founded
1973
2005
AGILITY SHOW
Following on from
the success of last year's agility show the EA Committee decided to run another
agility show, limited to Staffords, in conjunction with their autumn Open Breed
Show. Obviously a lot of hard work involved, running one show at a time is hard
enough! However, the day arrived, opening weather was a bit off-putting -
drizzle and chilly, but it soon perked up and the sun shone through. IN
FACT it was a day for weather as you will see later.........
Unfortunately due
to the new Kennel Club ruling about measuring for agility dogs which has only
just come into force, a number of last year's competitors just couldn't get the
measuring done in time and were unable to join us this year. Nevertheless
a band of stalwarts turned out and along with lots of help from others we had a
great day. At this point I must mention Alan and Janet Humphries who were
our judges at last years show - for reasons known only to themselves they
decided to join us again and we welcomed them with open arms to act as
timekeeper and scribe. Ray Amps and his lovely wife provided the agility
equipment and helped throughout the day with setting up/taking down. Our
judge this year was Helen Sargent - Helen managed to set challenging courses
and really put our guys through their paces. We also have to thank a
number of the open show exhibitors who came out to help us with shifting the
equipment - cheers guys!
We held four
classes, as last year. As the Open Show was running at the same time in
the main hall we had plenty of spectators coming out to the field for a
look-see. I think the dogs probably surprised a good few of them with
their speed and accuracy. It was lovely to have some folk also asking
about how to go about training their dogs in agility - maybe not the right
sport for every Stafford, but certainly for those that can a great way for
handler and dog to enjoy each other's company. In between the last two
classes as the equipment was being set up we suddenly noticed the wind pick up
the barrier fencing that we had around the ring area, began doing a 'Mexican Wave'.
Before anyone could do anything about it a kind of mini-whirlwind whipped up ,
turning over the main table that was decked out with all the rosettes and the
show paperwork. The next thing we knew there was a dog box tumbling over
and over across the field, the paperwork had been sucked up into the 'eye' of
the whirlwind, and so too was the gazebo that had been there, up, up and
away.............................................the last we saw of the papers
and gazebo they were flying high above the tall trees behind the village hall,
heading towards Ipswich!!!! If anyone has any reports of a gazebo landing
in a garden somewhere in Suffolk, please let us know so we can get it back
LOL!!! Our friendly photographer has a pic of the gazebo heading east -
hopefully I will be able to put it on the site before too long for your
amusement!
As the paperwork
disappeared in the 'eye of the storm' I'm afraid except for the last class we
only have brief results as the times etc., were all whisked away before our
very eyes.
AGILITY
1st Ian
Mitchell with Tiller (Crossguns Thong Song)
2nd Avril James with Saffie
(Sparkling Brass Lass)
3rd Wendy Clewley with Katie
(Araidh Kiss of Life)
JUMPING
1st Ian Mitchell with Tiller
(Crossguns Thong Song) clear round 24.93 seconds
2nd Wendy Clewley with Tammy
(Araidh Sweetest Taboo) clear round 27.93 seconds
3rd Avril James with Saffie
(Sparkling Brass Lass) clear round 31.60 seconds
Jo Ann Essex with Suggs (Javawolf Red Bull) clear
round 39.02 seconds
Wendy Clewley with Katie (Araidh Kiss of
Life) clear round 47.01 seconds
Emma with Xena (Aillead Under a Spell) 10
faults 37.11 seconds
HELTER SKELTER
1st Ian Mitchell with Tiller
(Crossguns Thong Song)
2nd Avril
James with Saffie (Sparkling Brass Lass)
3rd Wendy Clewley
with Katie (Araidh Kiss of Life)
POWER/SPEED
1st Ian Mitchell with Marina
(Solentstaff Lolas Glory) clear round - 14.63 seconds
2nd Avril James with Saffie
(Sparkling Brass Lass) clear round 18.17 seconds
3rd Jo Ann Essex with Suggs
(Javawolf Red Bull) clear round 21.44 seconds
Wendy Clewley with Katie (Araidh Kiss of
Life) clear round 26.63 seconds
Wendy Clewley with Tammy (Araidh Sweetest Taboo) 5
faults 16.19 seconds
ONCE AGAIN - HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART!
2004 AGILITY SHOW
The East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club
held a KC licensed agility show - the first ever of its kind, limited to the
SBT breed only - at the Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre, Peterborough on
Saturday 9th October.
