Frisbee Dog World Championship facts for kids

The Frisbee Dog World Championship is a super exciting yearly competition where talented dogs and their handlers show off their amazing skills with flying discs, often called Frisbees! It's also known as the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship or the Canine Frisbee Disc World Championship.

How It All Started

In 1975, three people named Irv Lander, Alex Stein, and Eldon McIntire created the very first World Championship for dogs that catch flying discs. This fun event has happened every year since then!

Alex Stein and his amazing dog, Ashley Whippet, were the first champions. They won three times in a row: in 1975, 1976, and 1977. Eldon McIntire also had a famous disc dog named Hyper Hank. Irv Lander worked for Wham-O, the company that makes the official Frisbee discs.

In the early days, this dog championship took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It happened alongside the human Frisbee championships. Later, in the early 1980s, the competition became a series of events and was named the Ashley Whippet Invitational (AWI). Teams of dogs and handlers would compete in local and regional events to earn a spot in the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Finals Championship. For many years, the AWI World Finals was the only big championship for disc dogs.

How Teams Qualified

The final championship event used to be a "winner take all" competition that lasted just one day.

To qualify, teams would compete in 4 to 6 regional events. The first and second place teams from each regional competition would get to go to the World Finals. Teams had to live and compete in the specific area of their regional qualifier. Usually, between 8 and 16 teams would qualify for the finals each year.

Competition Style

Early competitions were mostly "Throw and Fetch" contests. Judges would score teams based on how far the disc was thrown, how stylish the catch was, or if the dog caught the disc within a certain area.

Peter Bloeme, who won a human Frisbee championship in 1976, joined the disc dog sport in the early 1980s. He even won a Frisbee Dog World Championship in 1984! After that, he became a judge and event organizer for AWI. Peter Bloeme helped change the sport by introducing "Freestyle" contests, where handlers and dogs perform amazing tricks with multiple discs. This made the disc dog game much more exciting! Over time, the World Finals Championship added a freestyle event (sometimes called "Freeflight") and a timed throw and catch event (known as "MiniDistance," and later as "Distance/Accuracy").

The Lander Cup Trophy

In the late 1980s, a special trophy was created by Peter Bloeme, Eldon McIntire, Jeff Perry, and Alex Stein. This trophy celebrates the yearly AWI World Champions. It's a large silver cup on a wooden base, covered with small plaques that have the names of all the winners. It's called the "Lander Cup" to honor Irv Lander, who was a key leader of the AWI tournament series.

Changes to the World Championship Over Time

Irv Lander passed away in 1998. His son, Steve Lander, took over the AWI tournament series. Many people involved in the sport thought Peter Bloeme, who was directing the AWI series at the time, would be the next leader.

The year 1998 was also special because it was the first time the AWI World Finals Championship was filmed for TV! It was shown on Animal Planet as the ALPO Canine Frisbee Disc World Championship. Peter Bloeme was even the announcer for the show. After the 1998 World Finals, Peter Bloeme left AWI.

Skyhoundz Competitions

In 2000, a new organization called Skyhoundz started its very first World Canine Disc Championship. This series, sponsored by Hyperflite, has grown to be the largest disc dog competition in the world!

Every year, Skyhoundz holds over 100 free Local Championships in the U.S. and other countries. They also have U.S. State Championships, World Championship Qualifiers, a European Championship, and a big World Championship. They even have special events like Xtreme Distance Challenge and DiscDogathon competitions.

In 2011, the Skyhoundz World Championship became a week-long event. It included World Championships in five different divisions: Open, Sport, Pairs Freestyle, MicroDog, and Youth. There were also World Championships for Xtreme Distance and DiscDogathon. Competitors had several chances to qualify for these World Championship titles.

AWI's Return

The AWI World Championship stopped for a few years after 2000, not happening in 2001 or 2002. But in 2003, AWI started its World Championship again! This time, it was a single event without a long series of qualifiers leading up to it. Former AWI staff and judges like Mark Molnar, Eldon McIntire, and Gary Suzuki helped bring it back.

