The world’s largest dog agility festival got underway yesterday (Thursday 6 August) as thousands of competitors descended on Rutland Showground for the first day of action at the Royal Kennel Club International Agility Festival.
Now in its 22nd year, the four-day event is welcoming more than 3,200 dogs and almost 2,000 handlers from 11 countries and territories, with competitors hoping to secure prestigious Crufts 2027 qualification places and take important steps towards representing Agility Team GB on the international stage.
Day one saw competitors take to the course in the Royal Kennel Club Agility Stakes, with places at the London International Horse Show in December up for grabs.
RKC Agility Stakes winners:
Small RKC Agility Stakes: 1st place - Hayley McKenzie & Crossbreed, Tinder (Frason Swipe Right) – 33.082 seconds
Medium RKC Agility Stakes: 1st place - Liz Carpenter & Crossbreed, Maggie (AG CH Moseleywood Maggie AW(P)) - 33.105 seconds
Intermediate RKC Agility Stakes: 1st place - Aimee Kerton & Border Collie, Maroochy (AG CH Baybelieve Shes Black Magic) - 33.883 seconds
Large RKC Agility Stakes: 1st place - Siân Illingworth & Border Collie, Design (Zhanisgo Redesign) - 35.346 seconds
Large ABC Agility Stakes: 1st place - Harriet Harding & Belgian Malinois, Zero (Play With Madness Mai Tai) - 31.800 seconds
Intermediate RKC ABC Agility Stakes: 1st place - Hannah Banks & Miniature American Shepherd, Shimmy (Basileas Little Happy Dance) – 35.751 seconds
The top 10 competitors from both the Small and Medium Agility Stakes have qualified for their respective finals at the London International Horse Show in December. The top five competitors from both the Intermediate ABC and Large ABC Stakes have also secured places in their respective finals. Meanwhile, the top 20 competitors from both the Intermediate and Large Stakes will progress to semi-finals at the show, with the top 10 from each semi-final advancing to their respective evening finals.
Day one also saw competitors take on the opening Crufts qualifying competitions, with dogs and handlers competing across four categories:
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Small Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
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Medium Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
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Intermediate Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
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Large Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
The classes attracted hundreds of entries from talented agility partnerships across the UK and beyond, as competitors navigated challenging courses designed to test speed, accuracy and teamwork.
Small Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
In the Small Crufts Novice Cup C3-5, Cocker Spaniel, Skittles (Devongem Distinct), handled by Lauren Langman from Devon, claimed victory, securing their place in the semi-finals at the London International Horse Show in December, where they will have the opportunity to qualify for Crufts 2027.
The podium was completed by:
1st: Lauren Langman & Skittles (Devongem Distinct) - 36.005
2nd: Kirsty Moyes & Szia (Everwild Bonfire Heart) - 37.854
3rd: Sam Lane & Lego (Ascendant Furious Cyclone Atomic Ward From Daimonic) - 38.500
Medium Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
In the Medium Crufts Novice Cup C3-5, Border Collie Yama (Proserpina Yamari), handled by Reuben Parrish from Grimsby, took the top spot, earning a place in the semi-finals at the London International Horse Show in December and the chance to qualify for Crufts 2027.
The podium was completed by:
1st: Reuben Parrish & Yama (Proserpina Yamari) - 34.896
2nd: Tanya Cooper & Detour (Zeldun Blue Hawaiian) - 35.426
3rd: Daniel Pledger & Reggie AW(S) (Cocoaspirit Rapid) - 36.399
Following his win, Reuben said: "I am absolutely over the moon winning the Novice qualifier to got to the London International Horse Show.
"This is also the perfect end to the summer after being selected for the junior team GB for the first time with my other dog Vega and winning a silver medal in Germany for team GB."
Intermediate Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
In the Intermediate Crufts Novice Cup C3-5, Working Sheepdog Nora (Leebeardream She's So Sweet), handled by Lucy Toyne from Barnsley, came out on top to secure a place in the semi-finals at the London International Horse Show in December, and a chance to qualify for Crufts 2027.
The podium was completed by:
1st: Lucy Toyne & Nora (Leebeardream She's So Sweet) - 36.201
2nd: Emily Brown & Rosie (Riverspell Winter Rose) - 36.582
3rd: Jo Nash & Drew (Foxridge Drew) - 36.984
Large Crufts Novice Cup C3-5
In the Large Crufts Novice Cup C3-5, Border Collie Mission (Zhanisgo On A Mission), handled by Tracy Moerel from West Sussex, produced a winning performance to earn their place in the semi-finals at the London International Horse Show in December, with Crufts 2027 qualification up for grabs.
The podium was completed by:
1st: Tracy Moerel & Mission (Zhanisgo On A Mission) - 30.980
2nd: Lauren Blair-Rains & Enzo (Into The End Zone) - 32.049
3rd: Stuart Doughty & Linc (Scalpsie Paw Until Payday) - 32.237
The first day of IAF also saw nine-year-old Cassy Kitching win the Large YRKC Jumping Cup with her dog Swat, a Border Collie. She has already qualified to take part in Crufts 2027 after only practising agility for a year.
The Royal Kennel Club International Agility Festival continues until Sunday 9 August at Rutland Showground, bringing together some of the best agility talent from across the world.
More information about the RKC International Agility Festival, including schedules and spectator information, can be found at: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/iaf