The Kennel Club would like to congratulate Agility Team GB for their fantastic performance at the FCI Agility World Championships over the weekend (22nd - 25th September 2016).
Held in Zaragoza, Spain, the 21st FCI Agility World Championships saw hundreds of handlers and dogs take part, from over 40 countries including Germany, Japan, Russia and South Africa.
With so many top level competitors taking part, Agility Team GB’s performance was highly commendable, despite on this occasion not taking home any of the coveted medals.
Highlights included Jess Clarehugh and her Border Collie, Cara who placed 5th in the Large Individual Final and was the highest placed Agility Team GB member in the championship.
Other Team GB accomplishments included:
- Small Team Final – Agility Team GB placed 20th (team consisted of Alan Bray with Tatty, Louise Eden with Fuze, Lucy Osbourne with Fling, and Kathryn Stickney with Coco)
- Medium Team Final – Agility Team GB placed 7th (team consisted of Natasha Wise with Dizzy, Chantal Karyta with Savannah, Christine Wingate-Wynne with Zev, Lian Knight with Sonic, and Kate Cook with Phoebe as a reserve)
- Large Team Final – Agility Team GB placed 10th (team consisted of Charlotte Harding with Scandal, Greg Derrett with Rehab, Jess Clarehugh with Cara, Matt Goodliffe with Quincy, and Lee Gibson with Sadie as a reserve)
- Small Individual Final – Lucy Osborne & German Spitz Klein Fling placed 40th
- Medium Individual Final – Natasha Wise and Border Collie Dizzy placed 13th
Agility Team GB Manager, Mark Laker said: “This year’s FCI Agility World Championships has been another exciting competition amongst the top dogs and handlers from over 40 countries. Agility Team GB were well practiced after our training and pre-competition preparations.
“Unfortunately the hard work doesn't always get recognised in the form of medals. The standard at this level of competition is incredibly high. One mistake can be the difference between a medal or high place.”
Agility Team GB 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 over the weekend of 23rd - 24th April. Agility Team GB attended the European Open Agility Championships in France at the end of July where ‘Team GB Red’ qualified in second place and ‘Team GB White’ in 13th place in the team relay finals.
Agility Team GB is sponsored by CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds, Gencon, Khyam, First Contact, Nottingham Trent University, Eurotunnel, Agility1st, Vale Referrals and supported by the Kennel Club. The coaching team consisted of Mark Laker (Team Manager), Marc Wingate-Wynne (Team Assistant), Ruth MacGill (Fitness coach/handler), Maria Johnston (Team Physiotherapist) and Hana McNicholas (Team Vet) who travelled to Spain with them.
The 2017 FCI Agility World Championships will be held in Czech Republic from 5th - 8th October.