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The Animal Health Company Classic, started in 2014, might get you or your dog wet! The Animal Health Company Classic will welcome all sizes of Agility dogs in a Steeplechase-style course that features the Westcotts Water Jump! Reports from Graham Taylor.
 


 Replacing Heat 7
RVA Autumn Agility Show

Thank you to RVA for kindly agreeing to host a second AHC heat after North Derbyshire show in June was abandoned due to water logged ground.

In true autumn weather, it rained for most of the morning, Judge Laura Richardson set a fast course which eventually resulted in not much more than a second separating the five winning qualifiers.

I reckon Fred and his dog Georgie Porky Pudding n’ Pie must have worked very hard to join our other qualifiers at the last Animal Health Company Classic qualifier for 2016. I am sure everyone in the Agility community would want to wish them and all our other 59 partnerships the very best of luck at the final.

  1. Kelly Parish with Blazin Sky -23.547 secs  (C)

  2. Emma Llewellyn with Fireman Trigger - 23.820 secs  (C)

  3. Nicky Parris with Upanova Ego Agogo -24.123 secs  (C)

  4. Fred Adams with Georgie Porky Pudding n' Pie -24.950 secs  (C)

  5. Jo Ann Essex with Quinlent Sloppy Seconds -24.968 secs  (C)

With 12 heats now completed, we must widen that thanks to all the judges, hardworking show secretaries; ring parties and the many partnerships who took part in this year's competition which has attracted entry from many parts of the United Kingdom.

Good luck to one all at the Animal Health Company Classic final on Sunday, 9th October 2016.


Heat 12
Paws In The Park

September’s Paws In The Park is the third in a series of annual public canine events that seems to attract just about all the dog connections in Southern England with everything from Malamutes and Huskies pulling ‘sledges’ to the ‘must have’ accessories for a pampered pooch who has everything!

Joining judge Katie McManigan today were some 150 partnerships wanted to test their skill to see if they could join Championship Agility Judge David Isbister at the final at the Autumn Festival at Peterborough showground on the Sunday 9th October 2016. With all sizes of agility dogs competing against each other in this fast moving competition, all three sizes of Agility dog managed to qualify today.

And just as you thought it was all over for 2016, the cancellation of North Derbyshire’s June Show which brought its own problems to many, caused us to seek a host venue to replace the ‘lost’ heat and may we record here our grateful thanks to RVA for stepping into the breach so we move on to Peterborough showground and our last qualifier for 2016.

  1. Sophie Balchin with Mirramay Fairey Flyer C 24.399 secs (C)

  2. Eleanor Horsburgh with Loop De Loop Louie C 24.443 secs (C)

  3. Megan Hunt with A Moment In Thyme C 24.706 secs (C)

  4. Thomas Adams with Just Alan C 24.936 secs  (C)

  5. Judith Duberry with Weywood Archie C 25.155 secs (C)

Good luck to one and all.


Heat 11
Blenheim Agility Show

Our second visit to the banks of the Severn took us northwards to Charles Darwin’s birthplace Shrewsbury, where Blenheim AC Agility weekend is held on West Midlands Showground. I don’t know much about CD’s theory of evolution - The Origin of Species but I do know that evolution of Agility over the last 30 years has created some great dogs that try to qualify for this competition seeking one of the 5 qualifying places at this heat of the Animal Health Company Classic.

Karen Miaskowski officiated today with an entry of well over 100.  With all sizes of agility dogs competing against each other in this fast moving competition, securing one of those five qualifying places proved much harder than many expected with a seemingly fiendish layout that tested many.

  1. Debbie Fox with Borderpaws Dark Dilemma

  2. Catherine Rowlands with Ratz My Perfect Valentine

  3. Ian Gawne with Pallathorpe Hilston Lizzie

  4. Jo Plevin with Shimmering Lass

  5. Paul Nester with Shafterbury Flyer

There are just two more opportunities to qualify as we move southwards to Paws In The Park to find our next five 2016 qualifiers. Good luck to one and all.


