Canine competitors will compete in Little Rock, Ark. during the Sporting Dog Challenge April 20-21, 2002.

Bristol, CT — Murray Park in Little Rock, Ark. will host the Sporting Dog Challenge, April 20-21, 2002. The Sporting Dog Challenge features more than 45 canine competitors from around the region competing for medals, more than $4,500 in prize money and an open invitation to the Great Outdoor Games, the world's premier outdoor sports extravaganza, to be held late July in Lake Placid, NY.

The free-to-the-public Sporting Dog Challenge will feature competitions in large and small agility, big air and retriever trials. Original programming from the event will air in August on ESPN and ESPN2. The schedule of events for the two days follows.

"The Sporting Dog Challenge offers another region of the country the thrill of the Great Outdoor Games in Little Rock's backyard," said Cadence Harkins, Great Outdoor Games manager of sports and competition. "Outdoor enthusiasts and spectators alike have the unique opportunity to preview emerging new sporting dogs talent."

The Great Outdoor Games return to Lake Placid for a third year from July 11-14, 2002. The Games feature competitions in fishing, target sports, timber events and sporting dogs. The event will be televised beginning July 20 on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC.

Saturday, April 20
Agility Rounds One-Four
7:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Big Air Practice
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Big Air Prelims
3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 21
Retriever Trials
8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Big Air Final
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.