Senior Agility Team GB has taken home four medals, including one gold, from the Senior Agility Open (SAO), which took place in Mannheim, Germany, from 10-12 July.
The championships, formerly known as the Senior Open Agility World Championships (SOAWC), hosted competitors from 32 countries, with Team GB securing one gold, two silver and one bronze medal. The full medal tally is as follows:
Gold medal
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Over 65 - Alan Bray, from Milton Keynes, and Ag Ch Devongem Blade Runner at Upanovatigers (Ticket), were crowned World Champions after finishing 10th in the Jumping and 1st in the Agility.
Silver medals
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Over 65 - Sophie Macbeth, from Herefordshire, and Tuftihed The One And Only (Buddy), after finishing 3rd in the Jumping and 4th in the Agility.
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Intermediate Team - Brian McDougall, from Scotland, and Gaunyersel Careless Wispa (Wispa); Amanda Hampson, from Newcastle, and Somerzest Funtastic Flyer (Fun); Steve Seale, from Leicestershire, and Devongem Try Fleck (Flec); Alan Wildman and Shadow Of Aire Flair (Flair), after finishing 3rd in the Jumping and 1st in the Agility.
Bronze medal
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Small Team - Marc Wingate-Wynne, from Leicestershire, and Obay Thatz Entertainment (Snazzy); Jason Smawfield-Huby, from Weel, and Cotton Candy Sunshine (Hope); Katrina Hands, from Angus, and Set The Pace Of Summergarden (Sizzle); Alan Bray, from Milton Keynes, and Ag Ch Devongem Firestarter At Upanovatigers (Ticita), after finishing 4th in the Jumping and 4th in the Agility.
In addition to the medal-winning performances, Agility Team GB also recorded the following individual placings:
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Over 55 Small Jumping - Katrina Hands and I'm Going Wild of Summergarden (Wild) finished 1st.
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Over 55 Small Jumping - Katrina Hands and Ag Ch Set the Pace of Summergarden (Sizzle) finished 3rd.
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Over 55 Small Agility - Jason Smawfield-Huby and Cotton Candy Sunshine (Hope) finished 3rd.
The team's success highlights the strength and depth of senior agility across Great Britain, with experienced handlers continuing to compete successfully against some of the world's best competitors. Supporting the team throughout the championships were unpaid volunteer team officials Alison Gayton, Carole Stapley, Paul Sensky and Laura Mackay.
Senior Agility Team GB Manager, Jackie Gardner, said: "Our try-outs in January enabled us to select a fantastic squad, so we travelled to the championships full of confidence. Combined with a little bit of luck, we knew we had every chance of doing well, and thankfully we were not disappointed. The whole squad were a credit to Team GB, and it was an honour to bring home four medals, including one gold, with several team members just narrowly missing out on the podium.
"It was also fantastic to see our Junior Team do so well. Congratulations to Greg Derrett and the squad, who were a pleasure to watch and achieved some fantastic results. It was wonderful to see both squads supporting each other throughout the championships.
"Finally, a huge thank you to our unpaid volunteer team officials, Alison, Carole, Paul and Laura, who looked after the competitors throughout the event. They are the glue that holds everything together and the reason everything runs so smoothly. They are simply the best."
Senior Agility Team GB was sponsored by BXD, AgilityWise, Agility Plaza, Norton Rosettes, Pawstrading, Crystal Vision Awards and Naylor Agility, with additional support from Pawsoffthefloor Photography, Connock Accounts and the Royal Kennel Club.