Judge's report and official results

Wow.... That was the only word Ian Mallabar could utter when he was asked to judge the Kennel Club Agility Finals, sponsored by GWF Nutrition, at Olympia. That's the effect Olympia has on you. It renders you speechless. For someone who thoroughly enjoys judging, to be able to watch the best dogs in the country run your courses in front of a crowd of thousands, shouting and cheering in an effort to lift the roof off the Olympia Arena, would be amazing. Oh wow!

It was in the autumn of 2010 that I received a phone call from Dave Ray. Not an unusual event  but never in my wildest dreams could I have guessed that I would to be invited to Judge Olympia 2011.  As is now normal practice at Olympia, I was invited to be part of the ring team of December 2010 to shadow Judge Arthur Rogers and to experience first hand what is required to judge at this unique event.

For someone who can be seen spending hours the night before a show tweaking angles, it comes as a bit of a culture shock to find at Olympia you have to build a course for a final, walk it, run 10 dogs round it, hold a presentation and empty the arena in 15 minutes! Not only is this achievable but it is done night after night by the superb and professional ring party. The fact that the ring party is made up of many former Olympia judges is testament to how this event gets under your skin.

With such quality support I was confident that my courses could be laid out as I had on paper but I was still glad to see that my first course did indeed fit as envisaged. And so, we started. 1.20pm arrived and we were on. Now we'd see if all that planning worked.

Thursday, 15 December 2011

The Kennel Club Medium Dog Jumping Grand Prix
First to run was Steven Richardson with Ag.Ch. No Worries Sweeps Dream. Being from the North, I have regularly watched Steven compete so I was confident that he would get this first competition off to a good start. To my relief, he lived up to expectations and flew round this fast flowing course of 174 yards, clear in 29.19 seconds. While Steven caught his breath, I breathed a sigh of relief... at least I had one clear.

The gauntlet was well and truly thrown down and try as they might, no one could match Steven's time. He led from beginning to end with Angela Williams coming home 2nd with Withersfarm Perfect Ten in a very creditable 29.94 while in 3rd was Sian Illingworth with Ag.Ch. Falconmoor Shadow Dancer in 30.63.

The Kennel Club Medium Dog Jumping Grand Prix
Afternoon performance

The Kennel Club Medium Dog Agility Stakes Final
As the first of our agility finals this promised to be a very special event. A quick look down the list of competitors revealed some very special pairings including international competitors and our very own world champion.

First off was Samantha Lane with Woodhouse Quartz, a cracking little Working Cocker who tamed this course with a clear in 32.91. With a refusal at the see saw Angela Williams was destined not to match her afternoon performance as was Gemma Hanekom with Rajjinka Smokescreen. Amanda Hampson's Toller Shoredancer Sea Jade was having a lovely round when, with twp to go she decided she didn't fancy the collapsible tunnel and turned back half way through.

Next up was Ashley Butler with Ag.Ch. Ashpen Pudsey Bear. Pudsey is always a lovely dog to watch and he showed the time could be beaten coming home with a clear in 31.50. Becky Patrick was next to go with My Dream Come True, but unfortunately that wasn't to be the case today as she was just off the leaders in 32.96. Our afternoon winner Steven Richardson was soon called upon to show if his agility could match his jumping. It only took 31.43 seconds for him to give us the answer as he took the lead. Having been called up at the very last moment, Adam Wildman with Za Zar Zoom replaced Heather McLean, but unfortunately it wasn't to be their day. With only two left to run, up stepped Sian Illingworth with her BC Ag.Ch. Falconmoor Shadow Dancer. This round had the crowd on their feet as she scorched round in an amazing 29.50 to take the lead.

Last but not least was our World Champion Natasha Wise. Having fallen fowl of the dreaded commentator's curse in the afternoon jumping round, the commentator again built up the pressure by giving us a hint of what to expect. But could 29.50 really be beaten? Natasha soon gave us the answer by showing what champions are made of by steering Ag.Ch. Raeannes Flipping Heck round this course winning for the third year running in a remarkable 28.39.