Heat 9
Welsh Kennel Club Championship & Open Agility Show

The Welsh dog world - and probably some from farther afield - meet each August on the Royal Welsh's Showground at Builth Wells to find Champions at Agility, Breed and Obedience across several days of competition. Being a philistine, a sort of clipped out, pampered Poodle that won WKC Best in Show held no attraction for me, although there were lots of active and healthy dogs, especially some of the Welsh Agility speed merchants in the Animal Health’s Company Classic qualifier.

It seemed fitting to me that the winner of Heat 9 was a Welshman who will join all the other qualifiers will join Championship Agility Judge David Isbister at the Animal Health’s Company Classic final at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough on Sunday, 9th October 2016.

With three heats remaining, the AHC competition moves eastwards to The Summer Show at Ramsey (IOM) find our next five 2016 qualifiers.

  1. Curtis Alway with Welshspel Hurricane Ace - 20.070 secs  (C)

  2. Gill James with Leila Sky - 20.210 secs  (C)

  3. Julie Dowle with Dreamorox Dare to Dream - 22.254 secs (C)

  4. Sue Phipps with Miles of Smiles - 20.241 secs  (C)

  5. Katarina Ullsten with Inquizitive Quiz - 20.573 secs  (C)

Good luck to one and all.


Heat 8
Pembrokeshire By The Pond

The Animal Health’s Company Classic gets about a bit. With 12 heats in scheduled in 2016, Pembrokeshire by The Pond played host about as far west in the UK as Agility gets.

Held in a sun-soaked Feature Ring at the County show, a good-sized crowd watched a good sprinkling of handlers from the Principality showing a clean pair of heel to those from over the border. Despite the heat, no dog stopped for a drink today at the Westcott's Water Jump, although judge Ian Hutchinson probably needed a beer by the time he finished judging 170+ dogs of all sizes G3-6 in the class.

Those qualifying today will be invited to the final at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough on Sunday, 9th October 2016 under the watchful eye of Championship Agility Judge David Isbister.

  1. Barrie James with Mendipstar Rumour Has It - 21.945 secs (C)

  2. Julie Dowle with Dreamorox Dare To Dream - 22.254 secs (C)

  3. Anita Jones with Sassy Cinnamon - 22.918 secs (C)

  4. Aimee Kenton with Valentino Luna Eclipse - 23.044 sec  (C)

  5. Nicky Harrall with Ashlindt Ace at Fluvius - 22.269 secs (C)

Heat 9 of The Animal Health Company Classic moves east to join the largest dog show in Wales at Builth Wells next week to find our next five qualifiers for The Animal Health's Company Classic. Good luck to one and all.

Heat 7
North Derbyshire

Heat 7 was to be held at North Derbyshire Show June 2016 but show was cancelled due to waterlogged ground. It was rescheduled for the RVA Autumn show.


Heat 6
Just Dogs Live Peterborough

Following the cancellation of the North Derbyshire show due to waterlogged ground, some 200 competitors joined judge Ken Whittington at Just Dogs Live to decide who would be the next five qualifiers for the Animal Health's Company Classic 2016 Final.

The competition, open to every size of G3 – 6 Agility dog, was held - as you can see - in sunshine but no one stopped for a drink on the way round. Just over a second separated our five qualifiers who won Westcott's dog food as well as a place at the Final which will take place later in the year at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough, PE2 6XE on Sunday 9th October 2016 under the watchful eye of Championship Agility Judge David Isbister.

Competitors will be pleased to know that the cancelled heat from North Derbyshire is now to be hosted by the RVA Show on Saturday, 8th October giving you one final chance to qualify for the 2016 final. Schedules out soon.

