The final results

As dog agility continues growing so does the popularity of well-run, high-profile, national agility competitions. Qualifying heats, run as a series leading up to a grand final, add a spark of extra interest to the regular agility shows held literally every weekend of the year. And that is exactly what Purina’s PRO PLAN set up this year with its 2012 PRO PLAN Agility Challenge,

The PROPLAN Finals, held  on 27 October 2012 at Moulton College (Northants), showed that they had got the formula just right. The judges were Charlotte Hughes (Warm Up) and Hilary Bowden (Finals) Finalists had won through from a series of 14 heats, held at larger agility shows right across the country between March and September 2012. They competed in three separate categories:-

• Starters for Grades 1 and 2 dogs and handlers

• Novice for those in Grades 3-5

• Masters for the top level Grades 6 and 7.

In each category, there were separate classes for each of the three dog heights, Small Medium and Large. With almost 150 competitors invited to the Finals, the Challenge provided a major opportunity for agility handlers to hit the limelight.

One of those who did was Bonny Quick, winner of the Large Novice title with the aptly-named Lightning Trail of Flames (Ivy), who travelled down from Scotland for the event: 

She told us 'I thought the whole day was really well run. I had a fab time even if it was freezing (nothing like a bit of cafe action to warm up!). I think Ivy enjoyed herself too. Everyone seemed to be doing a good job. From the callers-in to the lead collectors - even the commentator wasn't bad! The standard of competition was high and as well as enjoying running my own dog I also thoroughly enjoyed watching some of the other competitors' runs and just chatting to people I hadn't seen for a while.Well worth the epic trip from Aberdeen to get there!'

The morning jumping rounds were judged by Charlotte Hughes and the afternoon finals rounds by Championship Agility Judge Hilary Bowden.

Hilary said, 'I thoroughly enjoyed judging these finals, as I knew just how nervous all the competitors were feeling, especially the 1 & 2s. The Grades 3-5 really went for it, which was how I designed the course to run. I try to design courses that flow, with subtle handling points – i.e. what the dog sees and not the handler. The high point of the day was seeing everybody including the dogs having fun. With sponsors like PRO PLAN, the not so experienced handlers and dogs got a chance to feel what it was like to compete at a high profile event. Too many sponsors have dropped out recently, so a big thank you to PRO PLAN and all those people who made this event a success.”

The competition and finals were organised for PRO PLAN by Steve and Yvonne Croxford and the finals commentary was by Graham Partridg. As former Kennel Club International Agility team managers, both Steve and Graham brought invaluable experience of running high-profile agility events. The finals were staged indoors - fortunately in view of the recurrent heavy hailstorms at Pitsford Equestrian Centre, part of Moulton College in Northamptonshire. One innovative feature was that the runs were covered by live commentary via Twitter, as well as Facebook (via AgilityNet) coverage allowing those who couldn't make it on the day to enjoy the excitement of the event. Was it any wonder that there was a rainbow over Moulton College at the end of the competition!

'The venue was great. There were some fantastic runs and I found the day very enjoyable,' commented another finalist, Gary Murphy. 'Retrospectively the booking in so early for all sizes and grades could have been staggered but then there would not have been such a great atmosphere all day. Congratulations to Steve, Yvonne, Graham and all the team for organising a great event. First of many I hope...'

Ian Blachin, winner of the Large Masters agreed, 'The venue was excellent, the catering very reasonably priced and the standard of competition was very high (from a large category perspective at least) and any one of the finalists could have won it. It ran very smoothly and we all got away about an hour earlier than scheduled which is a credit to the team, ring party, judges and competitors for getting on with it. An excellent final well supported with most people staying on for the prize giving and very generously supported by Pro Plan.

As well as some magnificent trophies, PRO PLAN supplied every finalist with a rosette and a goody bag which included a 3kg bag of dog food. And the sponsor was on hand to answer questions about nutrition and how PRO PLAN can meet the nutritional needs of dogs throughout their lives.

The Challenge continues PRO PLAN's much-appreciated support for the agility community, which has included principal sponsorship of the Kennel Club’s International Agility Festival.