It's that word again. Wow, you just couldn't make it up!

The Kennel Club Medium Dog Agility Stakes Final
Gala evening

Friday, 16 December 2011

The Kennel Club Small Pairs Relay
Now it was the turn of the small dogs. Friday afternoon saw the first of our pairs competitions. With the first 3 pairs being eliminated and only 2 to go I was beginning to wonder what we would do if they were all eliminated? However I needn't have worried as Bernadette Bay with Obay Itz Got Pizazz and Helen Nelson with Sirensong Little Madam stepped up and showed how a Sheltie and Miniature Poodle could do it. A double clear in 76.50. They turned out to be the only double clear as Wendy Clay & Ag.Ch. Racing Red Brussel Scout went clear but Charlotte Harding with Ochtertyre Bonnie Heather Managed to pick up 5 at the weaves.

The Kennel Club Small Dog Agility Pairs Relay
Afternoon performance

The Kennel Club Small Agility Stakes Final
It was 7.40pm and the small dogs were back for their agility final.

Amy Lawson with Millieon to One set the ball rolling with a clear in 35.50 so the pressure was on from the start. Selena Bray with Shanandi One and Only were the first to fall under the pressure with the first elimination. Charlotte Harding showed us all how it could be done with Ochtertyre Bonnie Heather displaying amazing running contacts to achieve a time of 33.05 and take the lead.

Ag.Ch. Racing Red Brussel Scout, handled by Wendy Clay, was next on the line. They were the first in a row of three dogs to be thrown by a right turn at the end of a left curved tunnel at 9, causing a time wasting loop this made the time of 32.77 all the more remarkable and put them in the lead.

Rosie Cavill with Fieldspy Leana were next to be caught out by the curve of the tunnel but also picked up 5 at the weave. Alan Bray also did the 'tunnel loop' with Sirensong Tantrums N Tiaras at Upanova but they still managed a clear in 36.94. Miniature Poodle, Ag.Ch. Piquant Painted Sunshine, handled by Dawn Weaver, was next with a nice clear in 34.31 which put them into 3^rd place, an incredible performance for a 10 year old dog!.

Half of our winning pair Helen Nelson unfortunately didn't move over to quite the right position to pick up Sirensong Little Madam for the dog walk and instead picked up 5 for a refusal, followed by an E. Nicola Garrett picked up 5 when Ag.Ch. Obay Truly Driven took a pole at number 10. Obay Itz Got Pizazz was last to run with Bernadette Bay. Could she emulate the Medium dogs and save the best 'til last? Unfortunately not. She took a pole at the first and then having turned the wrong way out of the tunnel came over to have a chat with the judge. Oops.

The Kennel Club Small Dog Agility Stakes Finals
Evening performance

Saturday, 17 December 2011

The Kennel Club Agility Stakes Semi-Finals
Prior to the event, I decided prior that I would make the morning courses more testing than the evening finals. The idea being that at least in the morning the dogs should be able to hear their handlers, whereas in the evening...  could you shout over an audience of 10,000 voices? Although the course was testing, I hate eliminations and believe that a battle for fast clears makes for more exciting competition especially in the finals. The turn from 10 to 11 ended up more of a pull through than I had on paper, but I was interested to see if people turned left or right after 17 to the tunnel.

With the pressure of running first Charlotte Harding and Rujaff Red Hot Scandal picked up 5 at the weave and took a pole at 9. Running second, Lucy Osborne with Ben are always good to watch (pardon?) but got just a toenail on the dog walk. Turning right at 17 they came home in 36.74 to give us an idea what sort of time we were looking at.

Next up was Angela Williams with Nedlo Jitterbug. Turning left at 17, they managed 34.75, taking almost 2 seconds off Lucy. Was left to be the faster turn?

The next three handlers Jo Thorpe, Hazel Barker and and Elspeth Baird all went clear in 36.77, 37.67 and 36.40 respectively. Leah Gardner was next with Chaffords Herbal Illusion. Leah chose to turn right at 17 and do the tunnel and finishing straight with the dog on the right which got her home in 36.50 and into 3^rd place, just ahead of Lucy.

