The world’s largest international dog agility festival is returning to the Midlands next month, from 10 – 13 August 2023.
The Kennel Club International Agility Festival, supported by Skinner’s, will see thousands of dogs and owners, from the UK and abroad, competing across four days at Rutland Showground.
The Kennel Club invited dogs of any size, shape and breed to enter the range of agility classes earlier in the year, and now nearly 3,000 handlers and their dogs, from 12 countries, will put their best paw forward at the renowned agility competition. The festival will see competitions across four dog size categories, 18 rings and 200 classes and give competitors and their dogs from all over the world, both novice and professional, a chance to compete.
Whilst entries for competing in the 2023 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: “The International Agility Festival is a real highlight in the events calendar that brings together those new to agility and those who have been competing for years! There is always a buzzing atmosphere both in and out of the competition rings as the agility community reunites to cheer each other on.
“We are grateful to Rutland Showground and the local residents for welcoming everyone back to the area again.”
Peak traffic times around the International Agility Festival are expected to be on Wednesday 9 August as competitors arrive for the event. There are no plans for temporary road closures or traffic diversions around the event, however, drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys as roads around the Showground will be busier at these peak times.
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
