The Kennel Club has announced the agility teams which will represent Great Britain at the European Open Agility Championships in The Netherlands 25-28 July, and the FCI Agility World Championships in Turku, Finland from 19-22 September.
The successful handlers and dogs were chosen following this year’s squad selection process, which concluded at the Performance Weekend, held at Arena UK, Lincolnshire from 5-7 April.
The Kennel Club congratulates all the handlers who have been selected to represent Agility Team GB this year. In addition to being sponsored by the Kennel Club, the team is also kindly supported by Natural Instinct and Nottingham Trent University.
This year’s Performance Weekend was judged by Bonnik Berthelsen, from Denmark and Paul Hinchley, from the UK. Courses were designed to test dogs and handlers on speed, fitness, consistency and accuracy.
In addition to the places won from the team runs, the coaching team this year brought back the ‘win-on’ place for the European Open Championships, which means an opportunity was given to one handler and dog from each of the heights (small, medium and large) to be automatically selected onto the European Open team, after being the top performing dog and handler in a final round held at the Performance Weekend. Those winning the coveted spots were Euan Paterson with Devongem Quick Time, in the large height group; Hayley Telling with Ah Ch New Illusions Bi Enchantment of the Five Colors, in the medium height group; and Ashleigh Butler with The Closet Monster of Ashpen.
Mark Laker, Team Manager said “Congratulations to all the handlers who have been selected for this year’s teams. Selecting teams when there are so many top dogs and handlers on the squad is always going to be tough and this year was no different.
“I know how hard the squad has worked and how committed they are to Agility Team GB and I hope that being part of this year’s squad has been a fantastic experience for everyone. I’m looking forward to working with the two selected teams as they prepare for this year’s international competitions”.
Emma Cooper, Marketing Assistant from Natural Instinct, said: “Natural Instinct is thrilled to be sponsoring the Adult Agility Team GB for the 2019-2020 season! We are proud to fuel many of the Agility Team GB dogs and we receive some great testimonials. Together with the Kennel Club and Nottingham Trent University, we look forward to supporting the team. On behalf of Natural Instinct we’d like to wish Agility Team GB all the luck for the events taking place over the next couple of years!”
The teams selected are as follows:
European Open
Small:
- Bonny Quick (Team Captain) with Ag Ch Goldheart Trail of Flames
- Chloe Brown with Licosateria Mai Sunbeam
- Sam Lane with Hillsidejemz Evil Genius
- Sarah McLean with Milo'd Of Mischief
Medium:
- Aemillia Nicholson with Little Miss Woo Woo
- Blyth Fox with Devongem Golden Moment
- Christine Hicks with Uphill Flyer
- Ellie Curtis with Cacciatore Green Finch
- Hayley Telling (Team Captain) with Ah Ch New Illusions Bi Enchantment of the Five Colors
- James Adams with Devongem Tiz Gold Standard
- Sam Towe (Team Captain) with Foxstone Penelope Pitstop
- Shannon Springford with Ag Ch Shansdream a Gift of Love
Large:
- Dan Shaw with Ag Ch Comebyanaway Redefined
- Dave Munnings with Comebyanaway Reddy for Fame
- Euan Paterson with Devongem Quick Time
- Helen Anderson-Postle with Delanor Dark Agent
- Jo Gleed with Lookylooky Ready Or Not
- Jo Tristram (Team Captain) with Ensorcell Back In Black
- Marita Davies with Lalapaws Taken By Surprise
- Martin Reid (Team Captain) with Ag Ch Borderpaws Secret Surprise
- Megan Hunt with A Moment In Thyme
- Naarah Cuddy with Lilhaze Dark Pleasure
- Natasha Wise (Team Captain) with Ag Ch Nedlo Flipping Shiny Pebble
- Nicola Wildman with Devongem Freekin Awesome
All competitors at the European Open will compete in the individual competition and be part of a team. Teams will be confirmed nearer the time.
World Championships
Small:
- Chloe Brown with Licosateria Mai Sunbeam (Reserve)
- Lauren Langman (Team Captain) with Samsir Blinkin Brilliant For Devongem (T&I)
- Rachel Ward with Blazecroft Midnight Akemi (T)
- Samantha Lane with Hillsidejemz Evil Genius (T)
- Sarah McLean with Milo'd Of Mischief (T)
Medium:
- Ellie Curtis with Cacciatore Greenfinch (T)
- Hayley Telling (Team Captain) with Ah Ch New Illusions Bi Enchantment of the Five Colors (T&I)
- James Adams with Devongem Tiz Gold Standard (T)
- Shannon Springford with Ag Ch Shansdream a Gift of Love (T&I)
- Sam Towe with Foxstone Penelope Pitstop (Reserve)
Large:
- Dan Shaw with Ag Ch Comebyanaway Redefined (T&I)
- Dave Munnings with Ag Ch Comebyanaway Reddy for Fame (T&I)
- Euan Paterson with Devongem Quick Time (I)
- Marita Davies with Lalapaws Taken By Surprise (Team Reserve & I)
- Naarah Cuddy with Lilhaze Dark Pleasure (T&I)
- Natasha Wise (Team Captain) with Ag Ch Nedlo Flipping Shiny Pebble (T&I)
T – Team run
I – Individual run
Full results from the performance weekend can be found at http://results.firstplaceprocessing.com.
Read more information on the qualification process for the 2020 squad.
Agility Team GB is sponsored by the Kennel Club, Natural Instinct and Nottingham Trent University.