Show news short 'n sweet...

The Internet has come into its own whether it be in times of crisis such as the spring floods or foot and mouth crisis or just the everyday cut and thrust of agility life. The Net is a fast and efficient way of keeping people informed about the little changes as well as the big ones. We can't be everywhere at once and so we rely on your input (and goodwill) to keep Agilitynet up to date so email us your show news as and when...

Please remind your show secretary to keep sending those updates to us and to include the name of the show, date(s), venue and other relevant details.

 AUGUST 2008

The 2008 GB European Team
Photo from Sarah Evans

Well Done to the GB Team at the 2008 European Open

After making it through a tough qualifying series, a 30-strong team of dogs and handlers represented Great Britain and the Kennel Club for the first time at the European Open Championships for Dog Agility in Gelsenkirchen (Germany). The Team was pitched against 650 dogs from 30 other European countries in a bid to take the coveted European Agility Championship title.

Overall the young British team achieved a number of good results in a variety of different categories. Leah Gardner and Herbie, a Working Sheepdog, gained a silver medal in the Individual Championships for Large dogs, whilst Bernadette Bay with her Shetland Sheepdog and Hex picked up a bronze medal in the Individual Championships for Small dogs. Marc Saunders and Dash, a Working Sheepdog, also came a creditable 6th in the final for Large dogs.

There was further Bronze medal success in the Large Team Championships, with a very young team made up of Anthony Clarke (16) with Magic, a Collie/Belgian Shepherd X, Lee Gibson (23) with Jack, a Border Collie, Katie Mitchell (18) with Rocky, a Border Collie, and Marc Saunders (24) with Dash, a Working Sheepdog.

To add to the roll of honour, Andy Sandercock won the Individual Medium Jumping round with Ten, his Border Collie, whilst Nigel Staines and Zico, an Australian Kelpie, came 4th in the Individual Large Agility round.

This was the first time that the Kennel Club has sponsored a team to enter the prestigious competition. Caroline Kisko, spokesperson for the Kennel Club, said: 'We are very proud of the team’s results at the European Open Championships for agility. The team achieved great success and we were happy that the dogs were able to bring home some medals for Britain.'

If you are interested in what a European-type course runs like, click here.

Agility European Open 2008 Results

Source: The Kennel Club Press Office (05/08/08)

Wye Valley DTC Class News

Classes for Grades 1, 2 and 3 Dogs at the Wye Valley Limited show on Saturday, 4 October are now full, but there are plenty of spaces for Grades 4, 5 and 6 dogs.

Source: Hilary Bowden - Show Secretary (05/08/08)

KoF Show Cancelled

Due to the torrential overnight rain, the Kingdom of Fife Agility show at Overstenton Park this weekend will have to be cancelled. The field is slow draining and 75% of it is under water.

Source: Nicola King (01/08/08)

British Agility Team Announced for the FCI Worlds

The Kennel Club has announced the team which will be representing Great Britain at the Agility World Championships which will take place in Helsinki, Finland from 26-28 September 2008.

After achieving promising results at the European Open Championships for Agility in Germany recently, the team will be heading to the World Championships hoping to bring home a win for Britain. The three day competition is held under FCI rules, with pedigree dogs from around 40 countries taking part.

'The Agility World Championships should be a great event, and wish the team the very best of British,' said Caroline Kisko, spokesperson for the Kennel Club.

After a tough team qualifier on Monday, the following dogs and handlers have been successful in qualifying for each of the three categories.

• David Alderson with Ag.Ch. Steelthorn Rum Truffle (Toy Poodle)
• Nicola Garrett with Ag.Ch. Obay Truly Driven (Shetland Sheepdog)
• Rachel Mowbray with Laurelton Winter Nutmeg (Border Terrier)

Yet more agility action is set to come this summer when British hopefuls compete at the largest agility show in the world, Kennel Club’s International Agility Festival in Peterborough, on 8th to 10th August. The International Agility Festival welcomes dogs from all over the world and the winners will qualify to compete at Crufts next year.

Read more information about the 2008 FCI Agility World Championships here

Source: The Kennel Club (01/08/08)

 JULY 2008

Closing Date for Redgates Show Extended

The closing date for entries for the Redgates Show on Saturday, 6 September has been extended by just over one week. Entries will now be accepted until Friday, 8 August (1st class postmark) - The original closing date was Thursday, 31 July.

Tim Griffiths says that there will be a number of Pay on the Day (POTD) classes for different sizes and grades of dog will also be available. These can be entered in addition to the maximum of four stipulated in the schedule. Whilst the make up of the POTD classes is still to be finalised. He said, 'We aim to run POTD agility classes for Large dogs with some being individually graded, and a POTD Jumping Class for Small and Medium Dogs. Some of the POTD day classes will be run in Ring 3 in the morning followed by our scheduled Fun Classes which will now start after lunch.'

