After heat discussion: Will be the European Open in the future only in the hall?

What a turbulent start to the European Open 2019 in Papendal, Netherlands. At least until Wednesday afternoon, everything looked like a normal tournament. Beside the very hot temperatures. Actually not uncommon, if you remember last year and several other events in the past. But the heat wave, which Europe has been holding tight for a few days now, just did not seem to want to abate. Many critical voices, especially outside the agility scene, were told that the event is no longer suitable for animals at temperatures around 40 degrees. The organizers subsequently decided to make some changes in the time schedule and postpone the competitions until late in the evening and early in the morning. This was communicated for the first time at the official team leader meeting on just said Wednesday. What followed is known. The organizers organized mobile floodlights, screwed up the schedule and divided the Large Team Jumping into two rings. Although the light could not fully illuminate the place, we have to take off our hat to the organizers, who have definitely made the best of the situation.

The recent weather conditions surrounding the European Open arouse the previous discussion about the meaning or nonsense of an outdoor event of this size in the middle of summer. However, the date guarantees not always sunshine. Remember for example 2011, when Silas Boogk take part in the final on totally drenched grass, notable barefoot and several times slipped and even outstretched his shoulder. Or in 2016 in France, when a chill turned the Parc d’Olhain into a single slide. Bad falls of humans and dog were the result. A topic that is also heavily discussed in social media. In the Facebook group Agility Europe, the Norwegian Christl Faltner asked exactly these questions. With a sarcastic undertone that the future European Open should all take place in Scandinavia and you can avoid the heat. But the topic was also discussed seriously, and much. Currently has the post around 200 comments.

Carlo Magnoli was also the first to suggest a postponement of the date and a reduction in the number of participants: “For sure moving it to the end of spring (last weekend of May?) would allow every nation in Europe to organize it. Maybe also reduce number of starters?…”. In fact, a change of the event into the hall is hardly possible due of the current number of participants. Compared to the European Open, even the World Championship is only a small event compared the number of participants and the tent area. Numbers that have grown steadily in recent years, but are likely to be just the special charm of the European Open. Furthermore, many halls are not air-conditioned and rather an impertinence for the animals. Kwiecien’s thoughts are also more in shift of date and time: “I think end of August might also be better… At least the nights would be colder. But I agree that something should be done, it’s getting more and more dangerous, and the direction the climate is going it won’t be any better”. Will we go to the European Open at the end of August and at night instead of another indoor event? In fact, this proposal is the most realistic right now. But there are also critical voices in this regard. Because the event so far takes place in July, among other things, the reason of the holiday season. At the end of August, many teams may not be able to compete because they can not get off work or take the free days. But if you see any need for action from the FCI, you will surely see it after the event. The discussions about it were in any case revived again.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/383870845005713/