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.

 JULY 2010

Extra Camping Available for Stour Valley

There are camping places available from Rob Lloyd at Winters Court Farm, Bethersden, Kent. The camping area will be in the paddock behind the farm buildings, next to the main show field and will cost £18.

The full address for your St Nav is Winters Court Farm, Old Surrenden Manor Road, Bethersden, Kent TN26 3DQ

For more information or to book a space ring Rob or Rita on tel. 01233 820455

Source: Rita Lloyds (21/07/10)

Camping Info for KCI Agility Festival 2010

For those camping at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival at Kelmash Hall, Kelmarsh (Northants) this is the camping procedure for this year.

1. Book in at the gate.
2. Have your camping pass to hand. Your pitch number will be put on it at the booking in gate.
3. If you are savings places - maximum of three - please have the names of your friends written down to hand over at the booking in gate.
4. If you are a helper, you can only save pitches for other helpers, non-helpers for other non-helpers. Ask your friends if they are helping before leaving home to avoid disappointment. Your friends will then be allocated pitch numbers adjacent to yours.
5. The pitch number will be given to your friends upon their arrival. There is no need to put poles or chairs etc. out)
6. Once a pitch number has been allocated to you, please do not take any other pitch. You will be asked to move. This is all for your safety we will then have your name and pitch number if we (or a friend) needs to find you.
7. Your car, van and/or caravan etc. all must be in your pitch
8. The road ways must be kept clear at all times.

Arthur Rodgers said, 'We hope you enjoy your stay at the KCI Agility Festival.'

The Kennel Club International Agility Festival is one of the world’s largest dog agility events attracting thousands of competitors from throughout the UK and across the world. It is the only international competition that is open to all Kennel Club registered dogs, whether pure or cross breed and is an opportunity to qualify for Crufts and Discover Dogs. The principal sponsor at the Festival is Purina PROPLAN

Source: Arthur Rodgers  (20/07/10)

Judges Special at Dog Vegas Show

Wilton Changes Venue for October Show

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Wilton Agility Test on 3 October has been moved to a new venue. It will now take place at Hemlington Lake & Recreation Centre, Hemlington, Middlesbrough TS8 9DA. The site covers an area of approximately 39 acres of open parkland. Directions to the venue are on the last page of the updated schedule.

Source: Tom Hazlewood for Wilton Dog Club (12/07/10)

Agility Marking Regulations Clarified

The Kennel Club has recently reviewed its marking criteria for agility competitions.

The regulations state that all course faults should be marked in units of five, yet then go on to state that various penalties equate to one fault. Whilst it is accepted that the majority of handlers, judges and officials are aware of how this should be interpreted, it has been agreed that, with effect from 1 January 2011, the following wording will apply to clarify the marking procedure.

Regulation H(1)(B)5.a. - Marking

FROM:

a. Standard marking (which must be used in standard classes).

All course faults in units of 5. For time faults see paragraph b below.

(7)       Weaving poles—The dog to enter the weaving poles with the first pole adjacent to its left side. Each incorrect entry to be classed as a refusal—further error, maximum 1 fault—failure to complete correctly before negotiating any further obstacle, elimination.

(10)     All other obstacles—fault for failure to negotiate correctly.

(11)     Handler deliberately touching any piece of equipment or their dog—1 fault.

(12)     Refusal/Runout—fault for each refusal/runout.

(17)     Contact area—fault for each failure to make contact.

    TO:

    a. Standard marking (which must be used in standard classes).

        All course faults in multiples of 5. For time faults see paragraph b below.

(7)       Weaving poles - The dog to enter the weaving poles with the first pole adjacent to its left side. Each incorrect entry to be classed as a refusal—further error, maximum 5 faults—failure to complete correctly before negotiating any further obstacle, elimination.

(10) All other obstacles - 5 faults for failure to negotiate correctly.

(11) Handler deliberately touching any piece of equipment or their dog - 5 faults.

(12) Refusal/Runout - 5 faults for each refusal/runout.

(17) Contact area - 5 faults for each failure to make contact. (Amendments are highlighted)

            Collars

Whilst reviewing the marking system it was noted that although there was a Regulation specifying the style of collar a dog could wear, there was not a regulation to advise the judge on the course of action to be taken should a dog be wearing an incorrect style of collar. 

