CHIEF JUDGE and Chair of the FCI Rally Obedience Commission
Tytti Lintenhofer, Finland
2024 is a very special year. A year that Rally Obedience people all over the world will remember. Words can't describe how happy, honoured and proud I am, that the first Rally Obedience World Championship is arranged in Finland. At the World Championship we will see a wonderful variation of breeds from ten different countries.
My own rally experience goes way back to the time rally obedience was not an official sport in Finland. I train rally obedience with my golden retrievers Neva, who is a Finnish rally obedience champion and Nia, who started her official rally carrier this year. I really enjoy the time I get to spend with dogs and dog people. In dog sports, I value a good human-dog relationship, dog-friendly and ethical teamwork with your four-legged.
With an magnificent arranging team from TSAU ry lead by Anri Saarinen, our experienced and enthusiastic judges, the help of all volunteers and generous sponsors I can promise you an unforgettable first Rally Obedience World Championship.
Martina Klein, Germany
I have been practicing rally obedience as a dog sportswoman, trainer and judge for over 10 years.
I am currently competing with my Border Collie bitch Pearl in the highest national class and in the FCI class and with my young bitch Larouge in the beginner class.
That's why it's a matter close to my heart to make the entry into this wonderful sport attractive, even for the less ambitious teams.
I have been working on the FCI Rally Obedience Committee since 2019 and it is a great honor that I was appointed to the judging team for the 1st World Championship in Finland.
I am very much looking forward to being able to admire the performances of the 50 teams from 10 countries up close.
Ida Lindgren, Sweden
I live in Helsingborg, Skåne. My life is almost all about dogs. I run three companies related to dogs and I train and compete my Fibergatan Springer Spaniels in rally obedience. I also work with advanced special search of drugs, explosives and gas leaks.
I started with rally obedience in 2005 with my Rhodesian Ridgeback Norton, which both he and I loved. My dogs, Ziri ,Alva and Juni are Rally Obedience Champions and Ziri and Alva qualified for SM several times. Inez has a Rally Master Diploma, she mostly works with advanced special search. My youngest bitch Maja is trained in both advanced special search and rally obedience, where we are currently working our way up to the FCI class.
I have judged rally obedience since 2008, many handlers and dogs has passed through a course of mine throughout the years. I have judged both District and Swedish Championships as well as the Nordic Championship. And now also the very first FCI Rally Obedience World Championship! Judging rally is wonderful, I get to see so many crews who shows that rally obedience is all about cooperation and joy. To be able to communicate freely during a course, and at the same time excel in finesse without compromise, is for me what makes the sport so fantastic.
Karin Lassmann, Estonia
My name is Karin Lassmann, I’m from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. I have the honor to judge the World Championships this year.
I have been involved in dog sports since 2002. Since then I have competed with my dogs in Rally Obedience, Obedience, Search and Rescue, Tracking, Agility and Frisbee. Also two of my dogs are Therapy Dogs.
I’m judge of Rally Obedience and Obedience, I’m also member of FCI Rally Obedience and Obedience Commissions.
At the moment I have three dogs: Australian Cattle Dog “Kitty”, Border Collie “Roo” and young Miniature Poodle “Nutella”.
Brian Binnerup, Denmark
My name is Brian, I live with my girlfriend Anniqa and two of her daughters, on what once was a farm, near Aarhus. Our household is not far from qualifying as a mini-zoo, with four dogs, three cats, and various other animals. Our dogs are a mixed pack with a Finnish Lapphund, a Groenendael and two Shetland Sheepdogs - Having used to compete with Mera, the Finnish Lapphund, I have recently started fresh on training and competition with Fanta, a sheltie on a year and a half.
I had the honor of judging the Nordic Championship last year, and look forward this year to taking it step up by judging both the Nordic Championship and this first World Championship, which is a huge honor for me.