My name is Einari Pekkala. I am the chairman of the largest Finnish agility club, Tampereen Seudun Koirakerho ry. I am active in many volunteer organisations supporting Finnish agility. I was also part of the JOAWC 2022 crew.

I started my agility career in 2011. I compete actively with my Jackrussellterriers and most recently with a Pyrenean Shepherd “Papu” and a Miniature American Shepherd "Eni". I became an FCI Agility Judge in 2023.

When Jessi approached me about organizing something big in 2024, I was immediately intrigued and excited. She is a driving force in Finnish agility so I knew this would be something fun. 

A couple of months later things started to materialize and we now have a superb location, fantastic judges and a motivated inner circle who are anxious to get started!

So welcome everyone! Enjoy the Finnish summer and have a super fun weekend in 2025, and hopefully - in the years and years to come!

Hello everyone, I am Jessi, agility judge and mother of three children from Lohja, Finland. My family includes my childrens, more or less dogs and a cat - Javier from Spain.

I myself started agility as a teenager and competed quite actively with my own dogs and a few from other homes as well. Just before I became a judge in 2016 I had almost a competing frenzy 😁. I judge both in Finland and abroad. I am happy to be part of this amazing group organizing this cool event. I believe we have the best people for this event and luckily I can call them all my friends.

A warm welcome to Finland to competitors from all over the world! We have a beautiful country with a lot to see and do. I guarantee you will enjoy the flowing courses of our world class judges! I'm super proud of our crew and I'm really looking forward to seeing all my old and new friends in Lohja. I just know that we will have an amazing week, competing and partying. See you soon!

Ruusa Eloniemi

ruusa@agifest.fi

Hi! My name is Ruusa Eloniemi. I started to train agility in 2012 and after that the sport has become a huge part of my life. I train and compete actively with my two bordercollies - Enya and Elmo. I love to arrange big events and have been part of the organizer crews for example JOAWC 2022 and Finnish AWC tryouts 2022. I hope to see you in Lohja this summer! Let’s make the best event ever together!

Hi! My name is Heidi Hendrell and I’m helping with the marketing and branding of this awesome event. I’m also the owner of the name brand #joyofdogsports and will bring that joy with me to this Midsummer Dogs Sports Festival as well. I’m working daily with innovation for our premium dog sports products and also leading a large network and service for dog sports enthusiasts in Finland (SporttiRakki).

I have had dogs for over 20 years, both working and having fun with them. Currently I have two dogs: Australian Shepherd Jekku and Labrador Vainu and hopefully a new puppy soon.

I believe that the midsummer 2025 will be something many of us will cherish as the greatest summer memory ever.

Hopefully you will come and enjoy this with us! 

My name is Marko Kivihalme and i´m “the local” force in our team. I represent local agility club Länsi Uudenmaan agilityharrastajat and our hall is just 10 minutes from Kisakallio event place. I´m an active competitor, coach and an agility judge. I started my agility career over ten years ago and nowadays compete in large class with two bordercollies. We have altogether five of them at home. 

Jessi asked me to join this group of organizers to give that local knowledge and contacts, I´m also active in municipal services so I thought that maybe I can give my input on this awesome new event. I´m super thrilled about this event and hope you all feel the same. 

Hi! My name is Karoliina Mäkelä. I have been volunteering in several positions in my current club, Länsi-Uudenmaan Agilityharrastajat ry, as well as in my previous agility club and the Finnish Agility Association. I have been involved among other things in financials, competition arrangements and coaching.

I have started agility around 2008 with my miniature schnauzers. My current agility dogs are two young Border Collie boys, Delta and Luka. Our goal is to join 2025  Midsummer Dogsport Festival.

I’m an enthusiast, and I love to learn new things. I have wide experience in finance, but I haven’t been involved in organizing very large events, which is why I wanted to join Midsummer Dogsport Festival crew.

I can’t wait to see what a great event we will have this summer. Join us, and let’s make it even better than the first year!

Mika "Yltsi" Yliluoma

yltsi@agifest.fi

Hello ! I´m Nina Saajossalo

I live with my dogs in North Ostrobothnia Finland. I have had Belgian Shepherds in the family for over 30 years. Currently, I have 5 tervueren at home. There is no other breed for me.

I like to train different kind of dog sports. At the moment we train agility, obedience, rally-obedience, nosework and tracking, but I’m just a bit lazy when it comes to competing.

We attend agility competitions only a few times a year, but I like to organize events and competitions and that´s why I joined the organizing team for these agility festivals. 

I´m hoping to have a good time with great people in Midsummer !

Ville Liukka

ville@agifest.fi