UK Agility News

UK Agility International Goes Live

Monica Percival of Clean Run (USA) has written to say that the UK Agility International's Registration and Trial Entries are now on-line.

In addition, the 2010 Rules and Regulations have been finalised, including the jump heights. These rules have been based upon competitor feedback since the announcement of UKI in December. In particular, questionnaires were sent out to all UKI matches in the winter & early spring. Jump heights and other rules were the result from the votes on these questionnaires which produced an easy overwhelming majority for the chosen jump height.

To register yourself and your dogs online at a discounted rate, simply go to www.ukagilityinternational.com  and click on Registration Form. You may pay by check, credit card or pay pal. Once you have registered, you will be able to enter any trials online as well. There are several trials around the country in June and July and more will be available in the upcoming weeks so be sure to visit the UKI web page often.

UK Agility 2010 Heats & Finals

The heats and finals for the 2010 UK Agilty show season are listed below.

UKA Masters Series supported by Field of Dreams Agility Training
New for 2010 the Masters has been designed to increase competitive running at the highest level.  Open to Champion Level dogs the accumulative score of an Agility and Jumping run are combined to produce the Masters winner with a guaranteed prize fund of £700 for each heat for the winners and a place in the Masters final at the UKA week show.

The Tug-e-Nuff Performance Challenge.
Introduced for 2010 this class has been designed to reward consistency for the Beginner and Novice Dog.  The agility and jumping class results are combined with the top 2 from each of the 10 heats progressing to the final.  Cash and product prizes for the winners of the final to be held at the UKA week show.

The CSJ UK Agility Grand Prix
We are pleased to announce our new sponsor for this Final: CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds. Consisting of 7 heats open to all with the top 3 qualifying for the Grand Prix final to be held in August in Cheltenham at the UKA Teejay show.

The Norton Rosettes Team Steeplechase Final
This event is a 3 dog relay with teams made up of 1 or 2 heights run on a fast flowing course with the top 2 teams from the 4 heats qualifying for the final held at the September Waverunners show in Cheltenham.

The LAPS Circular Knockout
Bringing more fun back into our sport. Two qualifiers with the top 8 progressing to the final. Dogs run head to head on a circular course with no contacts. The final is to be held at the UK Agility Charity show at the start of September.

The Derbyshire Games Final
This exciting unique final is held at the Derbyshire Agility Show on 10th July 2010 and finalists will be competing over two rounds, both Snooker and Gamblers.  In order to qualify, competitors from all heights and levels must have gained 3 wins in any games competition from January to December 2009.

The UKA Dog Gear Split Pairs 2010 
A 2 dog relay over either Standard height or toy height with each dog running a different course.  1 course includes contacts and one without.  The top 2 from each heat progress to the final held at the Thatcham show near Redding in September.

The Beginner’s Steeplechase Challenge
The aim of the Challenge is to encourage and reward beginner dogs over a fast flowing course.  The top 3 from the 7 Beginners steeplechase heats qualify for the final at the UKA Staverton August show.

The UK Agility Nationals Finals
All dogs that gain an agility clear round between September and July are eligible to enter round 1.  The event runs throughout the UK Agility week show with £250 of prize money available to the winner of each height.

For further information about all these events, please visit www.ukagility.com

UKA Masters Qualification Event Launched 

UK Agility is launching a new and exciting qualification event in 2010.  The UKA Masters aims to encourage more competitive running in top UKA classes and to improve the overall standard of agility in the UK.  With prize money on offer, this event has been designed especially for top level dogs and handlers whose goal is to compete at both national and International level.  UKA will hand-pick judges, based on their high standards and ability to design testing but intelligent courses.

The Masters will consist of a Jumping round followed by an Agility round (heats).  The combined results of these heats will determine the overall winner of that Masters. An annual Masters final will be held at the UKA Nationals Week to find the UKA Masters Champion, a status that will remain with the winning dog.

In 2010, the UKA Masters will be open to registered UKA dogs of all heights, competing at Championship level.   For KC handlers not yet registered with UKA and wishing to compete in the event, Grade 7 dogs may join UKA and transfer straight into Championship classes.  In 2011, the UKA Masters will only be open to dogs that have achieved a CAP and in 2012 that standard will be raised again, with only WCAP dogs being able to compete in the Masters.   

UKA has chosen venues where the ground conditions are known to be good and picked dates where there are not too many other big KC or UKA events on.  Next year, the UKA Masters Series will be held at the following shows:

Heats

Prize money for the overall top four places at each Masters in the 2010 series will be £100 for 1st place, £35 for 2nd, £20 for 3rd, and £15 for 4th.