Competitors are reminded that the regulation stating only particular types of collar are permitted was introduced for the health and safety of all competing dogs.

Insert new sub-paragraph H(1)(B)5.a(19)

Dog wearing incorrect style of collar – elimination. (Addition highlighted)

Source: The Kennel Club  (09/07/10)

New Sponsor for Orchard Events

SpyTech Services, Embroiderers to the Rich and Famous, have agreed to sponsor the Small and Medium Grades 1-5 classes at the Orchard Agility shows. The qualifying classes will commence at the Orchard Agility show at the Fox & Duck, Stotfold - 31 July - 1 August, 2010. Closing date for the Fox & Duck Show has been extended to Saturday, 17 July, 2010. 

Arden Grange will continue to sponsor the Large Grade 1 & 2 classes at Orchard Agility Shows. The qualifying classes will also start at the Fox & Duck, Stotfold show

The Final for both the will be held at the Summer Open Agility Show to be held at Littleport Sports & Leisure Centre, Ely on the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday.

Rosemary Stowers said, 'As it’s a new show, many people haven’t realised that we’re organising another show that they can enter at the Fox & Duck.  Everyone who came to the 3-day May Day Bank Holiday show at the same venue really enjoyed it and I’ve had several people saying they hadn’t realised that there was another show at this excellent venue.'

Source: Rosemary Stowers (08/07/10)

The Bincknoll July Show Moves Back to Breach Lane

Due to the low number of entries, Bincknoll DTC has decided to move its 10 July show back to its usual Spring/Autumn venue. Instead of Ballards Ash Sports Ground, as advertised, the show will now be held at at Breach Lane Equine Centre, Wootton Bassett, Swindon.

The classes will remain the same as per the schedule - Agility, Jumping, Steeplechase, Helter Skelter and Nursery. Entries will be taken on the day.

Source: Sylvia Covey  (01/07/10)

 JUNE 2010

Prestbury Park Judges Swop

Just to let you know in advance that Pretbury Park has made an amendment to the judging plan for their show on 4-5 September at Cirencester Park. Andrew Dicker will be doing a direct trade of his Large, Medium and Small G5-7 Agility classes with Martin Cavill who, therefore, will be judging Saturday classes 10, 12, 13, 21 and 27. Andrew will be judging Sunday classes 40, 43, 51 and 56.

The closing date for the show is Friday, 16 July if you still need to enter. There is still have some limited camping available.

Source: Rachel  Williams (30/06/10)

RAS/CSJ Medium ABC Stakes Up & Running

 A full list of 2010 RAC/CSJ Medium Agility Stakes will be announced later this week but at present they include the following confirmed heats:-

• Oswestry/BSDS show (August)
• Weimaraner Association ABC Show (North Lincolnshire in May/June)
• Keston Show (Essex in June)
• Prestwick & District (Ayrshire in June)
• Hare 'n Hounds (Co Durham in September 2011)

The 2011 Final, judged by Doc Docherty, will be held at the Hare 'n Hounds show.

    Organiser Brenda Tenten said, 'Wonderful news! Huge thanks to our sponsors for their help.'

For the 2012 Final the above shows will be joined by Lansdown (Bristol in June), Shrewsbury (Small & Medium Show) and West Lakes (Cumbria in August) There is space for a couple more heats for the 2011 Final only which will be announced if/when they materialise.

Email Brenda for more information on yettontop at ntlworld dot com

Source: Brenda Tenten  (28/06/10)

Weald Opens Entry to More Dogs

Weald Agility Society would like to call your attention to the fact that this year for the time time their show on 10 October will include G3 Large dogs and all grades in Small and Medium. They have made more classes graded instead of combined,

Competition Manager Richard Partridge said, 'We decided to make our annual show at Golden Cross bigger, better and more exciting. We considered jazz bands, cheer-leaders and free burgers but, in the end, we opted to change the classes to make it more attractive and include more grades So make a note in your diary now. It’s easy to remember. Just say ten, ten, ten.'

