adaptable style to fit any system. Kerry has been teaching most of her life in some form or another. She began teaching riding lessons at age 12, and has years of experience personal training and teaching fitness classes. In 2002 she received her Master’s Degree in Education and Instruction and taught middle school and high school for 12 years. She now uses her knowledge of teaching, along with her experience in agility and behavior, to provide instruction to her students in a variety of ways to better help each individual understand concepts. Whether your goals are local agility trials, National level or International level, her background gives her the ability to adapt to each handler needs and wants. Her experience running and training Dachshunds, Terriers, Dobermans and Border collies, among many other breeds, has given her a wide range of experience with different breeds of all shapes sizes. It has given her the insight that every dog is unique and not all have the same drive, work ethic, and confidence. Kerry teaches her students to put yourself in the dog’s place, connect with your dog, and strategize how to best give information to your dog timely to be the most successful team you can be!
Kerry began her animal education riding, training, and competing with horses in hunter/jumpers and combined training and has been training dogs for 14 years. She began in competitive obedience then got hooked on agility. Her long hair Dachshund, Xena, was consistently ranked as one of the top dachshunds in the USA, and retired with a MACH 5. She and Xena have been invited to the AKC Invitational numerous times and have competed in this prestigious event twice. Her most decorated dog, Hype the Border Collie, qualified for 2013 Nationals, making it to the Challengers round in the 26" class. She has won numerous medals at regional and national events, including FCI, IFCS and WAO tryouts. At the 2015 Cynosport World Games, they finished as Grand Prix Silver medalists. In 2014, Hype and Kerry were a part of the USA European Open team, and in 2016 the IFCS World Team. In 2014 and 2015 they competed at the FCI Americas y Caribe and in 2015 finish 4th overall in the individual open large dog class. At his first Cynosport, Trick, won Silver in Team Standard and was a Steeplechase semi-finalist. In 2017, Hype and Kerry won first place at both tryouts earning spots on both the IFCS and WAO team. Hype was also the 2017 US Open Biathlon Gold Medalist. In 2019, at their last Cynosport, they won the Silver Medal in Performance Grand Prix. Kerry is currently preparing Lit (Border Collie) and Tap (Pumi) for agility. She is excited to start competing with them. Kerry adjusts her instruction to each team and works with a variety of breeds and students with different goals. She has coached many students at the local through the international level. |