IAF Celebrates Next Generation of Agility Stars

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The Royal Kennel Club International Agility Festival saw 16 young stars crowned Agility Dog of the Year on one of the most exciting days of the competition, with the event proudly supported by sponsors Skinner’s and Antinol. 

With prestigious titles and Crufts 2027 qualification places on the line, competitors aged from 6-24 battled it out across in front of an enthusiastic crowd.  

The day’s highlights included: 

  • Young Royal Kennel Club Dog of the Year Agility – Small 

  • Young Royal Kennel Club Dog of the Year Agility – Medium 

  • Young Royal Kennel Club Dog of the Year Agility – Intermediate 

  • Young Royal Kennel Club Dog of the Year Agility – Large 

Young Royal Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year  

The Young Royal Kennel Club (YRKC) Agility Dog of the Year (ADOTY) Agility competitions celebrated talented young handlers and their dogs, showcasing the future of the sport and the strong bond between the next generation of competitors and their canine partners. The winners of each age category also secured qualification for the ADOTY semi-final in the YRKC ring at Crufts 2027, with the final taking place later that day in the main arena. 

In the Small YRKC ADOTY Agility (Ages 6-11), Papillon Aelfwynn (Finity Epitome Of Joy), handled by Bonnie Lloyd, claimed victory following an outstanding performance.  

  1. Bonnie Lloyd & Aelfwynn (Finity Epitome Of Joy) 

  1. Willow James & Lego (Ch. Cudweed's Master Of The Hounds (Imp Dnk) JW) 

  1. Skye Wakefield & Magic (Skye's Majic Dream)

  2. Bonnie Lloyd & Aelfwynn (Finity Epitome Of Joy) 

11-year-old Bonnie is from Brockdish, Norfolk and this is her first year competing. She loves training her dogs any chance she gets and said: "It's been so much fun competing with Aelfwynn and I’m just so happy to have won!" 

Bonnie Lloyd & Aelfwynn (Finity Epitome Of Joy)

For the Age 12-14 category, Lily Fox and her Miniature Schnauzer Willow (Minipicks Ciara AW(S)) took the win.  

  1. Lily Fox & Willow (Minipicks Ciara AW(S)) 

For Lily, aged 15 from Nottinghamshire, this was also her first time competing at IAF and said: “It was such an amazing experience to be in the main arena.” 

 

Lily Fox & Willow (Minipicks Ciara AW(S))

 

In the ages 15-17 category, 17-year-old Tash Helme from Herefordshire and her dog Mayhem (Awesome's Mini Mayhem) claimed victory. 

  1. Tash Helme & Mayhem (Awesome's Mini Mayhem) 

  1. Liliana Penfold & Lava (Devongen Explosive Volcano) 

  1. Leela Craig-Thompson & Soho (Soho Happy Hour) 

In the 18-24 category, Emilia Bowers and her Cocker Spaniel, Thistle (Kenzduo Sweet Orchid, came in first place.  

  1. Emilia Bowers & Thistle (Kenzduo Sweet Orchid) 

  1. Tamzin Love & Mazikeen (Windhover Demon From Hell AW(G)) 

  1. Peggy Sparrow & Poppy (Colwinnie Twinkle Toes) 

Onto the Medium YRKC ADOTY Agility, and in the aged 6-11 category, Crossbreed Albie (Red Aviation), handled by Oscar Smith, claimed victory following an outstanding performance.  

  1. Oscar Smith & Albie (Red Aviation) 

  1. Elsie Lomas & Domino (Domin Oh Ho Ho) 

  1. Bonnie Lloyd & Biscuit (Bonnie's Biscuit) 

 

Oscar Smith & Albie (Red Aviation)
Oscar, who is 11 years old and from Gloucestershire said: “It makes me really happy to have won today! We’ve had lots of second places during the qualification year, so it’s great to feel like all our hard work has finally paid off. This was the final class I needed to qualify for Crufts 2027, so I’ve now qualified for all the available classes. I’m really excited to go back to Crufts next year for my third year in a row!” 

 

For the Age 12-14 category, 14-year-old Zac Clay from Cambridge and his Crossbreed, Reggie (Reggie Rat), took the win. 

  1. Zac Clay & Reggie (Reggie Rat) 

  1. Georgia Dennett & Echo (Wispa A Merry Echo) 

  1. Savanna Cartwright & Boots (Too Sassy For My Big Boots) 

 

Zac Clay & Reggie (Reggie Rat)

 

As for the 15-17 category, the winner was from local 15-year-old Archie Goddard and his Miniature Poodle, Bailey (Supersonic Bailey AW(S)). 

