The Kennel Club Agility Stakes Final
Olympia International Horse show 17th – 22nd December 2007

I seem to say it most years really but this year was the best ever! It was such an exciting event. This is the premier event, probably in the world, for individual agility competitors. Five days with a separate individual final on each of the days, mediums, small, ABC, and novice culminating on the final day with the large dog final for grade 6 & 7 (senior/advanced).

The Olympia Show Jumping Championship show is quite an amazing event, certainly it is unique within the equine world. And of course it is not just about show jumping you have everything from the top show jumping horses in the world to an international dressage championship and of course the biggest singles agility finals in the world in fact it is a mixture of serious competition and festive fun. Back in 1979 when the first agility event was held at Olympia it was purely a sideshow. I say agility, but it was actually jumping for the first two or three years and what started out as a bit of a sideshow to keep the audience amused is now taken with the utmost seriousness by both the show management and the audience.

There are two performances a day with separate seats available for each performance. Always a chance of being able to buy last minute seats for the earlier in the week performances but by the weekend everything is sold out. In fact, in the Saturday mornings stewards briefing we were informed that out of nearly 20,000 available seats there were only 8 available and they were returns!

All five finals at Olympia were examples of some of the best and most competitive agility anywhere in the world and the atmosphere was absolutely electric. When you have got a dog running the course that stands a chance of taking the lead and there are over 9000 people in the audience cheering them on down the finishing straight you can no doubt imagine what that sounds like – just amazing! This was really highlighted on the large dog final on the last evening when Greg Derrett was running 6th and put in, what we thought, was an absolutely unbeatable time of 31.66 clear and then Rob Davies running last out of the final 10 decided that he wasn’t going to let Greg walk away with the winners trophy and I’ve never seen anything quite like it, the audience were urging him on and he stormed over the finish line in 31.60 and took the top spot by 0.06 of a second. Stunning agility at its absolute best!

The main supporters of the agility at Olympia are the Kennel Club and I must extend a really big thank you from the whole of agility to them. I am sure that they are pleased that they have such a high profile at one of the most exciting shows of the year. We were really pleased to see officials from the KC at Olympia each day showing their support and on the Saturday night when we had the final event it was lovely to have the Chairman Ronnie Irving with us to present the awards. I’d also like to thank Pedigree for their continued support of agility throughout the year. This was the 29th year of agility at Olympia and Pedigree were the first sponsors and I don’t think there is any doubt that their initial support helped to establish agility when it first started and of course they are still there today as the longest continued sponsor.

I would like to congratulate all the competitors for qualifying for Olympia, it is certainly one of the hardest events to qualify for. And along with Crufts, of course, it is the event that every competitor wants to be at but there is just something about the atmosphere in that week before Christmas at Olympia.

Just a couple of final thank yous. Firstly to my stewards at Olympia, building, walking, running 10 dogs and presenting awards in 17 – 18 minutes is no mean feat. But you can only do that with the best team of stewards in the business so many thanks from myself and the Kennel Club to John Gilbert, Jackie Brett, Rob Hunter, Ann & Gwyn Roberts, Dave Jolly, Graham Partridge, Liz & Shaun from Premier oh and of course Mary Ray. And finally many thanks to our judge Kate Austin. As Kate says below in her report, only the third female in the 29 year history to judge at Olympia and she did a superb job. Her courses were both testing and exciting and she handled the whole appointment with professionalism and poise and apart from that along with her other half Dave, they were both extremely good company!

Dave Ray, Event Manager

Olympia 2007 Judge’s Report

I was extremely honoured when Dave Ray asked me if I would judge Olympia - only the third woman in it’s 29 year history. I then spent the next year and a half planning my courses and worrying about what to wear!

My aim was to provide flowing courses, that required some handling but allowed for the nerves of the occasion but at the same time, be exciting to watch for the audience.

The Kennel Club Invitation Event

Monday evening started with an invitation event, with a fantastic show of fast, accurate agility from David Munnings and his young dog Dobby (Gunran Misteree) finishing in 1st place. Daniel Slinkert with his Dobe x Gt Schnauzter (Mr Pudding Esquire) was the only other clear, a great run and very popular with the crowd. Anne Challis finish 3rd with Louandi Bronzed Teak. A great start to the week.

