Young agility handlers and dogs secure success in Belgium

The Young Kennel Club (YKC) Agility Team GB are celebrating a successful weekend, after winning one gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the Junior Open Agility World Championships, which were held at Sentower Park, Belgium between 19-21 July.

Leading the accolades was 16-year-old Mia Steedman, from Doncaster, and her Border Collie, Lorramia English Rose (Rosie) who retained their gold medal from the 2023 Championships, to be awarded again as the World Champion in the Under 19 Intermediate Individual competition.

Further medals were won in the following competitions:

Silver

• 13-year-old Isabella Twigg, from Reading, Berkshire, and her crossbreed, Roo Star of Ainmhithe (Roo) in the Under 15 Large Individual competition  
• Large GB Yellow Team, comprised of:
  • 10-year-old Jessica Keegans, from North Lincolnshire and her Labrador Retriever, Cardueae Veroni Of Vogelaar (Clover)
  • 15-year-old Olivia White, Doncaster, and her Border Collie, Isilme Mocha Monkey (Mocha)
  • 17-year old Max Glover, from Market Drayton, Shropshire, and his Border Collie, Soldaze One Summer Dream (Pink)
  • 17-year-old Rebecca Chuter-Smith, from Hampshire and her Working Sheepdog Lookylooky Just Do It (Nike)

Bronze

• 17-year old Max Glover, from Market Drayton, Shropshire, and his Border Collie, Soldaze One Summer Dream (Pink) in the Under 19 Large Individual competition
• 11-year-old Isabella Taylor, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, and her Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Javawolf Right Kind of Wrong (Hatti) in the Under 12 Small Individual competition
• Medium GB Blue Team, comprised of:
  • 17-year-old Amy Langman, from Leicester, and her Cocker Spaniel, Done And Busted (Buster)
  • 18-year-old Demi Wright, from Great Melton, Norfolk, and Shetland Sheepdog, Magic Dream Charmer At Magilitas (GT)
  • 17-year old Max Glover, from Market Drayton, Shropshire, and his crossbreed Maximus Silvestris (Woody)
  • 16-year-old Taylor Lyon, from Northampton, and her Working Cocker Spaniel Rohamki Taylor Made (Elliott)

The team also achieved nine class podiums, and the full results can be found by visiting joawc2024agility.be.

YKC Agility Team GB is sponsored by The Kennel Club, Natural Instinct, SWAG K9, Dog Sports Derby and Galican. The coaching team consisted of Greg Derrett (Team Manager), Anthony Clarke (Team Coach), Victoria Fraser (Team Vet), Ann Roberts (Safeguarding and Support Officer), and Tina Davies (Results Analyst). 

Agility Team GB Manager, Greg Derrett, said of the team’s achievement: “2024 has been a fantastic year for the Junior team and I am exceptionally proud of the team as a whole. The medal tally is a real testament to their dedication and cohesion as a team.

“I am excited to see what this group can go on to achieve not only in next year’s Junior World Championships, but also as they progress into the adult teams.”

Phil Keen, Managing Director of Natural Instinct, sponsor of YKC Agility Team GB, said: “Natural Instinct are proud to sponsor YKC Agility Team GB and we congratulate the team on their fantastic success at the Junior Open Agility World Championships this weekend. We are extremely proud of all those who competed. Well done to all!”

Daniel Millwood, owner of SWAG K9 said: “It was great to see all the amazing results coming in over the weekend , the Junior Agility Team GB handlers really showed the world what they can do. Well done to all of you for your hard work.”

Further details on the YKC Agility Team GB can be found by visiting thekennelclub.org.uk/agilityteamgb and full results from the Junior Open Agility World Championship can be found by visiting joawc2024agility.be

Parents of young dog lovers (aged between 6-24) who may be interested in becoming a member of the Young Kennel Club should visit thekennelclub.org.uk/ykc for more