The 2003 event was held in La Mirada, California, and anyone could enter without needing to qualify first. The winner of this event was invited to a special "Ashley Whippet Championship" in Japan later that year. The AWI Championships were held in La Mirada again in 2004. In 2005, the organizers moved the event to Scottsdale, Arizona.

In 2006, another disc dog group called the UFO ran the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship. It was the final event of their season. Competitors qualified for this event by earning points in the UFO World Cup Series or by finishing in the top 15 at a semi-final event.

In 2007, the UFO held its own final event in Dallas, Texas. The AWI World Championships returned to Scottsdale, with Hero Disc running the event. In 2007, there was a qualifier in Naperville, Illinois, where the top 25 teams qualified for the final. A second qualifier was held in Scottsdale, and its top 25 teams joined those from Illinois and Japan.

In 2008, Hero Disc moved the AWI World Championship to La Mirada, California. The final day of the event was held at Knott's Berry Farm in Anaheim, California. This event also had two USA qualifying events and a Japanese qualifying event.

In 2009, the AWI World Championships moved to Naperville, Illinois. It was held on Labor Day weekend alongside a UFO Major event. This time, it was an "all comer" meet again, meaning no qualifying events were needed.

List of World Champions

The following teams of dog and owner (handler) have won the Lander Cup:

Skyhoundz World Champions Open Division (Freestyle/Distance/Accuracy Combined)

• 00 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 01 Chico (Border Collie), trainer David Bootes, Ketchum, ID
• 02 Donnie (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 03 Cory (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Stanaway, Gloucester, VA
• 04 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 05 Rory (Australian Shepherd), trainer Tony Hoard, New Castle, IN
• 06 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 07 Jumpin' Jack (Border Collie), trainer Danny Venegas, West Palm Beach, FL
• 08 Rory (Australian Shepherd), trainer Tony Hoard, New Castle, IN
• 09 Gipper (Border Collie), trainer Mark Muir, Williamson, GA
• 10 Flash (Border Collie), trainer Lawrence Frederick, Jacksonville, FL
• 11 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Huntington Beach, CA
• 12 Psych (Border Collie), trainer Pennie Mahon, Cypress, TX
• 13 Flower (Border Collie), trainer Matteo Gaddoni, Forli, Italy
• 14 Zorra (Border Collie), trainer Lawrence Frederick, Jacksonville, FL
• 15 Chill (Cattle Dog), trainer Tracy Custer, Grey Summit, MO
• 16 The Kai Bear (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jason Rigler, Jupiter, FL
• 17 Jazmin (Australian Shepherd), trainer Troy Mool, Oak Ridge, MO
• 18 Riley (Mix), trainer Mark Faragoi, Plainfield, IL
• 19 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 21 Leap (Mix), trainer Andrea Rigler, Sanford, NC
• 22 Muse (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 23 Vamos (mix), trainer Autumn Trainor, Monroe, GA
• 24 Salsa (mix), trainer Matt Bilderback, Delaware, OH

MicroDog Division (Freestyle/Distance/Accuracy Combined)

• 04 K-2 (Mix), trainer Todd Duncan, Cumming, GA
• 05 Scout (Mix), trainer Mare Potts, Aurora, IL
• 06 Seven (Australian Shepherd), trainer Tony Hoard, New Castle, IN
• 07 Tallulah (Mix), trainer Katherine Ferger, Queensville, Ontario, Canada
• 08 George (Rat Terrier), trainer Al Erikson, San Diego, CA
• 09 George (Rat Terrier), trainer Al Erikson, San Diego, CA
• 10 Gracie (Australian Shepherd), trainer Lee Fairchild, Goldsby, OK
• 11 George (Rat Terrier), trainer Al Erikson, San Diego, CA
• 12 Gracie (Australian Shepherd), trainer Lee Fairchild, Goldsby, OK
• 13 Bella (Australian Shepherd), trainer Matt Bilderback, Columbus, OH
• 14 Auggie (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Timothy Geib, Atlanta, GA
• 15 Auggie (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Timothy Geib, Atlanta, GA
• 16 Auggie (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Timothy Geib, Atlanta, GA
• 17 Glamour (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA
• 18 Key (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 19 Glamour (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA
• 21 Bonbon (Mini Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 22 Flare (Mix), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placenta, CA
• 23 Bonbon (Mini Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 24 Bonbon (Mini Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA

