When Macee Aumack first met “Riddle,” she didn’t know that the 8-week-old Border Collie would someday become her trusted teammate and one of the most talented freestyle dogs competiting at the 2025 AKC UpDog Invitational. Back then, Riddle belonged to a close friend, and Aumack was still a teenager finding her footing in the sport. But once the two shared the field for the first time, it was clear that this partnership was meant to be.
“I fell in love with her immediately,” Aumack recalls. “There was just this instant spark and connection. Everything was so easy.”
That connection would eventually define Aumack’s competitive career. What began as a borrowed partnership has blossomed into a lifelong bond — one that’s brought both joy and national recognition.
From Newcomer to Competitor
Aumack’s path into Disc Dog started when she was just 16. A friend introduced her to a local Frisbee league about an hour and a half from home, and from her very first toss, she was hooked.
” had no idea what I was doing,” she laughs. “But everyone was so welcoming. They handed me the right discs, taught me how to throw, and before I knew it, I was going every week.”
The Start of Something Special
A year later, fate brought her together with Riddle. “She was owned by one of my best friends,” Aumack explains. “At first, I didn’t think much of it. But when I played with her, I knew something was different.”
That weekend at an event, Aumack asked to “jam” with Riddle for fun. The moment she picked up the disc, the dog’s focus sharpened. “She just got it,” Aumack says. “It was effortless.”
Riddle’s owner agreed to let Aumack compete with her at a qualifier, and even though they didn’t advance to finals that first time, the pair placed seventh at their debut competition. For the next two years, Aumack played with Riddle as a “borrowed dog,” traveling, training, and competing whenever her owner agreed to lend her out.
Eventually, after a string of strong performances, including a fourth-place finish at the AWI World Championship, Riddle’s owner decided it was time for the two to make things official. “She surprised me and said, ‘Riddle’s your dog now,'” Aumack says, smiling. “I cried. It was one of the best days of my life.”
Training With Heart
Now entirely hers, Riddle has become Aumack’s steadfast teammate on and off the field. “She’s the best dog,” Aumack says. “She gets along with everyone, loves people, loves other dogs, and sleeps in my bed every night. She’s honest and gives everything she has to whatever we do.”
Their training routine reflects that dedication. Aumack practices her own throwing skills daily and brings Riddle out every other day to keep her sharp but rested. “I don’t want to overload her,” she explains. “We focus a lot on her out throws, those longer catches beyond 20 yards, and we’ll run through one of our freestyle sequences each session.”
Though Riddle’s routine has remained largely consistent for two years, Aumack tweaks small elements to challenge her dog mentally and physically. “She’s a Border Collie, so she thrives on patterns,” Aumack says. “But I like to mix things up to keep her thinking. She knows what’s expected, but she’s always ready for a twist.”
Preparing for the AKC UpDog Invitational
As Aumack and Riddle head to the AKC UpDog Invitational, the excitement is palpable. “I’ve wanted to share this dog with the world for so long,” she says. “We’re out there to have fun, and I think Riddle really brings that light to the field.”
Fun, however, doesn’t mean unprepared. Aumack puts in hours each week to stay physically ready, especially for distance events, her personal favorite. “I love long distance,” she admits. “It’s not Riddle’s strongest, but it’s mine. I’ll throw 20 discs, run to pick them up, and do it again, five sets at a time. It keeps my muscles ready and my form consistent.”
This year, Aumack will also compete with “HotShot,” a 2-year-old All-American Dog stepping in for another one of her dogs, “Dizzy.” “HotShot is a wild child,” Aumack laughs. “She just wants to jump big and go big air. She’s completely different from Dizzy, so I have to manage her more closely — timing throws, thinking about placement, everything. But she’s a blast to play with.”
The Performer’s Edge
Outside of competition, Aumack performs full-time in stunt dog shows, an experience she says complements her competitive edge. “Performing and competing are very similar,” she explains. “In both, I’m out there to entertain, but in competition, I’m also out there to win.” The main difference? Risk. “In shows, I stick to safer throws that I know my dog will catch every time. In competition, I’ll push harder. The audience might not know the difference between a backhand and an overhead flick, but the judges do.”
That balance between showmanship and precision has helped Aumack refine her routines for both the crowd and the scoreboard.
Lessons From the Field
For all her success, Aumack says the greatest lessons have come not from trophies but from time spent alongside her dogs. “They’ve taught me patience … so much patience,” she says. “If you can take a breath and stay calm, it helps in freestyle and in life. They’ve also taught me trust. When I step onto the field, I know they’ve got my back, and I’ve got theirs.”
That trust paid off earlier this year when Aumack and Riddle went “dropless,” catching every single throw, in their freestyle routine at a world championship. “Everything just clicked,” she remembers. “The conditions were perfect, and when she caught that last Frisbee, I hugged her. It felt like all the hard work, the hours, and the tears were worth it.”
Of course, not every memory is so serious. Aumack laughs, recalling the time one of her Crocs broke mid-routine. “I kicked it off in the middle of the round and just kept going. Everyone was cracking up,” she says.
Sharing the Bond
Whether competing at the AKC UpDog Invitational or performing in front of thousands, Aumack’s goal remains simple: to share the bond she has with her dogs.
“I hope people see how strong that connection can be,” she says. “A dog isn’t just a pet — it’s a teammate, a friend, a partner for life. When we’re on the field, it’s not about perfection. It’s about showing the world how much we love doing this together.”