2009 AKC Agility Invitational -- Wet and Soggy

As AKC celebrated their 125 birthday at Long Beach, the organization once again displayed total contempt for the agility champions and their handlers. Watch this video to understand the deplorable conditions provided to Agility members of AKC that were individually invited to attend the 2009 AKC Agility Invitational -- while the conformation folks rocked away in the comfort of the Long Beach Convention Center

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[pandamaniackg]

It is very unfortunate that such a prestigious weekend ended up so bad. When we are the victims of misfortune it is easy to point the finger and blame. I think the show put a lot of $ into trying their best for the agility group (portable washrooms as an alternative for going inside) and the full shelter and turf to run on. With good weather, it would have been a great venue. I have competed in pouring rain and deep mud with NO cover. We laugh it off, try our best, and just play the game.

[rra104]

I was there, and I went over to Eukanuba's booth in Convention Center. They had free coffee for the conformation exhibitors, and we couldn't even buy coffee in the morning at the agility tent. I suggested that maybe it would be nice if they could give us some of the coffee, because it was really cold and wet over in the agility tent. They said that they'd sponsored our tent and that was enough! I'm not too happy with them ... agility obviously wasn't important.

[mrspjm]

Great video! AKC officials should be on their hands and knees begging the competitor's forgiveness! The Invitational is now NOTHING to aspire to. I do not understand anyone making excuses for AKC. Why didn't they keep it indoors? Why if there was not enough room didn't the breed people get stuck outside?

[Quizhoolie]

@manorin

I have to reply on this one. AKC KNEW it was going to rain. It has rained each year during this event and the nationals in 2004. AKC sent an email to all exhibitors before the show stating the surface may be changed if the sod could not be cut due to rain. AKC choose to do nothing. The rain was foreseeable, it's called a weather forecast.

[rra104]

$20 per entry? Try $100 per entry ... this wasn't a cheap event to attend! They didn't do a very good job of making it a prestigious national event.

[fdedip]

Why do people keep referring to carpet? The Invitational has NEVER been on carpet, in previous years, it was on mats. I like the mats, and hope we have them back next year when we are inside.

[fdedip]

My dog would have thought she was dying if I'd let her actually sit on wet bedding, and with little coat, it would have not been safe for her. But I made sure her bedding was dry, and she was quite comfortable.

[sirensloft]

@048bubblehead AMEN! PETA wants to KILL ALL PETS! They feel keeping pets is SLAVERY. They rather them be set free or euthanized. Do NOT support PETA

[sirensloft]

@2009agilitydog Inconvenience is the bottles of soda are $3 a pop...this was a HEALTH hazard.

[TheGrooma]

I have to say, since when is it a crime to have dogs wet or muddy.

himan relate themselves to dogs way too much.

many dogs live these types of weather conditions... its the owners that don't like the clean up!

[manorin]

I'm really disappointed that this video doesn't showcase the the new tradition of paper boat races that were happening in the crating tent.

Oh that's right that's just to fun of a moment.

Or the fact that most of the Dogs that competed well on the sod vs the carpet.

If its any comfort the Agility Competition will be moving back in to the exhibit ball come 2010, depending on the need for more competition rings.

Come 2011- 2015 you will be complaining about Orlando's much more severe weather!

[manorin]

as someone that was very close to this...(Im not with AKC)... It was very terrible, that this had happen. but people must understand that the rain is unforeseeable when planing and budgeting happens months ahead, BTW there were more porta-potties on the other site of tent! AKC did everything they could to ensure that the playing surface remained as pristine as possible.

Even with it pouring rain Im pretty sure one thing I didn't hear was people demanding that the event be canceled!