Moira National Game and Country Sports Fair 2005

K9Agility club,  once again ran the Agility event at Moria Fair and are proud to be associated with the organisation who run the whole Fair for charity, for a second year.

Last year, 2004, we ran a demo at the show, it was well received, so this year, in a moments madness [or too much wine] we decided to run it as a competition.  We  laid on food and beverages for everyone last year and wanted to do the same again this year  as we don't think its fair that you pay captive market food prices at this type of event, or any other and wanted to raise the general standards at shows.

Luckily, there were other shows that week-end, so  Southern exhibitors came up on the Saturday, and went to Arklow on Sunday, the some Northern exhibitors went to Ballymena on the Friday, Carrowdore on the Saturday and came to us on Sunday. Luckily we had anticipated tired dogs, people and the need for legitimate training in the ring after only competition rounds and put on the right type of classes to enable this to happen, like Time Fault and Out, instead of allowing some to abuse their dogs, the judges and other competitors time.

The weather on Saturday was terrible, most of the day was spent holding down the marquee,  Sunday we spent our time, keeping out of the sun, well it is Northern Ireland after all.

Frank Leonard [the 1 armed bandit] was our judge on Saturday, and did an excellent job, even walking the courses with his "pupils" and telling them how to run it. As that didn't work, he gave up and let them run it themselves [they did better after that]. Because of the conditions, Frank and the competitors agreed not put the fences above midi height all day, this gave retired dogs,  a chance to play and all enjoyed.

Saturday, everyone enjoyed themselves, all staying in the marquee,  just to get out of the rain and wind. Jesus [JC] did a great job cooking all the burgers and sausages for everyone on both days, I think this was the only food I had all day, he also does a mean breakfast.

On Sunday we had a doubly nervous judge in Jackie Boyd, it was her first judging appointment in the North, soon to be repeated, and she had a possibly pregnant dog at home, unfortunately no pups this time.  She did a great job sometimes changing her courses to suit the bumpy ground and make it more flowing. Again everyone seemed to enjoy the day. I spent most of my time doing the results so missed most of the fun, Frank ran JD, saying he needed the practice for running Molly.

Trying to work out Best In Show was a nightmare, and surprised handlers found they had qualified as runner-ups after the winning dog had already qualified in a previous class.

Congratulations to JR and Sophie, toasted with champagne by all, who won the unique K9ARC slate clock sponsored perpetual Agility's 1st Best in Show trophy, a deserved winner, who was very consistent throughout the whole weekend.

See the agility club site www.k9agility.info for results.

Belfast Championship Show

23/24 September 2005

This show ran over the 2 days, everyone "allowed" to go enjoyed themselves, lots over from the mainland, and it was Raymond Workman & Tess who took Best In Show Agility.

Jackie Boyd & Brenda Tenten pictured here with Raymond Workman & Tess after winning.

K9ARC sponsored Best In Show at Belfast Ch. Show

Our Best In Show winner is a case of triumph over adversity in that Tess was diagnosed with cancer at the start of this year, 2005, and has had a section of her lower jaw removed, just goes to prove "you can't keep a good dog down".

See the agility club site www.k9agility.info for results.

The next K9ARC Agility Show & Best in Show Trophy will be Belfast 2006