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The Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes Finals 2007
Supported by Pedigree

Not only is 2007 a milestone year for show jumping at Olympia with this being the Centenary show but it is also just a few weeks short of a milestone for agility as well. It was just 30 years ago in 1978 that the first ever demonstration of dog agility took place. So happy anniversary to dog agility. It seems that Event Manager Dave Ray says it most years but this year was really the best ever! Really.

Olympia is the agility premier event in the world (probably) for individual agility competitors with five days of exciting finals on each of the five days, for Medium, Small, ABC and Novice dogs, culminating on the final day with the Large dog final for Grade 6 & 7 (Senior/Advanced).

The Olympia Show Jumping Championship show is quite an amazing event in itself. Certainly it is unique within the equine world. It is not just about show jumping. You have everything there from the top show jumping horses in the world to an international dressage championship and, of course, the biggest singles agility finals in the world. In fact, it is a mixture of serious competition and festive fun.

Back in 1979 when the first agility event was held at Olympia it was purely a sideshow. I say agility, but it was actually jumping for the first two or three years. What started out as a bit of a sideshow to keep the audience amused is now taken with the utmost seriousness by both the show management and the audience.

There are two performances a day with separate seats available for each performance. Always a chance of being able to buy last minute seats for the earlier in the week performances but by the weekend everything is sold out. In fact, in the Saturday mornings stewards briefing we were informed that out of nearly 20,000 available seats there were only eight available and they were returns!

The atmosphere was absolutely electric
All five finals at Olympia were examples of some of the best and most competitive agility anywhere in the world. When you've got a dog running the course that stands a chance of taking the lead and there are over 9000 people in the audience cheering them on down the finishing straight, you can no doubt imagine what that sounds like – just amazing!

This was really highlighted on the large dog final on the last evening when Greg Derrett was running 6th and put in, what we thought, was an absolutely unbeatable time of 31.66 clear and then Rob Davies running last out of the final 10 decided that he wasn't going to let Greg walk away with the winners trophy and I've never seen anything quite like it, the audience were urging him on and he stormed over the finish line in 31.60 and took the top spot by 0.06 of a second. Stunning agility at its absolute best!

The main supporters of the agility at Olympia are the Kennel Club and I must extend a really big thank you from the whole of agility to them. I am sure that they are pleased that they have such a high profile at one of the most exciting shows of the year. We were really pleased to see officials from the KC at Olympia each day showing their support and on the Saturday night when we had the final event it was lovely to have the Chairman Ronnie Irving with us to present the awards.

I'd also like to thank Pedigree for their continued support of agility throughout the year. This was the 29th year of agility at Olympia and Pedigree were the first sponsors and I don't think there is any doubt that their initial support helped to establish agility when it first started and of course they are still there today as the longest continued sponsor.

I would like to congratulate all the competitors for qualifying for Olympia, it is certainly one of the hardest events to qualify for. And along with Crufts, of course, it is the event that every competitor wants to be at but there is just something about the atmosphere in that week before Christmas at Olympia.

Just a couple of final thank yous.
Firstly to my stewards at Olympia, building, walking, running 10 dogs  and presenting awards in 17 – 18 minutes is no mean feat. But you can only do that with the best team of stewards in the business so many thanks from myself and the Kennel Club to John Gilbert, Jackie Brett, Rob Hunter, Ann and Gwyn Roberts, Dave Jolly, Graham Partridge, Liz and Shaun from Premier Show Jumps and, of course, Mary Ray.

Finally many thanks to our judge Kate Austin. As Kate says below in her report, only the third female in the 29 year history to judge at Olympia and she did a superb job. Her courses were both testing and exciting and she handled the whole appointment with professionalism and poise. Apart from that along with her other half Dave, they were both extremely good company!

Olympia 2007 Judge's Report

I was extremely honoured when Dave Ray asked me if I would judge Olympia - only the third woman in it's 29 year history. I then spent the next year and a half planning my courses and worrying about what to wear! My aim was to provide flowing courses that required some handling but allowed for the nerves of the occasion but, at the same time, would be exciting to watch for the audience.

