New York, NY - The American Kennel Club announced today that a U.S. dog and handler team has been invited to compete, for the first time ever, at the UK's prestigious Crufts International Agility Competition on Thursday, March 4th, 2004. Jen Pinder of Lapeer, MI will compete in the 26" jump height with her 6 year-old Border Collie, MACH2 Come Bye Off The Wall, "Static."

Other dog/handler teams from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Southern Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland were also invited to compete.

Jen Pinder's dog, Static, was the lead-off dog for the Agility World Team competition held in 2003 in France, where the U.S team won the Bronze medal. Jen was also a member of the 2002 World Team that competed in Germany.

"It's an honor for the U.S. to be represented at Crufts," said Patricia Krause, AVP of AKC Companion Events. "Jen is a very stable handler with international experience and Static is very fast and accurate. We hope that this dynamic duo is successful and we wish them the best of luck."

In addition to the Agility competition, Crufts' new Obedience World Cup Competition will be held at the 2004 event on Sunday, March 7th at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England. Four AKC dog and handler teams representing U.S. Obedience have been invited to compete. The test will represent a mixture of exercises taken from The Kennel Club (UK) and AKC Obedience competitions, as well as the 2002 FCI World Obedience Championships.

In order to enter these competitions, dogs must have met the Titration Test requirements prior to September 2003 and must have a vet certified International Health Certificate.