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Photo Credit: Jenelle Prieto

Colorado Canine Challenge: Jordahl and Spice Shine with Three Podiums

By The UFO | June 29, 2025

The Colorado Canine Challenge, hosted by Colorado Disc Dogs, took place on June 28 at the scenic Dove Valley Regional Park. The event drew a strong turnout, with 63 teams competing across multiple divisions, showcasing incredible athleticism and seamless teamwork between dogs and their handlers. Under perfect summer skies, the atmosphere was electric as competitors and spectators alike enjoyed a full day of thrilling frisbee dog action. Women Lead the Charge in Open Division In the highly competitive Open Division, women dominated the podium, sweeping all three top spots. Brittany Jordahl and her speedy dog Spice delivered an outstanding performance that captivated the crowd with their smooth flow and high-difficulty maneuvers. Brittany’s command of the field and Spice’s blistering speed combined for a spectacular showcase, earning the pair three podium finishes throughout the day — an extraordinary feat. Newcomer Jessica Anderson, paired with her energetic dog Sprinkles, impressed everyone with fresh and creative routines. Sprinkles’ impressive jumping ability brought an exciting flair, although a few catches were missed due to the dog leaping over the disc rather than grabbing it. Still, Jessica’s innovative approach clearly signals a bright future in the sport. Darby Maloney, a formidable triple-threat competitor running three dogs during the event, secured third place with her reliable dog JD. Though JD was not Darby’s strongest freestyle partner that day, their strong Throw & Catch score of 14 points - the highest in Open Combined - was enough to claim a top 3 finish. Darby’s depth and versatility with multiple dogs continue to make her a rising star in the scene.

Open Freestyle and Toss & Catch Highlights

Brittany Jordahl’s dominance extended into the Open Freestyle event, where she again took first place. Jessica Anderson and Darby Maloney followed in second and third, respectively, demonstrating the competitive consistency of the women’s field. The Open Toss & Catch (T&C) competition was fiercely contested, featuring nearly 50 teams. After an intense first round, a six-way tie for tenth place expanded the cut to 15 teams advancing into the second round. Among them, Scott Bentley and his border collie Kimber stood out, clinching the top spot with a score of 19 in the first round — Kimber’s highest yet in World Cup competition. An awesome 18 point second round allowed them to walk away with a comfortable win. With just three years in the sport, Scott and Kimber have already qualified for several World Cup and World Championship events, marking them as a rising force to watch. Following closely behind in second place was the talented duo of Gary Duke and Beep. Known for their strong performances when Gary competes in Colorado, the pair matched their elite 2023 World Cup form with scores of 15 and 16 in each round. They narrowly missed the top spot but showed that they remain at the forefront of T&C competition.
-The Top 3
Taking third was Brittany Jordahl and Spice, whose relentless speed proved nearly unstoppable. With just a single miss in each round, they’re undoubtedly refining their strategy with an eye on converting that third-place finish into a victory at the upcoming World Cup Finals. Scott and Kimber will surely be waiting to face off against their Colorado rival.

Standout Performances and Inspiring Stories

Adam and Brooklyn, a dynamic chocolate lab, fought hard to make the top 10 cut. Although Brooklyn’s normally dominant T&C game was quieter this event, she surprised everyone with a spectacular freestyle performance in the second round, achieving an 8.4 catch ratio — the highest in that round and the second highest overall. Marissa and her dog Kite showcased steady improvement event after event. Considering that just last year Marissa was competing mostly from a wheelchair and has since transitioned to using a prosthetic, her progress has been nothing short of remarkable. Her fluid moves and growing sequence complexity suggest it’s only a matter of time before she climbs higher on the leaderboard.

A Legacy of Excellence

For over 25 years, the Colorado Canine Challenge has stood as a premier destination event and a spectacular showcase for frisbee dog teams from across the region. With excellent weather and fierce competition, the 2025 edition added another memorable chapter to this rich legacy. As the event looks ahead, participants and fans alike are already eager for next year’s return, ready to witness even more incredible athleticism and sportsmanship.f— The UFO