Source: Richard Partridge  (23/06/10)

Lune Valley News

For those going to the Lune Valley show at this weekend at the Westmoreland County Show Ground, Kay Cope will be replaced by Steve Booty on Saturday and Robin Cope will be replaced by Hannah Wade who will judge the DFS Crufts qualifiers on Sunday. Junior Agility Grades 4-7 has been moved from Ring 1 to last class in Ring 5 on Saturday.

Source: Pam Ellwood (22/06/10)

Suffolk Five Rivers Telephone Number Changed

If you have any entry or show enquiries regarding the Suffolk Five Rivers show 25-26 September ring tel. 01728 663375 or email; janandkel@live.co.uk Please do not ring  tel. 01728 831883 number as she no longer works there.

Source: Jan Lockwood  (21/06/10)

Tweedbank Reminder

Chippenham Closing Deadline Extended

Due to technical problems downloading the schedule, permission has been given Chippenham AC to extend the closing date of show on 8 August  to Monday, 5 July.

Source: Gill James & Kate Austin  (15/06/10)

SupaDarl Agility Rescue League 2010 Finals

Newton Heath Venue Reminder

Just a reminder to people going to Newton Heath this weekend that the show is at a new venue - Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6NA.

Please do not turn up at Tatton. You'll end up at a Medieval Fair or Cancer Research's Race for Life. They may be great events but not what you were planning for the weekend!

Source: Hannah Grantham  (15/06/10)

The Medium ABC Agility Stakes

Brenda Tenten has announced the Final for the Medium ABC Agility Stakes will take place in September 2011 at Hare ‘n Hounds KC Show at Primrose Hill Farm, Winston, Barnard Castle, Co Durham DL2 3QG . The closing date approximately the beginning of August. We also hope to hold a ‘last chance’ qualifying heat at the same show, which would qualify the top two (previously unqualified) dogs for the Final at the same show.

A number of shows organisers around the country have expressed an interest in holding qualifying heats. It would now be appropriate for these - and any other interested parties - to contact Brenda Tenten with a firm offer, accepting the rules/regulations for the heat.

Full rules/regulations will be published soon, hopefully along with a list of qualifier heats.

A sponsor for the event is still being negotiated. Brenda would welcome any firm offers of sponsorship so that the competition can be named properly. Email her at yettontop at ntlworld.com

Source Brenda Tenten  09/06/10

Agility At Warwick Racecourse

Agility will form part of Warwick Race Day build up on Bank Holiday Monday, 30 August at Warwick Racecourse. Nestled next to Warwick Castle, the racecourse is one of the oldest in the country with racing having taken place here since the 1700s so it is rich in tradition and heritage. A left handed oval track, a mile and three quarters in extent with the Agility ring centre course.

The racecourse will provide each handler complimentary day parking and a show entrance pass. Accompanied children, aged 17 and under, come racing for free. The first horse race starts at 2.10pm and the last race probably 5.40pm. No dogs will compete during any horse race. Start time may vary according to entry.

Organise Graham Taylor said, ' As the holiday crowds arrive for an afternoon’s racing and you’ll be able to bet your shirt on all the winners Join us for a day’s Agility with The Sport of Kings. It promises to be a great day out for all the family.'

Entries close Tuesday, 10 August  2010.

More details email Graham Taylor at rover.pro@virgin.net or ring m. 07831 548911

 Source: Graham Taylor 09/06/10

MAY 2010

Chipping Norton Change of Venue

Unfortunately due to reseeding of pitches, Chipping Norton AC has lost Witney Rugby Club as venue for their show on the Sunday, 11 July. The new venue will be Greenacres, Hellidon Road, Staverton, Daventry, Northants NN11 6JP. This is the same where the Agility for Britain show was held there.

Directions as follows:-

From the north -J18 M1 - A361 to Daventry(ring road) A425 to Southam, go past golf course, right at mini roundabout, take first left after used car garage, venue quarter mile on left.

From South - M1 J16, A45 to Daventry, A425 to Southam then as above. 

The finalised ring plan is as follows.

Source: Mary O'neill - Chippy Secretary  (31/05/10)

RVA Agility Entrance Tickets

If you have entered The RVA Show on 18-20 June at the Peterborough Showground, no doubt you will know that the agility show is part of the much bigger East of England Agricultural show. It's a fun weekend for all the family with lots to see and do.