  1. Archie Goddard & Bailey (Supersonic Bailey AW(S)) 

  1. Leela Craig-Thompson & Taxi (Traethdu Thebe) 

  1. Isabella Twigg & Bertie (Folkvang Blazing Wizard) 

 

Archie Goddard & Bailey (Supersonic Bailey AW(S))

 

From Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire only 10 minutes away from the IAF, Archie said: 
“I’ve really enjoyed running in the medium championship for the first time at the IAF and so proud of Bailey to get it this time and qualify for Crufts.” 

In the 18-24 category, Sally Perks and her Cocker Spaniel Dream (Dashing Pixie Dream) came in first place.  

  1. Sally Perks & Dream (Dashing Pixie Dream AW(G)) 

  1. Tamzin Love & Tigg (Alnmac Midnight Cowboy AW(G)) 

  1. Lucinda Cooper & Chilli (Poolheads Chilli Pepper) 

In the Intermediate YRKC ADOTY, in the ages 6-11 category James Green and his Working Sheepdog Berry (Berry Independant) claimed victory following an outstanding performance. 

  1. James Green & Berry (Berry Independant) 

  1. Joseph Nemeth & Rosie (Fajojo Rose De Freycinet) 

For the 12-14 category, the winner was Isabella Taylor and her Border Collie Moët (Carandmar Life By Diesel). 

  1. Isabella Taylor & Moët (Carandmar Life By Diesel) 

  1. Evie Waldron & Spyder (Spyder On Saturns Moon AW(G)) 

  1. Oliver Green & Flynn (Mr Flynnigan) 

Isabella is 13-years-old and from Daventry, Northamptonshire. 

She said: “We’ve both put a lot of effort into training and I’m so pleased the hard work and consistency have really paid off.” 

In the 15-17 age group, Will Hinz and Border Collie Bee (Sherebridge Priya Bee) came first. 

  1. Will Hinz & Bee (Sherebridge Priya Bee) 

  1. Nancy Evans & Dilys (The Ascent Of Opal Moon AW(S)) 

  1. Martha Wake & Kira (Tornado's Emerald Hurricane) 

In the 18-24 age category, Robyn Anderson and her Border Collie Bean (Elmleas Presenting Bean) claimed the top ranking.  

  1. Robyn Anderson & Bean (Elmleas Presenting Bean) 

  1. Rebecca Chuter Smith & Zola (Aviary Moon River AW(G)) 

  1. Izzy Caddy & Bree (Cheesy Does It) 

Finishing up with the Large YRKC ADOTY Agility, in the youngest category (6-11) Swat (Special Weapons And Tactics) handled by nine-year-old Cassy, claimed victory following an outstanding performance. 

  1. Cassy Kitching & Swat (Special Weapons And Tactics) 

  1. Esmée Barker & Rainbow (Jhardubear Rainbow High) 

 

The winning schoolgirl from Peterlee, County Durham only started agility a year ago and has already enjoyed an extraordinary rise through the sport, including finishing runner-up in the Young Kennel Club Jumping Cup at Crufts 2026 and qualifying for Crufts 2027. Cassy said her favourite thing about agility is that “it’s fun for both you and your dog” and her advice to other young people thinking of trying it is to “be loud and confident and remember to have fun.” 

For the Age 12-14 category, Jessica Keegans and her Border Collie, Ella (Jolysses Enter Ella) took home first place. 

  1. Jessica Keegans & Ella (Jolysses Enter Ella) 

  1. Indi-Mai Feehan & Murphy (My Boy Murphalom AW(S)) 

  1. Maddy Raywood & Ava (Aslethorn Knight Dezire) 

     

    Jessica Keegans & Ella (Jolysses Enter Ella)

     

    In the age 15-17 group, 16 year-old Summer Benson from Middlesborough and her Border Collie, Tulip (Fajojo Something Precious), claimed victory 

    1. Summer Benson & Tulip (Fajojo Something Precious) 

    1. Zachary Spilsbury & Bob (My Boy Rockett Sox) 

    1. Tash Helme & Sula (Ruadhcuillin Sula) 

    Finally, in the 16-24 category handler Emmelia Daines and her Labrador Retriever Amber (Isla Winding) came out on top.  

    1. Emmelia Daines & Amber (Isla Winding) 

    1. Esme Robinson & Nellie (Charmpark Gabbie) 

    1. Scarlet Beavan & Ivy (North Devon) 

    The Royal Kennel Club International Agility Festival, sponsored by Antinol and Skinner’s, concluded on Sunday 9 August at Rutland Showground, with the final day of competition crowning more winners and celebrate the achievements of agility partnerships from across the world. 

    More information about the Royal Kennel Club International Agility Festival, including schedules and spectator information, can be found at: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/iaf