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World Agility Open Championship 2014 in Italy
The World Agility Open Championships (WAO) took place in Lignano Sabbiadoro, in Italy this year, competing against some of the best dogs & handlers from varies countries around the world including ourselves, and England were delighted to come away with Individual Gold Medal by Karen Marriott, Pentathlon Silver Medal by Jess Clarehugh, Individual Bronze Medal by Sean Hunt and Silver in the Team event for England!
Karen Marriott and Puzzle on their journey to gold, in the Biathlon agility event becoming World Champion!
We were very proud that our own Agility World Member, Amy Lawson, was on the England squad in the 400 height, with Ag CH Millieon to One, better known to us as Fudge.
Amy Lawson & Fudge WAO Journey
WAO 2014 Italy is one of the best world events I’ve been lucky enough to compete at. From a competitor’s point of view the organisation from Greg, Monica, all the people behind the scenes and the superb ring party kept everything running smoothly and mostly on time, making it easy for us as competitors to know where we needed to be at what time without the danger of missing a course walk or missing a run.
It was of course, helped by an amazing venue, running surface, sun, private beach, fab team mates and management and of course (in my opinion!) the best dog in the world, Miss Fudge.
Sunday 11th May
Our journey started with a civilised 9.00am Eurotunnel. We had stayed in Folkestone the night before, so after a relaxed morning, we made our way down to Munich, arriving in Germany early in the evening.
Monday 12th May
We travelled to Italy through Austria, through beautiful scenery, arriving at the venue just after lunch time. We were the first of Team England to arrive, so we took the dogs for a short walk along the beach.
The contrast in heat from a few hours earlier in Austria was incredible. We got the dogs settled in the room; we were fortunate enough to have a balcony so the room stayed nice and cool and we never had to worry about the dogs getting too hot in there.
We met up with a couple of others from Team England who arrived shortly after us and did when the Brits do best…found the bar and waited for the rest to arrive.
Tuesday 13th May
Tuesday was a complete rest day. Other members from Team England took the day to visit Venice. However, by 9.00am the sun was already hot so we made the decision to let our dogs have a rest day after all the travelling whilst we went off to the beach.
Whilst a rest day for us, the WAO committee had been working their socks off in 30 degree heat! By the evening all the equipment was in the rings, all the sponsors’ banners were up and it was ready to go…exciting!
Wednesday 14th May
On Wednesday Team England had an hour booked out for training. We were fortunate that we were first on, so we finished before it got too hot. All the dogs looked really good; Fudge was crazy and was loving the new toy we got especially for WAO from Agility World.
These training sessions are not the time to be practicing new things, they are purely to get you and your dogs used the surface, running short sequences, hitting weave entries and being able to finish their turns on landing.
The surface was fab, the 3G Astro was lovely to run on, the dogs found it easy enough and unlike past events I’ve been to, the dogs looked solid on the ground. There was very little, if any slipping, which made running and watching a lot more enjoyable rather than worrying if the dogs are going to injure themselves.
Thursday 15th May
From Thursday the days got full on. Team meeting at 7.00am, check in, where a few of us needed to be measured and then on to vet check which all happened without any problems. Team photos, don’t we all look smart!
Then it was the official team practice, which management told us all very specifically to not overdo it as was very hot by that point. Fudge did a couple of nice easy exercises, a couple of weave entries, a few contacts and that was it, then on to de-brief. The opening ceremony was kept short and sweet and WAO 2014 officially OPEN!
Friday 16th May
On Friday morning the courses were Individual Pentathlon Jumping 1, Snooker and Individual Pentathlon Agility 1, so we had 2 courses to walk first thing.
Individual Jumping 1 was our first run and 400 height were in first. We were ready to go and Fudge was hyped when the judge told us to get out of the ring and relax the dog because the penalty spot on the astro had come loose.
Unfortunately by the time we were on, Fudge had gone a little flat, but we worked through it. Unfortunately we missed the weave entry, which is unlike her in that particular scenario, then she seemed to ‘wrap’ herself around my leg after 16, so we finished our first run on 15 faults.
I came out a little disappointed as last year, having this many faults in the first round meant you didn’t make ‘the cut’ for round 2. However, by the time we got on to Pentathlon Agility 1. it was clear that a very large number of the competitors over all heights got eliminated on that particular course so her 15 faults were not so bad!
Good news to have just before going into Pentathlon Agility 1 when she did a lovely run, unfortunately just knocking the spread, but otherwise paw perfect.
In the afternoon the courses were Team Pentathlon Jumping 1 and 2 and Team Pentathlon Agility 1.
Fudge and I were asked to do one of the Team Pentathlon Jumping runs. I was pleased that it walked a whole lot better than it looked on paper. Our team, Hayley and Barney, Jo and Bitz and myself and Fudge nailed 3/3 clears to get silver in the jumping. A good start!
Team England also got 3/3 clears in the team Pentathlon Agility and just 10 faults in the other jumping.
