BSD World Champs 2011

GB Team Report

The GB team and grooms gathered at Lincoln Kennels near Swanley (Kent) at 10.00am Wednesday and we were quickly on our way to the 17th FMBB World Championships. Though selected, Andy Brown did not make the Team they could not repair Thor's microchip and re-issue a pet passport. Instead Andy went as Helen Brown's groom and reserve Michelle Griffiths came into the team.

The GB Team consisted of:-

• Jo Hyslop with Keisha (Bonvivant Object D’Art) - Malinois

• David Leach with Rusty (Bonvivant Kalisto) - Malinois

• Gill Raddings with Check (Minka Morgan Check) - Tervueren

• Louise Challis with Delta (Ebontide Quedec at Louandi) - Groenendael

• Claire Bacon with Emmy (Draigarden Allegra) -Tervueren

• Tony Parmiter with Poppy (Ebontide Obsession) - Groenendael

• Helen Brown with Zeus (Wild Blue Spirit) - Malinois

• Michelle Griffiths with Jive (Minka Nikiski Jive) - Tervueren

This year it was a relatively short journey to Belgium. It had been impossible to find a hotel near the venue that had enough rooms, would take the dogs and had coach parking. The closest one was back in Dunkirk about 40 minutes drive back into France. Unfortunately it was basic and a little bit disappointing.

We arrived at Nieuwpoort with just enough time to look around the venue and set up our tents in the agility area which was in the centre of an athletics stadium. We were very pleased to see that all the events were very close so we would have a chance to see them.

We gathered for the opening ceremony in the arena. It started on time but we were surprised to find we were parading through the town to a square on the sea front. It was very hot with a strong drying wind, so we were very pleased that the opening speeches were not too long. It was only a 10 minute walk back, not the 40min route we had taken to get there.

In the opening speeches, we learnt that there were 29 countries, represented by 608 dogs. We were also very pleased to be joined by two people from the UK competing in Mondio.

Practice
On Thursday we were lucky to have a late practice session and vet check so we had a good breakfast and set off to the venue at 10.00am. We arrived to watch a few teams and then did our sessions which went very well. The equipment was all made from aluminium including the weave poles, and we were concerned that they blended with the steel barrier fencing around the arena. In practice it was not too much of a problem, but it did cause some in the competition. Mike went to the team managers meeting. Then we went back to Dunkirk where we found a very nice restaurant on the harbour where we had our evening meals.

Friday
We arrived at the venue very early. It was already hot with a strong gusty wind that would provide some difficulties later. The competition started with the first Individual Jumping course. We were a bit surprised by the course as it was about Grade 4 standard but with a difficult weave entry. As it was designed to FCI requirements, it had the minimum 5m between obstacles and was very fast.

Claire and Emmy had the best GB result clear in 40.32 seconds. Gill and Check were close behind clear in 41.36. Tony and Poppy picked up 0.26 time faults with 43.26 while Dave, Helen, Jo and Louise picked up 5 faults each. Michelle had 10 faults.

There was a short break and then we onto the first Individual agility. Once again the course was fairly straightforward, but the equipment and wind were to cause problems which we should have been anticipated as the aluminium wall blew down during course walking.

The seesaw was also blowing about in the gusty wind. The solution was simple. One of the two dog walk contact judges moved to the seesaw and held it up until the dog got there . Someone else held the wall and moved out the way as the dog approached it. That was not a problem for the more experienced dogs but it was very distracting for the younger dogs.

We were very pleased that Dave qualified for the final with a very good clear in 36.38. Gill was clear 42.48 too and so was Louise in 44.96. Michelle had 5 faults in 42.42 and Tony had 5 in 43.04. Claire, Helen and Jo were eliminated.

The third event of the day Team Jumping. Representing the UK were Gill with Check, Jo with Keisha, Louise with Delta and Dave with Rusty. The course was slightly more challenging but still not as difficult as we had experienced in previous years, We were very pleased that we finished with the fastest 5 faults in 7^th place which still kept us in contention.

Saturday
There was still a strong breeze which was thankfully cooling for the dogs, but we were all starting to feel the effects of two days of continuous sun and wind.

We started with Individual Jumping. Dave did a comfortable clear in 33.60. Claire without the distraction of the judges at the contacts did a very nice clear in 35.56 and Tony just picked up a couple of time faults in 39.28. Jo did a very fast 33.86 which would have been good enough to qualify except for 5 faults. Gill also had 5 faults in 36.36. Helen, Michelle and Louise were eliminated.

Individual Agility was next and finally the courses were starting to be world championship level, but in order to qualify with their last chance everyone really had to push. With the pressure of qualifying removed Dave did a fantastic round coming second in 35.62. On 5 Faults were Louise 41.64, Michelle 42.34, and Gill 42.58, Tony had 10, Jo,Claire, and Helen were eliminated.

The Team Agility was especially exciting as we were in with a chance of a podium position. We got just 5 faults with a very good time. Combined with our Jumping score we had 10 faults in a competitive time. The pressure was really on the six following teams. The following two teams had more faults than we did and we gradually climbed in the places. Italy and France battled it out for speed but picked up faults. Hungary held their nerve all getting steady clears guaranteeing second place. Finland were last to go and were outstanding. Going flat out and all clear, they were very well deserved winners. We had finished 3rd. With a little luck, we could easily have done better.

Sunday
Dave had qualified for the Individual Final Jumping earlier in the heats as did Gill who qualified as best dog from GB that had not already qualified. Dave ran first but picked up an unfortunate 5 faults for a pole down. Gill went clear in 36.00 and was in 20^th place.

The Individual Agility was yet again a very exciting final. Dave was the first UK handler to go but he had 10 faults, ending up in 26^th place. Gill had 5 faults but only slipped down to 21st. Alain Remund and Aspen, his fantastic little Malinois bitch, won the title for the second time for France.

We then had a little time to watch some Mandie, a very impressive full body protection dog sport, and the finals of the IPO. If you have never seen any you should really make the effort. The level of dog training is amazing and very inspirational.

The day ended with the Closing Ceremony where lots of beautiful trophies were awarded in all of the disciplines. We were particularly pleased that John Rumble had got 2^nd place in Mondio 3 and we gave him very vigorous support as he collected his trophy. It was also very good to meet some people who came over from the UK for the breed show and also just to attend this fantastic event. Then it was back on the coach and we headed for home!

The results for Team GB were very encouraging. We are raising our standard each year, getting more clear rounds and fewer eliminations while improving our speed but we still need more young dogs and handlers to become involved. The standard of the top teams at these championship is exceptional all of them would be competitive in a British championship class.

Thank you The substantial amount of funds required to send the team is jointly raised by the Belgian Shepherd Dog Association of Great Britain and the Working Belgian Shepherd Dog Society who jointly manage the whole enterprise. We would like to thank both societies for giving up a lot of their own time and for putting in so much effort to make it possible for the BSD agility community to compete in this prestigious World championship competition. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the team to say thank you to Tug-E-Nuff for the team leads. We would also like to thank - and congratulate - the FMBB and the organising team for continuing to run and grow this fantastic event.

Joint sponsors of the Great Britain Agility Team for the FMBB World Championships

Photos: Candice Robinson, Leo en Wilma Steenbakkers  & Mike Bacon

First published 7 September 2011

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