Inaugural event set for May 2026
We are excited to announce our three judges for the 2026 World Cynosport® Rally Championship! This inaugural event will take place May 15-17 in Richmond, Virginia, with judges Dayna Dreger, Phyllis Huber and Kristin Platzer.
Read on to learn more about our judges.
Dayna Dreger, Ph.D., of Rockville, Maryland
Dayna started playing in rally with the Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (CARO) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). After competing with a few of her dogs, she began teaching and served as a judge with CARO for a few years. When she moved to the U.S. in 2012, she started the process to become a judge with WCRL. She currently competes with “a shaggle of Shelties in a myriad of sports” and works as a canine geneticist involved in breed and behavioral research.
“A national competition of any sort is always a great opportunity,” Dayna said. “Not only does it attract the best for some steep competition, but it can serve as a fantastic platform for building community within the sport, reconnecting distant friends with common goals, and showcasing the variety and breadth of dogs that enjoy the sport. My goal in dog sports is to encourage an enjoyable bonding experience for the dogs and their people. I hope that all competitors will embrace and appreciate their own skills and accomplishments, measuring and celebrating their success on a personal level in terms of smiles and wagging tails.”
Phyllis Huber of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
With a background in AKC rally and traditional obedience, Phyllis was drawn to WCRL rally in 2012 because of its emphasis on teamwork, positive reinforcement and a welcoming environment. She found herself looking forward to every competition and meeting new friends in the supportive WCRL community, and in 2013, she became a judge to give back and help ensure the sport continued to thrive. Her efforts in fostering that community spirit earned her the honor of being the first inductee in the WCRL Hall of Fame, as Volunteer of the Year in 2020.
“WCRL holding its first championship is an exciting milestone,” Phyllis said. “This event will not only showcase the top talent from across the country but also highlight the growth and enthusiasm within this community. It marks an opportunity for competitors to come together and celebrate the achievements and spirit of rally. Attending the championship provides a chance to recognize and celebrate the dedication, hard work and achievements of both dogs and their handlers, and I believe it will be a celebration of the unique bond between them.”
Kristin Platzer of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Kristin began competing in rally with her Shih Tzu, Lucy, in 2016. She often lent a hand at every trial she attended and became a judge in 2019 to continue helping the community in another fun, interesting way. She has also competed with a Shiloh Shepherd, Diesel, whom she previously trained to be a veteran’s service dog, and recently started her journey with her Shih Tzu puppy, Chia.
“I think it is great that WCRL is holding a new championship,” Kristin said. “I always found WCRL trials to have a very positive environment. I always see exhibitors helping each other out and supporting each other in various ways. I also think it is great to recognize these outstanding teams by giving them an event to gather at and meet other teams at their level, while also playing the rally game with their canine partners. On a more personal note, while I enjoy watching teams of all levels, I look forward to watching and judging these highly experienced and skilled teams.”