The London International Horse Show, scheduled from Thursday 14 to Monday 18 December at London ExCeL, is set to feature an unprecedented showcase of ten Kennel Club agility competitions.
These will encompass renowned events like The Kennel Club Agility Stakes and qualifiers crucial for Crufts 2024 participation.
Prestigious Competitions and Qualifiers
Headlining the agility competitions will be The Kennel Club Agility Stakes finals, presented in association with Skinner’s. These stakes represent a pinnacle in the world of agility and mark an annual highlight at the Horse Show. The finals will witness five pairs of dogs and their handlers emerging victorious across various categories. These are Small, Medium, Intermediate, Large, and Large ABC (Anything but a Collie). With only ten spots available per final, qualifying for these heats, quarters, and semi-finals demanded dedicated efforts from all participants throughout the year.
New additions for 2023 at the New Horizon Plastics London Arena within ExCeL will include three Crufts Semi-Finals, providing dogs with a platform to secure a spot in the prestigious Crufts dog show, slated for March 2024. Additionally, the Arena will host the finals of the Discover Dogs Small/Mixi Pairs Challenge and The Kennel Club Starters Cup.
Kennel Club Agility Competitions Schedule
The schedule for the agility competitions spanning the five-day event is as follows:
International Arena:
- Thursday 14 December: Large ABC Kennel Club Agility Stakes Final
- Friday 15 December: Small Kennel Club Agility Stakes Final
- Saturday 16 December: Intermediate Kennel Club Agility Stakes Final
- Sunday 17 December: Large Kennel Club Agility Stakes Final
- Monday 18 December: Medium Kennel Club Agility Stakes Final
New Horizon Plastics London Arena:
- Thursday 14 December: Crufts Medium ABC Semi-Final
- Friday 15 December: Discover Dogs Small/Mixi Pairs Challenge Final
- Saturday 16 December: Kennel Club Starters Cup Final
- Sunday 17 December: Crufts Large Novice ABC Semi-Final
- Monday 18 December: Crufts Intermediate Novice ABC Semi-Final
Encouraging Participation and Enthusiasm
Catherine Guiver, Head of Events at The Kennel Club, expressed excitement about hosting The Kennel Club Agility Stakes and introducing five agility competitions at ExCeL’s New Horizons Plastics London Arena for the first time this year. Guiver highlighted the event as a remarkable opportunity for visitors to witness remarkable agility displays by both novice and seasoned participants.
The Kennel Club will also have a stand, numbered F190 in the Shopping Village, offering guidance for those interested in learning or advancing in agility competitions. More details about the Agility Stakes Finals and additional agility competitions can be found on The Kennel Club’s website.
For enthusiasts and visitors keen on experiencing this exhilarating event, tickets for the London International Horse Show are available for purchase online through londonhorseshow.com.
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Image by The Kennel Club/Yulia Titovets
