Senior Agility Team GB secure medals at the first Senior Open Agility World Championships

The Kennel Club would like to congratulate Senior Agility Team GB on their success at the first Senior Open Agility World Championships in Opglabbeek, Belgium this weekend (19 – 21 July), which took place alongside the Junior Open Agility World Championships.

The Senior Agility Team GB competed over three days at the Championships, with handlers and their dogs showing an impressive level of skills across both team and individual competitions where they won a total of three overall medals.

Jason Smawfield-Huby, from Weel, East Riding of Yorkshire, also made history by becoming the first ever Over 55 World Champion in the Small category.

Medals were won in the following competitions: 

Gold medals:

• Jason Smawfield-Huby, from Weel, East Riding of Yorkshire, with his Miniature Poodle Cotton Candy Sunshine (Hope) in the Over 55 Combined (Agility/Jumping) - Small competition

Silver medals:

• Alayne Lamerton, from Ringwood, Hampshire, with her Border Collie Fandabidozi Arise Sir Wish (Swish) in the Over 65 Combined (Agility/Jumping) – Large competition

Bronze medals:

• Alan Bray, from Milton Keynes, with his Border Collie Ag Ch Devongem Blade Runner at Upanovatigers (Ticket) in the Over 65 Combined (Jumping/Agility) – Large competition

There was also further success for the team, with the following placings in individual competitions:

First place:

• Alan Bray, from Milton Keynes, with his Border Collie Ag Ch Devongem Blade Runner at Upanovatigers (Ticket) in the Over 65 Agility – Large competition

Second place:

• Steven Seale, from Leicester, with his Border Collie Devongem Try Fleck (Flec) in the Over 65 Agility – Intermediate competition
• GB Don't Stop Me Now in the Senior Team Jumping – Small competition, consisting of:
  • Marc Wingate-Wynne, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire, with his Shetland Sheepdog, Ag Ch Obay Thatz Entertainment (Snazzy)
  • Jason Smawfield-Huby, from Weel, East Riding of Yorkshire and his Miniature Poodle, Cotton Candy Sunshine (Hope)
  • John Clayton, from Alfreton, Derbyshire and his Parson Russell Terrier, Pacolito Takes Two (Elsie)
  • Alan Bray, from Milton Keynes and his Working Cocker Spaniel, Ag Ch Devongem Fire Starter At Upanovatigers (Ticita)

Third place:

• Alan Wildman, from Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, with his Border Collie Ag Ch Chikaramor Kynda Amazyng (Zyng) in the Over 55 Agility – Intermediate competition
• Alayne Lamerton, from Ringwood, Hampshire, with her Border Collie Fandabidozi Arise Sir Wish (Swish) in the Over 65 Jumping – Large competition

Fourth place:

• Bill Chaffe, from Horley, Surrey, with his Crossbreed dog Denizon Doris (Dorris) in the Over 65 Combined (Jumping/Agility) – Medium competition
• Alayne Lamerton, from Ringwood, Hampshire, with her Border Collie Fandabidozi Star Light (Dust) in the Over 65 Jumping – Medium competition

Senior Agility Team GB Manager, Jackie Gardner commented: "It has been an honour and a privilege to be Team Manager for the first ever GB Senior Open Agility World Championships team. We did not have a lot of time to get everything organised, but with the support of our sponsors and my support team of Lisa Harvey, Susannah Chalmers, Bernadette Bay, Carole Stapley and Alison Gayton we made history, and I think we have proved that our GB Seniors are amazing world-class competitors, who are looking forward to taking on the world again next year in Abrante, Portugal.

"To all of my GB SOAWC team, you are all amazing."

In addition to being supported by The Kennel Club, Senior Agility Team GB is also kindly sponsored by Dog Sports Derby, Galican UK, Agility Plaza, Norton Rosettes Paws Trading, Crystal Vision, MPH Sports, Better Dog, Dog Box UK and Weslo Agility Academy.

Further information on the Senior Open Agility World Championships and results are available at: joawc2024agility.be/soawc/

The Kennel Club website has further information about getting started in agility: thekennelclub.org.uk/agility.