The Kennel Club Medium Agility Stakes supported by Premier

Tuesday was Medium day with 7 Collies, 2 Shelties & a cross. A fast flowing course for the jumping Grand Prix showed them all at their best with 7 clears all with very close times. Toni Johnson was the worthy winner, taking the best line round the course and winning by just 0.33 with a cracking run in 23.10 from Bernadette Bay a close 2nd in 23.43, with Susie Josty 3rd in 23.49.

The Medium Final was an exciting affair, Cliff Truluck with Tosari Cache picked up 15 faults. Sam Davies with Liquorice Lass then put in a lovely clear, but finally finished 5th in 33.78. Bernadette (Bay) with Obay Truly Balanced was having a brilliant run until she tried for a tight turn and just pulled off jump no. 15. Toni Johnson & Raeanne Miss-Chief, the morning winners, stormed in to the lead with a fantastic run in 32.86, but could she repeat her earlier win? Karen Smith with Man on a Mission, also had a fabulous clear round but was just a fraction slower in 32.99. Lisa Le Signe (Obay Truly Focused) had a fantastic run with the fastest time 31.92 - only to knock a pole at No.11. Jackie Gardner did a well controlled round in 35.02 with Alan's dog Jude (Touchango Again Girl) which put her in 6th. Rosie Ison & Disney (The Cartoon Classic) gave it their all, but finish in 4th in 33.36. Last but one to go was Susie Josty & Set the Juice Loose, they had a super run and crossed the line in 32.88, just 0.02 secs behind the leader. All eyes were on Toni Dawkins and Minx (Tenita Magic Minx), who set off at a fantastic pace but Minx decided to shoot behind Toni and over no.6 as she came out of the tunnel! So a really well deserved second win from Toni Johnson - it's not often the morning winner also wins the Final, so double congratulations were in order.

The Kennel Club ABC Agility Stakes supported by Pedigree

Wednesday was ABC day – and kicked off with an exciting jumping competition won in fantastic style by David Leach & Bonvivant Kallisto, no-one was able to match his time of 22.77. Bridgitte Wyre & Bright Future had a good clear with Mark Douglas & Dishy Scarlet under Stars of Mars equalling her time of 24.25, we therefore had joint 2nd place. Andy Brown & Heidron Chasing Stormy Sky with 24.90 to finish in 4th and three other clears from Joanne Apostolou & Sabrefield Xciting Story, Linda Smith & Gypsy Kernowes & Cheryl Tustain & Loganberry Whinger.

First to go in the final, Linda Smith did a lovely clear round in 39.62 to start the competition off with a bang, and ultimately to her delight finished in 3rd place. Joanne Apostolou had a missed weave entrance to finish 6th overall. Cheryl Tustain just pulled off no.17. Brigitte Wyre was going well but a missed A-Frame and also pulled off no.17. Andy Brown stormed round the course to take the lead with a fabulous run in 36.26. The competition was now wide open, with Mark Douglas, who had finished equal 2nd in the morning, having a great run until the A-frame put paid to his chances and finished 5th. Anna Braley & Up a Gum Tree, had a good run but missed the weave pole entry and finished in 7th place. James Coxon & Brynelen Joshua Jones, managed to collect quite a few faults, but obviously enjoyed themselves. Last but one to go, our afternoon winner, David Leach missed the dog walk - but still gave it everything and finished 4th in 33.63. So last on the line was Nigel Staines & Dragonheart Dark Destroyer, who powered round the course to the shouts from the crowd in 32.86 to win the Final in great style.

The Kennel Club Small Agility Stakes supported by Pedigree

Thursday was Small day - could they match the excitement of the previous 3 days? The answer was a resounding "yes". The Pairs competition in the afternoon produced some great rounds, with just the odd mistake putting a pair out of the running. Both the runners up and the winners produced fabulous clear rounds with Nicky Garrett & Peggy Briscoe with their O'Bay pairing of Obay Truly Taking a Chance & Obay Truly Driven just pipping Bernadette O'Bay with Obay Truly Wicked and partner Sharon Brewster with Upanova Limited Edition in to 2nd spot.