He also confirms that, as stated in the schedule, a Practice Ring will be available throughout the day. This can be used by dogs who are entered in any of the classes. It can also be used by dogs that have been entered in the show as NFC, providing that dogs between 15-18 months of age are in full time training. No dogs under the age of 15 months will be allowed in the Practice Ring.

Please email Tim or Clare on HappyDogs@RedgatesAgility.co.uk or ring Tim on 0788 934 4102 if you have any questions about these revised arrangements.

Source: Tim Griffiths (30/07/08)

Measuring at Aylesbury

It has been confirmed that there will be measuring will be available at the Aylesbury CTS Agility Show on Friday evening at 6pm (ish) and on the Sunday. Anyone wishing their dog to be measured on the Friday evening should send an email to secretary@domino.org.uk, providing both their details and the name of their dog to book their place.

The Show Committee is very grateful for the measurers giving up their time to provide this service and everyone must appreciate that places are limited.

Source: The Show Committee (30/07/08)

Weald Rosettes & Trophies

The Weald Show Secretary has pointed out that there is an error on the Weald schedule regarding the prizes being awarded at the show. Rosettes are still to 10% of the class. However, in anticipation that some of the classes may be low in number, trophies will be awarded accordingly:-

• Up to 40 - 1st
• Up to 80 - 2nd
• Over 80 - 3rd

It would be appreciated if you could pass this message on to any friends or club members who do not have computers.

Source: Val Clarke (30/07/08)

Changes to Judges at Scunthorpe

For those attending the Scunthorpe DTC show on 2-3 August, there has been a change of judges. Phil Spilman will now be judging on Sunday and Allison Harris on Saturday,

Due to the number of entries, Class 28 (Graded 6 & 7 Jumping) will now be split. Grade 6 will be judged by Emma Rouse as per running orders. Grade 7 will now be judged by Phil Spilman and will be last class in Ring 5. 

Source: Cathy Candy (29/07/08)

Delinquent Dogz August Show Cancellation

Delinquent Dogz is sorry to announce that the show due on this weekend (2-3 August) will not be taking place.

Show Secretary and Co-founder Michelle Ainsworth says 'It seems that the holiday season has bitten with a vengeance! Either that or folk are having a weekend off and decorating as I shall be. We appreciate the support shown to us thus far, and are very happy to see so many new faces at shows especially last weekend. We have received cards and letters of thanks and were more than a little surprised by the round of applause we received at the close of play yesterday so thank you.'

The Delinquent Dogz Independent Agility Winter series of shows will start on Sunday, 19 October. Two further shows will take place on Sunday, 2 November and Sunday, 7 December. Then there will be a break until the end of March when the Summer 2009 series of events will begin.

Classes for the Winter Series will be Agility, Jumping and Helter Skelter at every show. Shows will open at 9.00am and judging will commence around 9.30am, giving you extra time in bed, How good is that!

As with other clubs, they would be grateful of any offer of help/judging. If you would like to offer your services (as it were) please ring Chelle me on mobile: 07949 466911

Apologies again for this coming weekend.

Source: Chelle & Eileen AInsworth  (29/07/08)

Agility Team GB Supporters Club to be Launched KC Festival

The Agility Team GB Supporters Club will be launched at the KC Festival on Saturday evening at the close of competition. All overseas visitors, Agility Team GB competitors, grooms and supporters from 2008 and prospective members are invited to the party.

Every year The Kennel Club agrees an annual budget to support International Agility. Until 2008, a team has been sent to the FCI World Championships, but this year it was decided that we should send a team to the European Open Event instead as it is open to all dogs regardless of pedigree. It is expected that the budget will fully fund this venture. Any surplus funds will be used to support a team at the FCI World Agility Event.

It is unlikely that there will be enough funds in the budget to fully support both events and so a small group of people including Kate Howard, Marie Douglas and Jill Spurr were asked to start up an Agility Team GB Supporters Club to fundraise and make up any shortfall. This year, competitors wanting to go to Helsinki are self-funding their travel and accommodation, but this inevitably restricts the entry to those who can afford it.

Membership is £10 per annum with various concessionary rates shown below. You get a badge, quarterly newsletter, chance to run in the national heats and qualify for the final. Top training, members only days will be available.

The Rates

Cheques payable to: Agility Team GB Supporters Club. Renewal fee due at Jan 1st each year. Any memberships unpaid by 1st February each year will consider to be lapsed.

Fundraising
There have already had several pay on the day events and have raised £500 so far.