The Kennel Club Invitation Large Agility
Monday evening started with an invitation event, with a fantastic show of fast, accurate agility from David Munnings and his young dog Dobby (Gunran Misteree) finishing in 1st place. Daniel Slinkert with his Dobe x Gt. Schnauzter  (Mr Pudding Esquire) was the only other clear, a great run and very popular with the crowd. Anne Challis finish 3rd  with Louandi Bronzed Teak. A great start to the week!

Photo: Kit Houghton

Results

The Kennel Club Invitation Large Agility
Results

Tuesday was Medium Day
A fast flowing course for the jumping Grand Prix showed them the seven collies, two Shelties and one Crossbreed at their best with 7 clears all with very close times. Toni Johnson was the worthy winner, taking the best line round the course and winning by just 0.33 with a cracking run in 23.10. Bernadette Bay was a close 2nd in 23.43 with Susie Josty 3rd in 23.49.

The Medium Final was an exciting affair, starting with Cliff Truluck with Tosari Cache who picked up 15 faults. Sam Davies with Liquorice Lass then put in a lovely clear, but finally finished 5th in 33.78. Bernadette Bay with Obay Truly Balanced was having a brilliant run until she tried for a tight turn and just pulled off jump no. 15. Toni Johnson with Raeanne Miss-Chief, the morning winners, stormed in to the lead with a fantastic run in 32.86, but could she repeat her earlier win? 

The Kennel Club Medium Dog Jumping Grand Prix
Results

Wednesday was ABC day
The day kicked off with an exciting jumping competition, won in fantastic style by David Leach with Rusty (Bonvivant Kallisto). No one was able to match his time of 22.77. Bridgitte Wyre with Bright Future had a good clear matched by Mark Douglas with Dishy Scarlet under Stars of Mars with a time of  24.25. We, therefore, had joint 2nd place. Andy Brown with Heidron Chasing Stormy Sky finished 4th with a time of 24.90 to finish in 4th while three others had clears, specifically Joanne Apostolou with Sabrefield Xciting Story, Linda Smith with Gypsy Kernowes and Cheryl Tustain with Loganberry Whinger.

Photo: Lindy Margach & GIll Bagnall

The Kennel Club ABC Speed Jumping
Results

First to go in the final, Linda Smith did a lovely clear round in 39.62 to start the competition off with a bang, and ultimately to her delight, finished in 3rd place. Joanne Apostolou had a missed weave entrance to finish 6th overall. Cheryl Tustain just pulled off no.17. Brigitte Wyre was going well but a missed A-Frame and also pulled off no.17. Andy Brown stormed round the course to take the lead with a fabulous run in 36.26.

The competition was now wide open, with Mark Douglas, who had finished equal 2nd in the morning, having a great run until the A-frame put paid to his chances, causing him to finish 5th. Anna Braley with Up a Gum Tree had a good run but missed the weave pole entry and finished in 7th place. James Coxon with Brynelen Joshua Jones managed to collect quite a few faults, but they obviously enjoyed themselves.

Last but one to go, our afternoon winner David Leach missed the dog walk, but still gave it everything and finished 4th in 33.63. So last on the line was Nigel Staines with Zico (Dragonheart Dark Destroyer) who powered round the course to the shouts from the crowd in 32.86 to win the Final in great style.

Photo: Kit Houghton

The Kennel Club ABC Agility Stakes Final
Results

Thursday was Small Day
Could they match the excitement of the previous three days? The answer was a resounding YES. The Pairs competition in the afternoon produced some great rounds, with just the odd mistake putting a pair out of the running. Both the runners up and the winners produced fabulous clear rounds with Nicky Garrett and Peggy Briscoe with their Obay pairing of Obay Truly Taking a Chance & Obay Truly Driven just pipping Bernadette Bay with Obay Truly Wicked and partner Sharon Brewster with Upanova Limited Edition in to 2nd spot.

