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Post event analysis
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| A quick look
at the programme revealed that there were 105 Small dogs, 106 Medium dogs and 167 Large
dogs entered. Altogether 34 countries sent 378 dogs to Basle this year. It
was fascinating to look at a breakdown of the breeds entered under the different height
groups.
Small In the team competition the winners, the Czech Republic had three Shelties, Switzerland a Poodle, a Kooikerhondje and a Sheltie, with third placed Germany, a Sheltie and two Parson Terriers. The Individual Jumping competition saw three different breeds in the top three places, a Sheltie, a Miniature Poodle and a Jack Russell Terrier. In the Agility round it was a Miniature Poodle, followed by a Sheltie and another Miniature Poodle. Overall the top three dogs were a Miniature Poodle, a Spitz and a Sheltie.
Medium In the Team Competition Finland with a Welsh Terrier, a Kooikerhonde and a Puli were the narrow winners from the Czech Republic with three Shelties and Norway, again with three Shelties. The Individual Medium jumping competition saw a Pyrenean Sheepdog as winner, from a Sheltie and a Miniature Poodle. The Agility round saw three Shelties in the top three positions. Overall the winner was the Kooikerhondje followed by a Sheltie and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. |
FCI
Agility Europe (199201995 &
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Large
The Large Group had 167 dogs entered, 132 of which were Border Collies., 24 various
Belgium Shepherds, 3 Kelpies, 2 Australian Shepherds, a Bearded Collie, Croatian Sheepdog,
Doberman, German Short Haired Pointer, Schapendos and a Weimarner. In the Team Competition, the
winners, Croatia had a Border Collie, a Croatian Sheepdog and a Tervueren from Spain with two
Border Collies and a Tervueren, with Sweden fielding three Border Collies. In the Individual
Jumping the top 12 dogs were all Border Collies, the Agility round saw the top 23 dogs being
Border Collies. Overall the top 15 dogs were Border Collies.
Certainly in the Small and Medium groups, there were many different breeds in the top placings. It was also interesting to see well-known ‘British’ breeds that we do not see too often competing on their own territory.
I was particularly interested to study the course timings. With the course being measured by wheel for an exact measurement, the metres per second was worked out, and the course time and distance put on the screen for all to see.
The
Small Dog Individual Jumping
Judge Peter Kindle
Course Distance - 153 metres
Standard time 36 seconds
Speed of 4.25m/s.
The winner, Angelina Katutis (Russia ) recorded 30.82 sec. Speed 4.96m/s. Dawn Weaver with Chelsea, in 26th place recorded a time of 34.85 for a speed of 4.39m/s. Out of 70 dogs running, 34 dogs recorded clear rounds within the course time (48%). 16 dogs out of 70 were eliminated. (22.9%).
The Small Dog Individual Agility
Judge Mia Laamanen
Course Distance - 182 metres
Standard time 44 seconds
Speed of 4.14m/s.
The winner Martin Eberle with the Poodle, Pebbles recorded a time of 36.97 seconds for a speed of 4.92m/s. In third place was Dawn Weaver with a time of 37.28. (4.88m/s). 24 dogs out of a total of 70 starters recorded clear rounds with in the time. (34.3%). 21 dogs were eliminated. (30%)
The
Medium Dog Individual JumpingCourse Distance - 164 metres
Standard Time 39 sec
Speed of 4.21m/s.
The winner Silvia Trkman with the Pyrenean Sheepdog, Simply The Best, recorded a time of 32.04, for a speed of 5.12m/s. Hannah Mitchell with Gem, in 25th place recorded a time of 36.60 (4.48m/s.). Out of 67 starters, 44 dogs recorded clear rounds within the time. (65.7%). 6 dogs were eliminated (8.9%)
The Medium Dog Individual Agility
Judge Mia Laamenan
Course Distance - 179 metres
Standard Time 43 sec.
Speed 4.16m/s.
The winner, Justine Davenport (Canada) recorded a time of 37 secs, a speed of 4.84m/s. None of the British dogs had a clear round. 20 of the 67 starters recorded clear rounds with in the time (29.9%). 20 dogs were eliminated. (29.9%)
The
Large Dog Individual Jumping
Judge Mia Laamenan
Course Distance - 172 metres
Standard Time 39 sec.
Speed 4.41m/s.
The winner, Sarah Lorentzen (Denmark) recorded a time of 33.59sec. for an average speed of 5.12m/s. Our top placed handler, Lesley Olden with Beenie (5th) recorded a time of 34.49sec for a speed of 4.93m/s. Simon Peachy(29th) recorded a time of 37.10 sec. (4.64m/s). Lauren Langman (38th) recorded 38.01 (4.53m/s) and Nic Jones (38th) a time of 39.73 (4.33m/s). 43 dogs out of 134 recorded clear rounds within the time. (32.1%). 38 dogs were eliminated. ( 28.4%)
The
Large Dog Individual Agility
Judge Peter Kindle
Course Distance 180 metres
Standard Time 44sec.
Speed 4.09m/s.
The winner, Silas Boogk (Germany) recorded a time of 38.03sec, for a speed of 4.73m/s. Lesley Olden with Beenie, in seventh place recorded a time of 39.10 sec. a speed of 4.60m/s. Simon Peachy in 26th place recorded a time of 41.67 sec. (4.32m/s) and David Munnings a time of 41.85 sec. (4.30m/s.) 40 dogs completed a clear round within the time. (30%). 38 dogs (28.5%) were eliminated.
