the
finalists in the European Agility Cup
The
Pedigree International event is now in its third year at Olympia
and consists of handlers and dogs from all over Europe. Each
pairing have qualified from events and finals staged in their
own respective countries. I was told that it was an honour
and a privilege to be here representing their country and
for many it is their event of the year. The ‘Saurday
morning nerves syndrome’ had most definitely returned
to the collecting ring with bottles of ‘rescue remedy’
and other nerve calming potions adorning the tables
The first run was a pairs relay – using FCI height jumps,
no tyre and a mini table the competition was extremely fast
and furious. Olympia appeared packed with thousands of children
who sole purpose was to make as much noise as possible this
in effect made the dogs go even faster. Fastest of all were
Andreas Mayer with Athora Of Magic Borders representing Austria
and Bianca van Gastel with Diestro for Holland.
European Agility Cup
Once
more our judge Barrie Harvey took centre stage – again
his course was very well received and we were treated an excellent
display of agility as he now reports:-
"First up was our very own Stuart Harmes representing
Wales with Trelogan Trim. I know Stuart won’t mind me
saying the Trim is probably his second string dog but with
Noggin recovering from a serious injury (hopefully he should
be competing again in the New Year) Stuart is very lucky to
have a dog such as Trim to fall back on. Trim has had a bit
of year of it to – recovering from a stroke but all seemed
well tonight. Although clear he got a bit caught up in the
collapsible tunnel wasting valuable seconds but a good round
all the same. Clear 36.60.
Jenny Damm representing Sweden with her cracking border collie
Lotus always gives a top class performance. As previous World
Champions they are well used to competing at top class events
and produced an amazing display of speed and accuracy. It
really was poetry in motion. Clear in 35.75 and into the lead.
Irishman Sam McCracken with his Border Collie "Shane"
were next on the line. There were quite a few Irish supporters
in the crowd and they cheered their every move. Unfortunately
the luck of the Irish didn’t quite last. This dog is
so fast it took Sam a bit unawares and he found himself out
of position and he checked Shane a bit too much causing a
refusal at the dog walk. 5 faults in 39.60.
Sally Andrews and Daley from Belgium were on their third visit
to Olympia and they were well aware of how this atmosphere
affects both handler and dog. All was going well until the
box of jumps after the seesaw. Daley was flying and got too
far in front of Sally and took the wrong jump.
Even
the large breeds put in an appearance at the event - here
a Deerhound squeezes through the tyre!
Having been part of the winning pairs from the afternoon competition
– Andreas Mayer from Austria with Athora of Magic Borders
was brimming with confidence. Knowing that Jenny had had a
fast clear, Andreas just went for it.
He worked the course every inch of the way, with Thora cutting
all the corners and running her contacts. Andreas turned to
check the clock and was delighted when Mike Tucker, the commentator,
announced he had taken the lead with a time of 34.23 seconds.
It was Denmark’s Birthe Juhl Jensen’s turn to try
her luck with Joey but the dog’s enthusiasm got the better
of him and he was eliminated when he failed to make the turn
to the tunnel and took the next jump.
Toni Lock from Scotland with Whiz powered around the course
really going for the time but she failed to control the dog
at the dog walk and picked up 5 faults but in a good time
of 34.38.
Bianca van Gastel with Diestro representing Holland were the
penultimate pair to run and were going really well until they
rolled a pole at jump 14 for 5 faults in a time of 33.48.
It was the fastest time of the night – a superb round
– so close!!
The Pedigree Agility Stakes winner from last night was back
at Olympia – this time representing his country. Terry
Insull and Madge were the last to run but Madge got away from
Terry at jump 9 and had a run by and took the wrong jump resulting
in elimination.
Although not quite emulating his "double" win of
2000 Terry still left Olympia with the biggest smile on his
face."
What a cracking competition this was – with the cream
of Europe on show the standard was excellent and this is fast
becoming established as one of the best International competitions
of its kind.
Monday
23rd December 2002
Pedigree Team Flyball Event
For
the first time ever Flyball was featured on the Olympia programme.
We’re quite used to seeing horses chasing up and down
the arena in knockouts and Grand Nationals but dogs!
We had teams from Rugby, Northampton, Packington and Watford
all of which compete at a very high level in the sport. I’m
sure Dave was a little worried about how this might go but
his fears were unfounded. I have never heard such noise in
the Grand Arena. Eight and a half thousand people screaming,
clapping and stamping their feet. Mike Tucker commentated
for one side whilst Nick Brookes Ward took the other. They
did an amazing job getting one side of Olympia to pitch battle
against the other. Manic mayhem probably best describes what
we witnessed and the spectators loved it. Oh, I nearly forgot
– Packington were eventual winners in a very close final
against Northampton.
It was a resounding success and I’m sure will feature
in future Olympia events.
Monday Evening
To
close what had been an extremely successful show, Pedigree
invited the ABC’s to compete in the Pedigree ABC All
Stars Agility Final.
Ten separate breeds were represented and provided a varied
spectacle for all to enjoy. Unfortunately we only had one
clear round and once again it brought the house down. Sarah
Blackshaw’s Beardie Cross – Simplie A Fluke were
both running flat out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen
Sarah run so fast. Once again the crowd brought them home
in great style.
Penny Cooper’s Tervueren, Dixie, although gaining five
faults at the dog walk, was good enough to take second place.
Running last in the competition, Angela Williams with her
Rottweiler Cross Ballistic Burt had a run by on the weaves
but was still fast enough to take third place and just behind
them in fourth position Bridgette Wyre’s Malinois, Sabrefield
Sky’s the Limit missed a down contact on the ‘A’
Frame but still managed a very respectable time of 43.69 seconds
to take fourth place. Taking fifth place was Siobhan Butterfield’s
Schnauzer/Border Terrier, Eckford’s Border Reiver, who
missed the down side of the dog walk.
It was a super competition to end Olympia on and proved a
wonderful showcase for all the different breeds.
This has been one of the most successful Pedigree Olympia
dog agility finals we have ever been to. The atmosphere was
superb and the show itself achieved another record, selling
more seats for this event than ever before. And of course
the dogs are now an integral part of its success. But I think
we will have to bring some ear defenders for next year when
the Flyball is on!
Results
Sunday
Afternoon – International Pairs Relay
Winners – Andreas Mayer with Athora of Magic Borders(Austria)
and Bianca van Gastel with Diestro(Holland)
Sunday
Evening -European Agility Cup
Andreas Mayer Athora of Magic Borders Austria C 34.23
Jenny Damm Lotus Sweden C 35.75
Stuart Harmes Trelogan Trim Wales C 36.60
Bianca van Gastel Diestro Holland 5 33.48
Toni Lock Careless Whisper Scotland 5 34.38
Sam McCraken Sam’s Pride of Broughshane Ireland 5 39.60
Pedigree
Olympia Flyball Team Competition
Winners – Packington DATC
2nd Northampton
3rd Watford
4th Rugby
Pedigree
ABC All Stars Agility Final
1st Simplie a Fluke Sarah Blackshaw 40.36
2nd Minack Dixie Narco Penny Cooper 5 41.24
3rd Ballistic Burt Angela Williams 5 41.61
4th Sabrefields Sky’s the Limit Bridgette Wyre 5 43.69
5th Eckfords Border Reiver Siobhan Butterfield 5 44.56
6th Killinnan Fern Jim Darcy 5 48.37
7th Supple Superstition Helen Evans 10 38.24
8th Decoymans Piper Pirate Kerry Abbott 10 46.00
