The 25th annual AKC National Championship, Presented by Royal Canin, holds additional special events, including the second AKC Rally Champion (RACH) Invitational. The AKC Rally competition, held on December 11-12 at the Orange County Convention Center, crowned the top AKC Rally dog out of 132 top teams from across the country.
Over the two-day event, teams competed in three rings to determine the top 50 teams that would move on to the Semi-Finals on day two. From there, the top 20 teams were announced after competing in another three rings. These 20 teams competed in one ring to determined the 2025 AKC RACH Invitational Champion and top 10 teams.
Winner of the AKC RACH Invitational
Taking home the title of 2025 AKC RACH Invitational Champion was German Shorthaired Pointer “Wyatt,” GCHG CH OTCH10 RACH2 Voyager’s Perfect PartnerVCD2 UDX11 PUTD OGM BN GN GO VER RM4 RAE4 MH AX NF BCAT THD CGC TKA.
The GSP, handled by Belinda Venner of Saline, MI, won the competition at 10.5 years old.
AKC RACH Invitational Final Placings
First Place
Belinda Venner and her German Shorthaired Pointer “Wyatt” (GCHG CH OTCH10 RACH2 Voyager’s Perfect PartnerVCD2 UDX11 PUTD OGM BN GN GO VER RM4 RAE4 MH AX NF BCAT THD CGC TKA) took home first place.
Second Place
Topeka, Kansas team Daniela Flores and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever “Dizzy” took home second place. Dizzy, CH MACH2 RACH2 Dochara Spun A Royal FlowerUD OM1 RM4 RAE4 MXS MJS MXF T2B DCAT CGC TKI, and Flores won the 2024 AKC RACH Invitational.
Third Place
Beth Mangus Roberts and “Arrow” the Shetland Sheepdog placed third overall. Arrow, RACH2 Aberdale’s Straight Thru My HeartCD PCD RM5 RAE4 RC3 FDC CGCA CGCU TKI, and Roberts are from Kernersville, NC.
Fourth Place
Vizsla “Sequoia” came in fourth place. Sequoia (RACH2 Nosam’s Aspen Fall ForestVCD1 CDX PCDX BN GN RM5 RAE5 RC JH FCAT DN CGCA CGCU TKN ATT FITG FTA), is handled by Chris McKelvey of Aspen, CO.
Fifth Place
Kim Berkley and English Springer Spaniel, “Dolly,” came in fifth place. Berkley and Dolly, CH OTCH3 RACH Polesitter Here You Come AgainUDX8 OGM RM3 RAE4 DS, are from Caseyville, IL.
Sixth Place
Isaiah Scepanski and “Buck” the Pembroke Welsh Corgi came in sixth place. Buck, CH RACH Sandfox I’M Gonna Be A Big StarCDX PCD BN GN RM3 RAE2 RC FDC CA FCAT2 SWA SINE SCE SIE CGCA CGCU TKA BN-V VHMA VHMP FITB FTN, and Scepanski are from Sussex, WI.
Seventh Place
Jen Klang and Miniature American Shepherd “Bam” won seventh place. Bam, PACH RACH Harvest Wind Boom Goes The DynamiteCDX BN RM2 RAE2 FDC MXP4 MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX XFP T2BP2 CA FCAT SCA SIN SEN CGCA CGCU TKE ATT FITB FTN, and Klang are from Kalamazoo, MI.
Eighth Place
Cardigan Welsh Corgi “Rev” and Kerry Tesch came in eighth place. Rev, PACH RACH2 Aramoras Rev It UpCD BN RM5 RAE4 MXP4 MXPB MJP5 MJPS PAX, and Tesch are from Green Bay, WI.
Ninth Place
Border Collie “Vinny” came in ninth place. Vinny, GCH CH RACH3 Bb’s It’s Not Personal It’s Strictly BusinessCDX PCDX BN GO RM8 RAE7 RC HSAd MX MXJ MXF BCAT SWA SCNE SENE SBNE SHDNE SCM SHDA CGCA CGCU TKP ATT FITG, is handled by Connie Brown of Brynes Mill, MO.
Tenth Place
Rounding out the top 10 was Golden Retriever “Redford.” Redford, RACH3 Remarkable RedfordCD PCD BN RM7 RAE8 SCN SIN SEN DN CGC TKA FITB FTN, is handled by Rebecca Ruby of Lexington, KY.
Get Involved in AKC Rally
Looking to get involved in a team-driven dog sport that anyone can do? If the AKC RACH Invitational has inspired you to try the sport with you dog, there’s no better time to get started. Started in 2005 AKC Rally is a fun family sport that all dogs, purebred or mixed-breed, can compete in.
It’s a great place for people and dogs who are new to dog sports to start, and will help strengthen your bond as a team while challenging you and your dog. You and your dog navigate a course of 10-20 different signs which give instructions for a skill that is to be performed. Check out an AKC Rally course near you to get started!
The AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin, has crowned its 2025 Best in Show! Learn more about conformation and follow your favorite breeds at dog shows throughout the year.