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21st Century Agility
Electronic timing. What next? What does technology have in store for
agility? Tony di Bartolo sets out some of his ideas for the future. |
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Agility Judging in 1984
The Judge's Word Is Final This wonderful editorial comes from the Agility Voice
archives in the days when the dogwalk was known as the cat-walk. Have things changed in 15
years? Read it and see. |
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Back to
the Future
Looking back at the future, we must say that
'The fun never did go out of this 'fun event.' Agility Voice's own Mystic Meg
foretells of things to come in this treasure from The Agility Voice archives. With
2001 not so far away, somehow this tongue-in-cheek article from 1985 does not seem so far
off the truth - or does it? |
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Dogs in Need 1992
Did you ever wonder how and when the first Dogs in Need began, or were you there?
Ian Stowers was one of the organisers. His show report including glorious black and white
photos is reprinted here, as published in Agility Voice, followed by John
Tallentire's judges summary and course plans. Can you spot any familiar faces?
(Updated 01/02/00) |
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Fashion Circa 1985
What the best dressed agility handlers wore in the good old days. Sue
Ashby did this delightful cartoon of Mr & Mrs Agility, a typical agility couple in the
mid-1980s which appeared in the Agility Voice Newsletter (April 1985). What a far
cry from the designer track suits, running shorts and trainers of today! |
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The First Ever
Agility Course at Crufts 1978
A rare glimpse
into agility history when handlers and their dogs
made up the game as they went along. How things have changed!
Thank you to Peter Lewis for
preserving and sharing the first course ever run at Crufts.
(10/07/03) |
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Founding History:
The True Facts by Peter Lewis
Little did Peter Meanwell think in 1977 when first applying thought to
Agility circuits that a form of demonstration for Crufts 1978 would develop into a national
dogging sport. |
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An Early Agility Test in B/W
This photograph (left) was taken at the very first agility event after it was
originally performed at Crufts Dog Show in February 1978. Can you spot five (5) differences
from 22 years ago? Extra points if you can find more and a bone-us if you can name the
judge and handler. (09/10/00) |
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First
Ever 'Mini Dogs of the Year'
The Mini Agility Dog of the Year competition was held for the first time in in 1987.
Handlers agreed that it was 'nice to be accepted by all quarters as more than just a
novelty.' The results say it all. (Updated 12/09/99) |
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Gatcombe Park 1986
Every picture tells a story. Jackie Clarke asked us if we recognised anyone in the 1986
picture she found. Up stepped Graham Taylor... (05/03/10) |
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Happy 21st Birthday, Bretons DTC
Bretons DTC was one of the first clubs in the UK to do the new
sport of show jumping for dogs. This year they will be 21 years young.
(04/04/00) |
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Thoughts of a Judge
Roy Wilce was judge of the Crufts Team qualifier and the Mini Agility
class at Severnside on 29th August 1992. While waiting for Chris to finish judging in
another ring, there was plenty of time to reflect on the day's events. Here are a few of
his thoughts shared for the benefit of competitors, potential judges and show managers
alike. (06/02/00) |
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Pedigree: In at the beginning
Agility first surfaced in a recognisable format at Crufts in 1978. Eric
Smethurst, who was then Manager of Pedigree’s Breed, Show and Veterinary Services
Department was really impressed with this new sport and decided that Pedigree should be a
part of it. Therein lies the start of over twenty years of continuous support and
sponsorship of dog agility. (02/05/00) |
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Talking
Heads
You've probably heard stories about the old days of
Agility when everything was 'friendlier and more fun.' Here's a selection of voices from
the past and present, recalling their own experiences. |
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Two Pads Good
As a means of maximising ring party efficiency, and in particular where there is a large
class involved, the 'Two Pad System' was invented for scribes as a time saver. However, any
system you care to invent or employ is absolutely no good if it is not explained precisely
to the people who use it. (10/05/00) |
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Fred
Welham Interview
John Leslie meets Fred Welham, the man who is
credited with having built the first set of agility equipment. Reprinted from the July
edition of the Kennel Gazette |
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