Border Collie triumphs as Masters Agility Champion at Westminster Kennel Club's Canine Exhibition
Title: 🐾🏆 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2023: A Flashback to the Thrilling Masters Agility Championship Finals 🏆🐾
In the bustling heart of the Big Apple, the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kicked off on the 8th of February, and it was the 12th Finals of the Masters Agility Championship that had everyone on their toes. The stage was set for a nail-biting competition, and it sure didn't disappoint.
The talented Border Collie, Vanish, stole the show, marking the 9th time a Border Collie has clinched the Agility Championship. With grace and precision, Vanish, representing the 16-inch division, completed the course in a lightning-fast 26.49 seconds. Swindle Celebration, a gallant Shetland Sheepdog, followed closely behind, completing the course in 26.91 seconds. It was a finish for the ages, with both dogs outpacing last year's winner as well as the 2023 champ.
Nimble, the All-American dog, completed the course in 28.76 seconds last year, while Border Collie Truant snatched the title the year before with a time of 28.68 seconds. However, both Vanish and Swindle Celebration shattered Truant's record, setting new standards for agility excellence at the event, which began in 2014.
Emily Klarman, Vanish's proud handler, was left speechless after their triumph. Hailing from Doylestown, eastern Pennsylvania, Klarman shared a heartwarming photo of herself and Vanish on Instagram, beaming with pride. "I guess we're staying an extra couple of nights in New York City... Presentations will be under the lights at Madison Square Garden on Monday. I am beyond proud of this special dog," she wrote.
The Masters Agility Championship Finals was the highlight of Saturday's Canine Celebration Day. During the Agility Championship at the Dog Show, canines navigate their way through a maze of tunnels, seesaws, bar and wall jumps, and weave poles, all while following their handler's commands. They're never given a map of the course in advance, and they're judged on their speed, accuracy, and any faults they make.
In addition to glory and bragging rights, the WKC donates $5,000 to the American Kennel Club training club of the winner's choice or the AKC Humane Fund. The winners also score $1,000 each in the names of the four remaining first-place dogs in their height classes and the highest-scoring All-American dog.
If you're hankering for more agility action, the AKC website houses the rest of the Masters Agility Championship Finals results. Want to know more about agility and whether it's the right fit for your furry friend? Check out this informative article: I gave my working dog a job and it transformed our relationship. 🐾❗️🏆🐾
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- The Border Collie, Vanish, clinched the Masters Agility Championship in 2023, marking the 9th time a Border Collie has won the Agility Championship.
- The gallant Shetland Sheepdog, Swindle Celebration, completed the Agility course in 2023 with a time of 26.91 seconds, coming in second place.
- Emily Klarman, Vanish's handler, shared a heartwarming photo on Instagram after their two dogs set new standards for agility excellence in the Masters Agility Championship.
- In addition to glory and bragging rights, the winners of the Masters Agility Championship receive a donation from the WKC to their preferred American Kennel Club training club or the AKC Humane Fund.