For more information about the UKA Masters Series and a complete set of rules, please visit www.ukagility.com or ring tel: 01386 833283. Email enquiries@ukagility.com Web site: www.ukagility.com

UKA Introduces New Game to Performance Program

Snakes and Ladders, a new dog game based on the popular board game of the same name, is being introduced into the UK Agility Performance Program. Starting in 2010, Snakes & Ladders will be included as one of the Games to collect level points from in order to progress through the Performance Levels in.

The idea of the game is to complete all Snakes and Ladders successfully along with as many jumps as possible in the allotted course time. In some ways, it is similar to Gamblers as you can choose your own route. The winner is the person who successfully completes the most obstacles, which must include all Snakes and Ladders, in the fastest time.

The course consists of between 17 -20 obstacles.  Two contacts and a 12 pole weave make up the Ladders part of the course, and can only be taken in the UP direction. Four tunnels make up the Snakes, and can only be taken in the DOWN direction.  This makes for some interesting handling as the competitors have to run strategically in order for them to ensure that their dog doesn't take the contacts or tunnels the wrong way. The course also contains a number of jumps which can be taken from any direction and only once for points.

2010 UKA Rules Finalised

The 2010 UK Agility Rule Book has now been published.  Copies are available to download from the UK Agility web page.  New copies can be purchased at a cost of £3 a copy from UK Agility.  All new members receive a free rule book when registering and all members renewing will receive a new rule book. 

Below is a brief summary of the 2010 changes.

Main changes to rule book 2010

• A new game, Snakes & Ladders, has been included in the Performance Games
• A new competition, Masters Series, has been included for Champion level dogs
• Electric collars are prohibited at all UKA shows and lemon (citronella) collars are not allowed within 50m of a competition ring
• The use of a 'No Loitering' rule has been included for Champion Gamblers
• Courses must be submitted by show managers 21 days prior to shows for approval. Show managers failing to do so will be fined with all money being donated to charity

Rule book clarifications

• Snooker and gambler rules have been clarified further

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New Winter Series of UKA Shows

UK Agility is pleased to announce a new series of show in the North West of England. The Lakeland Winter Series will be running four shows at the Lakeland Heavy Horse Centre in Dearham, Maryport, Cumbria.

 Also featured over the 4 shows is the Lakeland Winter Series Tournament.  The dates are 11 October 2009, 22 November 2009 , 10 January 2010. A February date will be announced shortly.  Schedules are now available for the October and November shows online or from the UKA office.

Greg Derrett said, 'With winter series also in East Anglia, Cheltenham and Cornwall we hope all UKA members will have an enjoyable winter season!'

The shows will be offering a 50% reduction in membership to anyone who enters any of these shows. Membership will still include free rule and record book as well as free measuring for dogs.

As of Wednesday, 24 June 2009, UK Agility is moving to new premises. The new contact details are:-

UK Agility
Corbiere, Longdon Hill
Wickhamford, Evesham
Worcs. WR11 7RP

Tel. 01386 833283

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UK Agility to Host 2010 IFCS World Agility Championships

UK Agility has today announced that it will be hosting the 5th IFCS World Agility Championships, at the Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon, North Somerset, from 14 -16 May  2010. Teams from at least 10 countries, including the USA, South Africa, Japan, Australia, and Canada, as well as Europe, including the UK are expected to compete.

UKA founder and advanced agility competitor, Greg Derrett, comments, 'UKA is honoured to have been chosen to host this prestigious agility event.  Having competed myself at the world’s major international agility competitions, all across Europe, I am proud that the World Agility Championships are finally being held in the UK – the birthplace of agility.'

The IFCS World Agility Championships is open to all dogs, not just pedigrees, and promotes:-

• Non-discriminatory practices in sport
• The betterment of sport
• Association of competitors among nations

Any agility competitors wishing to try out for the UK squad should visit http://www.ukagility.com/WorldTeam.aspx for a full set of rules.  Any organisation interested in sponsoring the event should contact Virginia Harry on mobile: 07957 230333 or email Virginia@ukagility.com, or Lucie Hinchley at lucie@ukagility.com. The WAC website has been launched (www.wac2010) and will be updated frequently.

Changes to the UKA Rules Book 2009

The 2009 rule book has now been published. Copies are available to download from the UK Agility web site. New copies can be purchased at a cost of £3 a copy from 1 January 2009.  All new members receive a free rule book when registering and all members renewing will receive a new rule book. 

Below is a brief summary of the 2009 changes.