As one of the most experienced handlers at Olympia Gregg Derrett was eighth to run but had an uncharacteristic wide turn at 4 followed by 5f at number 17 but with a time of 34.92. Would that be enough to get him to the evening final? Matthew Rouse, Simon Peachey, Dawn Weaver and Ian Jackson all went clear after which up stepped the 8 months pregnant Lauren Langman. I don't think I was the only one who was glad she didn't start the Pairs class early! But Lauren was clear in 38.15.

Our next clear was Lee Gibson in 36.37, followed by Steven Sutherland and Leslie Osborne both of whom got 5 at the first jump but they were not alone in that. The final runner was Paul Oldfield with Sveta Black Magic clear in 38.18  but it was not enough to make the final 10.

We had our 10 finalists with placings 11 to 20 making up the Pairs competition in the afternoon. With names like Lauren Langman,, Gregg Derrett, Lee Windeatt, Anthony Clark and Dave Munnings to name a few who didn't make the final, we were in for an exceptional Pairs competition.

The Kennel Club Large Dog Agility Stakes Semi Finals
Morning performance

The Kennel Club Agility Pairs Relay
As expected with many of the agility 'names, this turned out to be a fantastic event that really got the Olympia crowd going. It was a good old fashioned Pairs competition the likes of which we very rarely see these days. In 1^st place were the team of Shaun Hunt with Get Inna Phix and Gregg Derrett with Nedlo Detox Sproglett, clear in 63.55. Coming 2nd were Lee Windeatt with Ag.Ch. Deeann What a Cracker and Dave Leach with Ag.Ch. Bonviviant Kallisto. With 5 to add their time, they ended up 71.22.

The Kennel Club Large Dog Agility Pairs Relay
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Afternoon performance

The Kennel Club Agility Stakes Final
At first glance many of those who had crashed out of the Semi-final in the afternoon had to be among the favourites to win this competition but when you looked at who had qualified, it became obvious that we had the makings of a very special final.

Running in reverse order, first to step up to the line was Matthew Rouse with Baileys on Ice who took a pole at number 2. Second was Jo Thorpe with Kyp Me Ghosted who had a refusal at the weave. Third we had Lucy Osborne with Ag.Ch. Ben Bombastic Mr Fantasic who just slid a brick off the wall which teetered and only fell after the judge had looked to the next obstacle Hey, what can I say? I'm only human! Ben then went on to turn exceptionally tight at number 17 but rolled the pole... Phew.

Just as I was thinking how the pressure was getting to the finalists, up stepped Leah Gardner with Chaffords Herbal Illusion. They went clear in 34.09 and we had a competition. Simon Peachey was next but got a refusal at 9. He was followed by Elspeth Baird with Touchango Black Jack who repeated her clear of the morning in a time of 33.72, putting them into the lead. Their lead, however, was short-lived. Lee Gibson walked up to the line with Taddymore Scott and started what was to be a lesson in handling. Following a superb piece of shaping at number 9 - and to the delight of the crowd - they roared him down the home straight to a time of 33.08 and into the lead.

Ian Jackson had to follow that but, with a missed dog walk contact and a refusal at the tunnel, it wasn't to be his day. Dawn Weaver with Promise had a bit of a wide to the dog walk which, in this company, took her just off the time at 33.17. Finally up to the line came the morning winner Angela Williams. Could she achieve the rare double with Nedlo Jitterbug? With the crowd getting louder with every obstacle, they blitzed round the 196 yard course to come home 1st in an amazing 32.60.

Angela said, 'Tiff is an amazing dog. She just went in and did her job. I didn't think we were fast enough. It was only when I looked up at the screen and saw our time. We have a routine at the start to help us focus, but that is top secret!'

The Kennel Club Large Dog Agility Stakes Final
Evening performance

Sunday, 18 December 2011

Having just about come down from the dizzy heights of a Agility Stakes Final how could the Novice dogs possibly match that? We needn't have worried.

