CHICHESTER & DISTRICT CS

26th JANUARY 2008

JUDGE - NEIL HOOD

JUNIOR HANDLING

First, I’d like to thank all handlers for accepting my choices sportingly. To do this is a mark of a true handler. To all handlers, your day will come, it is hard work but it will pay off.

When I judge handling, I always look for someone whom I’d be happy to hand my dog over for them to show. I can safely say that my top 3 in all 4 age groups met this criteria and in some cases surpassed it.

Starting with the juniors, overall observations are that presentation of the handlers themselves was impeccable, in some cases the dogs were not presented as they should be. Also particularly with the younger age group the golden rule is not being obeyed,it should be the first rule taught to you when entering into a handling competition. Never allow yourself to go between your dog and the judge. And when showing your dogs teeth, please be aware of where your head is, several times my view was blocked by handler's heads or hair in the way.

Junior Handling

6-11 years (7,0)

1, Charlotte Dalgarno, age 10 , handling a PBGV. This young girl was the only one not to break the golden rule. Well presented and controlled her dog on every move. Teeth shown well and moved her dog at the correct pace. Just lost out on the challenge for BJH as her corners could be sharper.

2, Kaitlyn BOAL, Age 7 , with a papillon. Im always sceptical when juniors this youngs enter in , but what a cracker she was. Not so sharp as 1 when dog was on the table but her floorwork was fantastic, best in the class and better than some in the upper age groups,my advice would be to focus on the table work, try standing in front of the dog rather than behind. If she can crack this, this young lady will have an excellent future in handling. I shall be watching her progress as she continues.

3, Emily McGuire with a Pharoah Hound.

12-16 years (9, 3a)

1, Roisin Howlett, 16, irish setter. Not the easiest of breeds to handle but she did well in doing so, smartly dressed and moved her dog at the correct pace, corners clean and hand changes were smooth. BJH well done....see you in the adult age range soon!!!!

2, Perry Pedrosa, 16, Flat coat retriever. Smartly dressed and polite young man, pushed 1 all the way. Corners neat and teeth shown well>moved dog at correct pace. Lost out to 1 on final presentation but well done. good to see some males taking top spots in a female dominated competition.

3, Amber Corcoran with a PJRT.

Adult Handling

17-39 years (3,0)

1, Lauren Vincent with a flat coat retriever. FLAWLESS, shown her dog exactly how i like to see, practically blended into the background and made it look easy. Teeth shown well and all corners sharp and neat, encouraged her dog all the way. BAH well done.

2, Gemma Price with a chesapeake bay retriever, Exact same comments apply as1. Neat turns, moved well, encouraging her dog. It was so close but a slight slip of the lead at presenting put her into 2nd place. Thats how close 1 and 2 were and i was literally picking on anything i could.

3, Stephanie Jefford with a PBGV.

40+ (8,3a)

1st Alan small

2nd Mary Small, both handling border terriers and comments apply to both. Handled well and sympathetically> both seemed to be enjoying their time in the ring. Corners neat and gait correct. Mary was place 2nd as her dog walked off the mat more than 1 which cost her 1st place. In the challenge for BAH the only thing that edged it in Lauren's favour is that she could be heard encouraging her dog. Something that Mr Small was doing before but not in the challenge.

3rd Jan Cole with a Labrador.

Thank you all for entering i had a fantastic day.

Webmaster - thanks to Neil for sending this critique in

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