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Show jumping goes
to the dogs...
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L-R Gerald Fox, Kevin Foster, Stuart Gillam, Albert
Davies (Team Manager)
Out of picture: Peter Meanwell |
Gerald Fox was a
member of Lincolnshire Alsatian Association All Breeds Training Society when Peter Meanwell
put together a team to do a demonstration at Crufts. It was meant to be a
one-off, but instead it has become an annual international agility event on the
dog calendar. It happened a long time ago, but it is something he will always
remember.
In 1977 my dog Meg
and I, along with a few other members of the Lincoln Dog Training Club, got
together to prepare for a demonstration of Dog Agility to be seen at Crufts Dog
Show.
The Lincoln team consisted of two Alsatians
and two Working Sheepdogs. We trained at Scampton RAF dog training department.
The year before we had done a demonstration at the Horse of the Year Show,
delighting large crowds of people, and helping to lay the foundations of what
was to become dog agility.
We only had about three months’ notice to
build the equipment and train the dogs. At first, we trained three or four times
a week, but we did not have any indoor facilities so, although they reached a
high standard, we knew we had to get them used to an indoor atmosphere. Luckily,
we found a sports hall at North Kesteven school in Hykeham (Lincs.) It
was in the early 1970s that I started being self-employed and set up the Saxilby
Driving School, a taxi service and school transport contract for the County
Council. Having started the business, I was very busy, working seven days a
week, and I did not have the time to help make all the equipment so only
participated in training with my Working Sheepdog Meg (Lady of Hazeldene.) |
 The first demonstration
After
months of careful planning and hard work, we set off for Crufts. The obstacle
course was a simple figure of eight, designed by Peter Meanwell, which included
hurdles, tunnels, a catwalk, 'weaving flags' and a window jump. On the night of
10th February 1978, two teams stepped into the ring and agility was born. Twelve
soldiers from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps acted as equipment stewards
because we had to get things out within a matter of minutes.
Peter Meanwell and
his WT CH. Jamie of Petricas won the class with a clear round.
The year after, we
went on to do Olympia and Hickstead Show Jumping, followed by Leeds Castle. By
that time, I had dropped out and did not go because of work.
 Correcting
History
In 1981
Peter Lewis published a book called The Agility Dog. In it, there was
something about Trevor Jones and the Yorkshire team who tried to make out that
they were the ones who had started it, but believe me, it was started at Lincoln
by Peter Meanwell. It was he who invited the Yorkshire Club to put a team
together for a friendly competition at Crufts.
In Peter’s remarks at
the front of his book, I believe that I was not mentioned, as I had no part in
building the equipment, etc. but that was only due to the pressure of work.
 The first Lincoln Agility Enthusiasts show
At
the 30th anniversary of the first demonstration, there was a show on Lincoln
Showground commemorating the occasion. There were approximately 30 teams
competing. Kevin Foster and I were presented with a plaque from the Kennel Club
to mark our contribution to the development of dog agility in the UK, which I am
proud to have. We are only a few members of the Lincoln Team left.
We were interviewed
by the American press but, once again, it seems it was a member from the
Yorkshire team who took priority!
I still have the
cuttings from the Lincolnshire Echo and all my rosettes are still pinned
up on the beams in the garage.
I enjoyed what we did
at the time, but that's a chapter of my life that has long gone. I have the
memories and I enjoyed doing it.
* Now called Lincolnshire
German Shepherd Dog & All Breeds Training Society
 About
Gerald Fox
Gerald Fox
is just short of his 90th birthday. Obviously, he is no longer involved with
agility, but he and his wife still have a dog, a three-year-old Cocker Spaniel X
Belgian Malinois.
With Meg, he
qualified for CDX (Companion Dog), UDX (Utility Dog) WDX (Working Dog), and TD
(Tracker Dog.)
First
published 29th July 2022
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