As per the schedule, each handler will be issued with a free entrance ticket. If you are camping, you may have requested extra tickets on your camping form which the showground have agreed to give you free of charge due to the higher than normal agility camping fee. If you are day parking, you will only be issued with one per handler.

If you are day parking and require extra tickets, RVA has been given some tickets that can be brought in advance and will be sent out with running orders before the show. See ticket prices below.

Cheques should be made payable to: The East of England Agricultural Society. They will need to be received before Tuesday, 1 June. Send to RVA Show Secretary, June advance tickets, 13, Sawtry Road, Glatton, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28 5RZ

Source: Teresa Stretton  (24/05/10)

Watford Extends Closing Date Deadline

The Watford AC Show Committee have decided to extend the closing date for their Open Agility Show to 7 June. The show will be on Sunday, 27 June at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Headquarters in Saunderston, High Wycombe.

John Leslie, show manager, said: ''Our schedule got delayed when we ran into problems with double booking of our old venue at Stopsley in Luton. However it looks like Luton Council did us a favour because we now have a fabulous new secure venue which we think people will love – and we know that Luton wasn’t everybody’s first choice..'

By extending the deadline, the Club wants to give people going to the Cippenham show on 31 May the chance to see what a beautiful venue it is. There will be schedules available at BATS and the Cippenham show (as well as to download from Agilitynet, of course) or you can enter online via ISS.

'We want everyone to enjoy their day out at our show, with three runs for each grade, graded classes at every level and a fun Pay on the Day class. There will also be a Practice Ring, a good selection of trade stands and a raffle, and excellent catering as well,' Watford say.

Source: John Leslie  (21/05/10)

Change of Judge at Nottingham

Unfortunately, after injuring his back last weekend, Angelo Docherty is unable to Judge at the NOttingham Champ & Open Agility Show on Saturday, 29 May.  John Turner has kindly agreed to stand in for him and will be judging the following classes:-

Class 17 –  Medium Agility: Combined Grades 3-5

Class 25 – Dog Vegas Qualifier Small Agility: Combined Grades 3-5

Class 9 - Dog Vegas Qualifier Large Agility: Combined Grades 3-5

Class 8 – Large Agility: Combined Grades 1 & 2

Class 16 – Medium Agility: Combined Grades 1 & 2

Class 24 - Small Agility: Combined Grades 1 & 2

NADTC would like to thank John for agreeing to Judge at short notice and wish Doc a speedy recovery.  All being well we look forward to you judging for us next year.

Natalie Silcock (On behalf of Andrea Turver – Show Secretary)  (21/05/10)

Team GB Announced for 2010 European Open Championship

The Kennel Club has announced the selection of the Agility Team GB squad to compete at the 2010 European Open (EO) Agility Championships, which take place this year from 23 – 25 July in Liberec, Czech Republic. The European Open, which is officially recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), is one of the world's most prestigious international dog agility competitions. It is open to both pedigree and non-pedigree dogs.

The GB squad consists of a total of 12 large dogs and 12 small/medium dogs, making up six teams with four dogs in each. Under EO rules, small and medium dogs compete against each other in one group; the other group comprises the large dogs, which may not make up more than 50% of a country's entries.

Medium/Small Dogs

Large Dogs

Eligibility for the Selection Day for English competitors was decided by points gained for top 10 placings won at a series of ranking events – combined Grades 6-7 Agility classes at selected agility shows between April and September 2009. In addition a ‘wild card' class held on the day before the Selection Day at the ‘Agility for Britain' show enabled a further nine competitors to compete in the Selection Day classes.

Selection for the team was then based on the results of the Selection Day, involving four rounds of competition on FCI-style courses and was held on 18 April 2010 in Daventry. The competition was held on 18 APril in Daventry, alongside the ‘Agility for Britain' Open Agility Show, raised funds of just over £3,500 to contribute to the international agility team's travel, accommodation and training costs.

Further sponsorship for the team has kindly been provided by World Leisurewear, who will be providing team uniforms, and Eurotunnel, who will offer discounted travel for the team and free transport for the dogs through the Channel Tunnel.

