COA National Specialty - December 15-16, 2025 in Ocala, Florida!
Chinook owners, lovers and families - Get your Christmas spirit kindled early this year! We will be having our COA Specialty on the 15th and 16th of December at the renowned World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, Florida. Escape the cold and early snow to join us for a few days of fun in the sun! There is a reason snowbirds flock here: low humidity, beautiful 70° temperatures and SUNSHINE – perfect weather for our fun activities at the Specialty! (…And, if you’re interested in a longer stay, this area has a wealth of other exciting family activities that are within easy reach – Disney, warm springs, manatees, and so much more!)
We’re planning a spectacular National Specialty and here are the highlights…
First off, the venue is phenomenal! In addition to the climate-controlled Expo Center and a dog-loving staff, the WEC has a spectacular display of Christmas lights not unlike the Christmas Spectacle at Disney. If you come in on Saturday (a day early), the venue has a full weekend of entertainment to enjoy – bands are playing, art, food vendors, sparkling lights, and more! An added benefit: the WEC will be filled with animal lovers from all over the US and Canada who have never heard of a Chinook! What better place to promote our beautiful breed!
Second, an array of dog-friendly places to stay:
- The Riding Academy is the WEC’s dog-loving hotel and dogs are allowed everywhere! They even get their own special welcome cookies and doggy bed for their stay! A hotel block of 12 suites has been reserved and you can book at Chinook Specialty 2025 Booking. Act soon because we were able to only block ten king and 2 double queen suites. The special room rate is good for stays one day before and after. Once all 12 suites are booked, room pricing is at full price.
- Other options on WEC grounds are also available: RV slots and Home Away from Home accommodations for families or bigger groups.
- Looking for something different, email us for a list of local motels and hotels.
Third, the program will be amazing too! Things kick off on Monday with fun get-to-know-each-other activities and on Tuesday, we’ll determine who is the National Best of the Chinooks! Here’s just a brief overview…
- The wonderful Susan Burrell will share her expertise on how to handle and show your Chinook in the ring and will do an introduction on the conformation of the Chinook.
- Rachael Davis, Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Nose Work Instructor, will offer a mini seminar to introduce K9 Nose Work on both afternoons.
- SPOT (and CGC) evaluator will be on hand both afternoons
- Other Monday activities include a station for weight pull try-outs, educational seminars, Chinook games, and an evening social with our Chinooks on the patio of the Horse and Hound, our local pub close to the WEC.
- For the Chinook National Specialty show on Tuesday, our honorable UKC judge, Diane Price, is excited to see our Chinooks in the ring. Plenty of other awards are waiting for your furry family members: Best Puppy, Best Senior, Best Cross Breed, and many more.
- Bring your kids so they can try their hand at showing their Chinook in the Junior class – no better place to start than in the private and fun environment of the COA Chinook National Specialty!!!
- Tuesday evening features our prestigious Banquet. We’re looking at the Remington’s Steakhouse (still needs to be confirmed) which provides fine dining, you order your own. We can bring our Chinooks to the outside patio – so nice to keep our dogs with us!
And fourth, the silent auction of course! Chinook owners love dog stuff, especially Chinook stuff. Place bids on fun dog accessories (bowls, toys, collars, leashes), t-shirts, hand blown glassware, Chinook artwork, Christmas ornaments, and old collectables like publications, postcards, and Chinook history. Remember, all donations help us cover the costs of the event and are welcome irrespective of whether you can join us here in FL. Email Daniela Metz for the address to send auction items.
Mark your calendars now to gather with our Chinook extended family on December 15th and 16th for a festive and fun 2025 Chinook National Specialty.
Warm wags,
The COA National Specialty Committee