Sport Division (Distance/Accuracy)

• 02 Donnie (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 03 Passer (Border Collie), trainer Sayuri Norose, Japan
• 04 Bowditch (Border Collie), trainer Larry Beatty, Portsmouth, VA
• 05 Blade (Mix), trainer Adrian Custer, Milford, OH
• 06 Beamer (Australian Cattle Dog), trainer John Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 07 Brigit (Border Collie), trainer Robert Walkley, Tampa, FL
• 08 Brook (Border Collie), trainer Kevin Eroskey, Kennesaw, GA
• 09 Gipper (Border Collie), trainer Mark Muir, Williamson, GA
• 10 BamBam (Australian Shepherd), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 11 Hippie Chick (Australian Shepherd), trainer David Gosch, Baltimore, MD
• 12 Seesco (Border Collie), trainer Jozsef Zsiros, Hungary
• 13 Bangwool(Border Collie), trainer Sang-Jun Han, South Korea
• 14 Merlin (Border Collie), trainer Kevin Eroskey, Kennesaw, Georgia
• 15 Muse (Australian Shepherd), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 16 Ninja (Mix), trainer Tracy Custer, Villa Ridge, MO
• 17 Rodeo (Labrador), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI
• 18 Chica (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 21 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 22 Zoom (Border Collie), trainer Jason Rigler, Baxter, TX
• 23 Tug (Border Collie), trainer Blake Kilbourne, Carrollton, GA
• 24 Zin (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA

MicroDog Sport Division (Distance/Accuracy)

• 16 Siri (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA
• 17 Glamour (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA
• 18 Canyon (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 19 Denali (Australian Shepherd), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI
• 21 Bonbon (Mini Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 22 Bonbon (Mini Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 23 Mamba (Australian Koolie), trainer Lily Martinez, Fernandina Beach, FL
• 24 Mamba (Australian Koolie), trainer Lily Martinez, Fernandina Beach, FL

Pairs Freestyle (Freestyle)

• 05 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 06 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 07 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 08 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 09 Rally (Pyrenean Shepherd), Rick Rauwerda/Angela Ewtushik, Harriston, Ontario, Canada
• 10 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Sally Zinkham, Phoenix, MD
• 11 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Sally Zinkham, Phoenix, MD
• 12 Spencer (Mix), Jim Thomas, Jacksonville, FL/Michelle Thomas, Jacksonville, FL
• 13 Indigo (Mix), Scot Koster, Palm Coast, FL, Angel Koster, Palm Coast, FL
• 14 Cody (Mix), Sayaka Hagiwara, Japan, Hana Shiba, Japan
• 15 Muse (Australian Shepherd), Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA, Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 16 Bulma (Mix), Cosma Catalfamo, Italy, Antonio Rappazzo, Italy
• 17 Bulma (Mix), Cosma Catalfamo, Italy, Antonio Rappazzo, Italy
• 18 Bulma (Mix), Cosma Catalfamo, Italy, Antonio Rappazzo, Italy
• 19 Muse (Australian Shepherd), Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA, Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 21 Muse (Australian Shepherd), Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA, Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 22 Zunika (Border Collie), Eva Gutierrez, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, Robert Gutierrez, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
• 23 Sora (Australian Shepherd), Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA, Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 24 Bombay (Australian Shepherd), John Casey, Labadie, MO, Nikki Penta, Labadie MO

Youth Division (Freestyle/Distance/Accuracy Combined)

