Kids R Us

Welcome to the Just Juniors, a page exclusively for young agility handlers by young handlers. We hope it will be written for, by and about boys and girls under the age of 18. Send your stories, poems, games, and quizzes to The Junior Editor at Agilitynet. To read more about Junior news and activities earlier this year, click here. There is also a page for YKC news.  

YKC Camp is Cancelled

Due to the extreme weather conditions over the last few days, which has rendered the site at Brooksby College, Melton Mowbray unfit and unsafe, it is with great regret that the Kennel Club has made the difficult decision to cancel its residential YKC National Training camp for members aged 8-15 that was scheduled to take palce between Satursday, 28 July to Friday, 3 August.

 Vanessa McAlpine, the Kennel Club’s Events and Education Executive, said 'The YKC team is extremely disappointed that this decision had to be made after all the hard work from everyone involved, and we can only commiserate with all the members who were looking forward to their training week. Rest assured we will be back in 2008.'

 All families will be communicated with immediately regarding the cancellation. Further details relating to refunds will be sent in writing later this week.

Britain Wins Gold at the Junior Worlds

Anthony Clarke and Magic won the European Junior Championship in Belgium at the weekend (14-15 July 2007). His young dog, Scrum, also did well finishing 16th.

Having watched Anthony over the weekend at the competition, he is a credit to the sport of agility and his parents. He is well liked by many of our European agility friends, both adults and juniors. Congratulations must also go to Jackie and Pat for organising the trip. Having taken a dog abroad myself it is a worry the first time.

Katie Mitchell, who also competed, gained valuable experience for Rocky's first time on the carpet and, as the weekend progressed, their runs improved. Special mention must go to Jonathan, the GB Team flag bearer!

To end my first report on Agilitynet, the star of the show was simply Magic. How aptly named. Safe trip home, Pat with your precious cargo.

To see some terrific photos of event click here

Source: Nick (16/07/07)

YKC Members to Compete at International Junior Agility Championships

Young Kennel Club members Anthony Clarke and Katie Mitchell are preparing to compete abroad for the first time to represent Great Britain and the Young Kennel Club at the 6th International Junior Agility Championships which will take place in Ostend, Belgium this year. The International Junior Agility Championships is open to all dogs and runs from Friday,13 to Sunday, 15 July 2007.

15-year-old Anthony from Lechlade, Gloucestershire has been a Young Kennel Club member since 2001 and regularly competes in agility events in the UK.  Anthony says, 'I am thrilled to have been picked to represent Great Britain at the Junior European Championships with my two dogs, it has always been my dream to represent my country and to compete abroad and now I have the chance I hope we can work as a team and do well.'

Anthony will be entering his crossbreed dog called Gemmedean Black Magic, who has won the Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year competition at Crufts for the past three years running.

Katie, 17 years old, has also been a YKC member for many years. She lives near Harrogate, North Yorkshire where she trains her five year old Border Collie, Comebyanaway Rocket Man (aka Rocky) and her nine year old Spaniel, Lily. She is a member of both Harrogate Agility Training Society and K9 North Yorkshire.

Eric Smethurst, Chairman of the Young Kennel Club, said 'The Young Kennel Club supports the growing popularity of agility and is delighted to be represented at this event. We are really excited at this fantastic opportunity to fly the flag overseas and promote the work that we undertake as an organisation. We would like to wish them both the best of luck in the competition and hope that they have a wonderful experience'

The Young Kennel Club was set up in 1985 to provide training and guidance to young people interested in learning more about the welfare of dogs. Young Kennel Club members take part in many events each year, including competing at Crufts!

To find out more information about the competition you can visit the website at www.junioragility.be/engelse_versie/beginblad_en.htm. Or to find out more about the Young Kennel Club visit the Kennel Club website www.ykc.org.uk.

Don't Miss Out on Your Chance to Quality for Crufts 2008

Once again YKC members who have obtained an Agility and/or Jumping certificate in the specified YKC qualifying year will be invited to attend either the YKC Birmingham Agility Final or the YKC Jumping Semi Final.

How do I obtain a certificate?
Certificates are issued to members’ dogs that achieve a placed clear round in any agility or jumping class held at a Kennel Club licensed event. Certificate application forms can be obtained by calling the YKC on tel. 020-7518 1030 or downloaded from www.ykc.org.uk in the YKC Literature section. All members who have achieved an agility or jumping certificate with the qualifying dates are then invited to take place in the Birmingham Agility Final or Jumping Semi-Final each year.

 When will I receive my official invitation?
We will send out the formal invitations, along with a running order, pass and final information at the beginning of July for both competitions.

 What are the qualifying dates?

1 July 2006 until 31 May 2007 - From thereon the qualification year will run each consequent year from:

1 June until 31 May - Therefore all YKC Agility and Jumping certificates should be sent to the YKC office by no later than 31 May 2007. 

Where are the competitions held?

What happens if I am 18 years or older?
Members aged 18 years and over are now no longer eligible to take part in the Birmingham Agility Final or Jumping Semi Final so will not be able to apply for certificates.  Members aged 18 years and above will now be able to take part in the Senior Agility competition.  In order to enter you must collect points at all agility shows including junior classes in an Agility Record Book. 

Represent Your Country at the Junior Champs

The 6th European Junior Agility Championship will take place in Ostend, Belgium, from 13-15 July 2007.

This competition is open to all dogs (with and without pedigree) which are registered with an FCI recognized organization. FCI regulations will be in effect.  Competition is open for all classes  GR1(A1) – GR2(A2) – GR3(A3)

Details can be found on www.junioragility.be

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