  1. Matthew Burdett with Reivermorada Fiery Angel - 19.155 secs (C)

  2. Alison O'Connell with Jizzie Jazzle - 19.815 secs  (C)

  3. John Foord with Detania Rules The Waves Again - 20.074 secs  (C)

  4. Kate Sermon with Minkynips Magic Messed Up - 20.428 secs  (C)

  5. Louise McMahon with Glebemoore Frappuccino - 20.611 secs  (C)

Heat 6 of The Animal Health Company Classic goes about as far west as Agility reaches in the UK to join the folk at the County Show Pembrokeshire where they say it is a bit of Little England beyond Wales. Good luck to one and all.

North Derbys Heat Rescheduled

After the cancellation of the North Derbyshire Championship and Premier Agility Show due to waterlogged ground conditions, the new dates of Saturday, 10th and Sunday, 11th September fall on a weekend when the Animal Health Company is already holding a qualifier at Blenheim AC Show on West Midlands Showground at Shrewsbury.

With great reluctance, therefore, the Animal Health Company is not able to join the North Derbyshire Championship and Premier Agility Show in 2016.

On a much brighter note competitor's will have one final chance to qualify on Saturday, 8th October at the RVA Show Peterborough. The Final will be held on the following day on Sunday, 9th October 2016 held at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE, under the watchful eye of Championship Agility Judge David Isbister.

The Animal Health Company is very grateful for all the support in what are difficult circumstances for many.

Heat 5
Chipping Norton - Banbury

Sheltering at the Animal Health trade stand with judge Troy Hedger are our latest finalists of Animal Health's Company Classic, which is open to every size of 3 – 6 grades of Agility dog.

M & M's magic did not work all day as the weather swung from brilliant sunshine to penetrating rain, but fortunately it did nothing to dampen the atmosphere of these finalists.

  1. Lucy Maguire with Racing Robin - 22.754 secs (C)

  2. Jane Everitt with Rosmarnus Shooting Star - 25.441 secs (C)

  3. Sandra Holmes with Spiderwick Italiana - 26.686 secs (C)

  4. Trisha McKeown with Raven Mad for Devongem - 26.925 secs  (C)

  5. Nicola Mullins with Golden Balls - 28.431 secs  (C)

Heat 6 of the Animal Health Company Classic joins Championship Agility on Southwell Racecourse with host North Derbyshire Dog Club where the heat is open to all sizes of Agility dogs.

With 12 heats of the competition this year, some 60 finalists will gather at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE on Sunday, 9th October 2016 held alongside a multi-ring Agility show, outdoor attractions and with harvest festival celebrations giant vegetable displays under the watchful eye of Championship Agility Judge David Isbister. Good luck to one and all.

Heat 4
Wye Valley - Monmouth
 

The river Wye meanders it's way around this showground so we were not short of water. Much to Judge Ann Kavangah's delight, one of the dogs even stopped for a drink!

Wye Valley is well known for its support of canines of 'smaller stature' and this heat was open only to Small and Medium dogs. It was the first time an AHC heat was held here and it attracted entries from far and wide  - along with many superstars later in the day.

  1. Rhianed Thomas with Belting Bessie - 16.066 secs (C)

  2. Stuart Milton with Jupavia Blue Motion - 16.403 secs (C)

  3. ackie Travis Spencer with The Mighty Boyce - 16.862 secs (C)

  4. David Carlile with Heidron High Perfection - 17.355 secs (C)

  5. atasha Wardle with Diesel Of Hampshire - 17.567 secs  (C)

However some - especially those in the picture - had more important things on their minds which was to join the finalists at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE on Sunday, 9th October 2016 where the Animal Health Company Classic Final is to be held alongside a multi-ring Agility show, outdoor attractions and with harvest festival celebrations and giant vegetable displays.

Heat 5 of The Animal Health Company Classic moves to within spitting distance of Banbury Cross where I'm sure we will find a fine lady (and a gentlemen or two) as the next qualifiers for the 2016 competition. Good luck to one and all.

Heat 3
Dog Vegas - Matlock
 

Some one said the line up was like Cell Block H, but they all look too happy!

In the shadow of Arkwright's Mill (the shop came later), alongside the canal at Cromford, Dog Vegas welcomed another heat of Animal Health's Company Classic open to every size of 3 – 6 grades of Agility dog.

