26/10/2024
Hi everyone,
Remember that downpour on 22nd September. Unfortunately, it forced us to postpone the final Summer Steeplechase class. We polled the pawsome participants, and the overwhelming consensus was to reschedule rather than risk our furry friends taking a tumble on those treacherous slopes (thanks, Mother Nature!).
Initially, we considered incorporating it into one of our winter shows. However, for many of you who graced us with your presence in September, the winter venue proved a bit too far-flung. So, after some determined digging (metaphorical, of course!), we've unearthed a fantastic indoor facility in Loughborough – much closer to the summer venue.
Now, some of you suggested simply wrapping up the league based on current points. While we appreciate the sentiment, a quick examination revealed a nail-biting situation! Those standings are just too close to call, and a win or even a second-place finish could significantly shake things up. To ensure a truly pawsome champion (and runner-up) in each category, we just had to get creative. (Don't worry, the updated league table is attached for your reference!)
Speaking of creativity, we encountered a bit of a hurdle with our previous sponsor. They weren't thrilled with the rescheduled final class and decided to withdraw their support. But fear not! Within minutes of that news, another fantastic organisation stepped up to the plate. We did, however, have to politely decline their summer league sponsorship as new trophies were already on their way (shiny things are hard to resist!). But fret not, agility enthusiasts – they'll be sponsoring our Winter Steeplechase League! Huge thanks to Agility and More Podcast for becoming our new champions. Haven't given them a listen yet? You absolutely should! Their values perfectly align with ours, and we wouldn't be surprised to see them cheering us on at future shows.
For those who were signed up for the final class, you've all received an email with the new date and venue. We're still waiting to hear from a few of you, so if you'd like to join us on the 3rd of November at Canaan Farm, Loughborough, be sure to email [email protected] asap. The final class will follow the Pinkfox Steeplechase morning, which you can also enter at a discounted rate (the more agility, the merrier, right?).
Speaking of winter, the points for the upcoming league are already live on our website. Exciting news – this year, we'll also be running an Agility League for each grade!
Just a quick reminder, the Steeplechase format remains the same, catering to Pre Intro Mini/Small/Medium, Pre Intro Intermediate/Large, Intro Mini/Small/Medium, Intro Intermediate/Large, and finally, our valiant Veterans class.
And lastly, a friendly (and perhaps slightly sheepish) confession: mistakes happen. While we strive for flawlessness, we're all human (well, Kelly is… the jury's still out on yours truly – sometimes I'm more of a canine catastrophe!). But seriously, if you ever spot a mistake, please don't hesitate to point it out. We appreciate your feedback and want to ensure these shows are all about fun, relaxation, friendly competition, and, of course, supporting our furry friends.
Thank you all for your continued support and insightful feedback. We can't wait to see you at our next Winter show on the 30th of November!
See you soon,
Sian and the Bee Happy IDA Team
Hit this link to view the summer league results here.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ridX3IXp3kNf04O0gmIMLAXjByY0LIEP/view?usp=drive_link