What started as a chaotic first Fast CAT experience with an excited Australian Cattle Dog eventually became The Speed Release — a system now trusted by thousands of handlers and dogs across the country.
We were mostly doing conformation with our dogs, along with some herding and backyard games of fetch, when our all-breed club started talking about adding Fast CAT to one of our events.
We knew almost nothing about the sport except that it looked exciting, fast, and honestly a little crazy.
After asking so many questions that we practically overwhelmed the lure operator, they finally said:
“Why don’t you come to an event and try it yourself?”
So we brought our two-year-old Australian Cattle Dog, Riker, to his very first Fast CAT event.
Riker was a big, muscular Australian Cattle Dog with enormous prey drive. Carol was the releaser. Marc was the catcher.
Carol is only 4'11", and trying to hold back an excited 60-pound dog waiting for the lure quickly became a battle.
When the words “Tally Ho!” were shouted, Riker exploded off the line. Carol ended up with sore fingers and Riker ran a 9.9 second time.
On the second run, everything changed.
Riker now understood the game. He dragged Carol to the line and ripped off an 8 second run.
He loved it. Marc loved that he loved it. Carol loved it a little less.
“Figure out a better way to release him… or I’m quitting.”
Over the next eight months, prototype after prototype was tested. Slips. Clips. Hip holds. Different release methods. Some worked a little. Some failed completely.
But the goal never changed:
Keep the dog controlled all the way to the line. Release smoothly. Avoid the chaos. Make it easier on both dog and handler.
Eventually, they arrived at a prototype Carol actually liked.
At one event, she released Riker, looked over, and simply said:
“This will work.”
The first Speed Releases were built only for personal use. Then someone at an event pointed to the release system and said:
“I want one of those.”
Every prototype was designed around real-world use, real dogs, and real start-line pressure.
The goal was never disposable gear. The products were built strong because replacing weak gear is frustrating.
What started with one person asking to buy one quickly grew into a much larger demand across Fast CAT and other dog sports.
Today, more than 5,000 Speed Releases have been sold, helping handlers and dogs run faster, smoother, and safer.
Everything here started with one determined dog and two people trying to make the start line less chaotic.
Marc approaches dog sports with curiosity, practical thinking, and a constant drive to improve the experience for both dogs and handlers.
What began as solving one release problem eventually evolved into a complete line of trusted dog sport equipment.
Carol helped shape the product through real-world use, real feedback, and a willingness to reject anything that did not truly work at the line.
Her experience handling excited, powerful dogs became a critical part of refining the final release system.
Riker is the dog who started it all.
His enthusiasm, power, speed, and absolute love of the game created the challenge that inspired The Speed Release.
Without Riker, there probably would not be a Speed Release.
Seeing handlers and dogs succeed together is still the best part.
Better control at the line creates calmer, smoother releases for both dogs and handlers.
Every product is designed with durability, reliability, and long-term use in mind.
The goal has always been simple: help people enjoy more success and more fun with their dogs.
Try the release system built from real-world experience, real dogs, and thousands of successful runs. Lifetime warranty included.