Another fund raising activity is a Pledge raffle. This will run until early September and consists of pledges of items which have been generously donated. Many are items that 'money cannot buy' or, at least, would be very expensive. Please make a pledge to help boost the fund if you are able to. Everyone else should stop the fundraising Team and buy a strip of tickets at only £1. Alison Martin has offered to vacuum at six caravans at Dogs in Need to the highest bidders! She also offered to do it in a tabard. Bids to the fundraising team, please.

In addition, it would be nice to be able to also support other events or individuals as funds allow e.g. International Junior Events etc. This means a lot of effort on the part of the fund-raisers but you can all help by giving time or money to support the cause. The fund-raisers will be at an event near you – soon!

Aims

• To provide support & ongoing commitment to the development of KC agility both in the UK and overseas
• To support the provision of KC supported teams for International competitions from the Home Nation
• To raise funds through both membership and events to support the sending of teams to overseas events
• To raise the profile of International Agility within the agility community and the UK agility profile overseas

Objectives

• The provision of a national qualifier (for members only) with a final at the KC Festival
• To provide at least 3 training days for members only per annum
• To carry out additional fundraising events with proceeds to support international teams from the Home Nations
• The provision of a quarterly newsletter and a relevant information source for members (web page/forum)
• To encourage membership from all areas of agility

To apply for membership and send your details with a cheque to: Kate Howard, 90 Portreath Drive, Allestree, Derby. DE22 2SD. England. If you have any questions or ideas for fundraising etc. email kateh90@aol.com or ring tel. 01332 551486

Source: Kate Howard (28/07/08)

Aylesbury Ring Plan Correction

Please note that there is an mistake on the ring plan for the Sunday of Aylesbury CTS Open Agility Show on 2-3 August. There is an error on Ring 3 on the class numbering for Graded 6 and 7 Agility classes for the Small and Medium dogs. Class 52 - Small Graded 6 & 7 Agility will be in the ring first while Class 43 - Medium Graded 6 & 7 Agility will be in the ring second. Apologies for any confusion caused.

Revised ring plan

Source: Ann Dormer - Show Secretary (28/07/08)

Brecon Show Date

Please note that Brecon Agility Show is on Saturday, 2 August and not Sunday as printed on the ring cards.

Many apologies for the error. Hope you don't turn up a day late!

Source: June Richardson  (28/07/08)

Trent Park - Last Chance to Enter!

Good news for last-minute handlers - Trent Park DAC has extended the closing date for its Open Agility Show on 31 August by a week, with Kennel Club permission. The new closing date is Monday 21 July 2008 (first class postmark). ISS will continue to accept online entries for the show up to midnight on 21 July.

'Trent Park show is a chance to recover from the BIG week-long shows and 18-ring Festivals during August,' says Show Secretary John Leslie. 'Just a nice, local one-day show with classes for all sizes and all Grades - plus a dash of excitement with the Laser Pairs Knockout for large dogs and, of course, the Eukanuba Crufts qualifiers with the Mini Agility Challenge, the Mini-Mixi Pairs and the Eukanuba Mini Circular Knockout.'

'By the way, although the show on Sunday 31 August is a couple of days earlier this year because of when the weekends fall, the show isn't on the Bank Holiday weekend. Bank Holiday Monday is on 25th August, the previous weekend, so you don't have to give up your trip to the seaside!'

The show's new venue, Stockwood Park in Luton, is just a couple of minutes from the M1 and has been home to many shows in the past including BATS.

Source: John Leslie (15/07/08)

Empingham Roadworks

Empingham DTC show secretary has been notified that the A1 will be closed from 6 pm on Saturday, 19 July to approximately mid-day on Sunday, 20 July to allow for bridge works. The road will be closed from the A606 junction at Stamford to the A607 junction at Harlaxton Road, Grantham, Diversions will be posted through Oakham and Melton Mowbray to Grantham.

Sunday day competitors are advised to allow an extra 30 to 40 minutes to complete their journey. The show organisers will ensure that Saturday day competitors are away in good time and will keep everyone informed when the road re-opens on Sunday.

For anyone interested there will be a measuring session on Saturday.

Source: Jackie Harrison - Show Secretary (14/07/08)

BSD Selection & Training

The BSDA of GB and WBSDs sponsors of the Great Britain Agility Team for the FMBB World Championships are pleased to announce the dates for the team selection events for the 2009 WC.

• First selection: Sunday, 12 October at Steve Croxford's venue near Hinckley (Leics.)
• Training/Selection: Sunday, 23 November - date and venue TBC
• Training/Selection: Sunday, 25 January - date and venue TBC
• Final Selection: Sunday, 15 March - date and venue TBC

The 2009 FMBB WC will be held in the Czech Republic a few miles North of Prague between 7-10 May 2009. It is anticipated that the team will leave early 5 May and return by 12 May. Dogs must have a pet passport that will allow return to the UK from 11 May.  

