ABC Agility Semi-Final 2009

The Kennel Club Olympia ABC Semi-Final, supported by Pedigree is the first big event of the season as far as qualifying for Olympia is concerned. It is one of the most prestigious competitions showcasing, as it does, a huge variety of different breeds that compete in agility. As the name suggests, the competition is open to any breeds except those which are border collies and their crosses.

This year was no exception with such diverse breeds such as Kelpies, Lurchers, Belgians, Gundogs and even a Great Dane X competing. With all the bad publicity recently about the health of our pedigree dogs, it is really heartening to see such a good selection of breeds competing in a very strenuous sport.

The semi-final course, designed by Judge Alan Clements, was sympathetic to the type of dog competing. Although there was a degree of difficulty to suit the event, there was enough space so the long striding and long jumping breeds had enough room to complete the course with style.

Some Interesting Facts about the Final

13 clear rounds
20 dogs with faults
22 eliminations

The Semi Final
The unfortunate soul who was drawn first out of the 65 starters was a previous winner of the final, Nigel Staines who is well known for his very talented Kelpies and also his dedication and concentration at major events. When running first, you just have to throw caution to the wind and just go for it and that is exactly what Nigel did. His Kelpie Dragonheart Dark Destroyer flew absolutely faultlessly round the course and finished with a clear round in 31.51, We just didn't think that would be possible to beat because it was absolutely stunning.

Next to go was a previous winner of the Belgian Shepherd Dog World Championships, Andy Brown with his Groenendael. He also put in another stunning clear round just 0.15 behind Nigel Staines and into 2nd place, a position he would hold for the next 53 dogs. Running 5th, Joanne Apostolou with her Malinois put in a clear 3 seconds behind Andy Brown in 35.04 only to be pushed into 4^th place two dogs later by Gill Raddings with her Tervueren in a clear of 33.33.

Three dogs later, Diane Griffin enters the arena with her Groenendael and puts in another stunning clear round in 32.84 and goes into 3^rd place.

At this point in the competition, it looks like we were going to have the Kelpie and Belgian Shepherd final but that didn't last long because running 13th was Daniel Slinkert with his crossbreed Mr Pudding Esquire. They put in a clear in 36.31 and went into 6^th place. This dog looks like a Schnauzer crossed with a Great Dane and looks very endearing. He was soon pushed down a place because next on the line was Nigel Staines with another one of his Kelpies. This time it was his young one who went into 6^th place. Even though Nigel looked as though he was trotting round knowing full well that he could only qualify one dog for the ABC final at Olympia.

Running 17th Daphne Loveland tried hard with her Kelpie but although producing a clear round, it wouldn't be fast enough to get into the qualifying places. Running thirty-second Karen Young with her Bearded Collie Rock Melody produced a super clear round in 32.33 which put them into 3^rd place at that moment. We had to wait until dog 43 to see another clear round. This was produced by Dave Strachan with his Lurcher. Although he completed a good clear in 37.93, again this was another dog out of the qualifying places.

Running 55th Anna Braley stepped up to the plate with her Kelpie Revel without a Pause. They completed an unbelievable clear round, snatching the lead from Nigel Staines by half a second with a time of 31.23. The next clear came from Jane Anderson with another Kelpie and into 6^th place she went with a clear in 33.24.

One dog later, however, she was pushed into 7^th place by that old hand Ray Ellerton, partnered by one of his adorable lurchers. They put in a clear of 31.79 to leave them with a very creditable 3^rd place in the overall results. Let's just hope that Ray has recovered in time for the final as he hopped out of the arena on one leg at the end of his round.

It had been a super competition but it was a great shame it was unavoidably held so late in the day but there was a good crowd watching this very last semi-final at Newton Heath show and hence, we had a good atmosphere. The top ten were destined for the big Kennel Club Olympia semi-finals in December.

As Nigel Staines had two dogs in the top ten and can only take the highest placed one, an invitation was extended to the 11^th place handler and dog Daniel Slinkert & Mr Pudding Esquire. We have a good selection of breeds for the final in December dominated by Kelpies and Belgian Shepherds. There was a lot of joking around the ring about renaming the competition the ABCK. Yes, that's right Anything but a Collie or a Kelpie!

Place	Handler	Dog	Breed	Faults	Time
1	Anna Braley	Revel without a Pause	Kelpie	C	31.235
2	Nigel Staines	Dragonheart Dark Destroyer	Kelpie	C	31.510
3	Ray Ellerton	Learn to fly	Lurcher	C	31.799
4	Andy Brown	Heidron Chasing Stormy Sky	Groen	C	32.056
5	Karen Young	Rock Melody	Beardie	C	32.331
6	Diane Griffin	Heidron Fin's Chasing Time	Groen	C	32.843
7	Jane Anderson	Cories Boomerang Bindi	Kelpie	C	33.246
8	Gill Raddings	Minka Morgan Check	Terveuren	C	33.333
9	Joanne Apostolou	Sabrefield Xciting Story AW (G)	Malinois	C	35.045
10	Nigel Staines	Morgans Assassin	Kelpie	C	35.543
11	Daniel Slinkert	Mr Pudding Esquire	Crossbreed	C	36.311

It is undecided where the semi-final in 2010 will be after the tremendous support given by Newton Heath and the Kennel Club supported by Pedigree will now take responsibility for this competition and a number of venue options are being looked at. It certainly needs a venue and facility to reflect its importance. I think we would like to move the date later in the year to enable us to hold all the heats in the same calendar year as the final.

Overview of the Kennel Club Olympia Semi-final