9 Team runs down and 10 faults, it was looking good!
We then had to wait for the Individual Pentathlon results to see if we made the cut…and we did….easily!
Saturday 17th May
On Saturday morning the courses were Biathlon Jumping, Individual Jumping 2 and Individual Agility 2. So a busy morning for Fudge and I. We had all three courses to walk.
My plan with the Pentathlon runs today was to put in safe clears and hope that was enough to get through to Sundays final. Our first course to run was Pentathlon Agility, and we did just that, a solid safe clear; she is such a good girl!
Our next course to run was Biathlon Jumping. On paper I loved this course – you had to really attack it to get to where you needed to be. She was doing a stunning run until she came out the tunnel at 18 with a slightly vague look. As I tried pushing her down the last line she went past 19 and then 20. So took her back and popped her over the last jump. She had loads of treats and then went to see Emma who was on hand to check her over to make sure she was ok.
There was nothing major, but perhaps just a slight slip in the last tunnel put her off...anyway, my little girl was given the all clear after being checked and that’s all that mattered; so important to have our team chiro and massage therapists with us at big events!
So, on to our last run of the morning, Individual Jumping 2, still with clears in mind, another course I loved on paper. She ran it beautifully and got the clear we needed. Fingers crossed, we got in tomorrow’s final.
Saturday afternoon’s courses were Team Pentathlon 2 and Gamblers.
Team Pentathlon was first up and Fudge again got asked to do the Team. This course was by far the hardest course I’ve ever had the pleasure of running in a team! I really had to control my nerves and nail just one more clear round today!
I have never been so relieved when we crossed that finish line CLEAR! Steven and Libby also went clear and Bridgette and Della just had 5 faults. We jumped from being in 6th place in the teams overall to 2nd overall. We also finished Silver in that event. WOO HOO!
The Gamblers was up next. For those in the games this was their FINAL! Team England had some awesome runs, congrats to Karen Marriott and the phenomenal Puzzle for getting Bronze in the overall.
We also found out later in the evening that Fudge and I had made the final in the Pentathlon, although the faults in the first rounds cost us from being in medal contention, I was extremely proud of her to make the final when we are competing against some of the best small and medium dogs in the world!
Sunday 18th May
Finals day morning…
In the main ring the individual Speedstakes final was being held and in Ring 1 they had the bonus class. Followed by Team Pentathlon Final.
Individual Pentathlon Speedstakes was up first and my plan for this was to run as fast as I can. I couldn’t get an overall medal so we went for the fastest lines we could and had a blast. I just moved a little too soon on #11, but it didn’t matter, Fudge was awesome and she still finished with a good time considering.
Congratulations to Jess and Cara who got silver in the 525 height! WOO HOO another medal for little ol’ England!
Next up in the main ring was Team Pentathlon Relay Final. The team, in order of running, was Sarah and Kita, myself and Fudge, Karen and Puzzle and Shaun and Phix.
We knew what we had to do to keep Silver medal and that was to not get an Elimination. We would have to put in 4/4 super-fast clears to have put the pressure on USA and get the gold.
Sarah first – clear, but unfortunately with baton faults as she caught Kita at the end; Fudge and myself – clear; Karen – 5 faults; Shaun – clear. We gained silver in the Speedstakes class and we had done enough to hold our Silver Medal!
Team USA were last up and knew exactly what they had to do, and they did it well, 4/4 clears, meaning we finished with a SILVER medal overall!
The last event of the day was the Biathlon. Team England had several dogs in medal contention in this event so it was super exciting!
Massive congrats to Shaun and Phix who ended up with BRONZE in 650 and to Karen and Puzzle who got GOLD in 525! Awesome runs from both of them with awesome results!
I would personally like to say a huge thank you to all of Team England sponsors, Agility World, Dog Central, Pet Rehab and Swag for all the support at home and out at the event.
WELL DONE TEAM ENGLAND!
Team Manager Marilyn Adams
The England team manager was Marilyn Adams. This was her first year as manager, having previously been a competitor and Gold Medal winner herself.
“My first WAO on the other side of the fence,” Marilyn said. “It was a fantastic venue and the weather was perfect. All we needed was some amazing agility and we certainly got that. Team England were fantastic, settling into their stride very quickly and achieving five medals
against top world class competition. It was a very credible achievement and I was very proud to be a small part of this team.”
Team Coach Anthony Clarke
Anthony Clarke was the coach for Team England and well respected throughout the UK. Anthony summed up his views of WAO this year.
"The 2014 WAO squad performed well in Italy. This year's event saw the competition level increase drastically, with many more countries taking part. The England squad prepared well on the lead up to the event and arrived at the event looking strong. The results we came away with reflected well on the dedication and determination of all handlers. It was great from a coaching point of view to be able to utilise so many of the dogs in the team event to bring home a silver medal after the 5 runs."
Hayley Telling and Barney WAO Journey
“I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my first international agility competition than the one I had at WAO 2014 in Lignano, Italy.