Full details of the selection process and registration documents can be obtained from the Team Manager Mike Bacon. Email mike_of_diamonds@yahoo.co.uk or ring tel. 01934 833525

Source: Mike Bacon (14/07/08)

Barking Mad Over the Laser Pairs

Barking Mad Agility Club is proud to announce an exciting development for their 2008-2009 Winter Agility Series. By kind permission of Jenny and Blair Willis, the club is hosting a Laser Pairs Knockout heat at their show on 18 October. Schedules for the whole series are available on Agilitynet or at www.barkingmadagility.co.uk

As the shows are limited by numbers, competitors can enter with post-dated cheques, made payable in the relevant closing period for each show. The dates are 18 October, 8 November, 6 December, 3 January, 31 January and 28 February.

The series is being held at the same venue as last year at Keysoe Equestrian College.

Source: Nikki & Den Keeler (09/07/08)

Just Minis Goes Large

Due to rising costs, Just Minis Agility Club have decided to include two new classes for Large dogs at their winter show. Entry will be limited to 200 Large dogs (Grades 1-3) as well as unlimited numbers of Smalls and Mediums.

The show will be held on Sunday, 14 December at their usual venue, Golden Cross Equestrian Centre, East Sussex.

Ring tel. 01323 441583 for any further information. The schedule will be out shortly.

Source: Denise Welsh (07/07/08)

Weald Adds Classes for Smalls and Mediums

There will be classes for Grades 1 and 2 Medium and Small Dogs as well as Large at the Weald AS Open Agility show on 11 October at Golden Cross If enough entries are received, this could become an annual event.

Source: Deanna Bane (04/07/08)

2008 Dorset Charity Show Closing Date Extended

The organisers are a little concerned that the response to the popular Dorset Charity Horse & Dog Show has been a bit lower this year than last so they have extended the closing date for entries from 4 July to 10 July.

 2007 was very successful and raised over £3000, split between Julia's House Children's hospice and Wessex Cancer Research. With a year under their belts, the organisers have planned an even more ambitious programme this year - doubling the amount of dog classes with novelty, fun pedigree, fun obedience, doggy dash, temptation alley, have-a-go flyball, scurry and gundog challenge being just a few of the events taking place on the action-packed day - as well as a comprehensive programme of agility.

Although there are plenty of events for horse and dog owners to take part in, there are also plenty of events and displays to entertain the whole family. New to the show this year is a main ring with lots to entertain the whole family including an inter pub tug-of-war, baton twirlers, Iberian horse display, miniature horse jumping, falconry display, Husky racing and Police dog display. There are also plenty of trade stands, a beer tent and a charity auction with lots of generous 'prizes' from local businesses.

The day starts at 9am and is only £1 each entry - which, of course, goes to charity. Events are taking place throughout the day until 6pm. Further details can be found on www.dorsetcharityhorseshow.m20.co.uk

Source: Tara Harris (04/07/08)

Agility Nuts August Show - Have You Re-Entered?

Whilst entries for the Agility Nuts Show on 16-17 August are progressing well, it has been brought to Agilitynet's attention recently that not everybody who entered the show on its original dates (2-3 August) has realised that their original entry is null and void. If you want to come along and join in the fun, you'll need to re-enter the show.

A confirmatory email has been sent to all those from whom I have received an entry so far. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you have entered the show, please email Paul Sensky. If you know of anyone who might have entered who does not read the Internet, please can you pass this message on.

There are still several camping pitches available. Closing date is 21 July (postmark)

Source: Paul Sensky  (04/07/08)

Clarification: All 11 entrants to the original show had their entries and cheques returned with a note enclosed, making it quite clear that 2-3 August show no longer existed and that future Agility Nuts shows were not BAA sanctioned shows. A couple requested on-line running orders but they were also fully informed of the situation. June Bass

Bretford Caravan Times

The frogs are being honed for racing perfection in anticipation of the Bretford DTS Agility show over the weekend of 12-12 July. The Club will be happy to welcome caravan arrivals between 4 - 9pm on Friday, 11 July.

Agility arrangements are as per schedule. Graham Taylor and the Bretford Show Team are looking forward to welcoming competitors to a relaxing ,enjoyable weekend.

Source: Bretford Show Team (03/07/08)

Redgates Entries On-line

Entries for the Redgates Independent Limited Show to be held on Saturday, 6t September are coming in at a steady pace. However, to reduce the number of phone calls to the Show Secretary, Tim Griffiths has confirmed that the Limits have not yet been reached and there are still plenty of places left in all rings / classes.

Anyone who has entered the show already can confirm that their entry has been received by visiting the Redgates website where the organisers have uploaded a spreadsheet showing the entries received so far. This also gives a running total of the number of dogs currently entered in each ring / class. This spreadsheet will be updated weekly.

Source: Tim Griffiths (03/07/08)

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