A local team of four dogs and their owners are celebrating their success at the world-renowned Kennel Club International Agility Festival.

Bristol and Bath Agility (ABC BABA) took first place in the Intermediate Kennel Club Team Final on Friday, 10th August 2023.

The winning team members and reserves were:

Katherine Hills, team captain, who has been competing in agility for 18 months, said of their achievement: “It was my second time competing for Bristol and Bath Agility club in The Kennel Club International Agility Festival Team Finals. We retained the title we won last year and once again were the only team in our height to all go clear.

“Unfortunately Ellie Buffett and Captain Crazy Won the Raffle were unable to compete so our reserve, Laura Brenchley and Ernest (The Flying Carpet), stepped in! Our team is awesome and across two qualifiers and two finals have managed 16 clear runs in the last two years – I’m super proud! I didn’t think we could top last year’s win and then we did exactly that!”

The action-packed four-day festival, which is supported by Skinner’s, welcomed dogs of every size, shape and breed. Skilled competitors from all over the UK and abroad entered the rings to navigate the jumps, weaves and tunnels.

Ben Skinner, of Skinner’s, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and competitors of The Kennel Club International Agility Festival. It is wonderful to see everyone enjoying competing at the festival again this year – we are always proud to sponsor this incredible event.

“It is inspiring to see the dedication and skill displayed by all the competitors and their dogs. Everyone who has taken part should be very proud of their achievements in the ring.”

Catherine Guiver, Head of Events at The Kennel Club, said: “Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s International Agility Festival! We look forward to seeing many of them return to future agility competitions!

“And well done to all the dogs and handlers that have competed and shown great skill and confidence in the rings over the last four days.”

More information about The Kennel Club International Agility Festival and results from the event can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/IAF. For those interested in getting started in agility with their dog, a specially-made video can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/newtoagility.