UK judge and trainer Lisa Jordan offered advice to the owners of some 25 dogs who took part in the competition.
She started hoopers in 2017, having been involved in agility and dog training since 1987. Her two border collies both have world championship titles.
‘It transfers from agility but hoopers are trained totally differently,’ she said.
‘I love seeing dogs happy and wagging their tails.
‘It’s open to all ages, shapes, sizes, and any breeds. I teach a lady in the UK who is 83 and she’s amazing at it.
‘It’s a really rewarding way to build a relationship with your dog.’
In hoopers, dogs go through hoops but if they miss one, unlike in agility classes, they carry on because the pattern has to flow.
Handlers can run with their dogs round the course or direct them from a distance in a designated box to gain more points.
‘It’s really progressing over here,' said Ms Jordan.
‘The competition is increasing and numbers are increasing.
‘It’s great for younger dogs, right up to dogs who are mature veterans. There are not currently different levels over here, but once it grows as a sport there will be.’
Hoopers is considered good for younger dogs, or dogs now retired from agility training, because the activities are generally less taxing on their body.
One of the organisers, Liz Lillington, was excited to take part in the first official competition with a UK judge.
‘It’s a relief that it’s good weather and lovely that everyone has come out and we’re seeing some new faces,’ she said.
She was delighted to see such a wide range of breeds, ages and handlers taking part.
Competing with her dog, Roo, Chantal Barrett said that accessibility was one of the biggest advantages of hoopers.
‘It’s inclusive in terms of the mobility of handlers, but also the mobility of the dogs,’ she said.
‘It’s really low impact for the dogs, so dogs that might not be able to do agility because of the jumping can still do this.’
She said that some people taking part had many years’ experience of agility events, while others did not think their dog was suited to agility.
Helen Bougourd read about hoopers last year and gave it a go with her dog at a session for beginners.
‘It gives my dog so much joy and makes me happy when I leave the arena to overhear people saying that my dog is having so much fun,’ she said.
‘We get eliminated every time but my dog loves it.
‘I love building a relationship with my dog.
‘It’s all about doing things together where there’s no pressure. It’s a competition, but nobody takes it too seriously, which is nice.’
Shari Barrett, who started about 18 months ago, said that taking part brought her and her dog, Basil, a lot of joy.
‘He’s not a running dog, he’s a lap dog, but this can be for anyone,’ she said.
‘It doesn’t matter how long people have been doing it, there’s no pressure, and it’s just good fun.’
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