• Move up from Novice to Senior in the performance programme.  Dogs must now have 12 agility, 6 jumping and 6 games points as well as 12 others.  To come into effect from 1st January 2009.  All dogs that have progressed to senior before this date will remain in senior

• Power and Speed - Dogs must start the Speed section within the Power course time

• Pairs and Teams - The baton may be carried or remain behind the line at judges’ discretion

• Any result that is disputed from the official Show Result Sheets, must be made within 6 weeks of the show where the scribe sheet will be used to clarify the result. Any dispute with the official UKA Result Sheet must be made within 3 months of the show.

• Progression points will be increased to normal amounts if over 10 dogs run in a class that was under 10 on the ring plan.

• It is now the competitors responsibility to notify UKA of any awards their dogs achieve

Rule book clarifications

• Registering of dogs at a time after handler registration.

• Entries cannot be changed or cancelled once the closing date or capping level is reached

• Handlers competing in a level they are not eligible for by either self promoting or remaining in a level with be referred to the UKA disciplinary committee.

• If a dog changes height, all previous points will stand

• Dogs may not compete NFC in any class they are not eligible for (level or height)

• Snooker and Power & Speed rules have been clarified further

• Team and Pairs rules have been clarified further

• TBYB competitors must pay for their dogs measurement. This will go towards their membership fees if they join.

• Judges to submit courses for approval two weeks prior to shows

• Minimum distance has been clarified further.

• Rules on collars have been clarified and that they apply even if running NFC

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Easter @ UKA News Update

The Easter @ UKA show has changed venues for 2009 - gone outside and got bigger. It will take place on a lovely 35 acre field, just off the A46 Cheltenham to Evesham road opposite the Beckford Inn. The field has been flattened and reseeded with a mixture of paddock and sports grass and is very well drained.

Once again the show is running over four days but this time there will be Agility, Jumping, Games and Steeplechase on Friday, Saturday and Monday so plenty of action for those Champ dogs that are hoping to gain a place in the IFCS 2010 team.

In honour of the fact that Sunday will include the first Heat of the 2009 www.dog-games.co.uk  Beginner’s Steeplechase Challenge, the day has bee designated a 'Steeplechase day' with Agility, Jumping and three Steeplechase classes.  So it will be five runs for those really competitive amongst us. All four days will also have the usual Nursery and Casual classes.

 Entries open 17 November. The schedule is now on-line.

Source: Judy Wills on behalf of the UKA Staverton Gang   (18/11/08)

UK Agility IFCS 2010 World Team Selection

The IFCS World Cup takes place in Spring 2010. The venue is yet to be confirmed but is expected in late April or May. IFCS hope to confirm this very shortly.

Due to the success of the UK team in 2006 and 2008 and from the feedback received from the competitors who tried out, we have chosen to keep the team selection process very similar. There are, however, one or two changes. Greg Derrett believes that this selection process incorporates many of the skills that are required to compete at an international level and in particular the IFCS event. 

• Any dog regardless of breed may enter

• Only competitors competing in UKA Champion classes will be considered. All KC Grade 7 dogs registering with UKA are immediately eligible for Championship class

• All results must come from the equivalent UKA jump height to the IFCS jump height the dog is eligible for

• All results must be gained by the same handler

Qualifying will be in three sections and briefly outlined below:-

• Show Results - Competitors will have to submit times from their best 5 Champion Agility and best 5 Champion Jumping runs from any UKA show between the dates of January 1st 2009 – October 5th 2009.
   

• National Final Results and Royal Canin UKA Grand Prix Results - To gain points from the National Final section dogs must qualify and run in Round 1 of the National Finals at the UK Agility Week show (28 July – 3 August 2009). Bonus points will be gained for qualifying and running in the Royal Canin UKA Grand Prix Final
   

• Individual runs - All dogs will run head to head in a Gamblers and Snooker class at the UKA week show.  These runs will be the Champion Snooker on the Wednesday and the Champion Gamblers on the Sunday.  All dogs must also have achieved qualifying scores in two Gamblers and two Snookers at UKA shows between the dates of 1 January 2009 – 5 October 2009.

For more detailed information, a complete copy of selection rules, entry forms and if you have any questions please contact UK Agility by any of the following; UK Agility, Langdale, Church Street, Offenham, Evesham, Worcs. WR11 8RW or email greg@ukagility.com or ring tel. 01386 424218

New UKA Winter Shows Announced

UK Agility is pleased to announce four new winter shows to be held in Norfolk. The East Anglian Winter Series dates are:-

• 11 October 2008

• 15 November 2008

• 24 January 2009

• 7 February 2009

The venue for the shows will be World Horse Welfare, Hall Farm, Snetterton, Norwich NR16 2LR

UKA is also offering to all new members who enter either the 11 October and/or 15 November shows at time of registration a 15% discount on registration. Paper registration will, therefore, be just £8.50 an item. Online registration is £6 an item. This excludes TBYB.

