Agility Trials Memorial Day Weekend

The Blue Ridge Agility Club will host American Kennel Club, (AKC), sanctioned All- Breed Agility Trials at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. The event will run from Friday, May 28 through Monday, May 31in the center’s McGough Arena.

Competition will begin Friday, Saturday and Sunday at approximately 8am and continue throughout the day until about 5pm. Monday’s events will also start at approximately 8am and run until about 3pm. Due to COVID -19 restrictions, spectators will not be allowed as they have been in the past. Participants will have to sign a COVID-19 liability waiver before competing and must wear a face mask when not actually in the ring.

The trials will feature dogs of all sizes and skill levels. Dogs compete against others of about the same height, measured at the withers, and skill level, ranging from Novice level through the Masters class for experienced dogs.

Several different types of events are presented. "Standard Agility" is the basic competition, employing all of the different sorts of equipment. Expanding on the jumps and weaves, this event can employ a dog walk, a relatively long, narrow plank extending between two ramps, a teeter-totter, a tire jump, a broad jump, and an A-Frame. Each event presents an entirely new course to the handler/dog teams. Course maps are provided at the beginning of each day, and then handlers are given eight minutes to walk the course. Then the team gets out and runs to the best of their ability – and memory. Lost handlers are a common sight, and experienced competitors will admit that practically every error made on course traces to the handler, not the hard-working dog!

Each event presents an entirely new course.

The event is accepting entries for All American Dogs listed in the AKC Canine Partners Program. Entries close Friday, May 21 at 11pm. For up-to-date information about the trials, contact Trial Chairperson Landen Gailey by phone at 404 277-9000 or by email to greenmtnlodge@aol.com.