Aledo Student Heads to Junior Agility Open

Sarinah Landowski and her dog Neo qualify for international dog agility competition in Germany.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:06pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a dog agility competition, with overlapping geometric shapes in bright colors representing the Aledo High School team uniform and the dog's fur.Landowski and Neo's agility skills will be put to the test on the international stage as they represent the United States at the Junior Agility Open in Germany.Aledo Today

Sarinah Landowski, a high school student from Aledo, Texas, has been named to the 2026 American Kennel Club Junior Agility Team USA. Along with 21 other young handlers, Landowski and her dog Neo will compete in the Junior Agility Open (JAO) competition in Mannheim, Germany in mid-July. Landowski has been training Neo for agility competitions over the past two years, and they are now headed to the international stage.

Why it matters

Dog agility is a physically demanding and fast-paced sport that requires strong communication and teamwork between the handler and their canine partner. Landowski's selection to the national junior team highlights her dedication to the sport and the bond she has formed with her dog Neo. This opportunity will allow Landowski to represent the United States and the dog sport community on an international stage.

The details

Landowski and Neo were selected for the national junior team based on the submission of two competition run videos and their responses to questions about their skill level and training. The pair will compete in the Large (24') category at the JAO event, which features large agility courses that require significant running and coordination between the handler and dog. Landowski's ultimate goal is for Neo to feel successful, even if they don't medal, by focusing on having clean runs and improving their skills.

  • Landowski got her dog Neo three years ago when he was 9 weeks old.
  • Landowski and Neo started training for formal agility obstacles about two years ago.
  • Landowski and Neo competed in their first agility competition in the summer of 2025.
  • The Junior Agility Open (JAO) competition will take place from July 10-12, 2026 in Mannheim, Germany.

The players

Sarinah Landowski

A high school student from Aledo, Texas who was recently named to the 2026 American Kennel Club Junior Agility Team USA.

Neo

Landowski's Border Collie dog that she has been training for agility competitions over the past two years.

American Kennel Club

The national governing body for dog sports and activities in the United States, which selected Landowski and 21 other junior handlers for the 2026 Junior Agility Team USA.

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What they’re saying

“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to represent the dog sport community of the US internationally. I am very proud of all our training and the many hours of work, as well as the talented mentors and trainers I have worked with. I am even more excited to get to meet other young handlers and learn from the coaches.”

— Sarinah Landowski, Junior Agility Team USA Member

“This is the first dog I have ever gotten to train myself, and amazingly, we were able to make it onto the team.”

— Sarinah Landowski, Junior Agility Team USA Member

What’s next

Landowski and Neo will compete in the Large (24') category at the Junior Agility Open (JAO) from July 10–12 in Mannheim, Germany. The team is entirely self-funded and seeking community supporters and silent auction donations to help cover travel expenses.

The takeaway

Landowski's selection to the national junior agility team demonstrates the power of the human-animal bond and the dedication required to excel in competitive dog sports. Her journey highlights the growth of dog agility as a popular activity for young handlers and the opportunities available for talented youth to represent their country on the international stage.