Entries now open for top agility festival

Thousands of dogs expected to attend the Kennel Club International Agility Festival from 8-11 August 2019

Online entry is now open for the Kennel Club International Agility Festival, the world’s largest agility festival for dogs and their owners.

It’s the event every agility dog around the world has been waiting for, and for four days from 8-11 August 2019, over 3,000 dogs and their owners are expected to arrive in the village of Rockingham for the event. During the festival, 18 rings will be set up to host the competition, which will feature dogs of all agility grades and sizes, from all over the world, with over 200 separate classes taking place.

The Kennel Club International Agility Festival, which is in its fifteenth year, welcomes all dogs and is supported by Skinner’s Pet Foods, as part of a three-year partnership with the Kennel Club. Following the success of last year’s event, 14 or more countries from around the world are expected to be represented, all competing to qualify for the top honours at Crufts or Discover Dogs.

Entries can be taken online at www.firstplaceprocessing.com until 13 June 2019.

Classes include:

The International Class, open to all overseas dogs that are eligible for F.C.I Grade 3 classes (or equivalent), dogs holding a Masters or Championship Title in the U.S.A. Only dogs that reside outside the UK are eligible for this class, with the winners qualifying for the British Open final at Crufts 2020.

The British Open is for all FCI grade 3 dogs, British or Irish Grades 6 or 7 dogs or dog holding a Masters or Championship title in the USA. With the top nine large dogs and seven medium and small dogs together, with the top overseas based competitor from each size group, qualifying for the British Open Final at Crufts 2020.

The Novice Cup is for all grade 2, 3, 4 or 5 dogs or dogs from the USA eligible to compete in Open or Excellent, with the top ten large and eight medium and small qualifying for Crufts 2020.

The Starters Cup is for all grade 1 dogs. The top 12 large dogs, six medium dogs and six small dogs will be invited to compete at the final at Discover Dogs 2019.

The Kennel Club International Young Handler of the year, open to all grades of dog handled by those aged between 6-11, or 12-18.

The Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year and Under 18 Years Jumping  These classes are open to all members aged 6-17 years. If a member and dog combination accumulate 30 points or more, they will qualify for Crufts. Members may qualify a maximum of 2 dogs for this competition. As soon as a dog has qualified for this competition at Crufts 2020, it may not be entered into any further qualifying heats.

The Nations Cup sees three dogs representing their country competing in a jumping round with a final agility round to decide the overall winners. The top team from each height: 3 large dogs, 3 medium dogs and 3 small dogs will be invited to compete individually in the British Open Final at Crufts 2020.

William Delamore, Sales & Marketing Director for Skinner’s Pet Foods said: "When the opportunity arose to become involved with the International Agility Festival, we saw it as a natural fit. Our Field & Trial range has been designed specifically for working and active dogs and is ideal for performance dogs that compete in agility.

“Skinner’s has been involved in supporting working dog activities for generations and our heritage has always been with working dogs, from the 1970s through to today. As such, we aim to promote and support these activities in the best way we can so the largest agility festival in the world is a great place to start and we’re looking forward to watching the impressive agility skills from this year’s competitors.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “The Kennel Club is looking forward to welcoming canine competitors of all ages and breeds, from all over the world to compete in this year’s International Agility Festival.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for competitors to display the hard work they’ve dedicated to agility as well as strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners.

“The festival is not just for skilled agility professionals – we welcome beginners to the sport and what a great way to start a new hobby than at the world’s largest agility festival.”

Entry to the festival is free for spectators, with parking charged at £5, and people are able to come along with their own dogs to enjoy the fun festival atmosphere. There is also the opportunity to enter the nation’s favourite crossbreed competition, Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year, which has classes; Golden Oldie, Most Handsome Dog, Prettiest Bitch and Good Citizen Dog Scheme. The winners of each category will go through to the exciting finals, competing against other class winners at Crufts at the NEC in March 2020.

Read more information on the Kennel Club International Agility Festival on our website or via the following Facebook pages:

Email the Kennel Club Press Office to find out how many competitors there are from your country.