ASCA stands for the Australian Shepherd Club of America, so at first glance it sounds like something that only belongs to Aussies. The funny thing is that their agility program is open to many breeds. Some ASCA events (such as ASCA Agility) really are just for Australian Shepherds, but agility is not one of them. That is how my Miniature American Shepherd, Moose, and I ended up at an ASCA agility trial in upstate New York.
I wanted to try ASCA agility because I like new experiences. It is fun and exciting to see how different organizations run their trials and how they compare to the AKC agility world I am used to. I was curious about the course style, the trial atmosphere, and what the day would feel like for both me and Moose.
There was also a very good social reason. My best friend runs Australian Shepherds and spends a lot of her trial season at ASCA agility shows. When an ASCA trial popped up at the Washington County Fairgrounds in upstate New York, it felt like the perfect chance to join her. We both have T@B campers, so we turned it into a camping trip. Sharing the weekend with a close friend, our dogs, and a new agility venue made the whole experience feel special before we even stepped into the ring.
Moose is an AKC registered Mini American Shepherd, and getting him set up with ASCA was much easier than I expected. The process to get an ASCA number is simple, and if your dog already has registration with a group like AKC it will feel very familiar. You fill out a form, send in the fee, and wait for your number so your dog can enter trials. Once his ASCA registration was done, Moose was ready to play in a whole new venue.
ASCA uses what they call a QT number for dogs that are not already ASCA registered Australian Shepherds. It is the number they use to track your dog and record titles. To get one, you first become a service member, then register your dog either by mailing in the QT Number and Service Membership application or by creating an account in the ASCA online portal and using the “Register New Dog” option. There is a membership fee and a separate fee for each dog, and once the office processes everything you receive your QT number, often within a few days. With that number, ASCA can record your scores and issue titles for your dog in events like obedience, rally, tracking, dock jumping, and agility.
Here is a link to the form: https://asca.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/qtsvcapp.pdf
And here is a link to the page where you can learn more information about registering your dog with ASCA: https://asca.org/asca/business-office/new-to-asca/#1654196206828-57f89c69-3187
Moose is my Miniature American Shepherd and my partner in just about everything. He is small enough to tuck into a camper or curl up on my lap, but he has a big personality and an even bigger love of doing things together. At home he is the dog who watches every move I make and is always ready if it means we might be going anywhere.
In agility, Moose is the teammate who keeps me honest. He is smart, thoughtful, and always paying attention to the little details in how I handle. If I am clear and on time, he gives me beautiful lines and the most perfect runs. If I am late, he lets me know with his own creative course choices and also word choices (he lets me know that he is not pleased with my handling).
Outside the ring, Moose is my travel buddy. He settles in the T@B camper like it was built just for him, happily hanging out while I walk courses, visit with friends, or sit outside with a coffee. Whether we are at a local trial for the day or camping for a whole weekend, he is the dog who makes the trip feel complete. Agility is a big part of our life together, but it is only one piece of the bond.
There was a time when I truly believed I would never be able to trial Moose at all. He became reactive to other dogs and it felt devastating. I had no idea what to do and I was sure agility was off the table for us. I was very lucky to meet one of the most wonderful people and one of the best dog trainers – MJ. I have learned so much from her.
It has been a long journey with a lot of work on teaching Moose how to handle his emotions and becoming more confident, not just “behave.” It was not quick or easy, but I am sure that all of that work made our bond stronger and more special. The dog who once felt too overwhelmed to walk on the street is now my partner in the agility ring.
I first heard about ASCA through my best friend, who runs Australian Shepherds and spends a lot of time at their trials. She would come back with stories about the courses, how they would often have a lot of runs in a single day, and how they run the course in reverse order for the second run instead of changing the whole course to a completely new set up. It all sounded interesting and a little bit wild in a fun way. Since I like trying new things with Moose, it did not take long before I started thinking that I wanted to see it for myself.
Part of the draw was simple curiosity. I wanted to know what a different venue felt like, how the days were run, and what the courses looked like compared to the AKC agility world I already knew. I expected it to feel pretty similar to AKC, just with more Australian Shepherds around. Once I actually ran ASCA agility, I found that it has its own flavor.
One of the biggest differences I noticed right away is that ASCA agility does not call refusals the same way AKC does. That changes how it feels to be out on course. It felt less stressful and I felt less pressure to be perfect, which let me enjoy the runs with Moose a lot more.
Another big difference for me was the Gamblers class and how hard the distance sends were compared to FAST in AKC. They are not the same game, but both are the “distance” games in their own venues, so that is what I compare in my head. The sends in ASCA felt crazy far. It was fun and very challenging at the same time. It also showed me that this is a skill I really want to work on with Moose, because I would love for us to feel more confident on those big distance tests.
Over the two days Moose and I ran eleven courses. Out of those eleven runs, he earned eight qualifying scores. I was thrilled with how he did.
Our biggest highlights were his new titles. Moose finished his Novice Jumpers title and his Novice Regular title in ASCA agility that weekend.
We also entered two Gamblers runs and qualified in one of them. For a game that was completely new to us, with sends that felt very big compared to what we see in AKC FAST, that Q felt like a real win. Even on the run where we did not qualify, Moose tried hard and I came away with a clear picture of the skills we need to build.
All of the courses over the weekend were great. They were challenging in a thoughtful way, but they also felt fair and fun to run.
If I had to pick one main homework assignment before our next ASCA trial, it would definitely be distance skills. Those big sends in Gamblers showed me exactly where our gaps are. Now I know that if I put in the work between trials, Moose and I can come back feeling even more confident and connected the next time we step to the line in ASCA.
If you have been curious about ASCA agility but do not have an Australian Shepherd, I really encourage you to give it a try. Yes, ASCA is the Australian Shepherd Club of America, and you will see plenty of Aussies at their trials. But Moose and I never felt out of place. People were kind, welcoming, and genuinely happy that we were there.
The atmosphere felt relaxed and friendly. There was plenty going on, with a lot of runs packed into each day, but it did not feel tense. For teams who want more ring time, that alone can make an ASCA weekend very appealing. You can learn a lot in a short amount of time when you get that many chances to step to the line.
ASCA can also be a really nice option for handlers and dogs who are not very experienced yet, or who feel nervous about AKC trials. The vibe at this trial felt softer and less pressured, and that can make a big difference for teams who are still building confidence. If you are looking for a place to grow your skills, try new games, and practice being in the ring without feeling like everything has to be perfect, ASCA agility is a very good choice.
Getting a taste of ASCA agility was wonderful. It felt like opening a new chapter in something I already love. Agility and dog sports in general gave me a kind of competitive spark I did not really know I had. I love cheering for my dog, seeing our work come together, and chasing goals that mean something to both of us.
Right now Moose and I are working on our championship in AKC, and that is a big goal for us. But running ASCA reminded me that we do not have to choose only one path. We can build our skills and our teamwork in more than one venue. There is no reason we cannot chase ASCA titles and maybe one day an ASCA championship as well.
ASCA offered us relaxed trial days, friendly people, fun courses, and new challenges like those big distance sends in Gamblers. It gave me more ways to grow as a handler and more chances for Moose to shine. That combination of personal goals, community, and pure fun is exactly why Moose and I will be back to ASCA agility trials whenever we can.
