Kennel Club International Agility Festival returns
The Kennel Club International Agility Festival will return to Rutland Showground next month, for a fourth consecutive year. Held from 8-11 August 2024, thousands of dogs and owners, from the UK and abroad, will compete across all four days of the festival, which is supported by Skinner's.
The Kennel Club will be welcoming dogs of any size, shape and breed to compete, with more than 2,000 handlers and their dogs, from 14 countries, ready to put their best paw forward at the renowned agility competition. The festival will see competitions across four dog size categories (small, medium, intermediate and large), 18 rings and 200 classes, giving competitors and their dogs from all over the world, both novice and professional, a chance to compete.
Whilst entries for competing in the 2024 International Agility Festival have now closed, spectators, and their dogs, are still encouraged to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the world-class displays of this skilled and competitive discipline for free, with no advanced booking required.
Catherine Guiver, Head of Events at The Kennel Club said: "We are delighted to be welcoming competitors from all over the world, to the International Agility Festival. Whether you are just starting out in agility, or a seasoned professional, there is a competition for everyone, with a fantastic atmosphere both in and out of the competition rings.
"We would like to thank Skinner's for their ongoing support, as well as Rutland Showground for hosting this event for a fourth year, and of course the local residents for welcoming everyone back to the area."
Peak traffic times around the International Agility Festival are expected to be on Wednesday 7 August as competitors arrive for the event. There are planned diversion routes affecting traffic from the North A46 and Nottingham heading south to Oakham, as well as traffic from the South heading North, and traffic from Melton Mowbray. There is also a partial closure of the A606 Burton Road, but the A606 Nottingham Road in and out of Melton Mowbray will remain open to the north. Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys as roads around the Showground will be busier during these peak times. More details on local road closures can be found by visiting leicestershire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel.
More information about The Kennel Club International Agility Festival can be found at: thekennelclub.org.uk/iaf or via The Kennel Club's dedicated Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/agility.news.thekennelclubuk/. For spectators interested in attending, no advance booking is required, though a small £5 parking fee will need to be paid on arrival, and visiting dogs will need to be signed in on the day.
A specially-made video for owners interested in getting started in agility with their dog can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/newtoagility.
