Some of the area's top performing dogs will scale ramps, race through tunnels and sail over hurdles, demonstrating their athletic skills and high levels of training. Dog agility is fast paced, and a thrill to watch. Dog agility is a competitive sport in which a handler directs the dog over a timed obstacle course with scoring based on faults, as in equestrian jumping events. Because of its fast pace and simple, objective scoring system, dog agility is an exciting spectator sport. It takes about four months to train a dog to run a basic course.
Dog agility is a rapidly growing sport.
Regional participation has increased at least 40 percent in each of the last two years. The increasing popularity of dog agility makes this an exciting time for the sport. The agility competition at Dressage at Saratoga proves to be the best yet, with an exciting course and top competitors. The other festival events will be held at the Saratoga Race Course off exit 14. There is ample parking on the horse show grounds, and a shuttle will run back and forth between the race course and the Equine Center.