Agility

Agility courses use jumps, tunnels, weave poles and contact equipment. Contact equipment is the A-frame, dog walk and seesaw: the obstacles your dog climbs on, with coloured ends to touch as they come off.

At Pinkfox IDA we prefer flowing courses with plenty of space between obstacles, so your dog can build confidence in the ring.

Nursery, Anysize and Veterans all run the same course, which has no weaves or seesaw. The A-frame and dog walk are lowered too.

Nursery handlers can hold a silent toy in their hand while they run the same with Anysize and Veterans. Pre Intro and above can do this only in a Not For Competition (NFC) run.

Jumping

Jumping courses use jumps, tunnels, weaves and can include a wall and long jump. We keep the turns simple and the lines clear, so you and your dog can run smoothly.

Nursery, Anysize and Veterans run the same course, with up to 18 obstacles. Pre Intro and above run up to 21. We want you and your dog to enjoy this sport for many years, so we keep courses kind on their bodies.

Not For Competition (NFC)

NFC is a training run that does not count for results. You can reward your dog in the ring, and you are given the course time to do it.

Steeplechase

A fast, flowing course of only jumps and tunnels. It is about speed and your dog’s enthusiasm for running.

Power and Speed

The course starts with the contact equipment (the “power” section). You then go straight on to a steeplechase-style jumping section (the “speed” section). You can stop and handle your dog between the two.

Tunnel Exchange

A jumping game with one dog and two handlers. Handler 1 runs the first half of the course. They swap while the dog is in the tunnel, and handler 2 is waiting at the exit to run the second half.

Double Dog Walk

The only contact equipment is the dog walk, and the course goes over it twice. A fun chance to practice your dog’s dog walk.

Triple A

The only contact equipment is the A-frame, and the course goes over it three times. A fun chance to practice your dog’s A-frame.

Helter Skelter

A jumping course laid out in a spiral.

Your dog’s safety and wellbeing come first at every Pinkfox event, and most of our guidelines exist for that reason. We know guidelines are not the most exciting reading, but please take a few minutes with them. People come to our shows for lots of different reasons, and these help everyone get what they came for.

The short version

• Our shows are a first step for people new to competing, and for experienced handlers with a dog new to competition.
• We only allow kind handling. Prong collars, e-collars, vibrating collars, choke chains and retractable leads are not allowed at our events.
• In the ring, dogs wear a flat collar only. No coats, jumpers or harnesses.
• Enter the queue close to your running order number.
• Entries close 10 days before the show, and there are no refunds after that.
• Check your running order when it arrives and tell us about any changes at least 4 days before the show.

Welfare and kind handling

• Your dog’s welfare is our first priority. If a member of our team is worried about a dog, they will raise it with the show organisers, Funky Fizz Events Ltd. If you are worried about a dog, please tell the show manager as soon as you can.
• Harsh handling is not allowed. That includes shouting at a dog or using positive punishment. This can lead to a lifetime ban from all events run by Funky Fizz Events Ltd. Depending on the circumstances, we may also report it to the police, a dog warden or the RSPCA.
• Prong collars, retractable leads, e-collars, vibrating collars and choke chains are not allowed at any Pinkfox event. Anyone using them will be asked to leave and may be banned from all events run by Funky Fizz Events Ltd.

Before you enter

• Please make sure your dog has been trained to use the equipment safely. We provide jumps, a wall jump, a long jump, a tyre, an A-frame, a dog walk and tunnels at all levels, plus a seesaw and weaves for Pre Intro, Intro and above.
• Dogs aged 16 months can register and compete. They must be registered as Nursery and run one height lower than their registered height. This applies until the dog is 18 months.
• If your dog moves up a grade at an RKC or A4A show, they move up to our equivalent grade for their next Pinkfox show. Please email us before the Thursday of the show to let us know.
• Entries close 10 days before each show, unless the show fills first. Please check the entry fee carefully. We chase underpayments, and overpayments go to charity.
• There are no refunds after the closing date.
• When your running order arrives, please check it. Tell the show secretary about any changes at least 4 days before the show.

In the ring

• In competitive runs, handlers should not carry a toy or food in their hands while the judge is watching. The exception is Nursery, Anysize and Veterans, where you may carry a silent toy.
• You are welcome to use your run for training. Tell the scribe you are running Not For Competition (NFC). You then have up to 60 seconds, or the course time if it is longer, and can reward your dog with a toy, or with large, non-crumbly, highly visible treats.
• Dogs wear a flat collar only in the ring. Identity tags are a legal requirement in public places, so please use a flat tag that lies flush with the collar, or have your details embroidered on it. Nothing should dangle from the collar.
• Dogs do not wear coats, jumpers, body harnesses or head harnesses in the ring.
• Faults are marked under Kennel Club rules. If a class differs from the standard, the judge will tell you at the briefing.
• Judges may run their own dogs for competition when they are not judging.

