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Team GB heads for Holland

On Thursday, 23 July, the 2009 Team GB Agility squad sets out to join teams from all over the world for the  European Open Agility championships, held this year at Sportcomplex Papendal at Arnhem in The Netherlands. It is the second year that the official UK team has taken part in The European Open, which despite being officially recognised by the FCI and based on the 2007 FCI-Agility regulations, is open to pedigree and non-pedigree dogs alike. (Other FCI events, including the World Championships, remain open only to pedigree dogs). Last year the GB team achieved some excellent results in both Team and Individual events but, of course, this year's squad is hoping to do even better. Graham Partridge, Team Manager, explains.

Travelling out
The squad, consisting of 17 competitors, vet Rachel Mowbray who this year will be a competitor in the Open and Dave Jolly, acting as Assistant Team Manager and Coach, is travelling out to Arnhem on the morning of Thursday, 23 July. Each member of the team is making their own travel arrangements although a mini-bus has been arranged by the Kennel Club for the support staff and for anyone who did not wish to drive. We are grateful to Euro Tunnel this year for allowing the Team a discounted passage and free travel for the dogs. The whole Team is staying at the Mercure Arnhem Hotel.

Seventeen minutes to practise!
On the Friday, 24^th the team members have to register with the European Open organisers and have their pet passports checked, hand in their Agility Record books and be ready for any health checks or measuring requests. Registration is followed by a strictly rationed practice session on Friday afternoon - as we have 17 dogs we are allocated 17 minutes in the ring.

Finally on Friday evening, there is an opening ceremony where all the team will parade. Nearly 700 dogs will take part - 348 Large, 184 Medium and 159 Small dogs representing 27 countries. The event is held outside in four rings.

Individual
The championship starts on Saturday, 25^th with the Individual competition. This will be held over two initial rounds - one jumping and one agility. The top 20 from each round will qualify for the final round on Saturday afternoon, together with the top placed competitor from each country.

Teams
On Sunday the Team competition takes place. We have two Large teams, one Medium team and one Small team. The Medium and Small teams compete against each other but there is a separate competition for Large teams. You can have a minimum of three and maximum of four members in a team. Again the Team Event is held over two rounds, one agility and one jumping, but there is no final round. Each competitor receives points depending on where they are placed in each round. You then add all the points scored by each team member to determine the winning team. Only the points from the three best runs per team will count so as we have four in each team, we will be able to drop one score. The team with the most points wins.

Home again
We will return home on Monday, 27 July hopefully with some silverware and having had a good time and witnessed some great Agility.

The Teams are below. Each member has qualified at a tough selection day in April where the top placed dogs in each height category were selected.

Large

 Medium

 Small

Team Management

TIMETABLE

Thursday 23 July 2009
10:00 - 20:00: Camping open

Friday 24 July 2009
10:00 - 20:00: Camping open
08:00 - 18:30 / 19:30 - 21:30: Registration
10:00 - 17:00: Training
18:30 - 19:30: Opening ceremony

Saturday 25 July 2009
08:00 - 15:30: Individual heats
15:30 - 19:30: Individual finals

Sunday 26 July 2009
08:00 - 15:30: Teams rounds
15:30 - 16:30: Awards and Closing Ceremony

• 1st - Andy Sandercock with Ten - Jumping Medium Individual

• 2nd - Leah Gardner with Herbie - Final Large Individual

• 3rd - Bernadette Bay with Hex - Final Small Individual

• 3rd - GB Team 4 - Combined Large Team Agility + Jumping

• 4th - Nigel Staines with Zico - Agility Large Individual

• 5th - GB Team 4 - Large Team Agility

• 6th - Marc Saunders with Dash - Final Large Individual

• 7th - GB Team 4 - Large Team Jumping

• 8th - GB Team 3 - Large Team Jumping

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Dogs

First published 20/07/09

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