over the last year and a half I have been shadowing our regular instructors and stewarding some classes, this all culminated in attending The Agility Club instructors seminar and receiving a ACAI certificate. It was a great weekend, a little intense, but a great reward at the end. I really enjoy instructing and delight in the achievements handler and dog can make in what is, a relatively short space of time!

I have been interested in agility for about 6 years, from the time my lovely Labrador, Jackson was a year and ready to learn! We started at FRACAS in 2004 and although at first, it was purely a hobby we soon got caught by the 'bug' and have competed regularly since Jackson was 3 years. We travel all over the south of the country, enjoying a day out, getting up at 5am to be there for the first walking of the course! We have had some success, receiving rosettes for clear rounds fairly regularly. This summer we even managed a 3rd place for a 'Gamblers' class - I was very proud!

Nick first came into agility when he was looking for something to do with his very boisterous chocolate Labrador, Harvey! "H" is may now be retired but, happily, is still boisterous!! Nick's second dog is Parker, a Border Terrier X Collie who for agility purposes counts as a medium dog. Despite the fact that her work drive derives from the terrier part of her rather than the collie, she has reached Grade 6 and accredited herself well in finals at Barking Mad and Dogs in Need; not bad for a little rescue dog!

 

Colin started training his first dog in 2001 after being involved as a ‘taxi driver/ camping supervisor/ home equipment manufacturer since 1996. In 2003 Colin co-formed Fracas and he started instructing at the new club.  Colin became a qualified instructor towards the end of that year.

Colin also instructs at Aylesbury CTS and was their Agility Show manager there for a number of years.  Colin runs a working sheepdog called Casey.  

I have 3 dogs: Fitz, (10 ½ year old chocolate labrador), Molson, (7 ½ year old wire fox terrier x collie) and Rafe, (3 ½ year old kelpie x goodness-knows-what).

I have been an agility and obedience instructor for over 7 years, training and instructing with both Fracas and Aylesbury CTS.  I am an Agility Club Approved Instructor.  In 2008 I set up my own club, A To Zooom, which is complimentary to Fracas and Aylesbury CTS. I compete in Obedience at Beginner and Novice and at Agility in Grades 3 and 6.

 

Fitz retired himself after a couple of years to concentrate on being "Official Travelling Companion and Support Team", Molson readily took up the challenge of being my main competing dog! He has qualified for numerous national agility finals . Then there is my youngster, Rafe, who is very much "work-in-progress" – although even he has made it to the Novice Final at Dogs in Need for the last two years!

 

For More information about Ann see her website (A To Zooom - details on our links page)

 

Nick's youngster is Bruce, a working Kelpie. He's yet to start competing, so it's anyone's guess as to how he'll do! Watch this space.

Nick is a qualified instructor (ACAI) and has been an instructor with Fracas from its very early days. Nick also instructs at A-to-Zooom and Aylesbury CTS