Flying the flag...

The Kennel Club is the principle sponsor of Agility Team GB wich is an important part of its commitment to the sport of dog agility. It's role is to support the whole team, including the dogs, and ensure that they are prepared to perform at their best, represent Britain at international events, set a good example to other handlers and have fun. The KC along with its commercial sponsors invest a significant amount of funds to send Team GB to the European Open and World Championships.

Agility Team GB Team Assistant Wanted

Agility Team GB is looking for a new Team Assistant to join the 2018 Coaching Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with some of the top agility handlers in the UK, helping them to prepare for international agility competitions.

The successful candidate will be required to work closely with the Coaching Team, the handlers and sponsors as well as be willing and able to assist as required in the Team. Attendance will be required at two squad days, two team days, the Performance Weekend and any extra training days and meetings required to help the Team to prepare. The Team Assistant will also be required to attend the European Open and World Championships.

You will work under the direction of the Team Manager and be responsible for assisting and advising the Team Manager and other team members at performance events to produce the best possible team. You will also assist with ad-hoc training sessions: assist with building a strong team and a team mentality prepared for international events. It is important that you have the following attributes: excellent communication skills; a confident presenter to groups of handlers; be able to operate under the pressure of international competition; a keen interest in sports performance; a critical eye for detail and a flexible approach to working with dogs & handlers and be able to commit to working in a high performance team.

The Team Assistant should have previous experience of top level agility and a good understanding of international competition. It would also be advantageous to have international experience as an agility competitor. This is a demanding, yet fulfilling role rewarded by representing Agility Team GB and the opportunity to work with top agility competitors.

People interested in applying for the role should send their agility CVs and covering letter to agility@thekennelclub.org.uk

Agility Team GB Chiropractor Steps Down

The Kennel Club would like extend its deep appreciation for the help and support of Emma Fretwell who has assisted Agility Team GB for the last four years as the team's chiropractor. Emma has decided to step down from the position so that she can pursue private and business interests.

As the team chiropractor, Emma has continually taken time out of her busy schedule to attend training days as well as travelling to and from international competitions, providing the team with her expertise and knowledge to ensure the agility dogs were on top form when competing.

Team Manager Mark Laker said, 'I would like to thank Emma for the help and support she has given me during my time as team manager. Emma had a wealth of experience of international events which I was very grateful of as I learnt the job. I'm sure the team will join me in wishing Emma success in developing her future interests.'

If you would like more information about Agility Team GB, visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/agility/international-agility-teams/.

Agility Team GB Triumphs at FCI Worlds

Agility Team GB has enjoyed another year of international success at the world’s most prestigious agility event. Held in Coque in Luxembourg, this year’s FCI Agility World Championships saw Agility Team GB secure Gold in the Medium individual class, and Silver and Bronze medals in the Team rounds.

Natasha Wise and her Medium Border Collie, Dizzy were victorious for an amazing fifth time in the Individual Jumping Round, taking the gold medal in 30.38 seconds.

The Large dogs team secured a Bronze in the Agility round and then achieved further success by taking Silver overall in the Large Team Final, with a line-up which included mother and daughter Border Collies, Ruby and Scandal.

The 19th FCI Agility World Championships saw 451 participants from 36 nations take part, including Russia, Brazil, South Africa and Canada. With so many top level participants taking part, Team GB's performance was highly commendable. Alongside the medal winners, there were many other notable achievements.

Team GB accomplishments were as follows:-

• Gold – Natasha Wise with Dizzy - Medium Individual Jumping Round

• Silver – Large Team Final

• Bronze – Large Team Agility Round

• 7th place – Greg Derrett with Detox - Large Individual Final

• 14th place – Natasha Wise with Dizzy - Medium Individual Final

• 17th place – Bernadette Bay with Zaz - Small Individual Final

Team GB Manager, Mark Laker stated. 'This year’s World Championships in Luxembourg was a fantastic event where we watched the world's top dogs and handlers show agility at its very best. Agility Team GB performed admirably and, once again, showed how strong they were under the highs and lows and pressure experienced at these Championships.

'I'd like to congratulate all the team on their achievements at this event which has been a culmination of months of training and preparations. The support team have been fantastic. In fact everyone involved in helping these top dogs and handlers get to the line, as best prepared as possible, has worked tirelessly over the last nine months. I'd also like to thank all the people who made the trip to Luxembourg to support the team. Their cheering and encouragement helped to make it an amazing experience.'

Marc Saunders added, 'After a days worth of catching up from sleep deprivation of the highs and lows the stress and the excitement of being in management at the FCI AWC in Luxembourg. Makes me proud to be part of British Agility!! I would like to say to everyone in Team GB EO and FCI that it was a pleasure to work with you all and an honour to be part it!! Thank you and here's to 2015.

Agility Team GB is supported by the Kennel Club, CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, Agility1st and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, the Kennel Club's preferred cross-channel partner. The official equipment supplier is First Contact.

For more information about International Agility, visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/agility/international-agility-teams/.

