The Kennel Club International Agility Festival concluded four impressive days of agility excellence on Sunday 13 August 2023. The festival saw thousands of dogs and their handlers, from across the UK and overseas, compete in over 200 competitions at Rutland Showground, Oakham.
The festival, supported by Skinner’s, welcomed dogs of every size, shape and breed to take part in competitions across four size categories, 18 rings and 200 classes. Competitors displayed high levels of skill and training, navigating through courses with various obstacles including hurdles, poles, tunnels and more.
Competition was tough, and some lucky dogs and their handlers are now celebrating qualifying for agility competition finals which will be held at The London International Horse Show in December, and at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, in March 2024.
Ben Skinner, of Skinner’s, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and competitors of The Kennel Club International Agility Festival. It is wonderful to see everyone enjoying competing at the festival again this year and we are always proud to sponsor this incredible event.
“It is inspiring to see the dedication and skill displayed by all the competitors and their dogs. Everyone who has taken part should be very proud of their achievements in the ring.”
Catherine Guiver, Head of Events at The Kennel Club, said: “Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s International Agility Festival! We look forward to seeing many of them return to further competitions at The London International Horse Show and Crufts.
“And well done to all the dogs and handlers that have competed and shown great skill and confidence in the rings over the last four days.”
The top three placings in each of the main competitions at the festival were as follows:
Kennel Club Championship Finals (With first place Championship winner in each height category qualifying for Crufts)
Large Kennel Club Championship Final
- 1st – Dave Munnings and Ag Ch Comebyanaway Wot A Legacy (Legacy)
- 2nd – Chris Kerton and Infinity Runners Shanap (Copernicus)
- 3rd – Michelle Waugh and Chazak Dream A Little Dream (Alvin)
Intermediate Kennel Club Championship Final
- 1st – Toni Smith and Cherryhog Bright Future (Febe)
- 2nd – Amanda Ellerton and Cherryhog Discovery (Pepe)
- 3rd – Steve Seale and Devongem Try Fleck (Flec)
Medium Kennel Club Championship Final
- 1st – Liz Carpenter and Ag Ch Moseleywood Maggie AW (Maggie)
- 2nd – Ruby Strutt and Klairella Enchantment AW (Miley)
- 3rd – Ande Smith and Bramleycott Charleston (Gertie)
Small Kennel Club Championship Final
- 1st – Martin Reid and Ag Ch Get It With Eager To Work (Selfie)
- 2nd – Rachel Ward and Devongem Sweet But A Syko (Pecan)
- 3rd – Chloe Cooper and Aint He Sweep (Sweep)
Kennel Club Starters Cup Semi-Final (With the top six in each height category qualifying for the final held in the new London Arena at The London International Horse Show)
Large Kennel Club Starters Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Sam Clayson and Clatterhack Astronomical (Astro)
- 2nd – Sally Stephens and Hartson Red Cloud (Inca)
- 3rd – Thomas Lejasmeiers and Coedylan Tarquin (Nero)
Intermediate Kennel Club Starters Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Chloe Powling and The Veloci Cassie Raptor (Cassie)
- 2nd – Jill Lowe and Panaqua Colour Of Love (Wispa)
- 3rd – Caitlin Wells and Lalapaws Darling Violet (Apple)
Medium Kennel Club Starters Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Lara Staplehurst and Tribal Instinct (Apache)
- 2nd – Lisa Perry and May The Fourth Be Binky (Binky)
- 3rd – Elizabeth Naylor and Kentwone The Brave One At Hornspike (Nala)
Small Kennel Club Starters Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Isabella Cox and Isabelora Steal My Girl (Fidget)
- 2nd – Ian Law and Kellandbrook Mojito Of Wynfaest (Zennor)
- 3rd – Karl Weiss and Lady Ruby Red (Ruby)
Kennel Club Novice Cup Semi-Final (With the top six in each height category qualifying for Crufts)
Large Kennel Club Novice Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Laura Murphy and The Harpoon (Harper)
- 2nd – Jen Slade and That’s Why As Bold As Brass (Brokkoli)
- 3rd – Lindsay Bentley and Darleyfalls Cruise Control (Cruz)
Intermediate Kennel Club Novice Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Bernie Jobbins and Aurora’s Flaming Magic (Roari)
- 2nd – Olivia Patz and Comebyanaway A Ton Of Jewels (Oodles)
- 3rd – Laura Murphy and The Honey Badger (Indy)
Medium Club Novice Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Lily Woodford and Devongem Spider Beside Her Of Chilternlily (Sparrow)
- 2nd – Aimee Bingham and Oatily Totally In Sane (Otis)
- 3rd – Michael Green and Tuftihed Born To Be Wild (Bebe)
Small Club Novice Cup Semi-Final
- 1st – Ellie Campbell and Fern Flying Fantasy AW (Fern)
- 2nd – Steven Swankie and Sheltiefire All Eyes On Me (Bug)
- 3rd – Rachel Ward and Ambiens Black Ice AW (Summer)
Kennel Club Special International Final (With the winners in each height qualifying for the Crufts Singles competition)
Large Kennel Club Special International Final
- 1st – Desiree Snelleman and Ignited Reach For New Heights (Peak)
- 2nd – Shelby Tilden and Power Tripp's Room To Grow (Moss)
- 3rd – Danielle Scott and Sagehill Full Moon Fever (Moon)
Medium Kennel Club Special International Final
- 1st – Carlos Passarinho and Goma (Flowet)
- 2nd – Irena Hofmanová and Helen Of Troy Of Darknes (Naf79383)
- 3rd – Jurgen Smit and Vintage Bi From Marmorea's Shelter (Sonic)
Small Kennel Club Special International Final
- 1st – Sam Sanchez and Devongem Pride Rock (Taxi)
- 2nd – Heather Witt-Sullivan and Foxpoint Ash And Elm And Rowan Too (Rowan)
- 3rd – Michèle Taffijn-Du Boise and Dutch Replay (Dutch Replay)
For more information on The Kennel Club International Agility Festival, please visit our website.
Find the full list of results here.