Agility at Westminster: A Whole New World

by Joan Harrigan

The set-up was familiar to anyone who attended Westminster’s daytime competition at the Piers last year.  The benches were up, minus the breed labels.  However, the crates were largely collapsible canvas, rather than the solid metal shipping crates that are a hallmark of the conformation world.  There were only two enormous rings—each filled with a maze of agility equipment.  There were no professional handlers—just enthusiastic owner-handlers, many of whom sported long-sleeved black T-shirts provided by Purina to commemorate Westminster’s inaugural performance event, the Masters Agility Championship.

Soshana Dos of Bridgeport, Conn. prepared to show her Border Collie Hob Nob Made You Look MX, MXJ in the 16-inch class.  A former project manager and technical writer for Pfizer, Dos says that after a decade of competition, agility has taken over her life.  Two years ago, she left her career to become a full-time agility instructor at three dog training.

Entry at this trial was limited to 225, with spots awarded by lottery.  “I heard that there were more than double that amount of entries,” Dos said.  “I was so pleased to get in.”  Two classes were offered—Standard Agility and Jumpers with Weaves. Only the top 10 from each jump size classification would make it to the finals Saturday evening.  To be assured of a place in the finals, a team must place in the top three of their height class based on the combined scores of two runs.

The remaining spots would be awarded based on combined scores and breed—assuring that the spots would be filled by seven different breeds.  Border Collies are popular and highly competitive in agility—so competition would be tough.  One place in each finals class would be reserved for an AKC Canine Partner^SM—a mixed breed, or “All American Dog.”

“This is more of a showcase for the sport of agility,” Dos explained.  “You can earn legs toward a title, but it isn’t set up like a regular trial.”

Spectators looking for a catalog were provided with a pamphlet listing the owner’s name and the dog’s call name and breed.  Trial officials explained that the agility entries would be included in the same catalog as the conformation show, which could not be released until Monday.

Perhaps not surprisingly, a Border Collie took the top honors.  Seven-year-old Kelso is owned by Delaney Ratner, a student at the University of Massachusetts—Amherst, and the daughter of agility instructor Cindy Ratner of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.  On her blog, “Pointy Red Dog,” Delaney Ratner calls Kelso (who lives at college with her) her “best friend.”  He was her first dog—Ratner was only 16 when his breeders, Jen and Bill Pinder gave her the three-and-a-half year old Bo-Tyne Red Light District, then called Stripper.  Since then, the pair have racked up an impressive list of titles and accomplishments, including a national championship and two alternate spots on the world team.  They can now add making Westminster history to the list.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Feb 9 2014. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.