Fortunately the weather was kind, if a bit chilly later in the afternoon, but for competitors and spectators alike it was a bright and dry day. With an entry of over twenty Staffords, the four classes, consisting of agility, helter skelter, jumping and power/speed class were judged by Janet and Alan Humphreys.
Entrants came from far and wide with the winner of two of the classes having travelled from Morecambe in the North West and others having come from as far afield as Kent, Wiltshire and Wales! Spectators had also travelled from great distances, as far as Leeds and even Scotland but went home thrilled with the sight of these canine bullets 'doing their thing'.
The dogs were superb, showing their true
Stafford nature in playing the clown and acting for the audience, where a
special mention must be made of 'Charles of Stibbington' (Charlie) who stole
the audience hearts with his antics and Meg (Boadicea Herself) who at twelve
years old showed that age is no deterrent to a Stafford enjoying agility!
The serious agility competitors showed the
breed's intelligence and athleticism to its utmost, covering the courses with
precision and speed. At the end of a very exciting day everyone went home
fired with enthusiasm. Alongside the groundbreaking agility show the Club
also ran a KC assessment session with Christina Chapman; all participants
passed and then enjoyed the sights of the day.
Thanks must go to the very willing
extra pairs of hands that made the day run so well as well as to the devotees
who travelled to ensure that this piece of history took place. 
It may have been the first Stafford agility show - hopefully it won't be the last!
MAIN CLASS WINNERS & TIMES
Class 1 - MINI/MIDI AGILITY (Course time set: 55 seconds)
The course includes all the equipment, including contact equipment, eg. dog walk, 'A' frame and see-saw. The course should be negotiate in a set time, with faults incurred for dogs that do not touch the contacts (marked in different colours on the equipment).
1st - MARIZ ROYAL GUARDSMAN - 26.93 (clear)
2nd - BALDRICK DOT COM - 3.84 (clear)
3rd - CROSSGUNS THONG SONG - 28.56 (5 faults)
SPARKLING BRASS LASS - 34.94 (5 faults)
DAYDREAM BELIEVER - 36.79 (5 faults)
SKIPPER JACKSON MITCHELL - 33.95sec (20 faults)
Class 2 - MINI/MIDI HELTER SKELTER (Course time set: 50 seconds)
This course is similar to a jumping course (i.e. without any contact equipment) but is designed usually in ever increasing or decreasing circles.
1st - CROSSGUNS THONG SONG - 23.19 (clear)
2nd - SPARKLING BRASS LASS - 27.69 (clear)
3rd - DAYDREAM BELIEVER - 28.60 (clear)
ARAIDH SWEETEST TABOO - 26.97 (5 faults)
MARIZ ROYAL GUARDSMAN - 28.13 (5 faults)
ARAIDH KISS OF LIFE - 42.47 (5 faults)
Class 3 - MINI/MIDI JUMPING
This course has approximately 20 pieces of equipment e.g jumps, weaves, tyre and both types of tunnel, but excludes any contact equipment. The course negotiated in a set time and the fastest clear round wins.
1st -MARIZ ROYAL GUARDSMAN - 28.75 (clear)
2nd - DAYDREAM BELIEVER - 29.90 (clear)
3rd - ARAIDH SWEETEST TABOO - 30.01 (clear)
SPARKLING BRASS LASS - 30.32 (clear)
CROSSGUNS THONG SONG - 30.53 (clear)
ROOSEVELTS FIRSTGUARD - 30.66 (clear)
BALDRICK DOT COM - 32.47 (clear)
KING KENYATTA - 39.71 (clear)
ARAIDH KISS OF LIFE - 47.66 (5 faults)
Class 4 - MINI/MIDI POWER & SPEED
This is a course of two halves! The power section which is first, contains all the contact equipment, a long jump, spread jump and weaves. IF the competitor completes this section without any faults, the handler and dog then progresses to the speed section which is a jumping course. The fastest dog clear in this section is the winner.
1st -ARAIDH SWEETEST TABOO - 13.78 (clear)
2nd - MARIZ ROYAL GUARDSMAN - 15.62 (clear)
3rd - KING KENYATTA - 20.62 (clear)
BALDRICK DOT COM - 16.84 (5 faults)
THANKS TO ALL FOR MAKING IT SUCH A GREAT DAY FOR STAFFORDS!