Introduction

GWF Nutrition has added its support to one of the most important showcase events for dog agility in the UK - The Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes.  This exciting collaboration between the Kennel Club and the manufacturer of the successful Joint Aid for Dogs product will ensure this event continues to remain a top class competition. The country’s most talented agility dogs and handlers vie with each other in qualifying heats at agility shows across the country throughout the season to gain a coveted invitation to compete at the Olympia final.

GWF Nutrition’s Marketing Director, Simon Vowles, says: “We are delighted to be working alongside the Kennel Club on this prestigious event.  The success of Joint Aid for Dogs over the past few years has been astounding, and with so many of our customers already using it on their working and competition dogs with great success, the opportunity to become involved with the Olympia Agility Stakes provides the perfect complement to our product.”

The reason for the Olympia International’s popularity is because of its unique blend of top class competition and amazing displays mixed with its very special Christmas atmosphere.  The crowd is enthralled and entertained by a wide range of activities, from displays by the Household Cavalry to Shetland Pony Racing.  Dog agility started at Olympia in 1979, just one year after its introduction at Crufts.  In the early days it was definitely seen as being a bit of fun and something different to amuse the audience but it has now evolved into a top class Agility competition, encompassing five separate finals, with the UK’s most skilled handlers and dogs qualifying and competing each year.  In fact, the dog agility finals now vie with the main show jumping class as the most memorable part of each performance, according to audience exit polls.

Olympia features a separate agility final on each of its five days, offering handlers the chance to compete in front of an audience of ten thousand noisy supporters: 

• KC Olympia Medium Agility Stakes - for medium dogs

• KC Olympia Small Agility Stakes - for small dogs

• KC Olympia Large Agility Stakes - for large dogs competing at grades 6-7

• KC Olympia Novice Agility Stakes - for large dogs competing at grades 3-5

• KC Olympia ABC Stakes- for large dogs other than Border Collies and Working Sheepdogs (Anything But Collies)

This new association will be launched officially at DFS Crufts on Thursday 11^th March from the GWF Nutrition stand (126) in Hall 5.  All agility enthusiasts are invited to come along to the stand to find out more about this initiative. GWF Nutrition believes that Joint Aid for Dogs is the perfect partner for canine agility athletes and will be distributing a free sample to every entrant in all the heats at selected qualifying shows for this competition across the country.

Agility was first introduced to the UK at Crufts 1978 and the structure of the competition has not fundamentally changed very much over the years, although the dog and jump height are now in line with all other European Countries. Many people think that Agility is the most enjoyable of all the canine sports for both dogs and humans.

It is fast, furious and a great favourite with competitors and spectators alike. Your dog does not have to be a pedigree, or pure-bred dog to take part, but it must be registered with the Kennel Club on either the Breed Register or the Activity Register for the non pedigree dogs. There is no set answer as to which breeds of dog are considered suitable for Agility. Any dog of sufficient size and fitness can take part, and you will see from watching the various Agility competitions at Crufts that there is a wide variety of breeds competing, each with their differing builds and sizes.

Agility is a comparatively new form of dog competition, where the animal's fitness and the handler's ability to train and direct the dog over and through certain obstacles are tested. It is the fastest growing dog sport in the world and in the UK alone there are some 20,000 competitors. There are over 300 licensed Agility Shows held annually in the UK, a 42% rise since 1997, not to mention the numerous special sponsored events which take place nationwide. The developed markets of Western Europe, USA, Japan, Australia and South Africa all have high numbers of Agility competitors. Involvement from Eastern Europe, Russia, industrialised South America and Asia is growing, linked with rising affluence and increased leisure time.

There are three height categories for dogs, Small, Medium and Large. There are 20 obstacles allowed under Kennel Club Regulations, ranging from a straightforward hurdle to a long jump, tunnels, weaving poles, an "A" ramp and a see saw. Whilst the basis of the sport is jumping hurdles no higher than 650mm (2ft. 1.6ins) lower for the small and medium dogs, the full set of Kennel Club approved equipment requires the dog to be agile in various ways.

Agility competitions are run against the clock to ensure that handlers do not take their dogs round the course at a walking pace in the hope of ensuring a clear round. The setting of a reasonable course time, together with the careful design of the course, allows the dog and handler to show their skill at control and speed, its not just a race against the clock.

Large Agility Stakes

There is now dog Agility at almost every performance and the main competition has remained the Kennel Club Agility Stakes Finals. Fourteen heats are held for this competition countrywide with up to 500 dogs competing in each heat. The top five dogs from each of these heats are invited to compete in one of two semi-finals. From the dogs competing in each of these semi-finals, the top thirty five are then invited forward to compete in a Semi Final at Olympia. From this 35 dog Olympia Semi Final, the top ten are invited to go forward to the Grand Evening Final in the Main Ring.

Small Agility Stakes

The Kennel Club Small Agility Stakes started at Olympia in 1987. To qualify for this final, handlers have to achieve a first or second place in one of the eleven heats held countrywide and all the dogs that compete in these heats (and there can be up to 250 minis in each one) have to measure less than 13.75 inches to the shoulders/withers. These first two dogs from each heat are invited forward to a Semi Final held at the City of Birmingham Championship held at Birmingham in September. The first ten dogs from this 22 dog Semi Final are then invited to compete in the Grand Final at Olympia on the Friday evening of the show.

ABC Agility Final

The Kennel Club ABC Agility Final has proved to be another very popular event at Olympia. The ABC in the title stands for ‘Anything But a Collie’. As Agility in the UK has become dominated by Collies due to their intelligence, speed, athletic build and receptiveness to training, the need arose for a competition that would showcase all the other breeds.  These first two dogs from each heat are invited forward to a Semi Final held at the City of Birmingham Championship held at Birmingham in September. The first ten dogs from this 32 dog Semi Final are then invited to compete in the Grand Final.

Novice Agility Stakes

The Kennel Club Novice Agility Final is a recent addition to reflect the growing numbers of new beginners in the sport and is open to the large dog section.  These first three dogs from each of the 15 heats are invited forward to a Semi Final held at the City of Birmingham Championship held at Birmingham in September, It is quite usual to have up to 900 dogs entered in some heats and hence the top three from each of these split classes would then qualify for the Semi Final, The first thirty five dogs from this Semi Final are then invited to compete in the Grand Final.

Medium Agility

The final event at Olympia is The Kennel Club Medium Agility Final this is another recent addition to reflect the growing popularity of the smaller breeds and is open to dogs that measure between 13.75 inches and 17inches to the shoulders/withers.  These first two dogs from each of the 18 heats are invited forward to a Semi Final held at the City of Birmingham Championship held at Birmingham in September, The first thirty five dogs from this Semi Final are then invited to compete in the Grand Final at Olympia All dog Agility handlers who compete at Olympia are also invited to compete in one of the other events held at Olympia within the matinee performance which could be Pairs Relay, Speed Jumping or Knock Outs.

If you require further information on the Kennel Club Olympia Agility Stakes in association with Joint Aid for Dogs, please contact:

Katie Roebuck (PR Manager)

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