Congratulations to the Winners

The UK Agility team representing Great Britain at the 2008 IFCS World Cup is back from Belgium with lots of Gold, Silver and Bronze. The results are as follows:

Individual Agility

• Gold                 Dave Alderson with Spice               26in

• Silver               Dawn Weaver with Minky               22in

Individual Jumping

• Gold                 Dave Alderson with Spice               26in

• Gold                 Wendy Fairlamb with Scout            16in

• Gold                 Dave Alderson with Libby               12in

Individual Snooker

• Silver               Chris Cole with Cap                       26in

• Bronze              Dawn Weaver with Chelsea            16in

Individual Gamblers

• Gold                 Wendy Fairlamb with Scout            16in

All Around (4 individual classes combined)

•         Bronze               Dawn Weaver with Chelsea             16in

Biathlon

• Gold                Dave Alderson with Spice                26in

• Gold                Wendy Fairlamb with Scout             16in

• Gold                Dawn Weaver with Minky                22in

• Bronze             Mark Powell with Trigga                  26in

A report will follow. In the meantime, you can see the complete results and some of the best runs on Guy Blancke's Smooth Moves Agility site.

IFCS World Team Fund Raising Raffle Winners

The lucky winners of the IFCS prize draw have been announced. Winner of the complete set of agility equipment was Brad Moyler while the winner of the training day was M. Pervis. The £100 doggie solution voucher went to D. Sweeney.

IFCS World Team Fund Raising Raffle

There are still tickets left for the raffle.  If you belong to a club or a training group have you considered risking £25 for the chance of winning

• £2500 of Agility equipment
• A free training day with one of the world team members (approximately £400)
• £100 of Doggie Solutions vouchers

Only 200 to be sold so your chances of winning are far higher than in normal raffles or lotteries.

Agility Fun and Games

UKA are really helping to put the f-word back into agility by including a whole series of games which have been all but forgotten elsewhere and phased out just because they unfortunately take up so much time. This means many new people entering agility for the first time are being introduced to games like Snooker, Gamblers, Time Fault and Out and Power and Speed.

In order to qualify, you must have won three UKA games classes throughout the 12 month period from January to December. The Games Challenge was invented so that everyone has an equal chance. It doesn't matter which shows you attend as any win in games classes anywhere helps towards qualification and most shows have games at them. 

Kim Hunt says, 'It is quite refreshing to have a choice of classes to enter and to be able to qualify for lots of finals including individual events at all levels, Pairs and Teams and now the Games Challenge. We have found that games classes require a different approach by the handlers so some clever course design can win classes rather than just speed!'

The  Games Challenge Final will be held at the Derbyshire Agility Centre's UKA show in July 2008 and will be judged by Lee Amos. Congratulations to the following people for qualifying for the final:

Maxi Height

• Andy Sanderscock with Free

• Greg Derrett with GT

• Susan Short with Zoe

Midi Height

• Amanda Applegate with Yogi

• Bernadette Bay with Zen

• Cyd Griffin with Mikko

• David Edmunds with Lucy

• Emma Knowles with George

• Jane Goodison with Freckle

• Jane Tatam with both Buzz and Jaggers

• Joyce Gibson with Coujoh

• Juliet Dearbeigh with Woody

• Nina Hampshire with Tilly

• Roger Brown with Kim

• Veronica Brown with Darcy

Standard Height

• Angela Williams with Pi

• Jane Powell with Keeta

• John Winney with Cassie

• Paul Hinchley with Fagin

• Paul Wood with Kira

• Stuart Carter with Spooks

• Tace Allen with Oakley

Toy Height

• Chris O’leary with Pip

• Dave Alderson with Libby

• Judy Wills with Tilly

• Leanne Degaris with Holly

• Lee Harfield with Bonnie

• Mandy-Sue Sarti with Izzy

• Rhianna Harman  with Jess

• Soraya Porter with Ernie

All these competitors have achieved at least three wins at a UKA show in Games classes throughout 2007, qualifying them for entry into the Final. This is an exciting competition open to all levels and heights of dogs, with the final held over two rounds - round one is a Gamblers competition and round two is a Snooker competition. The scores from both rounds are then combined and the competitor with the highest score after both rounds crowned the winner.

