An agility holiday with a foreign flavour...
 The
Channel Island of Jersey recently welcomed over 165 dogs and their handlers from five different
nations to the 15th Jersey European Agility Festival. The annual four day agility festival, the
Channel Islands biggest dog event, took place in glorious weather conditions over the first May
Bank Holiday. Organiser André Rees reports.
The Festival had a new venue this year,
the Jersey Accommodation & Activity Centre. Set in the parish of St. Martin it has spectacular
views over the Royal Bay of Grouville leading to Gorey Harbour and Castle.
Competitors were
able to choose from the options of camping facilities or indoor accommodation - dogs allowed
in rooms - along with allocated pitches for motorhomes and caravans. Full on site facilities
were available, including free Wi-Fi to keep those at home up to date with progress.
Many
people opted to take full advantage of the location and facilities by extending their stay to
enable them to explore Jersey’s unique coastal walks and beaches, several being a short walk
from the venue itself.
Free welcome bags were provided upon arrival, containing maps of Jersey,
highlighting local attractions and facilities for all the family to see.
For 2013 the Festival welcomed judges
Pascale Crespel from France, Alfredo Tuset from Spain, Roger Van de Laarschot from the
Netherlands and Graham Partridge from Great Britain. The inclusion of European Judges is a
welcome addition as it not only gives local and visiting entrants a chance to negotiate some
European competitive courses, but view some very fast attacking handler running styles as well.
It is this variety that, along with the Jersey setting, attracts some very experienced handlers
and their dogs from different nations. Visiting judges also get the chance to compete on the
days they are not on official judging duty.
Each day was themed with Friday being
Dutch day, Saturday French day, Sunday British day and Monday Spanish day. This theme was
carried through to the afternoon where, after all classes of the day were complete,
complimentary drinks representing the themed days were distributed whilst awaiting the day’s
results. Needless to say the 'booze queue' was very well attended and appreciated by all,
twice or more in some cases! The venue continued with this theme by on-site themed catering
each evening for each different nation.
Although competition did not start until
the Saturday, everyone who was present on the Friday helped to set up one ring and had a fun
afternoon of competition. The fun day Festival Weave Challenge was a fiercely contended with dogs
and handlers having to negotiate up to 30 weaves. The Small/Medium and Large Festival Knockout
continued the fun and enabled everyone, two and four legged, a chance to stretch their legs
ready for the next day's start of serious competition. This year visiting Judge Roger Van de Laarschot and his wife Monique offered everyone present the option to attend an afternoon
training session with them. This was very well received and also attended by local handlers as
well as guests.
 Let
the show begin...
Warm weather
and clear skies greeted Saturday's competitors, with Ransoms Garden Centre providing breakfast
of croissants and pastries in honour of sponsoring French day. The Festival opens each day with
a briefing by the day’s judges, with classes starting at 8.30am.
The Festival is the only
agility show in the Channel Islands that run two consecutive rings at once. Alfredo Tuset and
Pascale Crespel presided over the opening day's 18 classes. Each course was carefully walked
by handlers, many of whom were undertaking European courses for the first time.
The days
classes were split in to Grade A and Grade B jumping and agility accordingly, with classes for
ABC, Any Size and Pairs Jumping also taking place. Variety not only came in the form of the
courses, but breeds and ages of both dog and handler as well. At the end of the first day’s
competition everyone gathered round for the results with a very much appreciated courtesy glass
of wine or soft drink. There was the option of discussing the day’s proceedings further at
Barney's Restaurant. Competition between nations continued at Barney's during the evening
with an enlightening impromptu display of profiterole eating by two of the more senior handlers
that brought much humour.
Sunday brought much of the same weather,
with Graham Partridge and Roger Van de Laarschot presiding over the days 18 courses. Again it
was a very busy day with the courses being noted as very fast with a few dogs being caught by
the approach to some of the courses obstacles. Competition was fierce, with the fast running
approach to courses being especially noted among the Small grade A and B classes. Again some
very experienced handlers and their dogs were caught out by these courses. At the same time
some young handlers emerged as very capable along with their dogs as ones to watch for the
future. With Sunday being British Day, Pimms was served to refresh those weary from the day’s
efforts at results time.
During Saturday and Sunday qualifying
classes took place for both Grade A and B jumping and agility. Each day the results were
posted along with points obtained and carried forward towards qualification in Monday’s
Finals. By now, many had relaxed in to their stride and the courses, and had produced the
results they needed to qualify for the Finals.
Alfredo Tuset and Pascale Crespel opened
Monday’s proceedings. Although there were only 14 classes, the addition of Helter Skelter
courses brought something new to the day. With no more points being awarded towards the
Finals, the emphasis was on enjoying the day and the sun in between classes.
 With
all classes being run for the day, Pascale Crespel set out her course for the Jersey European
Agility Festival’s Dog of the Year Finals – 2013. Everyone then came together to watch the
Finals commence. First was the Small class, with eight qualifiers, amongst them one local
handler and dog. The class was won by former Team GB handler Bernadette Bay with her aptly
named Sheltie, Obay Itz Got Pizzazz, with a very fast time of 31.235, no faults.
