Giving rescue dogs a chance to shine...

The Dog Agility Rescue League (DARL) was originally set up in 2006 to recognise people's agility achievements with rescue/rehomed dogs. Every year it runs a league based on points from KC and unaffiliated shows. The highlight of the DARL year is the Finals when members are invited to take part in a unique competition just for rescue dogs. Today the league is run by a committee. Karen Fuller, one of the league's original founders, sent this report.

We had an excellent turnout of rescue dogs and their owners competing in the 2025/26 DARL (Dog Agility Rescue League) Finals, with over 100 rescue dogs and their handlers joining us at The Edge KC show on 30th May 2026. This year we also celebrated 20 years of DARL.

The ring enjoyed a wonderful atmosphere with competitors and friends gathered ringside to watch the day’s action. There was tremendous support for every competitor, regardless of the final result. Our Finals commentator, Jackie Bulmer, did a fantastic job throughout the day, sharing the background stories of the dogs and helping to bring their journeys to life for spectators.

We were delighted to welcome Doc Docherty as our judge who designed some superb flowing courses across all categories.

Judge's report
I had always heard about this fantastic event, so it was a great honour to be asked to judge the finals by Ian Hastie, especially with it being the event's 20th anniversary.

It was a well-attended event and an extremely warm and sunny day.

I said in my brief that all the dogs are the real winners here, and the fantastic mango glass trophies, and the rosettes are a bonus. Every dog that ran won my heart, They gave it everything they had.

Some were fast, some did it at their own pace, some tight, some wide. It didn't matter. They all had a ball.

Whilst judging, I could hear some of the commentary saying how these dogs had been rescued. I was saying to myself, how and why. But now they all have homes where they are loved, and could never have dreamed of having a life of love that includes agility. You have all given these dogs such a life that warms my heart.

I enjoyed every moment of the DARL finals.

Finals day
Rosettes and special trophies from Mango Glass were presented in each round, followed by the combined results for our overall winners in each height and category. The top three in each category also won some fabulous toys from our main sponsors Coachi as well as Antinol vouchers for the winners.

Coachi also provided goody bags and qualifying rosettes for all the finalists which ensured all the dogs and handlers had a memento of their day.

Well done to all our members and their dogs who had places and congratulations to the overall winners

 

 

Overall Winners

  • Small C1-4 - Sue Harrington with Lady Penelope

  • Small C5-7 - Emily Osborne with Gotta Catch Poptypindigo AW/B

  • Medium C1-4 - Joanne Clark with Breasta's Bonnie Babe AW/B

  • Medium C5-7 - Joanne Asher with Wispy Willow Keeps the Faith AW/S

  • Intermediate C1-4 - Gill Young with (Amaretti Queen)

  • Intermediate C5-7 - Laura Gilmour with Never Fog Gotten Purely Mist

  • Large C1-4 - Georgie Trodd with Flyntess Frings Blue Magic AW/B

  • Large C5-7 - Larking with Murphy Lark About

  • Anysize/Veteran - Siobhan Simpson with Daisy Bellis Perennis

Very many thanks
 The DARL Team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time to help run the ring. We really had so much help this year and we could not have run the event without you. It meant that the day ran smoothly and that all competitors who had qualified had an enjoyable experience.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Amy Lawson and Shaun Hunt who run The Edge Agility Shows for being such welcoming hosts and putting on such a lovely, friendly show.

We are incredibly grateful to the many clubs, businesses and individuals who sponsor the DARL Finals classes and make this event possible. We were also very fortunate to have Sean Cameron taking photos of the event, and thank you to our League sponsors Dogeria for supplying the finalists' clothing.

If you compete in agility with a rescued or rehomed dog and would like to learn more about our Annual League Awards and Finals, please visit our website for more details about the league and how to join. Results can be backdated by three months, and we may see you next year.

First published 16th June 2026

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