At the 2007 Derbyshire Agility Show in June, UKA put on an exhibition event to show everyone just how the final would run next year. The Judge was Laura Derrett who set two great courses. As the sun burst through, the competitors treated the crowd to a great display of brilliant handling and clever course planning with Jo Rhodes and her lovely Standard height dog Ci taking the winners place. Andy Sandercock was a close runner up with his Maxi dog Free while Dave Alderson with his Small dog  Libby took third place, illustrating how this competition has been designed so that all height dogs can compete against each other.

As this will remain an annual event,  there will be a series of games workshops throughout the year for aspiring games competitors. For any UKA members wishing to learn about how to judge the games, there will also be the Level 2 Games Judging courses, run by the by Kim and Shaun Hunt at the Derbyshire and Cotswold Agility Centres respectively.

Good luck for the 2008 Final in July and here’s hoping you have a great fun packed agility year, too.

For further information, contact UKA at enquiries@ukagility.com or ring tel. 01386 424218. Alternatively email Kim Hunt at kim@kimhunt.co.uk or ring tel. 01773 827643

UK Agility IFCS World Cup 2008 Team Selected

UK Agility are pleased to announce the following people will be representing Great Britain at the 2008 IFCS World Cup. The event will take place at Sportstadion in Ingelmunster (West-Flanders), Belgium from 9 - 11 May 2008.

This year's qualifying event was an exciting event with a very strong line up in all the height divisions. The overall results are below.

Section 1 results are taken from performances at shows.  Each handler had to submit scores from there best 4 agility and jumping runs.  Section 2 points were from how the partnership faired in the UKA National Finals. Section 3 points were taken from individual's performance in a head to head Snooker and Gamblers runs. The top two places automatically qualify to compete at the Worlds with the third place being a wild card choice decided by the selection committee consisting of Greg & Laura Derrett, Nicola Garrett and Shaun Hunt.

IFCS Qualifying Points

H J Agility Show Added to UKA Calendar

UK Agility Revised Rules & Regs

The Updated 2007 UKA Rules and Regulations is now available. The new version is accessible to download free online at www.ukagility.com or can be purchased up at your next UKA show.

The main amendments in the 2007 rule book include:-

• Handlers may now enter their Nursery dogs into the Steeplechase class.
• The 2006 Jump Heights voted in by competitors: Toy (300mm), Midi (400mm), Standard (550mm), Maxi (650mm)
• Lowered A-frame Height for all dogs:  1.70m (5'7”)
• Course design review and approval for all judges to help them with safe and sensible courses, without impeding upon creativity.

Rule books are free with all new handler registrations.

UK Agility World Team Selection

The next IFCS World Cup takes place in Spring 2008. The venue is yet to be confirmed but is expected to be Belgium in late April or May. IFCS hope to confirm this very shortly.

Greg Derrett said, 'Due to the success of the UK team in 2006 and from the feedback received from the competitors who tried out, we have chosen to keep the team selection process very similar. There are, however, one or two changes. We believe that this selection process incorporates many of the skills that are required to compete at an international level and in particular the IFCS event.'

Any dog regardless of breed may enter. Only competitors competing in UKA Champion classes will be considered. All KC Level 7 dogs registering with UKA are immediately eligible for championship class. All results must come from the equivalent UKA jump height to the IFCS jump height the dog is eligible for.  All results must be gained by the same handler.

Qualifying will be in three sections.

Show results
Competitors will have to submit times from their best four Champion Agility and best four Champion Jumping runs from any UKA show between the dates of 1 January 2007 – 3 October 2007.

National Final results
To gain points from this section, dogs must qualify and run in Round 1 of the National Finals at the UK Agility Week show which takes place 31 July through 5 August 2007.

Individual runs
All dogs will run head to head in a Gamblers and Snooker class on Friday, 3 August at the week show. All dogs with handlers must also have run in two Gamblers and two Snookers at UKA shows between the dates of 1 January 2007 – 3 October 2007.

For more detailed information or if you have any questions,  please contact UK Agility by any of the following means. Write to UK Agility (WC INFO), Langdale, Church Street, Offenham, Evesham, Worcs WR11 8RW, email greg@ukagility.com or ring tel. 01386-424218

The Royal Canin UK Agility Grand Prix Announced

UK Agility is pleased to host The Royal Canin UK Grand Prix event at UK Agility shows in 2007.

The main rules are:-

• Open to all dogs regardless of level with a competition for each of the four heights
• Seven heats held throughout the country (See below for details)
• All levels will run over the same course with each level attaining its own results. The results will then be combined and the top three from each height will qualify for the final. Full details of the rules and regulations will be in the show schedules.

Heats

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