06/13/2026
I’m not even sure where to begin with this post, and it’s probably going to be long winded.
We wrapped up what has truly been the biggest trial season of IronDog International this past weekend. This year is the year we felt strong enough as an organization, felt solid enough in our administrative duties, our consistency in judging as well as on field structure from routines to Decoy work, to step outside our normal trial schedule here in our home base of Florida. This has been an amazing year!
First trial outside of Florida was with our friends and to us “Fam” in Alabama Lori Parish Keelin and let me say Alabama showed up! This trial was amazing, great people, fantastic dogs the vibe was exactly what IronDog International strives for, an environment of like minded dogmen and women coming together to test dogs, training, camaraderie and sportsmanship, everyone regardless of camps standing on the sidelines cheering on each and every competitor regardless of level!
This is sport, this is what it’s supposed to be. We are beyond grateful to the entire crew at The Hey Farm for all of your hard work, the competitors who came out to learn about IronDog International, our Alabama decoy Caleb Fowler for always making safe catches and putting down solid work, Lori and Kenny for your hospitality, Stacey for always keeping me laughing! IronDog International appreciates you and we look forward to doing it again next season! 🙏🏻
This past weekend, IronDog International went North, to NY hosted by Bad Company Working Dogs and Totalk9! New York Showed UP!!!!
This is the biggest working dog trial I’ve ever been to! It was day 1 decoy work and tryouts, day 2 mock trial with competitors learning routines as well as getting the decoys familiarized with the routines and how to apply the work.
Day 3 was trial day…..we totaled out with 83 entries!!! This is hands down the largest day of IronDog International under our leadership and this trial was amazing! The vibe all weekend was one of just fun! This trial made me realize how important dog sports are for our community. We had so many talented folks show up and show out with the teams, the competitors support of one another was something I’ll never forget, the true Sportsmanship displayed both on the field and off was nothing short of World Class! This trial was simply epic! IronDog International would again like to express how grateful we are to each and every competitor, judge, bystanders for coming out and making this trial weekend a truly memorable experience for us, words simply don’t convey how much we appreciate you all, Thank you!
Dave Santiago, brother thank you! IronDog International is so grateful to you, as well as your club for having us up to trial with you. You sir are exactly what the dog world needs more of. A true Dogman, you are the living example of what true Sportsmanship looks like, you are respected by many and show respect, IronDog International is happy to call you friend. Thank you Dave for this experience, and opportunity!
Tressie , THANK YOU!!! Your work on the field as Judge was amazing! Your attention to detail, your understanding of the criteria, your ability to deliver thoughtful, thorough critiques to competitors was heartfelt. Your enthusiasm for each team taking the field was infectious and we are grateful and a stronger organization with you now being a part of IronDog International, we are grateful to call you friend and now Judge! The first Judge under the new structure! You said it best all weekend “Welcome to the sport”!
Our New Certified IronDog Decoys! Gentleman, we appreciate you more than I’ll be able to say in this message. Decoys in any Dogsport are the back bone of the sport, without you, we have no sport. It is often thankless, please know that IronDog recognizes your work! This past weekend you displayed professional ethics, physical ability, attention to detail and made safe catches all weekend long. Most importantly though, you have the attitude and personable qualities IronDog International is looking for in our trial decoys, you love dogs! Your character as men is obvious in how you conducted yourselves on the field, your approachable, personable, humble in character and you gentleman, are exactly what IronDog International wants for its competitors, REAL DOGMEN! Thank you gentleman! Please recognize these men as individuals who are exactly what this community needs more of.
Michael C**t, Matthew Felicies, Alexander Covington, Matthew Gensinger, Anthony Aracena. We are grateful to have you as part of our organization, we are stronger because of you! Thank you!
Jillian Vogel, the brains of the operation! None of this happens without you! The amount of behind the scenes work this woman does just to make the shows happen is inconceivable, I am proud to call you Fam! Thank for everything you do and thanks for being a real one! Look at what you’re building!!
Amanda Nelson, without you I wouldn’t be able to do half of what I do, thank you! Your secretary work, booking, proof reading, all of the extra little things you do that make things work, don’t go unnoticed and thank you for always giving your time to tackle any crisis that pops up. We are lucky to have you on team IronDog International, love you, your my rock!
To the entire team at Death Dealer working dogs , thank you guys for always supporting, helping and working trials for IronDog International, you guys rock and are a huge factor as to why we’ve been able to grow, there’s no “I” in team! Thank you!
We’ll see you all next season, Thank you!!! Let’s GO!
