Trent Park Dog Agility Club

A group of ten like-minded dog owners got together and held an Inaugural meeting May 1985 when it was agreed that an application be submitted to the Kennel Club. Trent Park Dog Agility Club was born and it became the first ‘Agility only’ registered club. In the early days, ‘heavy’ homemade equipment was used – can anyone else remember the annual Paint and Repair days – not to mention the Dog Walk with extendable Tri-Pod legs? We were a group of enthusiastic dog owners who shared a passion for the fast-growing sport of Dog Agility and basically learnt as we went along. There were the usual hic-cups to be negotiated along the way but the Club went from strength to strength. An open evening was held in January 1986 with demonstrations and talks to attract new members. Trent Park Dog Agility Club held its’ first Agility Show at Picketts Lock Centre (before the cinema was built) on September 1986. It consisted of four classes: Starters Jumping and Agility + Novice Jumping and Agility. Entry fees were only £1.50 and class numbers averaged between 50 – 60. Our judges were Tony Veal and Yvonne Tate. Trent Park Dog Agility Club went on to hold an Annual Show until September 2013. The only exception being in 1997, when at short notice, the show was cancelled as it coincided with the funeral of Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales. A donation of £1,367.55 was sent to the memorial fund, being the balance of show entries received less requested refunds and disbursements. Club members also travelled to many local shows, usually in convoy, pre M25. In the early days, all clear rounds ran off at the end of the Class to produce the winner. Much has changed since then. We are now part of the Agility Club league. Currently, Trent Park Dog Agility Club has over 30 training members and a wonderful variety of dogs. We have replaced those old heavy pieces of equipment with up to date kit and aluminium contact gear. The arena’s rubber flooring has been replaced with a sandy substrate. Our members are enthusiastic, supportive and social. It is a great place to come and learn together.