K9FORCE Dec 2024

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Isabella Oxsengendler

info@k9force.ca

www.k9force.ca

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dog sport enthusiasts

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professionals across Canada, the

United States, and internationally

K9Force is the official bi-monthly

publication of the K9Force Working

Dog Club. Our mission is to highlight

the world of dog sports, celebrating

not only IGP but a wide range of

disciplines that showcase the

incredible abilities and versatility of

working dogs. Each issue features

insightful articles, expert interviews,

event coverage, and updates

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Contents

12

From the Editor

From Doubt to Success: How

Czort and I Made It Through

the Biggest Challenge Yet

Looking Back, Moving

Forward: Reflecting on 2024

Balancing Tradition and

Progress- exclusive

interview with Jim Chrisp

16

21

CACIT Netherlands

Life after IGP

© K9Force WDC 2024. For permission to reproduce any article in this magazine, contact info@k9force.ca

As another year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to

reflect—not just on what we’ve accomplished as a club, but

on why we do what we do. At the heart of K9Force lies a

simple truth: IGP is not only about competition—it’s about

community, growth, and the extraordinary partnership

between handler and dog. Titles earned and events hosted

are milestones, but the real reward lies in the journey: the

lessons learned, and the people and dogs we meet along the

way.

This magazine was born from a desire to tell those stories—

to document not just achievements, but the spirit that

drives us. With every issue, we aim to connect, inspire, and

inform—whether by sharing insights from international

trials, celebrating member successes, or exploring the

evolving landscape of our sport. This publication builds on

the Unleashed documentary that premiered in February,

telling the story of K9Force and what makes our club

unique.

We are proud of how far K9Force has come in 2024, from

launching the inaugural K9Force Cup in September,

inspired by the CACIT Golden League, to welcoming a new

wave of enthusiasts through the Starter Membership. The

magazine, too, has grown. What began as a pilot project has

evolved into a platform that connects our community,

shares expertise and promotes IGP to a broader audience.

Looking ahead, we will continue to expand—offering more

interviews, collaborations, and thought-provoking features

that celebrate the past, present, and future of the sport.

To everyone who has shared this journey—thank you. Your

support strengthens everything we do. As we turn the page

to 2025, I hope this issue reminds you of where we’ve been,

inspires you to aim higher, and reaffirms why we keep

showing up—early mornings, rainy days, and all.

Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and purpose.

Warm regards,

From the Editor

K9Force Magazine

Alfred De Witte

Front cover: Xtris Czort during protection

with front-half helper Nigel De Jonge at

CACIT Netherlands.

Photographer: Mariël Verseveld

Connect:

www.k9force.ca

info@k9force.ca

K9 Force Working Dog Club

k9force_wdc

Back cover: Xtris Cobra during protection

with back-half helper Lars Kamp at

CACIT Netherlands.

Photographer: Mariël Verseveld

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Isabella Oxsengendler

info@k9force.ca

WE’RE NOT CHASING POINTS;

WE’RE SUPPORTING EACH MEMBER

TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS.

Another year has flown by, and what a year it’s been! As a club,

we earned an impressive 25 titles—each one representing the

hard work, dedication, and passion of our members. But what

truly defines our success? Is it the number of titles on the

scoreboard, or is it the community we build and the passion we

inspire?

For us, success means creating the best environment for our

members to explore and grow within the sport. In September, we

brought that vision to life with our first-ever K9Force CUP.

Inspired by the CACIT Dobřiš competition, we wanted to recreate

that same electric atmosphere here at home. It’s about sharing

the experience with everyone, especially those who might not be

able to travel to Europe to compete, giving them a taste of world-

class trialing right in their own backyard.

Looking Back,

Moving Forward:

Reflecting on 2024

K9Force CUP 2025:

New Faces, Big Goals,

and a Vision for

Growth.

Page 6

www.k9force.ca

We’re gearing up for the

2nd edition of K9Force CUP,

and we couldn’t be more

excited! This time, we’re

bringing in FCI judge Robert

Fagos

from

the

Czech

Republic, whose extensive

experience

promises

to

elevate

the

competition

further. We introduced him

in our October magazine,

and we can’t wait to see

what he’ll bring to next

year’s event.

Be sure to follow us on

Facebook

for

updates

we’re looking forward to

seeing you there!

Our proudest moments came when Isabella achieved in July

“High in Obedience” at CACIT Dobřiš, with an impressive 95

points, and when Adam and Czort stepped in October onto the

international stage at CACIT Netherlands. Watching them

compete

internationally

reminded

us

of

our

mission—

supporting each member to reach new heights, not just racking

up points. Their journey reflects exactly what we’re all about and

seeing them on that stage was a powerful reminder of what we

can achieve together.

www.k9forrce.ca

Page 7

It’s opened doors for many newcomers who may not have had

the chance to experience the sport otherwise. Seeing this new

wave of enthusiasm and fresh faces inspires us every day,

showing that we’re making IGP accessible and welcoming to all.

And that’s what it’s truly all about.

