Last updated 02/10/05

    Elbereth Taika A.W.   

action photos by Star Shotz Studio FX at www.studiofx.co.uk

Another landmark for the Lapphunds by Magic – Elbereth Taika AW

The inaugural Kennel Club International Agility Festival took place on the weekend of 13/ 14^th August 2005 at the east of England Showground, Peterborough . The KC must be praised for the innovation of holding international classes for three grades of competitors from all the height divisions; starter, novice and senior at standard, midi and mini heights.

Magic, being a senior competitor, competed on the Saturday for the KC British Cup – open for all senior and advanced dogs – in the midi height that was over two rounds, one for agility and another for jumping. The agility was first and the Belgium judge – Emile Vervoort – set a very challenging course requiring handler and dog to work closely together. Very few dogs went clear, one of them being Magic who did pick up a time fault of 0.01 seconds !

The jumping course was just as challenging, clearly demonstrating a European influence. Again Magic went clear but collected 4 time faults. Only the top six dogs, from their combined scores, would be selected for the Sunday Final. When the results were posted their were two dogs tying for sixth place but the better agility score would go through and that was Magic’s !

Being in 6^th position Magic was to go first in both the agility and jumping final. The Belgium judge set a pair of challenging courses and I set out to complete two sets of clear rounds, knowing that the other dogs would have to beat the time we set to finish above us. We managed exactly that with another two clear rounds and Magic finishing in a creditable 4^th place in the first KC British Cup.

I did not think the weekend could get any better but their was an international match to follow for senior dogs – the K C Nations Cup. England fielded two teams of three, England A and England B, to compete against Scotland , Holland and Ireland . Magic’s success in the previous competition earned her a place in the England B Team.

The Belgium judge employed his wily skills again to build an agility and jumping course that would test us all and defeat many. The jumping was first with Magic again going clear but my two team mates collected 25 faults between them, placing us in overall 3^rd place at the halfway stage, with the agility round to go.

Agility was next and Magic went clear, as did my two other teammates for England B. This resulted in a tense wait for the results but we were elated when it was announced that England B had beaten England A, finishing in second place behind Scotland .

What a weekend:-        4^th in the Kennel Club British Open ( Midi )

                                    2^nd (representing England ) in the Kennel Club Nations Cup ( Midi )

Another landmark for the Lapphund.

 From Keith Powell