The Young Royal Kennel Club (YRKC) Agility Team GB is celebrating taking home four medals at the Junior Agility Open World Championships, which took place in Mannheim, Germany, from 10-12 July.
The championships saw several handlers make their Team GB debut, with Nancy Evans, from Prenton, Merseyside, winning individual gold in her first appearance, while Reuben Parrish, from Healing, Grimsby, and Maddie Dadds, from Dedham, Colchester, helped secure a team silver medal on their debut, with Maddie also claiming an individual bronze. The team's full medal tally was:
Gold medals
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Small Team - ‘Small Team GB Orange’: Taylor Lyon, from Northampton, and Asher; Leela Craig-Thompson, from Washington, West Sussex, and Soho; Chloe Cooper, from Shavington, Crewe, and Sweep; Isabella Taylor, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, and Hatti.
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U19 Intermediate - Nancy Evans, from Prenton, Merseyside, and Dilys.
Silver medal
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Medium Team - ‘Medium Team GB Purple’: Maya Crowhurst, from Markfield, Leicestershire, and Lola; Amelia Gifford, from Findon, and Terra; Reuben Parrish, from Healing, Grimsby, and Vega; Maddie Dadds, from Dedham, Colchester, and Brio.
Bronze medal
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U12 Medium - Maddie Dadds, from Dedham, Colchester, and Brio.
The team's success highlights the strength of the YRKC agility programme, which supports young agility handlers to develop the skills and experience needed to compete at the highest international level.
Supporting the team were Greg Derrett (Team Manager), Lee Gibson (Junior Team Assistant Manager), Ann Roberts (Safeguarding and Support Officer), Vicky Fraser (Team Vet), Tina Davies (Results Analyst).
Agility Team GB Manager, Greg Derrett, said: "It has been a pleasure to manage the 2026 Junior Agility Team GB. The fantastic cohesion within the squad created a very supportive atmosphere, which went a long way towards our success at the event. Winning two team medals and two individual medals is a fantastic accomplishment and demonstrates the depth of talent within our junior handlers.
"This year's squad included many handlers earning their first Team GB caps, and I am excited to see what this group can go on to achieve over the next few years. This year also saw another group age out of the junior team, and watching two of them who have been part of the squad throughout the five years I have been Team Manager leave as world champions was a particularly satisfying and proud moment.”
YRKC Agility Team GB is sponsored by Antinol, DogSports Derby and Galican. Elise Finney, Canine Community and Partnerships Coordinator for Antinol UK, said: "It has been a privilege to support the dogs representing Team GB at the Junior Agility Open World Championships this year. Their teamwork and dedication have been evident both in the lead-up to and throughout the competition.
"On behalf of everyone at Antinol UK, we congratulate each competitor on everything they have achieved and on the commitment they have shown throughout their journey. It has been a privilege to see them shine at the championships, and the future of agility looks extremely bright."