With the first weekend of really dry and warm weather, competitors were probably pleased that the Westcotts Water Jump was full of cooling water under the watchful gaze of judge Aileen Watson.

In form Alison Naylor took 2nd place again with Wot The Heck (already qualified) and must be a serious contender at the Final where she will be joined by some 60 finalists at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE on Sunday, 9th October 2016 held alongside a multi-ring Agility show, outdoor attractions and with harvest festival celebrations giant vegetable displays.

  1. Alison O'Connell with Jizzle Jazzie - 24.233 secs (C)

  2. Jackie Kenny with Morgan Son of a Legend - 25.235 secs (C)

  3. Kevin Bowers with Lord Toby Wan Kanobi C 25.450 secs (C)

  4. Steph Shaw with Shoshonemara Mach One - 26.0912 secs  (C)

  5. Veronica Hill with The Spycatcher - 26.211 secs  (C)

Heat 4 of The Animal Health Company Classic moves westwards to the Wye Valley at Monmouth where the heat is only open to Small and Medium sized dogs. Good luck to one and all.

Heat 2
Hatton Agility Festival
 

Boy, was it warm at the Hatton Festival! The competitors were probably pleased the Westcotts Water Jump was full of water to keep them cool.

Judge Jane James welcomed more than 250 partnerships to her fast steeplechase course and, with a 25% increase in entries today, her ring team needed all their wits about them. After completing their afternoon classes, they secured the accolade of being the first ring to finish on Hatton Sunday.

  1. James Mclellend with Rock on Ruby Twoshoes - 2.283 secs (C)

  2. Sarah Roots with Stowledge Angelica - 22.388 secs (C)

  3. Katrin Philips with Bellaroses Shining Star - 22.447 secs (C)

  4. Amy Sadler with Follyfleet Moon Light - 22.910 secs (C)

  5. Janette Weatherley with Envagyok Light Hurricane - 23.395 secs (C)

Heat 3 of The Animal Health Company Classic moves to Dog Vegas at Matlock, Derbyshire. With 12 heats in the 2016 competition open to every size of G3 – 6 dog, there is bound to be an Animal Health Company Classic Steeplechase Qualifier near you very soon.

Championship Agility Judge David Isbister will officiate at the Animal Health Company Classic Final where some 60 finalists will enjoy a great day out at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough, PE2 6XE on Sunday, 9th October 2016 held alongside a multi-ring Agility show, outdoor attractions and with harvest festival celebrations giant vegetable displays. What a great family day out!

Country Shows Agility organiser Graham Taylor said, 'With record number of Agility entries at Hatton Festival, we hope many noticed that Country Shows Agility had a flag for all those countries represented at the event. The Chinese team even took theirs home with the promise it would be brought back next time. Pembrokeshire By The Pond is a similar event where we welcome those from far and wide and, apart from the Home Countries and the Pembrokeshire flag, we may have lost track of those who will compete from further a field.'

So if your country needs a flag in the heart of 'Little England beyond Wales' please do send an email to countryshowsagility@gmail.com

By the way, if you are intending to compete at Pembrokeshire By The Pond or on the Beach this year entry closes shortly.

Heat 1
Working Belgium Shepherd Dog Show

The Working Belgium Shepherd Dog Club at their recent Thame show welcomed the opening heat of the Animal Health Company Classic, now entering its third year. Unique to The Animal Health Company Classic competition is the Westcotts Water Jump, which again created a splash or two.

International Agility judge Barrie James laid a very fast course which did not faze Alison Naylor who managed to secure two of her dogs qualifying places. The young Thomas Shaw handling a borrowed, medium-sized dog held his own in good company.