The Kennel Club Novice Agility Stakes Semi Final
First into the lion's den was Mary Shaw with Something Tempting. It's amazing how our dogs live up to their names with the 'Something Tempting' on this occasion being the wrong end of the tunnel after the dog walk. Oops... Nikki Turner and Sarah Smith both went clear in 39.50 and 40.79 before Sarah Findlay with Midnight Roy gained a refusal at 3 the tyre, before back jumping the same and getting E'd.

There followed a series of clears, faults and E's with the common thread being an all too tempting 'wrong' end of the tunnel at 2 or 10 which caught out Heather McLean, Michael Crisp, John Ward, David Alderson and Gwyn Roberts. Oh well, at least they know what they need for winter training.

There is something special about Novice dogs competing at this level which the crowd pick up on as clear after clear saw the times tumble. Nikki Turner 39.50, Lucy Waldron 38.81, Michelle Drawwater 36.34, Nick Cirket 36.29 and Matthew Goodliffe 35.43. Running 34 out of 36 was Chris Cole with Mr Fahrenheit Tom) who went clear in 34.29, going into the lead. Last to run and under pressure was Amanda Ellerton whose wide at 7 to 8 slipped her down to 36.69 and 6^th place.

 The Kennel Club Novice Dog Agility Stakes Semi Finals
Morning performance

The Kennel Club Novice Agility Pairs Relay
Those placed 11 to 20 in the morning Semi-final were paired up and ran in reverse order. Up first was Rob Morley with Whitefield Chloe AWG and Jacqui Tarn with Morgans Valentine Kracker. With Rob going clear, the pressure was on for Jacqui. Never mind the other pairs but she rose to the challenge and matched Robs clear in 66.84.

The second pair of Michael Crisp with Katajack Snow Joke and Sandra Southernwood with Brentmoor Loon also went clear in 71.25, and this proved to be too much for the others. We had our winners.

The Kennel Club Novice Dog Agility Pairs Relay
Afternoon performance 

The Kennel Club Novice Agility Stakes Final
Running in reverse order from the morning Semi, Jill Holness with Lookylooky Masterpiece was first up to the line. This pairing not only went clear but had a cracking 29.82. They put everyone else under pressure right from the start. The unenviable task of following that went to Nikki Turner with Brentmoor Jinx, another lovely clear but at 30.66 just off Jill's pace.

Next up - and representing the Kelpies - was Lucy Waldron with Exmoor Kangaroo Kid, but with 5 at the weaves, it wasn't to be. It was then I started to worry. Having just watched three handlers run down the long finishing straight of 100 feet, up to the line walked Lauren Langman and 'bump.' Never one to be half-hearted, Lauren gave it her all but with 5 at the wall at number 10 she struggled on the finishing straight and couldn't quite get up to the last jump at 19 so Devongem Can't Stopper picked up a 5r.

Amanda Ellerton, whose wide in the morning cost her places, was next up. She certainly did get Dragondaze into Gear! With steely determination, she didn't miss a beat, going clear with a blast down the final straight in 28.19 and into the lead. Michelle Drawwater was next with Darleyfalls Go with The Flo. Unfortunately were E'd but were the last to be faulted.

I'm often amazed by how dogs live up to their names. Just look at the final four runners and remember them when you name your next dog! Running number 7, Nedlo Swift or What with Nick Cirket were swift indeed as they went clear in 29.54 and into 2^nd place. Canen I'm Certain Sure were certainly sure footed as Steve Read not only went clear but in an amazing 28.03, Straight into the lead they went by 0.16 of a second.

Next? Matthew Goodliffe and Turboed Widewater Wizard. Now great things were expected of Matthew but this was a big ask. However, a tight skilled run with a turbo boost down to the finish got the crowd yelling support as they romped home in a mind blowing 27.55. The lead had changed yet again. Now the heat was really on for our last pairing of Chris Cole and Mr Fahrenheit, a terrific dog who has gone from Grade 3 to 7 in a year. If anyone could do it they could, but not today. As Chris swapped sides to the right of the A-frame, Tom lost him and turned left losing time. They were still clear but with a time of 31.17 they ended up 7^th.

