CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CH SHOW

September 2007

JUDGE: Gail Storie

I thoroughly enjoy judging the Junior Handling classes. You are the future of a sport/hobby which is under threat from many quarters. As such I believe in encouragement and reward, particularly in the younger classes, rather than perfection. It is always hard though, when faced with handlers in your own breed, who you have helped and become emotionally attached to. It is a no win situation as a judge who is rarely seen as being impartial in whatever they do under such circumstances. I judeg handling classes as I do with breed classes, with integrity and complete impartiality.

A few general comments first. These are things which can be improved upon and practised and they were a recurrent theme over the 3 days.

1 - Scruffy attire - there is no excuse for showing in jeans and a t-shirt in these classes.

2 - Shoes with a bit of heel height, particularly in the younger classes are unnecessary.

3 - Cutting corners. Too many triangles resembled circles or ovals, and the dogs were stopped moving on the turns. If space allows at home get the patterns marked out on the garden and practice practice practice.

4 - Being aware of judges position, especially when starting patterns.

5 - Getting ahead of the dog on the move.

6 - Pulling/yanking on the lead

7 - Over baiting. If correctly trained all that should be required is a hand in the pocket or bait bag.

8 - Harsh verbal commands

9 - Lack of communication with the dog

10 - Finally a real bug bear of mine, the use of any part of the body except the hands to position the dog.

Day 1 - Hound and Toy

6 - 11 years ( 12 )

1 - Charlotte Norridge age 9 handling a Beagle - a very good all round handler. Competant and unfussy. She impressed me.

2 - Emily Moore age 9 handling an Affenpinscher - Close decision with 1. Had good interaction with her charge nd used the ring well.

3 - Samantha Crawford age 11 handling a Papillon .

12 - 16 years ( 14 )

A strong class, one of the best in depth over the 3 days.

1 - Helen Rishworth age 14 handling an Italian Greyhound - my notes said super handler all round. Helen was competent, unfussy and mature in her handling.

2 - Georgina Ferguson age 5 handling a PBGV. Executes patterns with skill and presents very well on table and floor. However she needs to be more aware of the position of her dog as she tends to get ahead of it on the move which spoils the overall picture.

3 - Dom Santoriello age 13 handling a Min Pin - kept good pace with his dog and presented well but he rather over baits with the dog jumping up on him which is distracting.

Day 2 - Terrier, Pastoral and Working

6 - 11 years ( 11 )

1 - Dominique Witheyman aged 6 handling a wheaten - smartly dressed, showed bite correctly, kept the correct distance away from me at the present and used ring well. Her patterns were accurate but she needs to smile!

2 - Iain Williamson age 9 handling a Wheaten - a very competent youg mn, however needs to pay more attention to what is asked of him as he performed an extra pattern.

3 - Jayne Perks age 11 handling a Russian Black Terrier - I have judged this young lady before and placed her very highly. This time she let herself down by the use of her body to position the dog. Although far from what I would consider to be harsh handling, it was unnecessary and spoilt and otherwise flawless performance.

12 - 16 years ( 25 )

1 - Hollie Kavanagh age 13 handling a Doberman - I will not add to my notes which said - she hadled how it should be done.

2 - Gabriella Oxlade age 13 handling a wheaten - another very competent handler who just needs to look as if she is actually enjoying what she is doing.

3 - Tieryn Clark age 12 handling a Cesky.

Day 3 Gundog and Utility

6 - 11 years ( 15 )

1 - Aron Williamson age 10 handling a Dalmation - an extremely smart young man who executed accurate patterns and gave a good present.

2 - Barbara Jones age 8 handling a Standard Poodle - close decision with 1, she complimented her Poodle well, however got slightly ahead on the move which spoilt the overall pictre.

3 - Bobbi Shepherd age 6 handling a Field Spaniel - Very smart and keeps good pace with her charge. Needs to practice her corners.

12 - 16 years ( 22 )

Close decision between the first 3, it was the second pattern that was the decider.

1 - Amy Balch age 16 handling a Weimaraner - an extremely competent handler who pleased all round

2 - Amelia Siddle age 15 handling a Pointer - I was really splitting hairs between the first 2, another very good handler.

3 - Sara Ann Evans age 16 handling a Cocker Spaniel

Webmaster - thanks to Gail for sending this critique in.

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