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The Animal Health Company Classic, started in 2014, is a unique event that involves dogs of all three Kennel Club heights competing against each other in a Steeplechase type course. With ten regional heats around the country during the year and the coveted Final held at the Autumn Food & Country Fair event at the Peterborough Arena, this is a competition to watch. Reports from each of the heats by Graham Taylor.

It Was a Classic Final

Regional finalists from heats all around the country from early spring were invited to celebrate their achievement at Rugby's Christmas Show. As ever an experienced judge was needed and much travelled Angelo (Doc) Docherty kindly agreed to accept the challenge.

Doc has added a few words, saing, 'I would like to thank Animal Health for asking me to judge the final of this awesome final, plus all of the work that the team from the Animal Health including Graham not only for the Final but all the heats over the year,

The venue was the beautiful Moreton Morrell College in Warwickshire. I attempted to set a flowing fast course with a couple of bits to give the finalists to think about.  As ever, the final course included the Westcott’s water jump. Every single finalist attacked the course and gave it 100 percent, making it a real pleasure to judge.

I believe every single finalist was indeed a winner, but the one who lifted the prize was Ian Dobison with his awesome dog called Pineapple.

Ian told Agilitynet, 'We got Pineapple from Morgan's Rescue. After having a couple of years away from competing in agility, I've now got a renewed interest and Pine (aka Pineapple) is the reason. We started competing in April 2019, and we are building up a great connection. There's still lots for us to learn together and Bit I'm really pleased with our first season and looking forward to what the future will bring

Some brilliant prizes plus a teatime buffet for all finished off the day.

Animal Health Company’s Sales Manager Jennie Westcott said , 'May I add my congratulations to our winners of the Animal Health Company Classic 2019. Some great dogs at the final and Pineapple Express certainly lived up to its name to Ian's obvious delight, Congratulations to all our finalists and as ever, some 'if only' moments at the final. Thanks for joining us and we hope you enjoyed your day.

I would like to thank everyone on the Animal Health Company team for their input and support in 2019 including the host clubs, judges and officials as well as those who made the Final work.'

Deadline for Final Approaching

The Animal Health Company Classic Final is near. It will be held on the 14th December at Rugby Christmas show. Make sure you've entered and accepted the invitation from Graham Taylor.

Jennie Westcott said, 'I won’t have the trade Stand there, but you can place your orders via email and I’ll bring your items to the show. Looking forward to seeing you all.'

The Final Finalised

The Animal Health Company is delighted to announce that The Animal Health Company Classic Competition Final 2019 will held at Moreton Morrell College, Equine Centre, Moreton Morrell, Warwick, CV35 9BLon Saturday 14 December 2019, kindly judged by well known Agility judge Angelo (Doc) Docherty.

Organiser Graham Taylor said, 'As many will know, this is also the venue for the Rugby DTC Christmas Open Agility Show and we hope that the combination will make a winning destination for all finalists.'

Animal Health Company’s Sales Manager Jennie Westcott added, 'We are delighted to join such an established Agility club and, with Christmas just around the corner, a share of over £100 prize money will help you celebrate in style.'

Huge congratulations to all the finalists. Invitations to the Final will be sent out shortly.

Heat 10
Paws in the Park

Wendy Fassam was our judge for the final heat of the Animal Health Company Classic competition 2019 at Paws in the Park with the total cooperation of the weather.

The Paws In the Park show ran through to a very late afternoon finish. Throughout the day, the larger event had offered everything dog-wise you can think of although I am sure that the jump and splash queue length must have put a few off. Not so our Animal Health winners who all appeared at the photo call with their dogs.

Paws In The Park Winners qualifiers for the Final

1. Debbie Figg with Debbemy Magical Swift - 27.071 secs (C)

2. Sue Newing with Parisway Kandyman - 27.724 secs (C)

3. Morgan Tait-Shoosmith with Sugar Baby Love - 27.950 secs (C)

4. Vicki Adams with Just a Little Merry - 28.968 secs  (C)

5. Emma Randall with Growlithe Yawanago Faster - 29.869 secs (C)

Graham Taylor said, 'With all 10 heats now run now, we would like to thank all our host events, judges, ring parties and hard working show secretaries who bring it all together and to all those who took part around the country. Congratulations to all our 50 finalists, Invitations to the 2019 Final will hit the mat later in the Autumn. Good luck to one and all at the Animal Health Company Classic Final.'

