Michelle Tunbridge
Biography
My agility journey started in 2008 with Raffy, a big black hairy Belgian Shepherd X I had recently adopted from a dog rescue. We both enjoyed this sport instantly and soon became hooked! With our first trial that same year and many many more to follow agility became my favourite pastime.
Over the years I've trained and competed with 6 different dogs, earned countless titles and travelled around my home state of NSW to compete. Attending my first agility nationals in Sydney 2012 was amazing, the atmosphere, excitement and sheer number of agility dogs in one place left me in awe. The SA and VIC agility nationals that followed did not disappoint, I just love these big events with talented handler and dog teams from all states of Australia and even some from NZ!
When they offered training to become an agility judge in 2017 I jumped at the chance. I had always enjoyed making up courses for training and then seeing how everyone handled them. Judging seemed like the obvious way for me to help out my sport and continue my interest in course design. I have since judged at many trials across NSW and ACT, and even sent courses up to QLD state titles during the Covid restrictions.
It was very exciting to be asked to judge for Sydney nationals! I look forward to seeing teams attack my course and really hope you all enjoy it! Best of luck and most importantly have fun out there with your dogs.