Did you hear the
lions roar...
 For
many people the agility show at Longleat was and forever will be their all-time
favourite. Those were the days when doing agility came second to enjoying the
social side and when you knew everyone, at least by sight, and invites to join
for a drink as you walked by a pitch were commonplace. And who could forget the
lions 6am alarm calls and and how that could completely silence a camp full of
dogs? Shirley
Elkins
came across these photos, a provisional ring plan and the Rules for the infamous
Derby the other day and agreed to share her memories.
To put it simply, Longleat
was one of the best shows I have ever been to.
 My
memories of arriving at Longleat are filled with a big WOW. The sight of all the
rings and a sea of caravans and tents as you came up over the hill on the way
into the venue was a sight not to be forgotten. As a background for the show,
Longleat House always looked spectacular with the waterfalls at the side
and the river running along the front. You could hear the lions roar as you got out
of your car to take it all in.
I
found an old ring plan of the 2000 show. (See
below)
Those were the days
In those
days I was a full time mother to six kids who would tag along and it was when I had a tent and not a caravan. I was
a bit younger and could stay up most of the night, laughing with friends.
I always
used to try and camp alongside the lane as you came in or to the left of the
lane by the river, but it didn’t seem to matter where you camped as the rings
were never far away, unlike the roar of the lions which always seemed so close,
especially at night.
 In
those days I had my trusted Labradors and Retrievers. I now have collies. Here
I must give my Labrador Amber a mention. She was my first Agility dog and
without her I would never have got so involved in the sport as I am today.
The Wolves
could be heard howling and you could hear the hippopotamus and the sea lions.
They all seemed so close. And if you ever found time during your day, you could
always go on a Longleat Bus ride to see the wolves, something not to be missed.
I remember thinking that there were so many rings how on earth
would I cope, but I did, I loved everything about it. Entertainment was put on
ever evening, there were heelwork to music displays, dogs having a go at
‘football’ and the famous Longleat Derby where Agility handlers got to run their
dog round what I thought was something like a show jumping course, Complete with
brush fences and real water jumps. Everyone was so friendly.
 The
Grand Prix
And who could forget the Longleat
Derby which was based on the Hickstead Derby within, of course, the limitations
of Agility. Everyone sat around the ring and the atmosphere was something else.
The
course was huge - two rings put together made it a long long run. Dogs needed to
be fit - and so did handlers. You needed amazing legs and good lungs to get
round.
The
competition was held over two rounds. It included weaves but excluded tyre,
tunnels and a seesaw. Additional
judges were appointed to look after some of the equipment. Of course, the safety
of the dogs was paramount so the first round course time was generous to enable
to handle to maximum care. Clears from Round 1 went forward to Round 2 and a
jump-off against the clock over a shortened course but uphill. In the final
run-off against the clock, you had to miss out obstacles as well!
Lord
Bath presented the prizes - £100 + trophy and sash to the winner and £50 for the
runner up with gifts from the sponsor Genesis Premium Dog Food. All qualifiers
received a commemorative rosette.
Someone called
Greg Derrett won every Derby.
 I
so wanted to win a lions head trophy, and I got my wish. Amber came 3rd in
Elementary Agility. I was shell shocked and overjoyed. That trophy has always
taken pride of place on the wall, even now that Amber is no longer with us.
It is such a shame that Agility shows are no longer held in the
grounds of the famous Longleat House. I was lucky to be one of the competitors
who got to compete and camp there and enjoy the surroundings - such happy
memories of a wonderful show. So thank you to the clubs who put on this show in
such lovely grounds.
 About
the author...
Shirley Elkins started in
agility in 1999 with my working Labrador Amber. Then along came Cassie another
Lab and then Becky and Ruby both Golden retrievers. That's when the agility bug
really got hold and she decided to get a Collie.
Shirley's first collie
Gemma (now
15) wasn't really that interested in agility. When she was four years old, she
acquired Izzy, her first blue merle. All her dogs have been fantastic in their
own right - such a joy to own and train. Sadly Shirley lost Izzy back in the
summer, but her other dogs, Daisy (G7), Renn (G5) and Kira (G3) are all making
good progress.
She lives in Devon and
works part-time to pay for a very expensive hobby.
Feedback
Theresa Lawrence
I was
actually parked next to the lions one year - spookey in the night. Another time
a hippo escaped. Lovely place.
(12/10/18)
Angie Tydeman
Who
remembers the siren going off in the middle of the night (wild animal on the
loose) and the Dr. Who exhibit going up in smoke. And the lovely bus trip to see
the wolves and them being fed and being told all about each wolf. Apart from all
the lovely animal noises, the evening entertainment was excellent. Just loved
all the different bands... Blue Horses stick in my memory. Then the storytellers
and what about the synchronised swimming guys! My husband has just reminded me
that when we went on the special trip to the wolves, the old bus couldn't get up
the hill and we had to get out and push it!
(12/10/18)
Denise Clayton
Fantastic venue. Mother-in-law's stay was made special by meeting Lord Bath
himself as he walked round the showground.
(12/10/18)
Anne Rayner
Longleat was brilliant so
much to do as well as agility! loved going on the little train.
(12/10/18)
Amanda Smith
I loved going to Longleat.
It was my first ever experience of camping at a show. You lay in the caravan at
night just listening to the lions roaring, the wolves howling which set off
quite a few dogs, too, the hippo's grunting and the sea lions barking. If
it weren't for the temperature - bloomin' freezing at night a lot of the time -
you could almost imagine you were out in the wilds of Africa or somewhere.
(12/10/18)
Kathy Clements
Best
show ever - entertainment or auctions every night and even the night club if you
felt like letting your hair down. Lions right next to the camping. It was great.
(12/10/18)
Hilary Denyer
In the
very early days, it was held on a different field. Day parking in the car park.
Told not to camp under trees in case they were not safe. My first Longleat was
probably 1992! Loved every show there and remember some rather wet ones!
(12/10/18)
Debbie
Lea
We took nieces and nephews with us every year and they loved it.
Never got to take my own children and very sad about that.
(14/10/18)
First published 10 October 2018 | 