Photo: Kit Houghton

The Kennel Club Small Pairs Relay
Results

The evening final started in grand style with two excellent clear rounds from Sharon Brewster in 35.85 to finish in 4th and Peggy Briscoe in 34.47 to give her a very well deserved 3rd place. Angela Sallis with Zeta the Dark One were clear until Zeta ran round the last jump and back jumped. Susie Josty with Ag.Ch. Spratt Attack picked up 10 faults to put Jack in 7th place.

Lorraine Drew with Trio of Valgray missed the dog walk but nevertheless had an excellent time of 33.48 to finish 6th. Peter Wells with Toffee (Dewyndorf Tasty Mover) who had taken David Alderson's place, produced a lovely clear in 36.30, to finish in 5th. Nicky Garrett with Obay Truly Driven was next, and they had a brilliant clear in 33.52, going into the lead. Dawn Weaver with Chelsea (Ag.Ch. Piquant Painted Sunshine) were next to go, producing a stunningly smooth round in 32.46, to take the lead by just over a second.

The audience were now on the edge of their seats as Wendy Fairlamb and Scout (Racingredd Brussel Scout) were next but unfortunately went round no. 12 and back jumped. Last to go was Bernadette who had a super run until no.17 when a slightly mistimed move caused a back jump. So Dawn and Chelsea were the worthy winners of the Small final.

Photo: Kit Houghton

The Kennel Club Small Agility Stakes Final
Results

Friday was Novice Day
The Novice Semis had several 'new to Olympia' dog/handler combinations this year. There were a lot of uncharacteristic errors, with some of the favourites not making it through and we ended up with only nine clears. The fastest of the 5 faults was Jackie Gardner with Glenson Del Boy who had done a fantastic round only to see the last pole fall to the ground!

The others making it to the Final were Mike Fairlamb with Racingredd Nuggett, Graham Meader with Bekkis Touch of Class, Marc Wingate-Wynne with Woodsorrel Bright Wings, Jane Seller with Rosmarinus Rum Runner, Gill Zuczkowska with Ashpen Justadta Havim, Lorna Peachey with Sam Johnson's dog Oakus Pokus, Lisa Gantly with Caritas Cashel Blue, Lynne Ward with Waggerland Rookie and a very delighted Mike Richardson with Jetsams Fly our Semi-final winner.

Those finishing 11th to 20th received an invitation to take part in the afternoon Pairs event.

The Kennel Club Novice Agility Stakes Semi Final
Results

The Pairs was a fast and furious affair with Jenni Machon with Mo-Merry Dashing Dexter partnering Steve Read with Withersfarm Lady Luck, who  unfortunately was E'd. Problems at the snake were the downfall of the pairing of Rosie Ison with Chippidy Doo Dah and Trudie Beckwith with Billie on the Beat. Elaine List with Davy Rockett had five and Simon Peachey with Rosmarinus Rum Twister had 10 to finish in 3rd place. Ann Dormer with Weedon Wonder Wire had a great clear round before Mark Smith with Toby a Better Man turned the wrong way after fence no.4 causing him to take out no.5, to finish in 2nd place. Kathrin Tasker with Win Some Winnie and Katie Long with Rugrat Red produced two lovely clear rounds to be the worthy winners of the Pairs.

So to the Novice Final. Running first, Jackie Gardner set the pace with a blistering clear in 31.71, a real challenge for the rest of the finalists. Mike Fairlamb gave it a great try with just a five on the A-Frame to finish 5th in 32.54. Graham Meader, suffering from a very bad eye infection, unfortunately collected 10 faults to finish in 7th place. Marc Wingate-Wynne followed with a great clear round in 33.11, to go into 4th place.

The last to go, was the morning's winner Mike Richardson. The whole audience was buzzing with excitement. He shot off but had five faults on the dog walk and then missed out the wall, but delighted the crowd by redoing the weaves and the rest of the course in great style. So a delighted Lynne and Rookie were the extremely well deserved winners.

