The History of Ashley Whippet

The true scope of our organization is to promote and strengthen the human canine bond. To provide a positive, high energy, athletic outlet that encompasses and caters to a canines natural drive to run, jump, and catch. Also to embrace the canines pack animal desire to spend active quality time with their human companions. Irv Lander a sports promoter and always animal activist co-founded Ashley Whippet Invitational along with Alex Stein. We strive to keep his memory and dreams alive and flourishing.

The Big Bang - A New Sport is born

The sport got its start in the early 1970s, paralleling the rise in popularity of frisbee sport. The definitive moment came on August 4th, 1974 when Alex Stein, a young college student from Ohio, jumped the fence at a nationally broadcast baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds. He had with him a couple of frisbees and an amazing dog named Ashley Whippet. Ashley astonished the crowd with eight minutes of catching frisbees, running 35 mph and leaping 9 feet in the air to snag discs. The stunt was so novel that the game was stopped and Joe Garagiola continued to announce the action on the field. Finally, however, enough was enough, and Alex was escorted off the field. But the seed was planted, and a new sport was born.
Alex worked with Irv Lander and Eldon McIntire to create a nationwide competition for people and their dogs. It was a sport that is easy enough for anyone, and that celebrates the bond between handler and dog. Even today, Alex and Eldon continue to contribute to the sport.

for more information about Ashley Whippet and the Championships please visit: ashleywhippet.info