The evening final started in grand style with two excellent clear rounds from Sharon Brewster in 35.85 to finish in 4th and Peggy Briscoe in 34.47 to give her a very well deserved 3rd place.
Angela Sallis & Zeta the Dark One were clear until Zeta ran round the last jump and back jumped. Susie Josty & Ag Ch Spratt Attack picked up 10 faults to put Jack in 7th place. Lorraine Drew & Trio of Valgray missed the dog walk but with an excellent time of 33.48 and finished 6th. Peter Wells & Toffee (Dewyndorf Tasty Mover) who had taken David Alderson's place, produced a lovely clear in 36.30, to finish in 5th. Nicky Garrett (Obay Truly Driven) was next, and had a brilliant clear in 33.52 and went in to the lead. Dawn Weaver and Chelsea (Ag Ch Piquant Painted Sunshine) were next to go and produced a stunningly smooth round in 32.46, to take the lead by just over a second. The audience were now on the edge of their seats as Wendy Fairlamb and Scout (Racing-Redd Brussel Scout) were next but unfortunately went round no. 12 and back jumped. Last to go was Bernadette who had a super run until no.17 when a slightly mistimed move caused a back jump. So Dawn & Chelsea were the worthy winners of the Small final.

The Kennel Club Novice Agility Stakes supported by Pedigree

The Novice Semis had several ‘new to Olympia’ dog/handler combinations this year. There were a lot of uncharacteristic errors, with some of the favourites not making it through and we ended up with only 9 clears. The fastest of the 5 faults was Jackie Gardner & Glenson Del Boy who had done a fantastic round only to see the last pole fall to the ground! The others making it to the Final were Mike Fairlamb & Racingredd Nuggett, Graham Meader & Bekkis Touch of Class, Marc Wingate-Wynne & Woodsorrel Bright Wings, Jane Seller & Rosmarinus Rum Runner, Gill Zuczkowska & Ashpen Justadta Havim, Lorna Peachey with Sam Johnson’s dog Oakus Pokus, Lisa Gantly & Caritas Cashel Blue, Lynne Ward & Waggerland Rookie and a very delighted Mike Richardson & Jetsams Fly our Semi-final winner. Those finishing 11th to 20th received an invitation to take part in the afternoon Pairs event.

The Pairs was a fast and furious affair with Jenni Machon & Mo-Merry Dashing Dexter partnering Steve Read & Withersfarm Lady Luck, who was unfortunately E’d. Problems at the snake were the downfall of the pairing of Rosie Ison with Chippidy Doo Dah & Trudie Beckwith with Billie on the Beat. Elaine List & Davy Rockett had 5 and Simon Peachey & Rosmarinus Rum Twister had 10 to finish in 3rd place. Ann Dormer & Weedon Wonder Wire had a great clear round before Mark Smith & Toby a Better Man turned the wrong way after fence no.4 causing him to take out no.5, to finish in 2nd place. Kathrin Tasker with Win Some Winnie & Katie Long with Rugrat Red produced two lovely clear rounds to be the worthy winners of the Pairs.

The Novice Final. Running first, Jackie Gardner set the pace with a blistering clear in 31.71, setting the challenge for the rest of the finalists. Mike Fairlamb gave it a great try with just a 5 on the A-Frame & finished 5th in 32.54. Graham Meader suffering from an eye infection, unfortunately collected 10 faults to finish in 7th place. Marc Wingate-Wynne followed with a great clear round in 33.11, to finished 4th. Jane Seller had a pole down and then tripped herself, but unfortunately later collected a further 5 faults leaving her in 6th place. Gill Zuczkowska gave it her all and steered her boy beautifully round the course but a twiddle in front of the last fence meant they finished 3rd in 32.98. Lorna Peachey was having a great run until a run-by and back jump at no.14. Lisa Gantly, set off at a great pace, but her boy was so keen he missed his contacts and flew the seesaw, to finish in 8th place. Last but one to go was Lynne Ward & Rookie, having had a great run in the morning to finish in 2nd place, could she go one better? Rookie produced a fabulous clear round in 31.08 to take the lead from Jackie by over half a second. The last to go, was the morning's winner Mike Richardson - the whole audience was buzzing with excitement - he shot off but had 5 faults on the dog walk - he then missed out the wall, but delighted the crowd by redoing the weaves and the rest of the course in great style. So a delighted Lynne & Rookie were the extremely well deserved winners.