The Kennel Club Novice Pairs Relay
Results

Photo: Kit Houghton

The Kennel Club Novice Agility Stakes Final
Results

Saturday – the final Final
The running order for the 35 dogs in the morning's Semi-Final looked like a list from Who's Who in Agility. Only 10 dogs and handlers could go through to the evening Final and those finishing 11th-20th would be invited to take part in the afternoon Pairs competition.

The course required careful handling, and produced 11 clears, 12 with faults and 12 eliminations. The majority of the problems occurred between nos.7 to 12, with several of the favourites being eliminated on this section. Simon Peachey & Diesel missed out the collapsible (no.9), Tasha Wise & Maddie missing out no.8, and Hege with Taz taking no.10 from the wrong side. Two of the unluckiest were Dawn Weaver & Toni Dawkins both having a pole down right at the end of the course.

The 'unlucky” person finishing in 11th place was Laura Derrett with Silvertips Flycatcher who unfortunately went lame during her run so Laura had to retire from the Pairs run.

Photo: Kit Houghton

The Kennel Club Agility Stakes Semi- Finals
Results

There were some great runs in the Pairs, really giving the crowd something to shout for. The pairing of Ian Jackson and Lee Gibson looked a great partnership, but they collected a total of 20. Sue Rolfe & Jo Hayes gave it a good try but had 15. Pat Brown & Sarah Osborne flew round in a good time but picked up 5. The crowd went mad as the pairing of Alyson Martin with Waggerland Sunny Jim & Ian Dobison with Ag.Ch. Call me Mr T stormed round to do a fantastic double clear to take the lead in style on 59.18 – could they be beaten?  Running last both Dawn Weaver & Toni Dawkins gave it their all, but their time of 60.18, was just 1 second slower which meant a delighted Alyson and Ian were the very worthy winners.

The Kennel Club Agility Pairs Relay
Results

So the evening Final arrived, with 10 of the best in the country from the morning's Semi. I set a course that required some control, then speed, then more control, with a fast finish.

First to go was Stuart Harmes with Nog Bach. They had a great run, clear in 33.49, but a wide turn after the A-Frame cost them some time,. They still finished a very well deserved 4th. Mark Laker with Bekkis Carbon Copy handled the course superbly but unfortunately missed the dog walk. However they had the fastest time of the evening 30.88 and finished 5th.

Designer Diesel Blue with Clive Snook unfortunately had a refusal at no.3 and then crashed in to no.12, but the crowd were making so much noise, it was hard to hear Diesel at all! Next to go was Chris Cole with Magic Charmer. A superb clear round from Chris in 32.75 seconds put him in to the lead, but could he stay there? 

Lynne Ward followed, and was hoping to make it a double after her win the night before. However Kite decided to do a pull through between 12 and 13 to put them out of the running.

All the finalists gave a wonderful exhibition of agility at its very, very best. Congratulations to you all.

Photo: Kit Houghton

The Kennel Club Agility Stakes
Results

Thank you
It just remains for me to thank all those behind the scenes, those wonderful people who make the judge's job so much easier including Dave Ray for his detailed organisation, John Gilbert, Gwyn Roberts, Rob Hunter, Ann Roberts, Mary Ray and particularly Jackie Brett for her help with the results and finally to Shaun and Liz from Premier. Lastly, and by no means least, thank you to Dave Jolly for all his help and patience whilst I finally decided which courses to put up and what to wear! 

Finally I would like to wish next year's judge Graham Partridge all the very best. I am sure he will have a wonderful time. I certainly did.

Note from the editor: Sorry we are unable to bring you some personal videos of the agility events at Olympia this year to spice up the results, but we have been informed that it is against copyright to take videos in the arena let alone publish them on the Internet. You'll just have to image how good they were!

Photos available courtesy of The Kennel Club taken by Kit Houghton

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