Photo: Martin Cavill

Good Luck to Team GB at the FCI World Champs

The Kennel Club sends its best wishes to Agility Team GB who will be making their way across the Channel next week to compete at the Agility FCI World Championships in Coque, Luxembourg.

The Agility World Championships will take place from 11-14 September 2014 and will see pedigree dogs from all over the world compete for the sought after title of Agility World Champion.

The British team includes three times Agility World Champions, Natasha Wise and her dog Dizzy. Also taking part will be Sian Illingworth and her dog Maybe who won the Medium Dog European Open Championship title in 2013.

Team Manager Mark Laker said, 'With only a week to go before Agility Team GB leave for the World Championships in Luxembourg, we are getting excited and looking forward to this year’s competition. Once again we have a strong team of top agility dogs and handlers who have been working extremely hard in their preparations for these championships. This is the ultimate agility competition. Elite agility partnerships from across the world will be there along with thousands of supporters. Agility Team GB will go out there confident and well prepared to compete at their very best.'

Ceri Rundle from CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, said. 'CSJ was created with canine athletes in mind and so it was only natural for us to sponsor Agility Team GB. We wish both the handlers and dogs all the best in Luxembourg and hope they bring home some medals.'

The members of the Agility World Championship Team are as follows:-

Agility Team GB is kindly supported by The Kennel Club, CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, Agility 1st and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, the Kennel Club’s preferred cross-channel partner. The official equipment supplier is First Contact.

Agility Team GB Training Days for 2015 Announced

Agility Team GB has been enjoying a busy year of exciting agility events, including appearances at the European Open Agility and will soon be competing at the Agility FCI World Championships. However, since March, agility handlers both in and out of the squad have been collating qualifying credits to secure a place in the 2015 Agility Team GB squad. Those successful in gaining a place will be notified in November 2014.

In order to prepare the squad for the international agility events in 2015, and in order to assist Team GB Manager, Mark Laker, in making the final team selections, four training days and a performance weekend have been organised  for 2015.

The training days will once again be held at Nottingham Trent University, which provides excellent facilities for the dogs and handlers. The dates for the squad and team training days have been confirmed as follows (Dates are subject to change) :

• Squad day 1 – 10 January 2015

• Squad day 2 – 14 February 2015

• Performance weekend – dates - 18-19 April 2015

• Team day 1 – 25 May 2015

• Team day 2 – 27 June 2015 - amended from 27 May

For more information about qualifying for Agility Team GB and the international competitions the team will be attending, please visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/agility/international-agility-teams/.

Agility Team GB Returns from European Open

The Kennel Club congratulates Agility Team GB for their valiant effort at the European Open Agility Championships (EO) in Taszár, Hungary, held this weekend. After 1,100 mile trip, Agility Team GB fought hard in both the team and individual rounds but unfortunately did not secure any of the coveted medals. Nevertheless, the event provided a great opportunity for the team to practice and hone their skills on European courses and to compete against top class competitors.

The European Open Agility Championships attracted hundreds of dogs and handlers from all over the world with 33 countries represented at the competition including Venezuela, Japan, Argentina and Canada.

Kicking off on Friday morning with the team competition the EO got underway with the Small/Medium Jumping and Agility, both teams ran well with one clear round and several runs with only a few faults. Those who were eliminated were keen to improve their performance in the next rounds and many of the handlers and dogs did not disappoint. Overall the Small and Medium teams achieved four clear rounds and all team members left on a high.

The Large teams also ran in the morning. A few errors on the challenging courses meant that the pressure was on for the afternoon rounds. Despite temperatures of 30 degrees and testing conditions, the handlers rose to the challenge. All the dogs ran better in the later rounds, with one clear. Even those who had a few faults were pleased with their performances.

The individual event began on Saturday, when members of Agility Team GB also managed some clear rounds. Jessica Clarehugh and Cara achieved 7th and 3rd place in the Large Agility and Jumping. This success meant Jessica was in a good position for the final competition on Sunday, when she came in a respectable 24th out of the 83 finalists. Matt Goodliffe also secured a promising 2nd place in the Large Jumping qualifying round but was unfortunately eliminated in the Final. Greg Derrett and Rehab formed Agility Team GB's most successful partnership and secured 18th in the Large Final which was the last event of the Championships.

Team Manager Mark Laker commented, 'Agility Team GB worked exceptionally hard preparing for this year's EO, and it was a good job we did. We came up against some of the most challenging courses we've seen at this competition, particularly the small and medium dogs. To have four of our large dog team in the final was a huge achievement.  I was particularly proud of those handlers for who this was their first taste of international competition, they ran confidently and did their very best; I'm sure we'll be seeing more of them at future international events.

A special mention must go to Matt Goodliffe and Quincy and Jess Clarehugh and Cara who finished second and third in the individual jumping class with two incredible runs.   Now we focus on the World Championships in September.'

