Thousands of dogs expected to attend the Kennel Club International Agility Festival from 6th– 9th August 2020
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 6th– 9th August 2020, over 3,000 dogs and their owners are expected to arrive at Rutland Showground 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 sixteenth 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, Discover Dogs and London Olympia.
Entries can be taken online at www.firstplaceprocessing.com until 11th June 2020.
Classes include:
The International Class, open to all overseas dogs that are eligible for FCI grade 3 classes (or equivalent), and dogs holding a Masters or Championship Title in the USA. Only dogs that reside outside the UK are eligible for this class, with the winners qualifying for the British Open final at Crufts 2021.
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. The top nine large dogs and seven medium and small dogs, together with the top overseas based competitor from each size group, qualify for the British Open final at Crufts 2021.
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 2021.
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 2020.
The Young Kennel Club Pairs is open to YKC members only, aged between 6 and 24 years. Pairs must use the same size dog for both members. Once a qualifier has been entered, members may not switch dogs or handlers. The pair who are placed first in each category will qualify for Crufts 2021.
The Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year and Under 18 Years Jumping are open to all YKC 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 two dogs for this competition. As soon as a dog has qualified for this competition at Crufts 2021, 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: three large dogs, three medium dogs and three small dogs will be invited to compete individually in the British Open final at Crufts 2021.
William Delamore, Sales & Marketing Director for Skinner’s Pet Foods said: "We are proud to be the headline sponsor of the International Agility Festival for yet another year. Our Field & Trial range has been designed specifically for working and active dogs and is ideal for performance dogs that compete in agility.
“Our team will be on hand to offer nutritional advice to competitors and visitors at Rutland Showground. Until then, we would like to wish all of those competing and training towards the event the very best of luck!”
Vanessa McAlpine, Kennel Club Events Executive said: “The Kennel Club is once again looking forward to welcoming canine competitors of all ages and breeds, and from all over the world, to compete in this year’s International Agility Festival.
“The festival is open to everyone, from beginners to the sport, through to competitors at the top of their game, providing them with the opportunity to showcase the hard work they’ve dedicated to agility.
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 2021.
Read more information on the Kennel Club International Agility Festival.