Tuomarimme

Åsa Emanuelsson - Ruotsi

I’m truly looking forward to judging at Janakkala Open 2026. Although I have “only” three years of experience as a judge, I have been active in agility since 1997. For more than three decades, I have followed the sport’s development and seen how dogs, handlers, and course design have evolved as the pace has increased.

My judging experience is influenced by my own international competition background, including World Championships, the European Open and the Nordic Championships. It is also shaped by my years as a coach, with assignments primarily in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Spain.

When designing courses, I draw inspiration from my own training as well as from other judges who create exciting and well‑thought‑out combinations. My goal is to create courses that highlight handlers who dare to trust their dogs and where the dog has some independence. I aim for natural lines suited to fast and explosive dogs, while also building in changes of pace that allow all types of handlers to succeed.

Above all, I appreciate seeing the connection between handler and dog. That sense of joy and shared movement is what makes agility so special, regardless of the team’s level.

Reetta Pirttikoski - Suomi

Eurajoki is famous for two things: housing Finland's biggest nuclear power plants and the fabulous Reetta Pirttikoski. We're not saying the two are related, but some people are just a little suspicious of that "radiant" glow of hers.

Reetta started her agility journey with her Jackrussell “Äksy”. Formerly a crazy horse lady, she first thought of agility as a fun leisurely activity with her dog. Agility soon swept her away and she has since competed in all height categories, including a Boxer, a Spanish Water Dog and of course a Bordercollie.

She coaches a variety of skill levels from beginners to national teams and loves honing the skills of the dogs to perfection. Since earning her stripes as a Judge in 2013, she’s been collecting passport stamps faster than most people get a hair cut, judging in over 20 countries outside Finland. Her abilities have been recognized in major international events, being chosen to judge Junior Agility World Championships 2022, European Open 2024 and Agility World Championships 2026.

Judging is her greatest passion, and the coolest thing she knows, is when her course plan comes to life with each team choosing their own path and creating their art more beautiful than the other! Her coursedesigns give the handlers a possibility to find the best route or utilize the dogs skills to achieve a flow normally only found in rivers carved in stone.

Whether it’s judging or coaching, her radiating laughter makes her easy to find while transferring her immense joy and passion to all others around her.

Big events can often steal the show, but she says the most memorable experiences sometimes come from the simple things - the passion, warmth and co-operation of smaller clubs, or the smiles and eagerness of the competitors.

Einari Pekkala - Suomi

Hailing from Oulu and now living in Ylöjärvi, I’m a mix of traditional Finnish grit and central european crazy energy. I’m a structural engineer by trade, which helps me design and build solid, flowing agility courses.

I’ve been hooked on agility since 2012. I’m currently competing with my MAS, Eni, and my Pyrenean Shepherd, Papu, with our sights set on the national tryouts.

As a judge (since 2023), I prioritize safety and natural lines that give dogs and handlers room to work. I love a course that offers multiple handling options—it’s the best way to see a team’s unique skills shine.

My biggest piece of advice? Trust your training, push your limits, and always remember to reward your dog, mistakes and all! Allways do everything with a smile, otherwise it's not worth doing