The Kennel Club Large Agility Stakes supported by Pedigree

Saturday – the final day, and the running order for the 35 dogs in the morning’s Semi-Final looked like a list from Who's Who in Agility. Only 10 dogs & handlers could go through to the evening Final and those finishing 11th-20th would be invited to take part in the afternoon Pairs competition.

The course required careful handling, and produced 11 clears, 12 with faults and 12 eliminations. The majority of the problems occurred between nos.7 to 12, with several of the favourites being eliminated on this section. Simon Peachey & Diesel missed out the collapsible (no.9), Tasha Wise & Maddie missing out no.8, and Hege & Taz taking no.10 from the wrong side. Two of the unluckiest were Dawn Weaver & Toni Dawkins both having a pole down right at the end of the course.

The "unlucky" person finishing in 11th place was Laura Derrett with Silvertips Flycatcher who unfortunately went lame during her run so Laura had to retire from the Pairs run.

There were some great runs in the Pairs, really giving the crowd something to shout for. The pairing of Ian Jackson & Lee Gibson looked a great partnership, but they collected a total of 20. Sue Rolfe & Jo Hayes gave it a good try but had 15. Pat Brown & Sarah Osborne flew round in a good time but picked up 5. The crowd went mad as the pairing of Alyson Martin with Waggerland Sunny Jim & Ian Dobison with Ag Ch Call me Mr T stormed round to do a fantastic double clear to take the lead in style on 59.18 – could they be beaten? Running last both Dawn Weaver & Toni Dawkins gave it their all, but their time of 60.18, was just 1 second slower which meant a delighted Alyson & Ian were the very worthy winners.

So the evening Final arrived, with 10 of the best in the country from the morning’s Semi. I set a course that required some control, then speed, then more control, with a fast finish.

Stuart Harmes & Nog Bach were first to go, and Stuart had a great run, clear in 33.49, but a wide turn after the A-Frame cost them some time, but finished a very well deserved 4th. Mark Laker & Bekkis Carbon Copy handled the course superbly but unfortunately missed the dog walk, however they had the fastest time of the evening 30.88 and finished 5th. Designer Diesel Blue with Clive Snook unfortunately had a refusal at no.3 and then crashed in to no.12, but the crowd were making so much noise, it was hard to hear Diesel at all! Next to go were Chris Cole & Magic Charmer – a superb clear round from Chris in 32.75 put him in to the lead, but could he stay there? Lynne Ward followed, and was hoping to make it a double after her win the night before, however Kite decided to do a pull through between 12 & 13 to put them out of the running. All eyes were on Greg Derrett and Ag Ch Withersfarm Sproglett as he stepped up to the line – and they did not disappoint anyone – Greg charged round the course, with GT just having a slight jinx at no.12 – they came down the course to the screams of the audience in 31.66 to take the lead from Chris Cole by over a second. Leah Gardner & Chafford Herbal Illusion were unlucky to have the first pole down and then miss the dog walk, they finished in 6th place with an fantastic time of 31.47. Alan Stiff with Mr Scrumpy started off beautifully but missed the dog walk and then the no.12/13/14 combination claimed another victim, so it was not to be his night. Two to go, and Lee Windeatt came to the line looking very focused. Sadly Shy ran parallel to no.13 so putting Lee out of the running. By this time everyone’s nerves were tingling, as last to go, the morning winning combination of Rob Davies and Magical Liquorice Alsorts, came up to the line. Rob shot off round the course, with some superb handling where it was needed before storming down the finish line to the hysterical screams of the crowd to beat Greg’s time by 0.06 of a second. All the finalists gave a wonderful exhibition of agility at its very, very best. Congratulations to you all.

It just remains for me to thank all those behind the scenes, who make the judge’s job so much easier – Dave Ray for his detailed organisation, to John Gilbert, Gwyn Roberts, Rob Hunter, Ann Roberts, Mary Ray & particularly Jackie Brett for her help with the results and to Shaun & Liz from Premier. Lastly, and by no means least, Dave Jolly for all his help and patience whilst I finally decided which courses to put up and what to wear! Also, to wish next year’s judge Graham Partridge all the very best, I am sure he will have a wonderful time, I certainly did.

Kate Austin

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