Heat 9
North Derbyshire Open & Premier Agility Show

Southwell Racecourse was our penultimate stop on the trail to find this year’s winner of Animal Health Company Classic competition. It came as a bit of a surprise to find that horses were being put through their paces on the racecourse during the day although it seems not to have given this bunch of speed merchants much trouble. Judge Allison Saunders set a fast course and was delighted that several more new faces will be joining us at set to join us for the Animal Health Company Classic final later in the year.

With qualifiers across the country in 2019, we will welcome the top 5 from each heat to join us at the autumn final to seek a share of over £100 of prize money.

North Derbyshire qualifiers for the Final

1. Lee Lainton with He Is Marvellous -  24.549 secs (C)

2. Iain Dobison with Pineapple Express - 25.003 secs (C)

3. Nikki Collins with Hotshot's Number Five - 25.203 secs (C)

4. Heather McLean with MorgansR Iza Wiza Navigator - 25.710 secs (C)

5. Samantha Pegg with He's Kinda Hot - 28.809 secs  (C)

Paws In The Park hosts heat 10 of the Animal Health Company Classic to find our final five qualifiers for the 2019 final. Good luck to one and all.

Heat 8
Welsh Kennel Club Champ Show

Heat 7
Rugby Championship Show

I think Rugby ran their first Agility show in 1981 - both Dave Ray and I were there. Nearly 40 years later, we both made it to Royle Farm for the 2019 Rugby Championship Weekend on 14-15th July. Even more amazingly, my dog got a 3rd place!

Rugby show hosts a range of qualifiers including the Animal Health Company Classic where this year some 130 dogs took on Dawn William's course with relish. As ever, the Westcotts Water Jump came as a surprise to a few dogs but, as it is a speed class, most paid no attention. Only about two seconds separated the five qualifying places.

 The sharp-eyed will notice Dave Deaville did not make the photo call. He was in the Champ queue and sent Wendy instead!

 Rugby qualifiers for the Final

1.  Shannon Springford with Castomya Love is Gifted at Shansdream - 25.710 secs (C)

2.  Carla Whyte with Papikpoi’s Amazing Secret - 26.847 secs (C)

3.  Melanie Norman with Longtimbers Inka Diamond - 26.870 secs (C)

4.  Sarah Macneil with Shansdream Charliesangel - 27.143 secs (C)

5.  Dave Deaville with Midwinter Sunrise on Ice - 27.930 secs (C)

We cross The Border next month to the Welsh Kennel Club Championship Agility Show at Builth Wells for Heat 8 of the Animal Health Company Classic to find our next five qualifiers. Who will join us at the autumn Final to seek a share of over £100 of prize money?

Heat 6
RVA Championship Show

RVA moved to Peterborough RFC and the site was filled. With both Championship and Tour included across the three-day event there was something for everyone especially the speed merchants who joined us for the sixth heat of this year's Animal Health Company Classic.

With good ground and good weather for most of the time, none of the dogs stopped for a drink at the Westcotts Water Jump despite the heat.

It seems there was a three line whip for the photo call today and judge Ray Burke certainly added style with again the ladies doing very well in today’s competition.

RVA qualifiers for the Final

1. Vicky Bryning with Little Miss Trim - 24.122 secs (C)

2. Laura Chudleigh with Borderpaws Secret Teaser - 24.857 secs (C)

3. Amy Bennett with Heaven Sent to Mirramay - 254.678 secs (C)

4. Michelle Frankland with Strawberry Bonbon - 26.270 secs (C)

5. Pauline Droy - Moore with Kaliazar Dakota - 26.962 secs (C)

 Rugby Championship Agility Show are our hosts for heat 7 of the Animal Health Company Classic where we will find our next five qualifiers for the 2019 final.

