10/24/2026
EMPIRE WDC AMERICAN SCHUTZHUND OCTOBER 2026 TRIAL RECAP
What an incredible trial for Empire and American Schutzhund!
Empire’s October 2026 trial brought together 20 participants, with two pulls leaving 18 teams. Of those 18 teams, five earned a passing score.
Every single person who stepped onto the field should be proud. We saw teams put in the work, rise to the challenge, and give it their best. Anyone who has competed in American Schutzhund for a few years knows just how challenging it truly is. And those who know this dog sport also know one thing, they’ll be back.
That determination is part of what makes American Schutzhund so special. And the sportsmanship within this organization is truly something to behold. The support, encouragement, and respect shown among competitors are a reminder that while we may compete against one another on the field, we are all part of something bigger.
TRIAL ACHIEVEMENTS
BT
Congratulations to Sana Nawaz and Tammy Michielsen on earning their BT
AS1
Congratulations to Empire’s own Michael Montagnola on achieving his AS1 and earning High Protection! A fantastic accomplishment!
AS3
TWO NEW TEAMS JOIN THE AS3 CLUB!
One of the most exciting highlights of this trial was witnessing two teams achieve their AS3, an extraordinary accomplishment in American Schutzhund. To date, only 15 teams have achieved this milestone, making these accomplishments even more special.
Congratulations to Empire’s Caitlin Montagnola and Anya on achieving their AS3 and earning High Detection!
Caitlin and Anya now take their place at #14 in the AS3 Club! What an incredible achievement!
Congratulations to Sana Nawaz and Creed of Vanishing Point WDC on achieving their AS3, along with High Obedience and High In Trial! Another
incredible accomplishment! Sana and Creed claim #15 in the AS3 Club!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR COMPETITORS!
Whether you left the field with a passing score, a new title, a lesson learned, or renewed determination to come back stronger, you are part of what makes American Schutzhund so rewarding.
Empire would like to thank Ben Lepinski for coming to judge our trial. Ben was very consistent in his judging and his demeanor is V rated.
We also need to thank our Helper, Denis Soldan. This trial marked Denis’s first American Schutzhund trial and he absolutely rose to the occasion! Denis did an outstanding job of keeping every dog safe. Balancing safety with the demands of American Schutzhund is no small task, and Denis handled that challenge.
Last but certainly not least, huge thank you to the members of Empire WDC for putting in the work, the sportsmanship that brings us together, and the determination that keeps us coming back. That’s American Schutzhund.
