2006-2007 First Contact Starters Agility

Another year of agility passes us by as ten First Contact Grade 1 & 2 Agility qualifiers held across the country. David Bew and Hazel Higgins report on the 2007 Final which took place on the evening of Sunday, 26 August at the Dog Vegas show at the Winterton Showground, Scunthorpe.

It was lovely to see a variety of breeds competing in a final. We had breeds ranging from Weimaraners to German Shepherd Xs to German Shorthaired Pointers. A large number of the dogs were rescued or rehomed and seemed to be enjoying every minute of their new lives together. Some lovely glass trophies and a voucher for £100.00 of agility equipment was the prize on offer.

It was a glorious evening, perfect weather and perfect ground conditions for the competition. The crowd was gathering as the judge Kathrin Tasker was setting a suitably challenging agility course for the 31 competitors. With the running orders drawn, the course set and Lotta Bowers on the microphone, it was time to start the final.

First to go was Nicky Smallman with her Working Sheepdog, Ibberton Bright Star with a fast round in a time of 32.65 but with an unfortunate 5 faults. The next to go was Jessica Glandfield with Deonbach Anwar Wallis who set the standard with a lovely clear round in a time of 33.64 seconds.

The next two dogs had 10 faults and 5 faults respectively. Fifth to run was Angela Fiddimore with Bobly Bob. This three year old dog put in a faultless clear in a time of 33.31 to take the lead. Angela was to hold onto that lead until Sarah Lloyd, running 10^th crossed the finish line with Santa’s Little Helper in a time of 32.17!

We had several more good clear rounds after that, but no-one could beat the time until running 21^st Donna Cordon Stacey stepped up to the line with Waggerland Whombatt. This pair were one of the favourites to win and they didn’t disappoint with a blistering round in a time of 28.57!! Unfortunately they picked up 5 faults on the way, allowing Sarah to hold onto the lead a little bit longer.

Next to go was Nikki Collins with Hotshot Harlequin. This pair have really been on form this weekend collecting numerous placings – could their luck hold out again? They managed to produce a text book round in a time of 31.35 to put them in the lead. This round proved to be unbeatable as they went on to win! – an impressive start to her career as this is her first agility dog. Well done!

This Final proved to be a very exciting competition to watch, every partnership was worthy of being there, showing us that the standard of our up and coming handlers and dogs is getting higher each year. Out of the 31 dogs that ran, there were 15 clears, ten with 5 faults, four with 10 faults, two with 20 faults and no eliminations! Grade 7 people – watch your backs!

Congratulations to Nikki and Harley on winning the Final and collecting numerous rosettes and trophies over the three days.

Many thanks
Well done and thank you to all the competitors who provided us with a thrilling and entertaining final, to the clubs that hosted the qualifiers, and the judges and ring parties throughout the year, Lotta Bowers for commentating and thank you to Dog Vegas for hosting the final.

Photos: Paws4Print

Place	Handler	Dog	Faults	Time
1	Nikki Collins	Hotshot Harlequin	C	31.35
2	Sarah Lloyd	Santa's Little Helper	C	32.17
3	Nicky Smallman	Ibberton Bright Star	C	32.65
4	Rebecca Waite	Bailey Boo	C	32.81
5	Angela Fiddimore	Bobly Bob	C	33.31
6	Jenny Barr	The Blanket Kid	C	33.32
7	Jessica Glandfield	Deonbach Anwar Wallis	C	33.64
8	Tina McAdam	Wallace The Whizz	C	35.12
9	Michelle Philips	Halesrush Sweet Charity	C	35.36
10	Keith Leggate	Shepers Frosty Lady	C	35.70

Mobile: 07790506946 or 07776215812
Email: davidbew@firstcontactagility.fsnet.co.uk

First Contact Heats 2007

Finally The Final

David and Hazel of First Contact Agility would like to congratulate all of the contestants who qualified for the First Contact Agility Final at the North Derbyshire Agility Festival in July 2006. We would especially like to congratulate the following people and dogs on their success in gaining the following places.

