Agility Team GB are celebrating topping the medal table at the 2023 Agility World Championships, and bringing home the most medals in the team’s history. The World Championships, which took place in Liberec, Czech Republic from 4 – 8 October, saw hundreds of handlers and dogs competing from 43 different countries across the globe.
A total of five medals (two gold, two silver and one bronze) were won by Agility Team GB, putting them top of the medal table and making it the most successful result at the Championships in the team’s history. This marks the third time the team have topped the medal table at Championships in 2023, winning six medals at the European Open Agility Championships in Denmark, and the Young Kennel Club (YKC) Agility Team GB winning 12 medals at the Junior Open Agility World Championships in Southam, United Kingdom.
Dalton Meredith, from Bristol, with his Border Collie, Ag Ch Fandabidozi Eclipse Of Dust (Clippy), won a gold medal in the Intermediate Individual competition, a new category introduced to the Championships for the first time this year. This was an impressive result for the pair having taken home the gold in the same category earlier in the year at the European Open Championships.
Another gold medal was achieved by the Medium Team made up of: Lily Dakin, from Andover, with her Shetland Sheepdog, Wavesong Honky Tonk Blu (Scout); James Adams, from Warwick, with his Cocker Spaniel, Ag Ch Devongem Tiz Gold Standard (Willow); Steven Richardson, from Cumbria, with his Shetland Sheepdog, Sanscott Midnight Mist (Willow) and Stephanie Best, from Hampshire, with her Shetland Sheepdog, Z-Atomic Spice Koryfej (Skedaddle).
Silver medals were achieved by James Adams and his Cocker Spaniel, Ag Ch Devongem Tiz Gold Standard (Willow), in the Medium Individual and Naarah Cuddy, from Warwick, and her Border Collie, Ag Ch Lilhaze Dark Pleasure (Lemon), in the Large Individual.
A bronze medal was awarded to the Intermediate Team made up of: Dalton Meredith with his Border Collie, Ag Ch Fandabidozi Eclipse Of Dust (Clippy); Euan Paterson, from Stonehaven, with his Border Collie, Ag Ch Devongem Quick Time (Crazee); Nicola Wildman, from Lancashire, with her Border Collie, Ag Ch Devongem Freekin Awesome (Zest) and Steven Richardson, with his Border Collie, Ag Ch Moel Gamble Demonic Risk (Gamble);
Other achievements for team members included Laura Chapman, from Salisbury, and her Border Collie, Leebeardream Come True (Endeavour), won second place in the Medium Individual Agility competition and Marita Ogilvie, from Bourne, and her Border Collie, Darleyfalls Cryptic Enigma (Cicada), achieved third place in the Intermediate Individual Agility competition.
Agility Team GB Manager, Greg Derrett said: “I am overjoyed for the whole team. It has been an incredibly successful year so far for Agility Team GB, breaking the teams records and topping the medal tables at the Junior Open Agility World Championships, European Open Championships, and now the Agility World Championships.
“Every dog and handler really gave it their all on every day of the competition, with an impressive display of skill and determination, but they also show remarkable dedication behind the scenes in their training throughout the year.”
Agility Team GB consisted of 22 dogs, including reserves, who were selected from the Agility World Championships Tryout Day held at Dog Sports Derby in March 2023.
Phil Keen, Managing Director from Natural Instinct, sponsors of Agility Team GB, said: “On behalf of Natural Instinct, we’d like to congratulate Agility Team GB on bringing home five medals at the Agility World Championships this year. It has been an impressive year for Agility Team GB and we are so proud to sponsor this fantastic team of dogs and handlers!”
Agility Team GB is supported by The Kennel Club, Natural Instinct, Galican and Dog Sports Derby.
The 2024 FCI Agility World Championships will be held in Belgium from 1 – 6 October 2024. The European Open Agility Championships 2024 will be hosted by The Kennel Club at Dallas Burston Polo Club, Southam from 1 – 4 August, further information can be found on the website: eo2023.co.uk.
Full results of the Championships can be found here.