Please click on the picture below for a bio about each of the 2028 Judges and sample course plans:

Alejandro Salas

I am Alejandro Salas. I began in agility in 2013 with my first dog, a mixed breed. Since then, I have competed with four dogs —a mixed breed, Border Collies, and a Working Cocker— and next year I will begin a new stage with another Border Collie.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to compete at WAO, AWC, and EO, and since 2022 I have been an international judge. This journey has allowed me to travel, meet extraordinary people and places, and bring my course designs and passion for agility to more than 15 countries, participating in major events around the world.

Today, I want to share something truly special for me. In 2013, the year I started in agility, I had only been training for four months when I went to watch a competition that people said was important. When I arrived, I discovered WAO. I remember looking at the ring and thinking: “One day I want to be here competing.” That dream, which seemed so far away at the time, eventually came true, and over the years I’ve had the privilege of competing at this incredible world event with several dogs and living unforgettable experiences. WAO has always had a very special place in my life from the moment I first discovered it. Being a judge in 2028 feels, in a way, like completing my entire journey within WAO. I have experienced it as a spectator, as a competitor, and as a helper… and now being invited as a judge is an enormous achievement for me, one that fills me with deep emotion.

I am sure it will be a fantastic event once again, and I am truly happy to be part of such an important competition. It will be very special to see participants from so many countries running on my courses and to share time with many of you there. See you in the Netherlands in 2028!

Elpida Ismael 

My name is Elpida Ismael, and I am from Greece. I am an agility handler, trainer, and judge.

I was among the first people to introduce agility to my country back in 2012, starting with my Labrador, Lisa. Since 2018, I have been a member of the Greek National Team with my two Border Collies, Diesel and Astra. I am also a 3x Greek Agility Champion.

I have been judging internationally since 2024, and I truly love this journey.

I am passionate about course design that balances skill, handling, and speed, always with safety as my top priority. I love dogs and I always do my best to create fluent, fair, and safe lines for them, while still offering technical and handling challenges.

It is an honour to be invited to judge this major event, and I am so excited for it!

See you at the FitPaws WAO’s rings!

Nicola Giraudi

I was born in 1980 in Turin, Italy. 11 years later my mum was allowed to retire early and, to fulfill her lifelong desire, decided we should get a dog. A German shepherd puppy came then into our lives! When we went to a training centre to look for an education course, we saw an agility show:
that was the beginning of it!

I entered my first show in April 1993... since that day I've owned, trained and handled many dogs of different sizes and breeds. Working with different types of dogs is something I find really fascinating! In my 30+ years long career I had the honor of being National, European and World
Champion multiple times, thanks to the wonderful dogs that shared (and still do) their lives with me. I also had many less talented dogs that taught me a lot about finding strategies and ways to teach skills and build drive, that come in really handy now that my job is being a full time agility
trainer.

In the most recent years I began my career as a judge for CSEN and UKI, with the goal of designing fast courses that include the need for the handler to have perfect timing and handling skills, but will also require good skills from the dog. The balance is everything!

I'm honored and really excited for this amazing opportunity to judge at the FitPaws World Agility Open and I wish all competitors the best of luck, hoping they will have fun on my courses!