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By Jamie Ross

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SUSSEX - Two Sussex dogs and their handlers will represent New Brunswick at the Agility Association of Canada National Championships here Aug. 7-10.

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Allyson Mitton and her dog, Hershey, and Santanna Hourihan and her dog, Sprint, pose with their qualifying ribbons won at the regional championships in Salisbury. Both dogs are from Sussex and will compete at the AAC nationals in Sussex next month.

Allyson Mitton and her Border Collie, Hershey, and 14-year-old Santanna Hourihan and her dog, Sprint, also a Border Collie, qualified for the national championships last weekend while competing in a regional competition in Salisbury.

It will be a family affair for the two Sussex dogs, which are brother and sister.

Both dogs and their handlers are a part of the FAST (Fundy Agility & Sports Team). The Sussex-based club will have a total of 11 dogs from around the province competing at this year's national championships.

The event is set for Princess Louise Park, and the dogs will compete in three courses, where they will be required to conquer a series of obstacles such as jumps, beams, tires and tunnels.

Mitton said the first course, the standard run, highlights the dog's ability to perform each obstacle accurately. The second, "gamblers run", focuses on the handler's ability to work with the dog at a distance. Handlers must stand 22 feet away from the dogs while directing them to complete the course.

The third course consists of jumps and tunnels.

There will be a fourth course that carries no weight on the final results; the "steeplechase".

The steeplechase is a time trial for prize money and each dog must complete the obstacle course as fast as possible with the least amount of faults.

Mitton said the steeplechase is the highlight event for spectators.

The AAC nationals will host up to 500 dogs plus their handlers, coming from both the Canada and the United States. Winners from the championship will be selected to compete at the world championships next year.

Mitton said they are looking for volunteers to help out with the AAC nationals. Volunteers must register at aacnationals.ca to get involved.