What first drew you to IGP sport?
Synda, my German Shepherd. She came into my life as a family pet. However, it didn’t take long for me to realise that she possessed a level of drive, intelligence, and intensity that far exceeded the average pet lifestyle.
It was her breeder who first introduced me to the sport. Until then, I had never encountered anything like it. From the outset, I was captivated by its depth and intricacy, the precision, the control, the partnership, and the mental and physical demands it required.
Can you tell us a little about the dogs you’re currently working with?
I currently have three dogs: Harlow, my Springer Spaniel, and two Belgian Malinois, Frag and Duvel.
Harlow is, in many ways, a Malinois in a Springer’s body, possessing relentless ball drive, boundless intensity, and very little self-preservation when in pursuit of the game. Yet beneath that fire is an exceptionally gentle temperament. She is the kindest soul and shares a beautiful bond with my three-year-old son, Maximus. In 2023, Harlow became the first Springer Spaniel in Australia to achieve a BH title. We are now continuing our journey together, working toward tracking and obedience titles.
Frag is my main partner in crime and embodies the true essence of what an IGP dog should represent. He is powerful and commanding on the field, with genuine passion for the work. Yet off the field, he is balanced, social, and always up for a cuddle.
Duvel is the newest addition to the team. She’s ten weeks old and has already started her foundational training for IGP. While she shows promising drive and enthusiasm, her favourite role at present is curling up on the couch for evening snuggles.
What does a regular day look like for you?
Honestly, there is no such thing as a regular day in my world. Each day presents its own set of challenges, making any true sense of routine almost impossible.
However, in the lead-up to a trial, my wonderful husband Ben steps up in the most selfless way, often doubling his workload so he can make himself available each day to lay tracks for me and care for our son. His support allows me to prioritise structured tracking and obedience trial prep sessions.
The remainder of my day is largely devoted to Max and Duvel, embracing the chaos, the learning, and the demands that come with raising both a toddler and a working pup. Then, once the house is finally quiet, I sit down late at night to work through business administration, usually while Ben and I unwind together by binge-watching a new Netflix series.
Tracking is often described as quiet, patient, and precise. Would you agree?
I absolutely agree. What I love most about IGP tracking is its complexity. It is not just about following a track; it is about methodically acknowledging each individual footstep, demonstrating discipline and self-control when every instinct urges the dog to rush forward.
The precision required extends even to something that appears simple, such as an article indication, where accuracy, clarity, and consistency are non-negotiable. Added to this is the unpredictability of conditions on trial day. Weather and terrain can impact results dramatically if you’re not prepared.
These elements are precisely why I both love and, at times, hate tracking. Its unforgiving nature demands patience, technical skill, and mental resilience, qualities that aren’t for everyone, and perhaps why many competitors are drawn toward other disciplines.
What’s something IGP has taught you about dogs, and about yourself, that you didn’t expect?
IGP has shown me that to be successful in the sport you love, you must be resilient. It has revealed a level of resilience within me that I once doubted I possessed.
It has also shown me the remarkable resilience of dogs, their capacity to adapt, persevere, and return to the work with enthusiasm. It has shown me that true resilience ultimately leads to true happiness.
When training or competition doesn’t go to plan, how do you reset?
I surround myself with the people I love, people who both support and challenge me, and who remind me of who I am when things get tough.
When problem-solving, I sit down with my master coach, my husband Ben Geurts, and we break it down and come up with a game plan moving forward.
As a woman in a high-performance sport, what have you grown more confident in?
I have become more confident in who I am and what I’m capable of achieving. I no longer see failure as a threat, but a challenge to be better and a necessary part of growth.
I’m far more comfortable taking risks, learning from setbacks, and bouncing back quickly.
Have you had mentors or supporters who shaped your journey?
For many years, my mentors have been Michael Bellon and Bart Bellon. Their philosophy on dog training, their relentless work ethic, and the genuine care they show both dogs and handlers have profoundly shaped the way I think and work.
More recently, a single seminar with Lars Lentz completely transformed my approach to tracking. His system challenged everything I thought I knew about IGP tracking and completely rebuilt it from the ground up.
My parents have always been my unwavering support system, willing to stay up late, wake up early, and travel across the country to help with Max so I can continue pursuing my goals. Their belief in me has never wavered.
Above all, my greatest supporter and mentor in life is my husband. He has taught me resilience, perspective, and discipline. He is the reason I pick myself up after setbacks and continue moving forward.
How are women shaping the future of dog sport?
In many sports, they are leading the way. Across disciplines, women are not just participating, they are excelling, innovating, and setting new standards of performance and professionalism.
Women bring strength, emotional intelligence paired with technical precision, patience balanced with grit, and an ability to read and develop dogs to a high level. Dog sport is increasingly shaped by women who are competitors, trainers, and coaches.
If anything, the only gap I see is visibility. Women are dominating scoreboards, building influential training programs, but often without the noise or self-promotion that amplifies those achievements.
The impact is undeniable. The recognition simply needs to catch up.
What does being part of the Ironside team mean to you?
Being part of Ironside makes me incredibly proud. What they have built there is rare. Not just longevity, but growth built on integrity and sportsmanship. In a sport where egos and politics can easily fracture communities, Ironside has done the opposite. It has flourished.
The passion within our members is undeniable. The commitment they show to their dogs, to the sport, and to each other elevates the entire standard of the club.
What does success look like to you?
Success, to me, is measured in happiness. If my husband, my son, and my dogs are fulfilled, connected, and loving the journey alongside me, then I have already achieved something extraordinary.
True success is when your family, friends, and dogs are thriving, when the pursuit strengthens your family and when the process brings joy as much as the outcome.
If we are happy, growing, and moving forward together, that is the highest form of success I could ask for.
For our enthusiastic IGP followers, could you give your three best tips for creating a successful IGP human-dog team? What can we do now to push that little bit harder?
1. Build a Strong Relationship and Love for the Work Before You Build Skills
A strong IGP team starts long before the field. Connection, trust, and communication are the foundation that every phase relies on.
This means prioritise time every day doing something that strengthens your bond. My number one is play, but play the right way. Play must be competitive but fun, challenging but not overwhelming. Sometimes they win, sometimes you win. Be genuine. The focus should always be that you both have fun.
Grooming, love, and affection are also super important. A dog that genuinely wants to be with you and work with you is halfway to success.
2. Train With Purpose, Not Just Repetition
Successful teams don’t just “run through routines”, they train with clear intention. Breaking behaviours down, isolating skills, and revisiting fundamentals is what separates good from exceptional.
Constant perfect repetitions are a trap. You must keep challenging your dog, keep asking more, and keep moving forward. Don’t be scared of messy sessions, messy is progress.
3. Surround Yourself With the Right People
IGP is too complex to do alone. The best handlers have coaches, helpers, tracklayers, and training partners who push them, challenge them, and keep standards high.
Ask for feedback, film your sessions, and seek out people who genuinely want you and your dog to succeed. Surround yourself with a community that trains with intensity and honesty, the type who want to see you win and aren’t afraid to point out what needs fixing.
But remember, for this to work, you must be tough.
