The teams for the 2008 European Open Agility Championships have been announced, following the Kennel Club-organised squad selection day held on Saturday 12^th April 2008 in Daventry. 

The Kennel Club offers its sincere thanks to Kath Dark who hosted the event, welcoming over 100 competitors and dogs to her farm.  Undeterred by high winds and hailstorms, competitors had travelled from all corners of the United Kingdom to compete for the privilege of representing Great Britain at the forthcoming Championships in Germany in July. 

This is the first time that a team has been chosen at a special selection day, such is the level of interest and high level of skill in Agility in Britain. 

All competitors had their Pet Passports checked by the team vet, Kobus Englebrecht, and were officially measured prior to competition to ensure that they were fully eligible to compete in Germany prior to selection.  The dogs were then run over three testing courses, set by judge Andy Hudson, and points were gained relating to the dogs’ placings in each round.  The team manager, John Gilbert, then took the dogs with the most accumulated points into the final round. 

Thirty large dogs, 12 medium dogs and 11 small dogs contested the final round to select the squad that will travel to Germany.

Mr Gilbert, European Open Team Manager said, "The European Selection Day was a huge success, with a terrific four round competition.  Our judge, Andy Hudson, produced four excellent courses which tested the very best.  I am delighted to see two juniors make it into the team, and am very confident that Team GB will do us proud in Germany".

The teams are as follows (subject to change due to injury, illness etc):

Large Dog Teams

Greg Derrett              AG. CH. Withersfarm Sproglett

Leah Gardner            Chaffords Herbal Illusion

Lee Windeatt             Deeann What a Cracker

Alan Bray                   Sky’s the Limit at Upanova

Sarah Osborne        Touchango Top Gear

Nic Jones                   Slieve Caleb

Denise Wilkinson      Tinker Tia

Dave Munnings         Gunran Misteree

Rob Davies                Magical Liquorice Alsorts

Nigel Staines             Dragonheart Dark Destroyer

Ian Jackson                Taliswood Temptation

Lee Gibson                Taddymore Jack

Marc Saunders          The Dark Dasher of Clybonn

Anthony Clarke        Gemmadean Black Magic

Katie Mitchell             Comebyanaway Rocket Man

Medium Team

Andy Sandercock     Withersfarm Perfect Ten

Gary Cummings        Monkey Madness Noworries

Lisa Le Signe           Obay Truly Focused

Amanda Hampson    Winfren Vulpecula Kayla

Medium Dog - Individuals

Louise McClurg         Mighty Maximus

Sarah Evans            Wicked William

Susie Josty                Set the Juice Loose

Tricia Elms               Kaljazzi Reet Petite

Small Team

Wendy Fairlamb      Racingredd Brussell Scout

Bernadette Bay       Obay Truly Wicked

Helen Davey-Smith  Rescue me Henry

Rosie Cavill               Fieldspy Leana

Small Dog - Individuals

Sharon Brewster      Upanova Limited Edition

Cheryl Harkness        Pepperthyme Akamas

Peter van Dongen     Sky is the Limit 

All 30 squad members will run in the Individual Championships.  The team manager has decided to enter 4 Large teams, 1 Medium team and 1 Small team.  In releasing the details of the make up of each team in advance, the team manager wishes to encourage a bond and team spirit amongst those selected which can be grown over the next three months, including the possibility of each team getting together for practice and tactics.  Each team can also discuss their preferred running order (subject to the team manager’s final approval).

The Kennel Club would like to congratulate all the dogs and handlers selected to compete at the European Open Championships and, with the rest of the Agility community, wishes them every success in Germany in July.

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