Animal Health Company Classic Qualifiers

  1. Alison Naylor with Wannahave Vision of Craziness - 22.874 secs (C)

  2. Colette Richardson with Soldaze Morphic Meg - 22.936 secs (C)

  3. Thomas Shaw with Blackengine Dusk - 23.457 secs (C)

  4. Alison Naylor with Wynwich Wot The Heck - 23.634 secs (C)

  5. Rebecca Fletcher with High Flyer Flossy - 23.769 secs (C)

Heat 2 of The Animal Health Company Classic moves to Hatton Festival and with 12 heats in 2016 competition open to every size of 3 – 6 grades of Agility dog there is bound to be an Animal Health Company Classic Steeplechase course near you very soon.

Sixty finalists will be invited to a great day out at The Autumn Food & Country Fair East of England Showground, Peterborough, PE2 6XE on Sunday 9th October 2012 where, under the watchful eye of Championship Agility Judge David Isbister, the Animal Health Company Classic Final will be held alongside a multi ring Agility show, outdoor attractions and with harvest festival celebrations giant vegetable displays. What a great family day out !

Good luck to one and all.


AHC Final Announced

The Final of he 2016 Animal Health Company Classic will take place at The Autumn Food & Country Fair on the East of England Showground Peterborough on Sunday, 9th October, kindly judged by Championship Agility Judge David Isbister. RVA will be holding a weekend Agility show there in conjunction with the larger event which makes it a great place for an autumn break.

Animal Health Company's Sales Manager Jennie Westcott said, 'We are delighted that our final is being held at this new venue and I look forward to meeting everyone at our first heat at the Working Belgium Shepherd Dog Show at Thame Showground later in the month.'

With new venues for 2016 qualifiers, the remaining heats are to be held at the following shows.

  • Hatton Agility Festival 7/ 8 May - Warwick

  • Dog Vegas 27 / 31 May - Matlock

  • Wye Valley DTC 4 / 5 June - Monmouth

  • Chipping Norton DTC 12 June - Banbury

  • North Derbyshire Championship Agility Show 18/19 June - Southwell

  • Just Dogs Live 08 / 10 July - Peterborough

  • Pembrokeshire By The Pond 16 / 18 August - Haverfordwest

  • Welsh Kennel Club Championship Agility Show 20/ 21 August - Builth Wells

  • The Summer Show 26 / 28 August - Huntingdon

  • Blenheim ATC 10 / 11 September - Shrewsbury

  • Paws In Park 17 / 18 September - Detling


The Animal Health Company Classic

The Animal Health Company has announced that it will be continuing its Agility Steeplechase style competition in 2016. All sizes of Agility dogs are welcome but be careful. You just might get wet as the courses feature the Westcotts Water Jump!

With qualifiers across the country including, new for 2016 qualifiers especially for medium and small dogs only, The Animal Health Company Classic Final will be held at the Newark Robin Hood Game and Country Show in October in the main arena. Some 23,000 people attend the show and it will be a great venue to showcase agility talent.'

Animal Health Company's Sales Manager Jennie Westcott said 'We are delighted to continue sponsorship of this Agility competition with new heat hosts in 2016 and I look forward to meeting everyone at our first heat at the Working Belgium Shepherd Dog Show at Thame in April. The Animal Health Company wishes everyone a successful 2016 and looks forward to meeting you at an Agility show near you.

2016 qualifying heats include:-

  • Working Belgium Shepherd Dog Show on 23-24 April - Thame, Oxon

  • Hatton Agility Festival on 7-8 May - Warwick

  • Dog Vegas on 27-31 May - Matlock, Drbys

  • Wye Valley DTC on 4-5 June - Monmouth

  • Chipping Norton DTC on 12 June - Banbury, Oxon

  • North Derbyshire Champ Show on 18-19 June - Southwell

  • Just Dogs Live on 8-10 July - Peterborough, Cambs.

  • Pembrokeshire by The Pond on 16-18 August - Haverfordwest

  • Welsh Kennel Club Champ Show on 20-21 August - Builth Wells

  • The Summer Show on 26-28 August - Huntingdon

  • Blenheim ATC on 10-11 September - Shrewsbury

  • Paws In Park on 17-18 September - Detling

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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