A Brief History Of Southdowns Agility Club

Southdowns Agility Club originated as Woolston Dog Training Club, concentrating on obedience training with local well known trainers Sally and Don Bradbury. As the new discipline of agility gained popularity Sally and Don became involved and started to offer members agility training in their own back garden.

Over the years agility took over from obedience with members competing at all levels around the UK. The club found a suitable indoor training school in Droxford allowing them all weather and all year agility training. At the same time an agility show was organised at The Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley which has since grown and become an annual event.

As time moved on a new club venue was sought and the training moved to Crofton Manor Farm, Stubbington. This was also when Sally and Don decided to start their own dog training venture and so relinquished the running of the club. The club name was changed to Southdowns Agility Club and under the new title applied to become registered with the Kennel Club.

With time venues have to change and the club now meets on a Monday evening throughout the year at Wickham Riding School on Wickham Common using their indoor ménage.

The annual agility show has continued and is now a Premier Kennel Club Agility Show holding qualifying classes for Agility Club and Olympia. In 2009 the show venue moved to The Hampshire Constabulary Sports Ground at Hamble Le Rice which backs onto The Royal Victoria Country Park allowing competitors to still enjoy the country and coastal walks as part of their day.

Southdowns is still a small friendly club training a large variety of dogs with some members competing at all levels of agility throughout the south of England and larger events such as the Kennel Club International Festival at Rockingham Castle.

 

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