For the Medium Final, again with eight
qualifiers, was won by a stunning round from local handler Oliver Eden and his Springer Spaniel
Mayzee Runs Like a Rocket. This convincing clear round win was over ten seconds faster than
second place visitor Fras Aurelia.
Large Grade A Final was won by the only
clear round of the course by visitor Linda Wilson. 2nd and 3rd places were awarded to local
handlers André Rees and Di Poingdestre respectively.
Large Grade B was won by regular Festival
visitor from France, Nathalie Le Blond and her young Malinois, Arkhan De La Coquillonnerie.
This was a very popular partnership and well deserved being just over one second faster than
Great Britain's former world cup manager, Graham Partridge and his collie, Waggerland Widget at Gunran AW.
 Attention
then turned to Ring 2 where the course had been set for the Nations Teams Finals – 2013 by
Alfredo Tuset. By now the national flags had come out and cheering for each team member, along
with the applause for every competitor’s round. In the Nation’s Team Small Finals experience
proved out with the ‘Rest of the World’s’ team of Bernadette Bay from Great Britain, Fras
Aurelia from France and Caroline Le Roux from France coming first to Jersey’s Sally Rees,
Valery Johnson and Di Poingdestre. Large Nations Team Finals produced a very vocally supported
round for the French, who came second, just, to England’s team of Mandy Cowdroy, Marion Creed
and Tim Creed.
Everyone then pitched in to pack up the
equipment and settle with a glass of Sangria in honour of Spanish Day, whilst waiting for the
last day’s awards and placings. Once again the Festivals unique
First place Teddys were much
coveted by all, with some people mentioning they would have to come back next year to win
theirs.
Prior to the results and awards for the
day and the Finals, the raffle in aid of Jersey Hospice was drawn. First prize was a free
Condor Trip supplied by Channel Islands Direct. The main sponsors also contributed with some
lovely dog beds as prizes. Again, the Raffle is a much established part of the Festival and
well supported.
Judges
Specials were then awarded to two outstanding competitors of the Festival that they had agreed
deserved acknowledgement. The first being awarded to England’s Mark Bradley for his fantastic
partnership with his two Weimaraners, Mully and Campbell, and his achievement of making the
Finals with Mully. Local handler, Sue Drew, along with her Collie X Katie, was also awarded
a Judge’s Special for coming so close in her persistence trying for that elusive clear round
without time faults. Sue competes from her wheelchair very competitively, travelling to Europe
to do so.
Everyone
agreed that the 2013 Jersey European Agility Festival had been hugely successful and continued
to be one of the most friendly and much looked forward to events in the Agility Calendar. Local
handlers and their dogs acquitted themselves well against some very experienced dogs and
handlers. The friendly atmosphere of pitch in and help each other was appreciated by several
visitors who had made this a family holiday, and never went short of offers for babysitting
(two or four legged) whilst running.
 Thank you to all...
Thanks were extended to Sally and André
Rees for continuing to organise this charity Festival, which is in support of Jersey Hospice.
Thanks must also go to the Jersey Accommodation and Activity Centre who, as our new venue,
providing not only family friendly accommodation, but on site catering and facilities and help.
 Of course, the Festival would not be as
unique as it is without the support of the main sponsors and their contribution towards the
Raffle as well as first place prizes. Local Garden Centre, Ransoms in conjunction with Baring
Heads, not only provided breakfast on their French day this year, but continues to supply
courtesy goody bags packed with treats. The aforementioned has become a well-known and much
appreciated addition to the Festival. Pets Paradise in conjunction with Royal Canine for their
sponsorship of Sundays British Day classes and Judge’s Special awards. Pet Cabin for
sponsoring Monday’s proceedings along with the Day’s Final and with special awards to first
place competitors in conjunction with Eukanuba. Without them the Festival could not carry on in
the form it takes now. The support of Kronch is also appreciated in providing various products
to placings.
Further
thanks must go to Clive and Fran Hildersley for doing all of the running orders along with ring
management. Elaine Hudspeth, Colin Hyland and Pat Partridge for their ring management skills as
well, along with the French liaison Michelle Johnston.
This year we have donated to Jersey
Hospice £1,232 from the Festival, of which £553 was from the Raffle. So far over the last 11
Festivals we have raised for Jersey Hospice £ 13,228.
Plans are now well under way for the 2014
Festival which is being held from Friday, 2 to Monday, 5 May 2014. For
more information, results and pictures please view
http://jerseyagility.co.uk Full details for the Venue can be
obtained from
http://www.jerseyhostel.co.uk
Getting to Jersey...
The travel package for next year's Jersey European Agility Festival being held from Friday, 2
to Monday, 5 May 2014 will be out at the end of November, however you may now reserve camping
at £10 per person per night and indoor accommodation at £27 per person per night including
breakfast at the show venue, the Jersey Accommodation & Activity Centre, St Martin. If you
would like to reserve camping or indoor accommodation please email details to
andre@kerbras.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/jerseyfestival - at Jersey Activity And Accommodation Centre
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