Welsh dog and owner going for gold at International Agility Festival

A golden summer of sport continues with international dog agility event

Rachel Hiscox, aged 44, from Usk, Monmouthshire, and her dog, Theo, a Working Cocker Spaniel, are set this week to compete at the world’s largest dog agility competition, The Kennel Club’s International Agility Festival, having overcome the odds to take part.

Despite having only been involved with dog agility for just over a year, her newfound hobby has had a huge impact on Rachel’s life, and is now heading to the International Agility Festival, held in Rutland, 8-11 August, with her dog, Theo.

Rachel says: “I first started competing in agility in July 2023. I was looking for a fun but competitive dog sport that I could enjoy with my dog. Being autistic, I was craving something that felt accessible, inclusive, and unintimidating, which also promotes positive training practices.

“Just over two years ago I had a very serious breakdown. I didn’t find out I was autistic until I was 38, and over my life I have struggled so much at not meeting expectations. However, agility has given me something I can enjoy and I feel tentatively good at something for once, something that is accessible to me. It’s been a real boost to my rocky self-esteem, and given me a sense of pride as well as focus for me and my dogs.

“I can struggle to leave the house sometimes, but 90% of the time I’ll make my agility training, even on my worst days. Both my dogs and my agility friends have shown me that I can still achieve small things, even when I think I can’t.”

And it’s not just Rachel that has felt the benefits of agility, as she explains: “While my dogs have always been fit and active, they queue up at the door for their turn to practice their agility skills and it is so heartwarming to see their joy at getting to training.

“I’ve made some lovely new friends through training and I never thought I would be where I am now a year ago. I am really loving the journey.”

The Kennel Club International Agility, supported by Skinner’s, will see thousands of four-legged athletes, and their owners, from the UK and abroad, head to Rutland Showground from 8 – 11 August, to compete across the four-day festival, where the paw-lympians hope to leap, hurdle and weave their way to victory, as they aim to tackle the courses in the shortest time possible.

Dogs of any size, shape and breed were invited to enter the range of agility classes earlier in the year, and now handlers and their dogs – including Rachel and Theo – will put their best paw forward at the renowned agility show, run by The Kennel Club. The festival will see competitions across four dog size categories, 18 rings and 200 classes, and will give competitors and their dogs from all over the world, from the novice to the professional, the chance to compete.

More information about The Kennel Club International Agility Festival can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/iaf. For spectators interested in attending, no advance booking is required, though a small £5 parking fee will need to be paid on arrival, and visiting dogs will need to be signed in on the day.

A video for owners interested in getting started in agility with their dog can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/newtoagility.