First Dog Agility Show at Mercer County Equestrian Center Attracts Over 400 Dogs

The first Dog Agility Show ever held at the Mercer County Equestrian Center in Pennington was an overwhelming success, Executive Director of the Mercer County Park Commission, Kevin B. Bannon said this week.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to work with the Princeton and Lower Buck Dog Training Clubs on introducing a lot of people to a new dog sport,” Bannon said. “We are looking forward to future shows.”

The event, presented annually by the Princeton and Lower Bucks Dog Training Clubs, took place May 15-17.

Its first foray into the Equestrian Center attracted several hundred competitors, known as exhibitors or handlers, from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, bringing with them over 400 dogs of all breeds and ranging from novice beginners to numerous National Champions in the sport of dog agility.

“It was an honor for the Mercer County Equestrian Center to host to annual Spring All-Breed Agility Trial for the first time,” County Executive Brian M. Hughes said. “This is a great event for families to come out and see and learn about a growing sport.”

Dog agility is defined as a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs will run off leash without incentive of food or toys, and the handler is not permitted to touch the dog or obstacles. The handler is limited to voice commands, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.

“Princeton Dog Training Club (PDTC) provides instruction in obedience and dog agility, one of the fastest growing dog sports in the United States and is the fastest growing event at the American Kennel Club,” PDTC President Debra Fronheiser said. “PDTC instructors offer agility classes, seminars and private lessons for all breeds and ages, at all levels ranging from those who are new to the sport to those who aim to compete at the highest international levels.”

Scoring is based on faults similar to equestrian show jumping.

“It’s very exciting and fast-paced,” spectator Elaine Andrushko, of Robbinsville, said. “I’m just amazed watching them go through the obstacles and I love seeing all of the different dogs.”

“On behalf of the Princeton and Lower Bucks Dog Training Clubs, we are so grateful to have access to a facility like the Mercer County Equestrian Center that not only fulfills our physical site needs, but does so in a scenic and pristine setting that shows off the very best qualities of Mercer County,” PDTC Spring Trial Chair Janet Puro said. “We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the site of this year’s spring trial, and we look forward to working with the Mercer County Park Commission to hold additional trials there in the future.”

For more information about the Mercer County Equestrian Center and the Mercer County Park Commission, visit www.mercercountyparks.org.

The attached images were provided by Mercer County officials.