“We made the journey across France and Switzerland in two days and had a nice stopover in between, finally arriving at the venue in Lignano on Monday afternoon. We could not have asked for a more amazing venue. We stayed in rooms on site (I could see the rings from my room!) and the most beautiful beach was a two minute walk away. Most importantly the rings had astro-turf surface!
“On Tuesday we had a day off so the dogs could relax after the long journey. A few of us took a day trip with the dogs into Venice, which was beautiful; they even let us all take the dogs for a ride on a gondola!
“Our first training session was on Wednesday; we only had a short time allocated to train but it felt more than enough when we were out there and it was perfect to get the dogs used to the equipment and the surface. It was a boiling hot day so after training the dogs had a quick cool off in the sea and then went back in the cool to recover.
“On Thursday we had a very short training session again just to get the dogs running on the surface and into the swing of things! Most of the team kept this really short and sweet so that we didn't tire the dogs out at all before the competition began. The managers made this training really really positive and put us all in a great mind set for the start if the competition! Thursday afternoon was the opening ceremony which also had a great feel-good factor about it and put us all in a great mood for the next morning!
“On Friday morning I woke up extremely excited and also a little bit nervous. The team and the managers were all amazing at keeping me calm for my first experience out there, explaining what we needed to do and where we needed to be!
“We all met in the team room nice and early, Lee and Ant picked up the course plans, then we walked down to the rings so we could all walk our morning’s courses. You walk each course as groups, so for some team members this meant they had to remember three courses! Luckily for the first morning I only had to remember two. Lee and Ant stayed with us all course-walking and gave us advice wherever we needed it which was great for a first timer!
“We were very, very lucky to have pet rehab with us and Tace warmed up most of the dogs before their runs. Barney is not usually very trusting of people he doesn't know but he LOVED Tace warming him up, and I have to say he ran better and better with each run because of her warm-ups.
“Then we were ready for our first run – the pentathlon jumping. I think I was shaking the whole way around and Barney really helped me out. When I came out clear from my first international run I was ecstatic! Having the team and the managers there to congratulate and cheer us made it even more special. With each run I did the nerves never improved, but the adrenaline rush of walking out to the start line and having your team cheering you on just got better and better- the buzz is totally addictive!
“Barney went clear in the first four pentathlon runs which left him in 9th place going into the pentathlon speedstakes final! I couldn't get the grin off my face to be going into the final at all at my first international event! I went for it in the final and unfortunately when I pushed Barney round the back of a jump he took the jump so tightly he knocked the pole...
“Losing concentration because of that I got us eliminated but we still ended up 14th overall, even with the elimination.
“Out of all my runs my absolute favourite was my team jumping run. We ran last and our team mates, Jo Tristram and Amy Lawson, had both run clear before us! I love running under extra pressure, and hearing my team screaming as we ran down the home straight was the greatest feeling in the world! We got a silver in that team jumping.
“Every member of the team not only ran amazingly individually but were also great team spirits. I got just as much enjoyment for cheering for the rest of team England as I did running – as most of the teams ear-drums found out!
“Our overall team result got us a silver medal and I was so proud to have been chosen to be a part of that. Collecting a medal at the closing ceremony with my team was a great moment that I will never forget!
Opening Ceremony & Team Spirit
The Opening Ceremony of the WAO Championship 2014
Team Spirit is one of the most important factors of competing internationally, the time you get to meet new faces from around the world and gel together with your team members to make the experience not only unforgetable for yourself but for those watching at home, unable to share the time with you.
It's the time to support eachother and be proud to compete for your country, Team England kept those at home up to date with regular photos and status updates on facebook, and we regulary saw many 'selfies' showing just how much fun can be had!
Here is Hayley Telling first Team 'selfie' of everyone in their England Kit.
Here is one of the photo posted by M Adams after Jess Clarehugh and Karen Gibbons won places in the snooker event! Jess Clarehugh went on to win Silver medal in the pentathlon.
England Wins Silver Medal in the Team Event
Here is England celebrating their Silver Medal, below is England doing their lap of honor, and also the whole team crammed on the podium to celebrate their victory including Riley (Shaun Hunt son) who is the England Mascot!
Introducing Team England 2014
300 Height
Left to Right: Tina Metherell & Poppy, Dave Rusell & Caeyn, Sarah Mclean & Kita, Hayley Telling & Barney, Sarah Prentice & Lilly
400 Height
Left to Right: Amy Lawson & Fudge, Sam Lane & Daim, Jo Turner & Meddler, Karen Gibbons & Willow, Kerry Munnings & Harry
525 Height
L to R: Jess Clarehugh & Cara, Jo Tristram & Bitz, Steven Richardson & Libby, Alan Wildman & Mynx, Nicola Wildman & Zoom, Karen Marriott & Puzzle
650 Height
L to R: Bridgette Wyre & Della, Nicola Garrett & Kayos, Jayne Widdess & Rave,Shaun Hunt & Phix, Roger Teasedale & Jingo, Carol Smith & Bob
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