The team will be supported by the European Open team manager, Graham Partridge, together with coach Dave Jolly and vet Rachel Mowbray – herself an international agility competitor.

Graham Partridge commented: “The standard of the dogs at the Selection Day was very high, and we are going to Liberec with medals in mind. We are determined to build on our previous excellent performances at the European Open. We will be competing against some of the best in the world, but our target is to achieve podium finishes, and I believe that we have the talent to accomplish that.”

The Kennel Club recently announced that the 2012 European Open Championships will be staged in the UK for the first time. The venue, Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire, is home to the Kennel Club's International Agility Festival, which will take place in 2012 over the weekend immediately following the European Open.

Another Agility for Britain' Open Agility Show, raising funds for the GB international agility teams, will be held on 26^-27 June 2010 at Staverton, Daventry, Northants NN11 6JP. The GB Team Selection Day for the FCI Agility World Championships will be held on the Sunday, 27 June, alongside the open show. Details of the Selection Day are on the Kennel Club website at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/3003

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each selected their own competitors for the Selection Day separately.

Details about the 2010 European Open Agility Championships venue, accommodation and travel, rules, entries and judges are available on the official website at http://www.europeanopen.cz/.

Competitors interested in qualifying for the 2011 European Open will find full details on the Kennel Club website at: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2654.

Source: The Kennel Club Press Office  (18/05/10)

BATS Car Park Passes

This is a message for everyone going to the BATS show on 22 May. Unfortunately, the organisers forgot to have BATS PASS printed on the outside of the running order envelope so please bring your running order envelope with you to the show. It's the one with Agility Aid & ISS on it. In order to smooth your entry onto the venue, you will need to show it at the gate.

The show will take place at Lothair Road Recreation Ground, Butterfield Green, Stopsley, Luton, Beds LU2 8DD.

Please tell your friends that are going to BATS especially those not on the Internet.

Source: Jill Acton (15/05/10)

Hare 'n Hounds Easter Show Refunds

All the refunds have been made to competitors from the lost Saturday at the Easter show.

The unclaimed entries are being donated to charity. This means the amount of £1062.01 will be spilt between the five small doggie charities that are supported by Hare 'n Hounds throughout the year.

Chris Hare said, 'A lot of competitors have emailed and written to me to thank us for the Easter show and to say they are happy to donate their fees to the charities, which is lovely.'

So with the raffles etc., we have held at the Hare 'n Hounds shows in the last year the grand total of of money raised including raffles (£1210) is £2272.01 which is incredible. We dearly thank everyone on behalf of the charities for their kindness.

Now full steam ahead to the Northern Festival of Agility that starts on Saturday at Redcar and, yes you guessed it, more raffles and a charity table top sale as well as lots of agility, of course!

Source: Chris Hare (12/05/10)

New Venue for Watford

There are lots of changes going on at this year's Watford Open Agility Show! First and foremost, the show has moved to a fantastic new venue – the headquarters and training base of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf at the Grange in Saunderton, set in the Chilterns between Princes Risborough and High Wycombe. This converted stud farm has 27 acres of beautiful grounds, normally used to exercise the dogs in training but kindly made available for our show. (If you'd like a sneak preview, Cippenham will also be holding its show there at the end of May). The change of venue was unfortunately forced when Luton Council blithely announced in January that, due to a double booking, the club could not hold its show there this year!

The day of the week has changed, too. Usually the show takes place on a Saturday, but this year it will be on Sunday, 27 June.

There will be classes for all grades from 1 to 7 and all three sizes of dogs. Everyone will get three runs (2 Graded and 1 Combined Class each), as well as an Allsorts and a repeat of last year's popular Pay on the Day 'Eraser' class plus a practice ring. There will be plenty of rosettes - at least 10% but never fewer than five in any class - and trophies -never less than two in any class - to recognise your achievements.

John Leslie, Show Manager said, 'We defy the weather to be anything but beautiful! We especially welcome new and beginner handlers to come along. You will be made very welcome.

Closing date for the show is 31 May. You can download schedules on Agilitynet (of course!) or enter online via ISS – don't miss it!

Source: John Leslie (07/05/10)

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