Agility Team GB is supported by the Kennel Club, CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, Agility First and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, the Kennel Club's preferred cross-channel partner. The official equipment supplier is First Contact. The team of fifteen handlers and their dogs were chosen following a performance weekend which attracted entrants from all over the UK, and was hosted by Lincoln Agility Enthusiasts at its Open Agility Show in April 2014.

Ceri Rundle, CSJ's founder and sponsor of Team GB said, They're incredibly rewarding individuals to work with and we're delighted to be the proud supporters of Team GB.'

All of the results can be found online via the EO2014Hungary website: Click Here

Agility Team GB Leaves for the Euro Champs

The Kennel Club sends its best wishes to the members of Agility Team GB who are travelling to the European Open Agility Championships, being held from 24 - 27 July 2014 in Taszár, situated in the south west of Hungary.

Mark Laker, Agility Team GB Manager said, 'After one of the toughest selection processes Team GB has had in recent years, the team attending this year's European Open in Hungary are currently on route to Hungary. Once again the team have worked extremely hard in their preparations, and I believe every one of them is ready for this exciting event. I'm confident they will do the best they possibly can and enjoy themselves too.'

Agility Team GB is supported by the Kennel Club, CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, Agility First and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, the Kennel Club's preferred cross-channel partner. The official equipment supplier is First Contact. The team of sixteen handlers and seventeen dogs will be accompanied by a strong Kennel Club support team – manager, Mark Laker; team assistants, Marc Saunders and Natasha Wise; team vet, Hana McNicholas; chiropractor, Emma Fretwell; and Kennel Club staff member, Kate Broers.

The successful handlers and dogs were chosen following this year's squad selection process which concluded at a Performance Weekend hosted by Lincoln Agility Enthusiasts at its Open Agility Show in April 2014. Two teams were selected from this year's squad, one will be attending the European Open Agility Championships and the other will compete at the Agility World Championships. 

The Kennel Club congratulates all the talented handlers who have been selected for Agility Team GB and wishes them the best of luck at this year's European Open.

Details of the Team GB squad:-

KC Names 2014 Agility Teams

The Kennel Club has announced the names of the members of this year's Agility Team GB, which will represent Great Britain at the 2014 European Open Agility Championships in Hungary from 24- 27 July 2014 and the World Agility Championships in Luxembourg from 11-14 September 2014. The Kennel Club congratulates all the talented handlers who made it into Agility Team GB. Agility Team GB is kindly supported CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds and sponsored by the Kennel Club.

The British teams will once again be managed by Mark Laker and will compete for places in a variety of individual and team competitions at both championships.

Performance Weekend
The successful handlers and dogs were chosen following this year's squad selection process which concluded at the Performance Weekend hosted by Lincoln Agility Enthusiasts at its Open Agility Show on 26-27 April 2014.  Two teams have been selected from this year's squad. One will attend the European Open Agility Championships and the other will compete at the World Agility Championships.

Despite Italian judge, Paolo Meroni being used to the warmer climes of Italy, the wet weather did not dampen his - or the competitors' - spirits at the start of Day 1 of the event on Saturday morning. Kicking off at 9am with the European style Individual Jumping, the course proved challenging for the competitors. As the morning progressed, howevr, the weather improved for the Individual Agility. These first two classes were significant as they influenced the runing order of competitors on Day 2 and consequently required a focused and solid performance. The afternoon saw two more exciting competitions with the World Championship Jumping and a thrilling European Team event which ended this first day of top class agility.

There was little rest for competitors and organisers before the start of another challenging day on Sunday. Day 2 began with the European Open style final, where the squad members ran in reverse order based on the combined results from the individual competitions held on the first day. There was also an International Jumping course and the weekend was completed with an FCI World Championship Agility class. The Performance Weekend saw brilliant handling and a host of fantastic dogs, with both days providing a great experience and enjoyment for all those involved.

Team Manager, Mark Laker remarked, 'Four months of training and squad preparation culminated in an exciting Performance Weekend at Lincoln. The standard of courses, judging and agility was extremely high and thrilling to watch.

'Both the World Championships and the European Open have rigid criteria for how many dogs can run, how many teams a country can enter and even the mix of Small, Medium and Large dogs. This makes the selection process more complex and requires thinking through the options. I am very grateful for the support and input from my team in helping me carry out this process.

'My decisions for this year's team selection were based upon dog and handler performance over the four month squad period. I felt it important to assess handlers over a longer time rather than just one weekend. As a result of this process, I believe we have two very strong teams whom I'm very proud to be taking to Hungary and Luxembourg.'

This year's European Open will be held at Taszár, situated in the southwest of Hungary. Although officially recognised by the FCI and held under FCI rules, the European Open is not a formal FCI competition. Consequently it differs from the World Agility Championships in that both purebred and non-purebred dogs may compete. 

The World Agility Championships will be held at Coque, close to the centre of Luxembourg City. This event will be open to purebred dogs only.

The Teams selected are as follows (T= team event; I = individual event):

    European Open

    World Championships

Full results from the Performance Weekend and more information on Agility Team GB can be found via the Kennel Club website - please visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/agility/international-agility-teams/.

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