Size Comparison
The Large and Medium dogs recorded the same speed in the Jumping, and were faster
than the Small dogs. However, the Small dogs were the fastest in the Agility round followed by
the Medium and Large dogs. Being a small dog handler, I had to point this out!
Small dogs
The fastest Small dog recorded 4.96m/s in the jumping round, and 4.92m/s in the agility round, with 48% and 34.3% of dogs recording clear rounds within the time.Medium dogs
The fastest Medium dog recorded 5.12m/s in the jumping round and 4.84m/s in the agility round. 65.7% and 29.9% of dogs recorded clear rounds within the time.Large dogs
The fastest Large recorded 5.12m/s in the jumping round and 4.73m/s in the agility round. 32.1% and 30% recorded clear rounds within the time.
In my opinion the quality of the competition has increased considerably over the years, no doubt this year assisted by the quality of the courses set by the two judges. All the courses were very achievable within the set time. They all had the necessary degree of difficulty, but allowed for handlers to attack the course with speed and flair, without the usual traps associated with the previous World Championships. The handling of these courses certainly seems to have improved over previous years, with much tighter turns, better contacts and overall better handling.
Why didn't we do better?
This question that has been asked, not only at these Championships, but also
throughout the year ‘Why, when we invented agility, and probably have more dogs competing than
anywhere else in the world, do we not do better at the World Championships?' I do not think
there is just one answer to this question, but many.
First of all we have to remember that the World Championships are only open to pedigree dogs which puts many of our top dogs out of the running.
We then have the problems associated with the Pet Passport scheme, with many of the top handlers not wishing to go through the rigmarole (and cost) of vaccinations, blood tests, flea and tick control etc.
The handler then has to travel to the qualifier, the training session and then has to have at least a week off work to attend the Championships.
These
are probably the reasons more handlers do not wish to be considered for the British Team.
Having said that, more handlers than ever did attend the qualifier this year.
I have also been asked why we did not do better this year. I think we did very well. With Lesley gaining a well deserved fourth place in the overall Large Dog Individual event and Dawn Weaver a sixth place in the Small Dog Individual event, we proved that we are equal to the best. With a little bit of luck on our side, we would have been placed in the Small and Large dog team events, and may have even been higher in the Large and Small Individual events.
We also have to remember that all the events are over typical FCI type courses, which have more obstacle discrimination, have different pacing between obstacles and have judges who have their own interpretation of faults on the contact areas.
I know that all the team practised over courses set by the two judges at previous competitions, and we even had Mia Laamanen over to judge the qualifying competition, so they were all aware of the type of courses that would be set. This did not, however, account for the atmosphere in the arena, where anywhere between 4,000-6,000 very knowledgeable spectators encouraged, applauded, and when necessary commiserated with the dog and handler. Those dogs and handlers who had competed at Olympia or Crufts would have been well aware of the noise, but for those that had not, it must have been a bit of a shock to the system, which no doubt accounted for many of the faults picked up.
What can we do to improve our training?
It is obvious that the other teams have improved over the years, and are now a match
for many of the dogs we have in this Country. How have they improved?
In
many cases, it is the simple case of determination to succeed, with many hours of practise and
dedication. However, I have noticed on my travels to other FCI Countries, that in many cases
there are only one or two rings running, with usually only two runs per day per dog with many
handlers only having one or two dogs. Without the need to be running from ring to ring, and
with time on their hands, handlers sit and watch the competition throughout, learning from
mistakes, and taking on board good handling. There is always much discussion over a good run,
or an unforced error, with everyone dissecting every move by handler and dog.
Conclusion
It was wonderful to see the large number of British supporters at the St. Jakob-Arena,
and very pleasing to see the interaction between them and the competitors. There is no doubt
that all the British Team worked very hard, but luck was not always on our side. However the
performances of Lesley Olden with Beenie (fourth place overall) and Dawn Weaver with Chelsea
(four clear rounds, plus sixth place overall) must stand out as the highlights of the British
team.
About
the author...
Tony Griffin started agility in 1987 with a small Standard Poodle, Rustic
Charm (Kate) who won out of Starters at her fifth show, and into Senior on her eighth show. She
went on to win 25 Open classes, and was the only Standard Poodle working Advanced. He has since
handled another Standard Poodle, a Border collie, a Papillion and a Mini Poodle.
Unfortunately, due to hip problems, Tony is unable to compete, but still attend shows and he will be following his poodles fortunes, as she is now handled and trained by a young handler.
In 1990, Tony started judging and went onto the International list in 1995. Since then he has judged in in ten different countries, including the USA. He judged the Crufts Agility in 2002, and Championship classes in England and Scotland. He will also be judging again next year.
Tony was elected to the Agility Council in 1995, and was elected Chairman in 2001. He stood down as Chairman in 2006 due to being asked to be one of the General Committees representative on the Working Trials, Obedience and Agility (WTOA) Sub-Committee.
This was the 7th World Championship that he has attended.
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Unable to send in an
update after each event - and even after each day - as there were no facilities at the World
Championships for the Press to send any reports by electronic means, Tony Griffin has submitted
this report post-event. As you all will have heard the results, he thought that some facts and
figures from the Championships might provide food for thought for the future.