On the day

• Each dog has a running order number. Please enter the queue as close to your number as you can, with a maximum of 5 in the queue at a time. For example, if 20 dogs are in a class and your dog is number 19, you will run towards the end. If you join too early we will ask you to come back later. If you have a good reason to run out of order, please speak to the ring party while the course is being walked, before the class starts.
• Bitches in season are welcome to compete and run at the end of the class. Please tell the ring party for each class you have entered.
• Dogs must be on a lead at all times, including in the car park, unless they are in the ring or the exercise area. If your dog is off lead and you see a dog on a lead, please do not let your dog approach.
• Please clean up after your dog and use the bins provided.
• No squeaky toys around the ring.
• Parking marshals are there to help in the parking area, but cannot be responsible for loss or damage to your property.

If something goes wrong

• Everyone takes part at their own risk. We take every care, but Pinkfox IDA and the showground owners cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or injury to people, dogs or property.
• The judge’s decision is final, and judges are human. If you think a mistake has happened, please do not challenge the judge at the show. Tell the show manager within 28 days. Results from the day will not change, but your report helps us all learn and improve.
• If you disagree with how a show is run, please email the show organisers at Funky Fizz Events Ltd. We want to hear it and put it right. Sadly, businesses in our sport have been harmed by false or unfair posts on social media, so we do not allow complaints or negative opinions about the show, or the people running or attending it, on public groups or pages. Doing so can lead to a lifetime ban from all events run by Funky Fizz Events Ltd, and if we believe a post has unfairly damaged our reputation without good cause, we may take legal action. [Solicitor to check this wording.]
• If we have to cancel a show, we may recover our costs from the entry fees we have received.

​​What grades are, and why they exist

Grades put dogs of a similar experience together, so every team runs against others at their own level. The Pinkfox grades are, in order: Nursery, Pre Intro, Intro, Novice and Expert. Nearly every dog starts in Nursery, and it is fine to stay as long as you like.

If your dog already has a Royal Kennel Club or A4A grade

The table shows which Pinkfox grade it converts to.

*Nursery is for any dog that has never been placed at a Royal Kennel Club show, whatever their age. Nursery courses do not have weaves or a seesaw.

**Intro, Novice and Expert will be grouped together until numbers grow in the upper grades.

How a dog moves up

Every placing earns progression points. When a dog reaches the total for the next grade it moves up automatically after the show, and we tell you. Total progression points needed: Pre Intro from 45, Intro from 90, Novice from 180, Expert from 270.

Points for each placing: your dog earns points from their results.

• 1st place: 5 points
• 2nd place: 4 points
• 3rd place: 3 points
• Unplaced clear round: 2 points
• Non-elimination round: 1 point

Veterans and Anysize: Veterans is for dogs aged 7 and over. Anysize is for dogs in Pre Intro and above who, for any reason, need lower jumps or a course without weaves and seesaws. Both run the Nursery courses, you choose the height on the day, and any points earned in them do not count towards progression.

Rosettes and awards: the number of rosettes depends on how many dogs are in the class. [confirm the numbers below]

• 1st place gets a rosette in classes with fewer than 5 dogs. [Your page says “fewer than 5” here, then “6 and more” for 2nd. Please check what happens in a class of exactly 5, and whether 1st place gets a rosette in bigger classes too.]
• 2nd place gets a rosette in classes with 6 or more dogs.
• 3rd place gets a rosette in classes with 8 or more dogs.
• Every unplaced clear round gets a clear round rosette.
• If only one dog is entered in a class, 1st place is awarded only if the dog runs clear.

End of season award categories

Awards are given by grade group and height. The grade groups are Nursery, Pre Intro, and Intro/Novice/Expert together. Each group has an award for Mini, Small, Medium, Intermediate and Large, so 15 categories in all.

Our jump heights

At Pinkfox we primarily follow the Kennel Club height cut-offs. We are also delighted to include a Mini category, giving our smaller dogs more chances to compete.

Choosing a height on show day

When you enter a show you choose which height your dog runs at:

• Full height: your dog jumps their registered height.
• Lower height: your dog jumps one height lower than their registered height. Many owners choose this for puppies, older dogs, or dogs who find jumping harder. [Please check: is it always one height lower?]

You can also choose Veterans or Anysize, below.

Other categories. Veterans and Anysize run the Nursery courses and you choose the jump height on the day. See the grades section for how they work.

• Veterans: a class for dogs aged 7 and over. Veterans run the Nursery courses, you choose the jump height on the day, and Veterans placings do not count towards progression points.
• Anysize: for dogs in Pre Intro and above who, for any reason, need lower jumps or a course without weaves and seesaws. Anysize runs the Nursery courses, you choose the jump height on the day, and any points earned do not count towards progression.

What about big dogs? If a dog has measured into Large but weighs over 25 kg, they are registered as Intermediate. This reduces the impact on their joints, so they can keep enjoying agility for years to come.

Already measured? If your dog has an official height certificate from the Kennel Club or Agility 4 All, we are happy to accept it. Just tell us when you register.

