Marleen haeneefstingels from belgium
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you and how did you get involved in agility? And what led you to become a judge?
From a very young age, there has always been a dog in my life. As a child, I already shared a very special bond with dogs – and apparently also with red or brown ones, as they seem to be a constant presence throughout my life. Dogs were simply always there. They were my anchor, my place of calm, my source of trust.
Thanks to all my dogs, I have been able to experience so many wonderful things. Above all, I am deeply grateful to them — for everything they have taught me, often without words. As a child, they gave me stability, and later, as a young adult, they gave me something even more important: strength. After a severe burnout, it was my dogs who helped me rebuild myself step by step and learn to look forward again.
That agility would come to play such a major role in my life is something I actually owe to my husband. After we got married, I no longer had a dog, and every time the weather was nice, I would say, “This is perfect weather to go for a walk with the dog.” The only problem was… I didn’t have a dog.
On my birthday, he surprised me with a puppy from an animal shelter. That single gift turned out to be the beginning of what I can safely call my agility “addiction.” That dog introduced me to the sport — and it never let me go.
During all the years that I was active as a handler and trainer, the idea of becoming a judge never once crossed my mind. Until someone, with quite a lot of persuasive power, convinced me to take part in the Belgian judging courses and exams.
To be honest, I didn’t like judging my first two competitions at all. Judging is a completely different world when you are used to running courses yourself and teaching others. It is a world in which you have to find your place, stand your ground, and learn to deal with responsibility and expectations.
But it is also a world that has given me so much. A world with a strong social aspect, where you meet truly wonderful people from so many different countries. A world where you can enjoy beautiful runs, watch teams grow over the years, and be part of emotional moments and unforgettable finales.
Looking back now, becoming a judge feels like a very logical step in my journey. What I never would have dared to dream of is that one day I would be judging large, prestigious competitions such as the SOA, BCC, or EO — let alone a World Championship.
That I will have the honor of judging the Agility World Championship in 2026 in Turku, Finland, means an incredible amount to me. It is the result of years of passion, dedication, falling and getting back up — and above all, a lifelong love for dogs and for the sport.
What has been your most memorable experience as an agility judge?
When I think about this question, so many beautiful and memorable moments immediately come to mind that choosing just one feels almost impossible.
The EO 2022 is certainly one of them. My agility course on Saturday was called a “killer course” — the first time I had ever heard that term 
. What was considered extreme back then is now seen almost every week at other competitions. One image in particular is still crystal clear in my mind: a competitor from the Spanish team making a beautiful tumble over the second-to-last jump… without dropping the bar. That was surprising and amazing ! 
At that same EO, I judged the Medium final. You could feel the tension rising and then there was that one competitor who could guide their dog so beautifully and independently. Wow. Moments like that are pure double enjoyment.
Judging the first Senior World Championship also left me with an especially warm feeling. Courses where you can choose to run or to handle at a distance, where seniors give it their all — and are sometimes even faster than you expect 
— and where, regardless of the result, everyone is visibly enjoying themselves. These are moments you cannot plan, but that stay with you.
There are so many moments that leave a lasting impression.
Overall, agility simply gives me amazing vibes. I can still get emotional when I see a beautiful partnership between handler and dog — when the focus sharpens, the energy rises, and a team surpasses itself. Whether it’s at a small local competition or a major international event, that magic is always there.
When designing courses what are the key things you pay special attention to?
When I design a course, one thing always comes first: the safety of the dog. Without any doubt. A dog should feel safe, confident, and truly enjoy moving through the course.
I love flowing lines that feel natural and inviting, gradually leading into more technical challenges. This creates a balance between rhythm and focus, between enjoyment and precision.
Most of all, I believe a course should encourage the independence of the dog — a dog that dares to think, make decisions, and work with confidence as a true partner.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2026 Agility World Championship in Finland?
What I look forward to most when judging at the World Championships in Finland is the tension and the rush of great runs — those moments where performance, courage, and control come together. I also really enjoy seeing the bigger picture: all countries together, each with their own style and level, pushing each other within one event. The World Championships bring people together, and together with the other judges and the organization, I’m looking forward to making it a strong and wonderfull championship.
Have you visited Finland before? What stands out as your most memorable experience?
In November 2024, I travelled to Finland at the invitation of the club ATT. What they did not know at the time was that this visit would play an important role in my decision to apply as a judge for the Agility World Championship.
I was still hesitating about putting myself forward. A good friend gave me simple but wise advice: “Wait and see how judging in Finland feels. If it gives you a good feeling, apply. If it doesn’t, then don’t.”
That experience turned out to be without any doubt a very positive one.
The journey itself already felt like an adventure. Driving a rental car from Helsinki to Turku was a first for me — especially because it was my first time driving a car with studded tyres. At first, I honestly thought something was wrong with the car!
Once I arrived, I quickly realised how different traffic in Finland is compared to Belgium. The Finns must have thought a hooligan had entered the country! We are simply not used to such polite traffic, and I also drive quite often in Germany, where higher speeds are common.
However, once I got used to it, driving in such a calm and relaxed way was truly refreshing.
What touched me most was the Finnish way of interacting with people: initially a bit reserved and distant, but then genuinely warm and welcoming. I value that very much.I would therefore like to sincerely thank ATT and all the competitors at the event. Thank you for giving me such a positive experience. Without you, I would not be judging the Agility World Championship in Finland.
If you were a dog what breed would you be and why?
When I asked my students how they would describe my personality — and which dog breed I would be — I genuinely didn’t know what to expect.
Their answer came quickly, and it was remarkably consistent: a Belgian Malinois.
Fast. Driven. Straightforward.
Always ready to go, full of energy and with a clear love for action. A dog that thinks fast, learns quickly and prefers movement over standing still.
What surprised me most was not the breed itself, but how precisely they described me. In their words, I recognised both the intensity and the sensitivity underneath — the ability to read situations, feel the atmosphere and adjust when needed. It was unexpectedly touching to realise how closely they see me.
Like the Belgian Malinois, I believe in clear leadership and honest communication. Not by being loud or dominant, but by being present, fair and consistent — always with respect for the team around me.
Sharp and direct, yet approachable. Demanding, yet supportive.
And yes — being Belgian myself — the choice of a Belgian Malinois came with a smile. A Belgian agility judge compared to a Belgian working dog: energetic, honest, and quietly stubborn when it comes to doing things properly.
With this mindset, I am very much looking forward to serving as an Agility World Championship judge in 2026: alert, fair, engaged and attentive to every detail.
Like a true working dog — driven to move forward, sensitive to its environment, and always aware that agility is, above all, a team effort.