The Kennel Club Novice Dog Agility Stakes Finals
Evening performance

Monday, 19 December 2011

The Kennel Club ABC Speed Jumping
Following all the excitement of the finals a more leisurely start with no morning event on Monday was most welcome. The afternoon saw the turn of the ABCs. Like many, I started in agility with an ABC dog and always look forward to watching this competition. A fast, flowing course was my aim and a fast running dog stole the day. First to run was Anna Braley with her Kelpie Revel Without a Pause and they led right to the end in a time of 31.43. 2^nd went to Jason Gardner with another Kelpie Chaffords Prodigy in 31.70.

The Kennel Club ABC Agility Speed Jumping
Afternoon performance

The Kennel Club ABC Dog Agility Stakes Final
Karen Young with her Beardie Rock Melody got the ABC competition started with a clear round in 39.17. Our second Beardie, Kenward Casia AW/G, handled by Nicky Holden, had a refusal at the tunnel at 16 while the third Beardie in a row. Cass Creaser's Gary's Gift took a pole at number 13. Next up was Denise Catt who also fell foul of a pole as her ASD Bachero Redwood C'Mikki clipped number 9. With Bright Future AW/G Bridgitte Wyre showed how well she had named her dog when following some stunning handling. She romped home in 36.51, taking the lead.

Our morning winner Anna Braley was next up but unfortunately she'd used up all her luck in the earlier run. With three refusals at the weaves, she was our first E. All the way from Scotland was Alan Short. He pulled the very best out of his Beardie Help Ma Bob with an excellent time of 36.02, increasing the pressure on the late runners and putting him into the lead. Nigel Staines, no stranger to Olympia, was next with Ag.Ch. Dragonheart Dark Destroyer AW/G, but he wasn't destined for success this year as he picked up our second E. Jason Gardner was next to fall when Chaffords Prodigy got the dreaded E.

Last to run was Mark Douglas with his Kelpie Starsofmars Puck. Having had trouble at the weave in the afternoon Jumping class, Mark made sure of Puck's weave entry with a firm command although Puck still had a stutter. I'm sure Mark would agree that it was on a knife edge all the way to the see saw at 10 and it was beginning to look like the trophy was heading north of the border but, ever the competitor, Mark was having none of it. He didn't give an inch on the second half of the course and finished 1st in a time of 34.81, a fantastic achievement when you consider he won last year with Ruby who is Puck's mum. What an achievement for handler and breeder Mark!

The Kennel Club ABC Dog Agility Stakes Final
Evening performance

So that was it. The experience of a lifetime was at an end. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Olympia and was honoured to judge so many fine dogs and handlers. The atmosphere at Olympia is unique with enormous pressure on dogs and handlers, not to mention the judge. The fact that all the competitors were able to handle the pressure - each in their own way - and pull out such stunning performances is remarkable. Well done to you all, winners and those not so lucky. On the day you were all a shining example and a credit to dog agility. I also thank you for your kind comments on my courses I hope you enjoyed your time at Olympia as much as I did.

Thank you
I'm sure we would all like to thank The Kennel Club for supporting agility in general and this event in particular and to GWF nutrition Joint Aid for Dogs for their much valued sponsorship

Finally I must give my heartfelt thanks to all those behind the scenes at Olympia. Without you it would be a much lesser event. To Arthur Rogers last year's judge for his advice and to Gwyn and Ann Roberts, Shaun Young and Liz Morgan, Rob and Elaine Hunter and Dave Jolly, thanks not only for your support but also your fine company over the five days. To Dave Ray, what can I say? Thank you both for the chance to judge this event but also for your enormous amount of work throughout the year.

If I may take a personal moment, I must thank friends and relatives who looked after our dogs at short notice and to Sue, my wife, without whose support and encouragement I could never have stood in that arena.

Finally I will wish the best of luck to next year's judge Amanda Rogers. You are in for a treat!

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