• 10 Hazel (Border Collie), trainer Scott Avick, Cutler Bay, Florida
• 11 Elsee (McNab), trainer LylaClare Kosobucki, Riverside, California
• 12 Cir-El (Australian Shepherd), trainer Courtney Williams, Barnesville, MD
• 13 Cir-El (Australian Shepherd), trainer Courtney Williams, Barnesville, MD
• 14 Perseus (Border Collie), trainer Melanie Redinger, Littleton, CO
• 15 Leo (Mix), trainer Allison Passejna, Clarkston, MI
• 16 Ben (Border Collie), trainer Kibaek Lim, Ansansi, South Korea
• 17 Paisley (Australian Shepherd), trainer Sidney Ryan, Gahanna, OH
• 18 Paisley (Australian Shepherd), trainer Sidney Ryan, Gahanna, OH
• 19 Lolly (Border Collie), trainer Angelica Rossi, Framura, Italy
• 21 RJ (Mix), trainer Kiera Hensley, Lakeland, FL
• 22 Darci Lynn (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jaden Gibson, Mechanicsville, MD
• 23 Sol (Border Collie), trainer Finley Shryock Taylor, Sturbridge, MA
• 24 Fiddle (Border Collie), trainer Finley Shryock Taylor, Sturbridge, MA

UFO World Cup Champions Overall/Combined World Cup Series Champions

• 01 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 02 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 03 Levi (Mixed Breed), trainer Todd Duncan, Atlanta, GA
• 04 Ben (Mixed Breed), trainer Karin Actun, Dusseldorf, Germany
• 05 Levi (Mixed Breed), trainer Todd Duncan, Atlanta, GA
• 06 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 07 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 08 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 09 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 10 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 11 Maggey (Border Collie), trainer Mike Hanson, Littleton, CO
• 12 Bling Bling (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 13 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Huntington Beach, CA
• 14 Flower (Border Collie), trainer Matteo Gaddoni, Forli, Italy
• 15 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 16 Rory (mix), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 17 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 18 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 21 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 22 Inu (Border Collie), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 23 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 24 Oreo (Border Collie), trainer Marina Fangareggi, Italy

Freestyle World Cup Series Champions

• 07 Tucker (Australian Shepherd), trainer Paul West, Dallas, TX
• 08 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 09 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 10 Bayer (Australian Shepherd), trainer Gary Duke
• 11 Bam Bam (Australian Shepherd), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 12 Moxie (Mix), trainer Andrea Rigler, Jupiter, FL
• 13 Moxie (Mix), trainer Andrea Rigler, Jupiter, FL
• 14 Baily (?), trainer Melanie Fydrich, Germany
• 15 Solar (Australian Shepherd), trainer Andrew Han, Milwaukee, WI
• 16 Bill (Border Collie), trainer Matteo Gaddoni, Forli, Italy
• 17 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 18 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 21 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 22 Inu (Border Collie), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 23 Goldrush (Mix), trainer Shaun Hirai, Japan
• 24 Minai (Border Collie), trainer Julia Zimmerman, Germany

Throw and Catch World Cup Series Champions

• 07 Sprite (?), trainer Paul West, Dallas, TX
• 08 Skye (Border Collie), trainer Preston Dean, Athens, GA
• 09 Bolero (Labrador), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI
• 10 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 11 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 12 Rodeo (Labrador), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI
• 13 Maggey (Border Collie), trainer Mike Hanson, Littleton, CO
• 14 Rory (mix), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 15 Courage (Australian Cattle Dog), trainer Tracy Custer, Villa Ridge, MO
• 16 Zain (?), trainer David Roman, Spain
• 17 Muse (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 18 Nove (Whippet), trainer Evanghelos Christofellis, Greece
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 21 Split (Border Collie), trainer Tracy Custer, Gray Summit, MO
• 22 Minai (Border Collie), trainer Julia Zimmerman, Germany
• 23 Chica (mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 24 Mia (Border Collie), trainer Juanjo Pascual, Spain

Small Dog World Cup Series Champions

• 17 Key (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 18 Key (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 19 Icaro (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 21 Icaro (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 23 Vivien (?), trainer Lilia Steiner