Heat 5
Dog Vegas - Thetford

Judge Graham Scott must have known a thing or two about his visit to Dog Vegas Thetford. Not only was he appropriately dressed for the occasion which turned out to be the hottest day so far this year; he surrounded himself with a bevy of beauties who looked after him to perfection during Heat 5 of this year's Animal Health Company Classic competition.

With Thetford Forest the largest lowland pine forest in Britain covering over 19,000 ha and an SSI, the forest provided a great backdrop to this long stay Agility event with the classes early timing in the day allowing the partnerships to give of their best before the heat hit them. 

Now you may not know that this competition is open to small, medium and large dogs who all compete against each other over a steeplechase course featuring the Westcotts Water Jump and whilst you might imagine large dogs will win every time so far not proved so at the final. With the half way point of the competition now reached will 2019 be the year you qualify for the Animal Health Company Classic final ? 

 Dog Vegas Thetford qualifiers for the Final

1. Helen Flatt with Halliwells Magic Charm - 25.464 secs (C)

2. Leonie Knight with Birkcross Thunder in The Sky - 26.818 secs (C)

3. Jackie Ling with Bella Luna - 26.818 secs (C)

4. Jane Stockdale with The Teflon Don - 27.494 secs (C)

5. Gina Colton with Dexy Midnight - 28.634 secs (C)

RVA are our hosts for heat 6 of the Animal Health Company Classic where we will find our next five qualifiers for the 2019 final.

Heat 4
Golden Valley DTC Open Agility Show

I cannot remember how many years Golden Valley has run a weekend agility show at Top Barn but it must be well into double figures. Whilst the newer members get stuck in, the perennial connections seem to be about, allbeit after all the years in less strenuous roles.

 Whilst the farmers might have been pleased with the downfall the previous week, the weather did eventually play ball for the early arrivals . By Saturday, the ring surface was fine with a 100+ partnerships seeking one of five qualifying places for the autumn 2019 Animal Health Company Classic Final.

Pictured with judge Gill Blanchard are her winners who made the photo call flanked by the great range of products that the Animal Health Company offer the canine community both at Agility shows and their website. Worth a look.

 Golden Valley qualifiers for the Final

1. Sarah Barr with Kenquartz Worthwhile - 23.688 secs (C)

2. Julie Bearder with Paulcelin Jester - 23.903 secs (C)

3. Sally Friswell with Mickey Moo from Dysynnis - 24.210 secs (C)

4. Kathy Clements with Tiptoeing to Success -24.270 secs (C)

5. Jan Upton with The Strathclyde Detective - 25.225 secs (C)

Dog Vegas Thetford are our hosts for Heat 5 of the Animal Health Company Classic where we will find our next five qualifiers for the 2019 final.

Heat 3
Dog Vegas Onley 5 Day Open Agility Show

Heat 3 of this year's Animal Heath Company Classic found pastures new at Dog Vegas during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

For Onley virgins, they probably thought they had arrived several times to be meet with – keep going! Lots did keep going to find a spacious site and the venue farm shop did a good trade with lots of Warwickshire produce on offer.

Judge Donna Griffiths decided the real speed merchants could have a field day with a lovely tunnel and two fence pattern that, if done right, secured the partnerships a qualifying place.

Today I think the most surprised was Savina to learn that she was the class winner. Her face was a picture!

Dog Vegas Onley qualifiers for the Final

1. Savina Hart with Klairella Never Forget - 25.099 secs (C)

2. Jenny Gibson with Cassaroling Chaos - 25.247 secs (C)

3. Michael Adams with Black Lotus - 26.967 secs (C)

4. Karen Lawlor with Eceini Red Moon - 27.347 secs (C)

5. Michael Adams with Cloud City Destroyer - 27.361 secs (C)

Golden Valley hosts Heat 4 of the Animal Health Company Classic where the next five qualifiers for the 2019 final will be found.

Heat 2
Stonebridge Open Agility Show

Heat 2 of The Animal Health Company Classic was hosted by Stonebridge Dog Agility Club at Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club in Essex. With 500 acres of space, a great clubhouse offering food all day and the stunning sight of horses and carriages going out on exercise, it was a glorious setting for an agility show.

