Border Collie “Rain” Wins 2026 AKC Rally National Championship

This may be the AKC Rally National Championship’s 13th year, but this sport is one of the fastest-growing in the dog world! This year’s competition in Wilmington, Ohio at the Roberts Center crowed a new winner. Border Collie “Rain”, handled by Ann Marie Scripko, won the 2026 AKC Rally National Championship after two days of competition on July 18 and 19.

AKC Rally celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2026. With 100 breeds across 662 handler-dog teams, teams came from 44 different states as well as Canada. All-American Dogs made up the highest breed number at this year’s competition with 98. Golden Retrievers and Border Collies were the highest in number, with 84 and 83 dogs respectively.

The winners were crowned in the Champion, Master, Excellent, Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice divisions. Winners in Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master were crowned on Saturday at the end of the day’s competition. Champion and Excellent division winners were announced Sunday at the end of the day’s competition.

Crowning a Winner

After two days of competition, the 2026 AKC Rally National Champion was crowned. Winners were crowned in the each division: Champion, Master, Excellent, Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice.

Scripko had a successful weekend not just for her Champion dog, but also for “Wave,” her Border Collie that won the Excellent class.

The 2026 AKC Rally National Championship Winners

Rally Novice Winner

Call Name: Tikka

Registered Name: Sonlight’s Fire When Ready BN RN SEN DM DS CGCA CGCU TKA FTI

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Handler: Kelli Carter

Score: 300.0/300.0

Time: 242.59 seconds

Rally Intermediate Winner

Call Name: Jag

Registered Name: Hr Blue Jaguar BN RI TKN

Breed: Border Collie

Handler: Donna Clark

Score: 298.0/300.0

Time: 230.63 seconds

Rally Advanced Winner

Call Name: Matilda

Registered Name: Matilda Von Talerin CD BN RA FDC

Breed: German Shepherd Dog

Handler: Chad Curran

Score: 300.0/300.0

Time: 265.39 seconds

Rally Excellent Winner

Call Name: Wave

Registered Name: Clever K9’s Catch The Wave CDX BN RE

Breed: Border Collie

Handler: Ann Marie Scripko

Score: 299.0/300.0

Time: 216.92 seconds

Rally Master Winner

Call Name: Athena

Registered Name: Outlaw’s This Means War CDX RM2 RAE FDC SWN CGCA CGCU TKE ATT VHMA VHMP VSWB FITG FTI

Breed: Belgian Malinois

Handler: Elizabeth Berna

Score: 300.0/300.o

Time: 266.49 seconds

The 2026 AKC Rally National Champion

Call Name: Rain

Registered Name: OTCH RACH Clever K9’s She’s My Kind Of Rain UDX4 OM6 BN RM4 RAE3 OA OAJ XF

Breed: Border Collie

Handler: Ann Marie Scripko

Score: 400.0/400.0

Time: 335.4 seconds

Rally Breeds Represent

Some dog breeds weren’t hundreds in numbers, but had a sole member representing their breed at the weekend’s competition. Among those dogs were not only rare breeds, but also breeds that aren’t as well-known to be sport dogs. It just goes to show that any dog can do dog sports, no matter their breed!

Breed popularity doesn’t always mean that dogs are likely to be at dog sports. The Cane Corso, Boston Terrier, Brittany, Cocker Spaniel, and Italian Greyhound are all breeds within the top 50, but each had one representative at the Rally National Championship. Rare breeds on the other hand, are less expected to see anywhere, but are always a delight to see at sporting events. The Danish-Swedish Farmdog, Lancashire Heeler, Pyrenean Shepherd, and Treeing Walker Coonhound showed up and showed out to represent their breeds and prove that any breed can do dog sports – even ones that the public hasn’t seen before.

The German Spitz, Kromfohrlander, Peruvian Inca Orchid, and Yakutian Laika also competed this weekend. These breeds, part of the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) and Miscellaneous classes, are even rarer to see out at events. Snap a picture with the owner’s permission if you get the chance!

Full Results

Full results of the AKC Rally National Championship can be found at AKC Companion Events. The AKC National Obedience Championship also took place at the Roberts Center in conjunction with the Rally Championship, on July 16 and 17, making for a fun-filled weekend of dog events.

Any dog can get started in AKC Rally, no matter their age, breed or skill level. Find a class or a trainer from a club near you and get started in this great teamwork sport today!

Don’t miss the 2026 AKC Rally National Championship! Watch the full event livestream on AKC.tv and YouTube on on July 18th – July 19th, and stay tuned to find out who will be this year’s AKC Rally National Champion.