As this incredible year comes to a close, we want to extend our

deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our

journey—members, partners, supporters, and friends. Each of

you has played a role in helping us grow, evolve, and stay true to

our mission.

The Next Chapter

for Our Magazine

Our

magazine

itself

has

been a remarkable journey.

What started as a simple

pilot project has turned into

a

beloved

part

of

our

community. Each issue lets

us connect with readers in

new ways, and over the next

six issues, we’re planning

exciting

additions—

engaging

interviews,

partnerships

with

local

businesses, and much more

—to promote the sport and

reach

an

even

broader

audience.

Another

initiative

we’re

incredibly proud of is our new

"Starter

Membership."

A

few

years ago, we pioneered the

"Intro to IPO" program, which

was so successful that other

clubs adopted it. Now, with the

“Starter

Membership”,

we’ve

taken things a step further, and

the response has been incredible.

From all of us at the club, we wish you happiness, success, and every reason to celebrate. We can’t

wait to see you in 2025—on the field, in the magazine, and as part of the K9Force family.

And while IGP often feels like an

individual sport, the truth is, no one

achieves greatness alone. A team is an

invaluable resource, offering guidance,

support, and camaraderie. No individual

can accomplish what a team achieves

together.

Czort and I have just returned from Apeldoorn,

where we competed in our first international

competition. It’s difficult to put into words what

this trip truly meant to me. On the surface, it was

just a few days in a foreign country, but to me, it

represented the culmination of years of hard

work, moments of self-doubt, small victories, and

an unwavering belief in what could be achieved.

It’s funny to think about how it all began. Until

this year, I was content training at our club,

entering local trials now and then. I didn’t dare to

dream of something bigger—international trials

felt reserved for professionals, those with more

experience, better connections, and dogs bred for

greatness. I was a novice handler who just loved

the sport.

The courage to dream and the determination to

keep chasing those dreams

From Doubt to Success: How Czort and I

Made It Through the Biggest Challenge Yet

www.k9force.ca

Page 8

When Czort came into my life, I knew from

the moment I met him that he was special.

He wasn’t just a dog; he was my partner. He

challenged me, pushed me, and reminded me

why I fell in love with IGP in the first place.

Together, we began achieving things I had

once thought impossible

Each year, we set new goals: BH and IGP1,

IGP2, and IGP3—always refining, always

improving. For 2024, one additional goal was

set: to compete in a bigger, multi-day trial

away from home. There was no specific event

in mind, just the challenge of stepping

outside our comfort zone.

When the opportunity to compete at the CACIT

Netherlands arose, I hesitated. It wasn’t just about

signing up—it meant leaving the safety of familiarity,

exposing myself to a new level of scrutiny, and risking

failure. But someone close to me once said, “You don’t

grow in your comfort zone.” So, I took a deep breath and

signed us up.

Preparing for an event like this is an adventure in itself.

It’s not just about training—it’s about planning every

detail. Traveling overseas, adapting to new climates and

terrains, and navigating unfamiliar competition rules

was no small feat. A few weeks before the event, we

flew to the Czech Republic to train with some of the

best in the sport.

Watching

these

seasoned

handlers and their dogs train

was

both

humbling

and

inspiring.

There

were

days

when I felt completely out of my

depth, but the kindness of

strangers—their advice, their

encouragement—kept

me

moving forward. And while IGP

often feels like an individual

sport, the truth is, no one

achieves greatness alone. A

team is an invaluable resource,

offering guidance, support, and

camaraderie. No individual can

accomplish

what

a

team

achieves together.

The night before the competition, I drew number 36: obedience first, then tracking, and finally

protection. Czort and I would follow Mathias Dögel and his legendary Malinois, Esh. Mathias stood up

on many podiums and won numerous competitions. I went to say hi, and, yet again, met a very nice,

smiling, approachable person. We had a small chat and soon were cracking Malinois vs German

Shepherd jokes.

Page 9

www.k9force.ca

www.k9force.ca

Page 10

Tracking was a different story—a triumph. Czort was methodical and determined, his focus

unwavering. It felt like we were perfectly in sync. When the judge announced our score—95 points—I

was ecstatic.

Protection was the final phase, and it was a rollercoaster of emotions. Watching Czort charge into

the long attack, his power and confidence on full display, was a proud moment. It wasn’t a perfect

routine, but it was ours, and I was incredibly happy with the result.

The closing ceremony came quickly after, with podium presentations, photos, conversations, and

bittersweet goodbyes. And just like that, the CACIT Netherlands was over.

Stepping onto the field in Apeldoorn was

surreal. The stadium buzzed with energy—

spectators, competitors, and judges from

around

the

world.

The

pressure

was

overwhelming. This wasn’t just about scores;

it was about representing my dog, my club,

and everyone who had supported us.

Our first phase was obedience. I had

envisioned this moment countless times:

Czort and I moving in perfect harmony. But

reality wasn’t like envisioned. Czort was

distracted, his focus wandering across the

field, taking in every detail. My heart sank,

but I held my composure. We finished with a

respectable 83 points.

Photo by: Pieter Verheij

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