Place	Handler	Dog
1	Alistair Bray	Faze Fox It Up
2	Sally Rhoda	Rocket Pocket Poacher
3	John Turner	Five Days Harry the Potter
4	Helena Cross	Miss Lily
5	Laura Heatley	Haradale a Winters Mist
6	Jill Parke	Right on Bill
7	Pam Baines	Mocha Celebrations
8	Doreen Charnock	Big Mac
9	Mike Welch	Clayburn Clinton
10	Sharon Dyson	Arneston Pure Magic

We would also like to thank Emma Davis for judging and Nigel Davis for doing the commentary again this year. Thanks also go to the North Derbyshire Dog Agility Club for holding the final, and to all the other shows and ring parties for hosting the heats throughout the year. We look forward to sponsoring this final again in 2007.

The Results Thus Far

With two heats left to go, David and Hazel of First Contact Agility would like to say well done and good luck to the following people and dogs who have qualified for the First Contact Starter Agility Final to be held at the North Derbyshire Agility Festival in July.

Handler	Dog
Emma Pearson	Larnes Luck Charm
Christine Clements	Manderian Solstice Belle of Mount Lochan
Rachel Roger	Red Hot Summer
Helen Logan	Lil Miss Understood
Mandy Elcock	Delark Fireflash
Sue Choux	Lunarlite's Sassy Lassy
Sharon Brooke	Glenfound Takagamble
Sally Rhoda	Rocket Pocket Poacher
Nikki Smith	Little Madam Butterfly
Susan Izod	Reg. the Pledge AW
Martyn Wright	Ben of Glebelands
Sheila Read	She’s a Little Acer
Alex Finnie	Flynntastic Red Mist
Clair Kavanagh	Cariad Cyflym
Rebekah Rayner	Sky Bound Peg
Becky Atkinson	Wild Gossamer
Kevin Lampitt	Buster Bear
Stuart Doughty	Iffinn Dought
Fiona Argyle	Ci’r Cigydd Bethan
Rachael Busk	Corydoras Dancing Flame
Caroline Argyle	Kingswood Tess
Lara Kenny	Kia Corumba
Emma Wadd	Shine on Harvey Moon
Doreen Charnock	Big Mac
Mike Welch	Clayburn Clinton
Lee Hunt. C/O Karen Holcombe	Rambling Rose of Red Lake
Joe Donnelly	Magneto Sparks
Tony Goss	Penny De-Bow
Katheryn Shuttlewood	Spirit of the Storm
Julie Alliott	Ember Alliott
Amanda Brothy	Addlethorpe Kasa
Laura Heatley	Haradale A Winters Mist
Wendy Powell	Warlksfar Delight
Gill Parke	Right on Bill
June Blaylock	Sweet Rig Bombardier
Pam Baines	Mocha Celebrations
Sharon Dyson	Pippa’s No Angel
Sam Allbut
Sandy Cunrow
Jill Dunbar
Carol Hunkin

We would also like to thank the all the judges and ring parties and the following clubs for agreeing to hold the heats throughout the year including Bromsgrove, Wigton, Dashin’ Dogs, Golden Valley, Wallingford, Caerphilly, Dordale, Shrewsbury, Nottingham and North Derbyshire.

2006 Heats Announced

The qualifiers for the First Contact Starter Agility Final have been announced for next year, culminating in the Final at the North Derbyshire show in July 2006.

Show	Date(s)
Dashin' Dogs	August 2005
Bromsgrove	17-18 September 2005
Wallingford	22-23 April 2006
Dordale	29-30 April 2006
Shrewsbury	29-30 April 2006
Nottingham	27-28 May 2006
Golden Valley	17-18 June 2006
Wigton	3-4 June 2006
Caerphilly	22-23 July 2006
North Derbyshire	28-30 July 2006
Final also to be held at North Derbyshire July 2006.