The judge Steve Hickson set a tunnel-tastic, fast course.  He said he loved judging this unique competition. A mixture of 120 Small, Medium and Large dogs ran with their handlers all hoping to be being in the top five to qualify for the fabulous final. On the day, the collies had it.

Stonebridge qualifiers for the Final

1. Dawn Hughes with Eye Spy Rose flies Firefly - 26.056 secs (C)

2. Dennis Colthup with Olley Born to Run - 26.981 secs (C)

3. Beverly Persaud with Runwell Dream- 27.105 secs (C)

4. Lucy Wheelwright with Super Mini Cooper - 27.753 secs  (C)

5. David Timms with Syd Madeit Seven - 28.140 secs (C)

 The AHC caravan is off next to Dog Vegas for Heat 3 of the Animal Health Company Classic to find the next five qualifiers for the 2019 final.

Heat 1
Scunthorpe Championship Agility Show

It's not true. The sun really does shine in Scunthorpe!

With the Agility outdoor season well and truly started, The Animal Health Co Classic competition headed north for our annual view of the illuminated Humber Bridge.

Country Shows Agility Organiser Graham Taylor said, 'Now you may not know that this competition is open to Small, Medium and Large dogs who all compete against each other over a steeplechase course featuring the Westcotts Water Jump. Whilst you might imagine Large dogs will win every time, so far it has not proved so at the Final. With ten opportunities to qualify this year, will 2019 be the year of the Large dog winning the final ?'

Judge Carol Stapley officiated today for the opening round of the Animal Health Company Classic 2019 and looks like the Collies cleaned up today. Unfortunately Smooth Criminal didn’t make the photo call.

 Scunthorpe qualifiers for the Final

1. 1 Sarah Crouch with Batfink Twist of Fate - 23.846 secs (C)

2. 2 Tanya King with Lunalite Just Like That - 24.495 secs (C)

3. 3 Colette Attwell with Sirensong Smooth Criminal - 24.777 secs (C)

4. 4 Emma Nicholson with Castomya New Edition - 24.933 secs (C)

5. 5 Sara Peall with Brook Matilda - 25.299 secs (C)

Keeping the East is East theme we travel to the Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club in Essex where heat 2 of the Animal Health Company Classic will see us find our next five qualifiers for the 2019 final.

AHC Continues Sponsorship

The Animal Health Company is delighted to announce that it will be continuing it's Agility competition, The Animal Health Company Classic, which will welcome all sizes of Agility dogs in a steeplechase style course that features the Westcotts Water Jump!

Animal Health Company's Sales Manager Jennie Westcott said, 'We are delighted to continue sponsorship of this Agility competition with new heat hosts in 2019, and I look forward to meeting everyone at our first heat at the Scunthorpe Championship Agility Show in April.  We wish everyone a successful 2019 and looks forward to meeting you at an Agility show near you.'

There will be qualifiers across the country in 2019 with the top five from each heat qualifying for the Final in the autumn. They will be competing for a share of the £100 prize money.

April 2019

• Scunthorpe Championship Agility Show - Winterton (Lincolnshire)

May 2019

• Stonebridge DTC - Chelmsford (Essex)

• Dog Vegas - Onley (Warwickshire)

June 2019 

• Golden Valley DTC - Top Barn (Worcestershire)

• Dog Vegas - Thetford (Suffolk)

July 2019

• RVA Championship Agility Weekend - Peterborough (Cambridgeshire)

• Rugby Championship Agility Weekend - Royal Farm (Staffordshire)

August 2019 

• Welsh Kennel Club Championship Agility Show - Builth Wells  (Powys)

September 2019 

• North Derbyshire Championship Agility Show - Southwell (Nottinghamshire)

• Paws In Park - Detling (Kent)

The Animal Health Company offers a range of products that will be ideal for the Agility dog including their new food, Westcotts. Unique to the market, it contains HypercCoat Prime our popular supplement. Westcotts it is formulated with high levels of chicken and rice, is hypoallergenic, pro biotic and has no added flavourings or preservatives produced from quality ingredients helping dogs with a sensitive palate. The Animal Health Company website http://www.animal-health.co.uk has all the details.

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