Judith Nicholson from Purina commented: 'The Agility Challenge competition has been created to reflect the company's on-going commitment to and support of the sport of dog agility with the aim of making the finals one of the 'must – do' agility events of the year. I am very pleased with the support we have received from the invited host clubs and am delighted that everyone clearly enjoyed the Finals so much.'

Winners

Full Results of the PRO PLAN Agility Challenge Finals

(Click on a class to see the results sheet)

STOP PRESS:

• Run-by-run commentary on the Finals live on Twitter on Saturday 27 October Follow @Agilitynet.

• Plus summaries and updates on the Agilitynet Facebook Page.

If you can't visit the finals, just click in and see what's going on!

Challenge Final Judge Announced

PRO PLAN® is pleased to announce that Hilary Bowden has agreed to judge the main PRO PLAN® Agility Challenge Finals in the afternoon. The final is being held at the Pitsford Equestrian Centre, part of Moulton College, Moulton, Northamptonshire on Saturday, 27 October 2012. If you want to go and watch, the postcode is NN3 7QL. Use this post code for satellite navigation systems and not the main college address or you will end up in the wrong place! The morning warm up is being judged by Hinckley DTC member Charlotte Hughes.

Meet Hilary Bowden
Hilary is a coach driver by trade - executive coaches actually! She lives in the Wye Valley with her dogs Spider, Ronnie and Smartie. Over the 17 years that she has been involved in agility ,she has been a successful handler and regularly qualifies for finals at Crufts and Olympia.

Having grown up on a farm surrounded by terriers and collies, Hilary was drawn to the sport after having rescued 'a very naughty dog.' She is a long standing member of Wye Valley DTC and says she loves seeing dogs enjoying themselves in the sport. Agility is an all-consuming hobby for Hilary as she trains and instructs at Wye Valley DTC and also runs private training classes for all levels, even for 'crumblies' (humans).

Hilary has always been full of energy, as you can see from the impressive list of previous hobbies. She has played netball, hockey, taken part in athletics and women's football. She has a keen interest in horse riding having competed in the past with her own horse and has played darts at county level (phew!).

Taking part in competitive activities is a feature of Hilary’s past and her claim to fame is that she was a member of the Newbury 'It’s a Knockout' team which was the first British team to win the competition in another country (Switzerland). One can only imagine the level of Eddie Waring and Stuart Hall's excitement at the end!

Hilary enjoys judging at all levels/heights up to Championship standard and had her first Championship appointment at Chippenham last October.

She says 'I feel by judging I am giving back to the sport (hopefully) as much as I get out of it'.'

Finalists in the PRO PLAN® Agility Challenge Finals

The PRO PLAN® Agility Challenge Series consists of three qualifying agility events: the Starters Challenge, for Grades 1 & 2 combined; the Novice challenge for Grades 3,4 & 5 combined; and, the Masters Challenge for Grades 6 & 7 combined. The Starters, Novice & Masters Challenge heats will be for all heights (Small, Medium & Large) and will be run over an agility course and judged under the appropriate Kennel Club Rules in force at the time of the running of the show.

PRO PLAN® Agility Challenge Finals Timetable

PRO PLAN® Announces New Agility Series

Purina is pleased to announce its flagship Advanced Nutrition dry dog food brand PRO PLAN® will be introducing a major new agility competition in 2012 - the PRO PLAN® Agility Challenge. The exciting new series will cover all heights and grades of dog and will culminate in a series finale to be held at Moulton in October 2012.

The PRO PLAN® Agility Challenge Series, held under Kennel Club agility regulations, will consist of three qualifying agility events - the Starters Challenge for Grades 1 & 2 Combined; the Novice Challenge for Grades 3, 4 & 5 Combined and the Masters Challenge for Grades 6 & 7 Combined.

Judith Nicholson from Purina said 'The competition has been created to reflect the company's on-going commitment to and support of the sport of dog agility with the aim of making the finals one of the 'must – do' agility events of the year. I am very pleased with the support we have received from the invited host clubs and am looking forward to an exciting season of agility.'

We are grateful to the following clubs who have agreed to host the 2012 heats:

2012 Heats

The PRO PLAN® Agility Challenge Series heats and finale is being co-ordinated by Steve Croxford who should be contacted on tel. 01455 220245 or email meistermansion@aol.com in the event of any enquiries about the heats or final.

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