Obedience – Page 6

KC ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO OBEDIENCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Following discussion by the Activities Committee it has been agreed that the requirement to include any stay exercise in obedience competitions will be suspended until 31 December 2021, in the same manner as other Covid-19 related regulation suspensions (please refer to bit.ly/3m9NkoM).

This comes following a recommendation made by the Obedience Liaison Council at its January meeting to permanently remove the stay exercise from obedience, and from discussion by the Activities Committee on further suspensions needed to help shows run safely again.

CHANGES TO OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS

The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for obedience.

The following regulation has been amended to reduce the difficulties faced by clubs when conducting draws for smaller open shows.

THE KENNEL CLUB SPECIMEN SCHEDULES REVISED FOR 2021

Although events in 2021 continue to be subject to change, in order to assist societies with planning, updated versions of the specimen schedules for breed shows, agility, obedience, working trials, bloodhound trials, heelwork to music and rally can now be downloaded from The Kennel Club website.

Agenda for Obedience Liaison Council Meeting on 21st January 2021

It can be found (with all the Annex documents) here under the section on Agendas:

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/obedience/already-competing-in-obedience/?fbclid=IwAR32v9dJ6uAlWvrDX2vLz4XNCMEmoOQOH3KbxuesfvJ5GM84pvxwUOQI8t0

Obedience at Crufts 2021

From the Crufts FB page:

OBEDIENCE AT CRUFTS 2021

The Kennel Club can confirm that the Inter Regional Rally Competition is expected to go ahead on Thursday 15 July at Crufts 2021 and the Inter Regional Obedience Competition is expected to go ahead on Friday 16 July.

Unfortunately, as there has been no qualifiers the Obedience Championship will not take place at Crufts 2021. Similarly as there has only been one qualifier the Obreedience finals will also not take place at Crufts 2021. Those teams who competed at an obreedience heat in 2020, and gained points will have their points carried over for Crufts 2022.

CRUFTS TO GO AHEAD, NEW DATE ANNOUNCED

The Kennel Club has announced today that Crufts 2021 will take place next year on the new dates of 15 -18 July at the NEC Birmingham.

Crufts, which will be celebrating its 130^th anniversary in 2021, was due to take place on 11 – 14 March 2021, but with much of the UK in a second lockdown and events and exhibitions still not being able to be held it was looking very unlikely that Crufts in March was a foreseeable option.

OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED/AMENDED UNTIL 1 JULY 2021

Societies are advised to hold smaller shows where possible to allow more space for social distancing and space around rings. Classes could be planned for either a morning or afternoon, and be advised in the schedule so that competitors can manage their arrival and departure.All special arrangements put in place in relation to the regulations listed below must be clearly stated in the schedule.Regulations have been amended/altered to facilitate smaller shows as follows:

KENNEL CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING CRUFTS 2021

In light of recent government announcements, The Kennel Club has been discussing the holding of Crufts 2021 which is set to take place from 11 – 14 March at the NEC Birmingham.

The Kennel Club Board would like to reassure competitors, exhibitors and everyone involved in the dog world that it remains actively committed to holding the show next year. In particular, the Crufts team have been looking at different options for how Crufts 2021 might look. However, the most important aspect will be the safety of all those who attend and any possible negative impact that holding the event may have.

OBEDIENCE LIAISON COUNCIL MEETING 21 JANUARY 2021

The next meeting of the Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council is scheduled to be held remotely via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 21 January 2021. Proposals for inclusion on the agenda should reach the Obedience Liaison Council Secretary by 23 October 2020.

Each eligible society or an individual may submit items for the agenda, through a council representative. Proposals must be concise and, if an amendment or an additional regulation is proposed, the regulation number must be given. All submissions must be signed by the society/individual and the representative.

Please note, all items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent by email to obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk and not sent in the post to the London office.

A full list of Obedience Liaison Council representatives can be found at bit.ly/2Tx8YVk

KENNEL CLUB INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OBEDIENCE STATUS

The Kennel Club wishes to advise obedience competitors that Surrey Dog Training Society have relinquished their championship obedience status with effect from 2020.

Any society which would be interested in applying for future championship obedience status should submit a presentation for consideration. Please note that it will be necessary to select a date that does not coincide with another championship obedience show. An application from a club which already holds a championship obedience show will also be considered.