Paducah Kennel Club’s Annual Autumn Agility Trials!

It’s time! Time for the Paducah Kennel Club’s annual Autumn Agility Trials!

Here’s the scoop:

Where? Paducah Regional SportsPlex, on Highway 60 just west of Kentucky Oaks Mall.
When? Thursday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much? Free for spectators. Yup, you heard it, F.R.E.E.

Get this: there will be more than 300 runs all four days.

Martha Veatch, a Paducah Kennel Club member and a nurse at Western Baptist Hospital’s Birthing Center runs her home bred black lab, Breeze, in the two types of agility classes at the Excellent level in this video:

Dogs from teeny Yorkies and Chihuahuas to giant Great Danes and everything in between will jump and weave and go through tunnels and over see-saws and through tire jumps, just like you’ve seen on TV. Plain ol’ amateur dog owners compete against the World Class pros. The jump heights go from 4 inches for the teeny weenies, to 26 inches for the big dawgs. The most advanced dogs and handlers run first thing in the morning and first thing after lunch. (But the novice dogs and handlers promise their own amusement factor!)

Agility Chair Gene Glastetter, Volunteer Coordinator Alice Jackson, and Course Builder Fred Jackson

The dogs start at the Novice level, and progress through Excellent level. The only time the beginner handler gets a break is with their first dog. There is a special class for folks who have never earned an Agility title on any dog. But once you get that first Novice title, then regular owner handlers compete against the pros. And a lot of times, you know what? They win!

The reputation of Paducah Kennel Club’s Agility Trial has spread. World-class competitors from near and far love the SportsPlex, and they love the gracious hospitality, which is standard fare in our town. Paducah Kennel Club members will be wearing red shirts and will be happy to answer questions. See how the Dog Walk, the A Frame and the Teeter Totter have the bottom sections painted yellow? That’s a safety feature. The dog must place one paw in that yellow section on the way down, or she is disqualified. And in the weave poles, the dog must always enter with the first pole on his left.

So do come out and watch this addictive sport! Remember, admission is free. Bring some money if you want to shop the special vendors who will have booths or if you want a snack. But leave your own dog home. For safety reasons, AKC rules state that only dogs entered in the trial are allowed on the grounds.

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