Not measured yet? That is fine. We measure new dogs on the morning of their first Pinkfox show, using a measuring stick, and we always agree the final height with you. All measuring must be finished by 9:00 am, so please find [your name] before then. They are often busy setting up the rings, and will measure your dog quickly and calmly. Some dogs feel nervous about being measured, so we do everything we can to keep your dog comfortable. Their wellbeing is our top priority.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Use the contact form below to send us your question.

Are the rings fully fenced?

Yes. At our summer shows the rings have green mesh fencing all the way around, with gates. We also keep a 2 metre no-dog zone around the fence. Our winter shows are indoors at a local riding school, and only the dog who is running is in the ring.

Do you have pay on the day entries?

No, we do not take entries on the day. We do all the admin before the show, which leaves one less thing for you to think about, and there is a lot to do to help the day run smoothly.

I’m really nervous about my first show. Is it okay if we make a mistake?

Absolutely! We prioritise progress over perfection. Our environment is judgement-free, and our community cheers just as loud for a learning moment as they do for a clear round.

What’s the youngest I can bring a dog to Pinkfox IDA?

16 months. Dogs aged 16 to 18 months must be registered as Nursery and run one height lower than their registered height. From 18 months, they progress through the grades as normal.

What is an NFC run?

NFC (Not For Competition) means you can use your time in the ring as a dedicated training session. It is a great way to build your dog’s confidence in a show environment without the pressure of a score. Tell the scribe you are running NFC. You have up to 60 seconds, and you can reward your dog with a toy or with large, non-crumbly, highly visible treats.

Can I get a refund if I can’t come?

There are no refunds after the closing date, which is 10 days before the show.

How do I know when to run?

We email your running order. Join the queue close to your number, with up to 5 in the queue at a time. If you have a good reason to run out of order, speak to the ring party while the course is being walked.

What if my dog moves up a grade at an RKC or A4A show?

They move up to our equivalent grade for their next Pinkfox show. Please email us before the Thursday of the show.

Which height do I choose?

You can run at your dog’s registered height or one height lower. Veterans and Anysize choose on the day. See the Heights tab.

My dog has not been measured. What do I do?

We measure new dogs on the morning of their first show, before 9:00 am.

Can my bitch in season compete?

Yes. She runs at the end of the class. Please tell the ring party for each class you have entered.

What can I use as a reward in the ring?

In Nursery, Anysize and Veterans you can hold a silent toy. Other grades can use toys and treats(large and non crumbly) only in an NFC run.

Are there spectators, and can I bring friends?

Yes, friends and family are welcome to come and cheer you on. As their host, you are responsible for your guests’ behaviour at our shows, and at summer shows they need to respect the 2 metre no dog or person zone from the fence.

Where do I park, and where can my dog go to the toilet?

You will be directed to the parking area on the day. We also send out ring plans with a site map showing where to park and where the exercise area for your dogs is.

• Agility: a sport where a dog and handler work together through a course of jumps, tunnels and other obstacles.
• Pinkfox IDA: Independent Dog Agility. Our friendly shows, a stepping stone between your training class and official shows.
• RKC: the Royal Kennel Club, the body that runs official agility shows.
• A4A: Agility 4 All, an agility organisation. If your dog already has an A4A grade, the Grades section shows what it converts to at Pinkfox.
• Grade: the level your dog is at. Nursery is for dogs who have never been placed at a Royal Kennel Club show. As dogs earn progression points they move up through Pre Intro, Intro, Novice and Expert. See the Grades section for how points work.
• Nursery: the first grade, for any dog that has never been placed at a Royal Kennel Club show, whatever their age. Nursery courses do not have weaves or a seesaw. Handlers may carry a silent toy to help their dog.
• Class: a type of run. At our winter shows these are Jumping, Steeplechase 1 and Steeplechase 2. Your entry fee covers all three.
• Running order: the order dogs run in. We email it to you before the show.
• Not For Competition (NFC): a run that does not count for results, for dogs who need practice time in the ring.
• Registration number: a number your dog keeps for life with Pinkfox, issued when you register them.
• Entry: booking your dog into a show and paying online.
• Ring party: the people who help run the ring on the day.

Before the day

1. Create your Pinkfox account.
2. Register your dog.
3. Choose your show and pay online.
4. Look out for your running order by email.

On the day

• Arrive in plenty of time.
• Find a quiet spot for your dog to settle. A crate or mat helps.
• Listen for your class to be called. You do not need to rush. We will help you find the ring.
• Your dog runs the course with you. Faults or a wobbly run do not matter. It is all learning.
• Results are shared after the show online or during presentations.

What to bring

• Your dog’s lead, water and a bowl
• Treats and a favourite toy
• A mat or crate for settling
• Poo bags
• Warm clothes and waterproofs, as the venue may be cool
• A chair for you

• What if my dog does not do the course? That is okay. Many dogs find a new place exciting. Stop, take a breath and leave happy.
• What if I forget the course? Walk the course before your class, and ask a steward if you are unsure. We have all done it.
• Do I have to win? No. The aim is a good day for you and your dog.
• Can I withdraw after paying? There are no refunds after the closing date, which is 10 days before each show.
• Who can I ask for help? Any ring party members or another competitor. We do have a friendly and supportive bunch all happy to help.