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The Blue Ridge\u00a0Agility\u00a0Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC)\u00a0agility\u00a0trial Memorial Day weekend at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher. The event will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Monday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spectators are invited, and admission is free.<\/p>\n
Over 300 purebred dogs, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC registered breeds competing.<\/p>\n
Agility\u00a0is a competitive team sport comprised of a handler and his or her dog. The object of\u00a0agility\u00a0is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The\u00a0agility\u00a0course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses.\u00a0Agility\u00a0rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of\u00a0agility\u00a0combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog.\u00a0Agility\u00a0training heightens the bond of teamwork between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both.<\/p>\n
The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog\u2019s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.<\/p>\n
Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat\u201d (T2B) for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.<\/p>\n
AKC\u2019s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.<\/p>\n
Spectactors are asked to leave their own pets comfortably at home.<\/p>\n