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FIONA BROOK, 16 YEARS OLD
DISTRICT/COUNTY WHERE YOU LIVE:
Norfolk
HOW DID YOU START OFF JUNIOR HANDLING?
I have been going to dog shows and competing since the age of about 6 in junior handling, then I went on to showing in the breed ring with Molly at about 9.
DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER DOGGY ACTIVITIES (OBEDIENCE, AGILITY, FLYBALL, ETC)?
I take part in Showing and Grooming competitions!
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU LIVE WITH, OWN AND/OR SHOW?
I live with 11 dogs, and I have shown other peoples in the past! We have American Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles and Standard Poodles; I show and trim all three breeds.
WHICH ONES DO YOU USE FOR JUNIOR HANDLING AND WHY?
I am now using the Miniature Poodle puppy mainly as I am now really building a rapport with her. I have in the past taken in Americans (Ed) and Standards in (foster recently) also the odd min!
WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN BEFORE IN COMPETITION?
I have shown Standard poodles, Min poodles and American cockers, oh once I took a standard schnauzer in - that was a laugh!
TELL US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE (SHOWING STYLE) YOUR BREED IN JUNIOR HANDLING CLASSES?
The Poodles should be well balanced, and elegant looking with very proud carriage, they are shown in a variety of ways when it comes to running them, it also changes for every dog I show. I normally have them on a chain with it coming out from the side of the head and the back of the chain pulled up high behind the ears as I find this brings the head up and you get that better shape when they move. I run at a fair speed with both the Mins and Standards as all of ours can really move well, with good reach and drive giving the open side gait. They should have sound, free and light movement which is essential with plenty of drive. They are a stacked breed mainly although some do free-stand them, they are stood balanced with the front legs directly under the body and the back out a bit some can go out at the back further than others it all depends on the dog. The head is held level with the neck fairly straight, although on the move the head is at the 10 past 12 angle, the tail should be set at a 10 to 2 position and held fairly straight up.
The American Cockers should be merry, free, sound and keen to work. They are shown in a variety of ways. When it comes to moving them again, I show them with the lead behind the ears and as close to the chin as possible, it’s a good way of keeping the head up and maintaining that lovely shape. I run at a fair pace but not to fast so the dog is extending well giving them the lovely wide open side gait which makes the Americans look so breath - taking on the move. I am lucky to have a dog with this quality when he does decide to move well. They are a stacked breed, with the neck very slightly forward the head level, sloping topline standing and on the move, front legs directly under the body with the back ones out a bit some can go out at the back further than others it all depends on the dog, the tail should be carried on a line with topline of the back or slightly higher and held the same.
WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY WEAR IN COMPETITION?
I normally wear a red dress suit to championship shows, and orange jacket with white trousers and shirt to open shows, although I do want an orange 3-peace suit! If anyone knows of one let me know!
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS?
My best achievements in showing must be winning the puppy stakes overall on the day with foster around 2 years ago, I also won best puppy in breed with him that day! Then the next has to be at City of Birmingham this year, I won the YKC utility stakes with foster, also 3rd in junior handling and best puppy in breed with Scarlett, then at Richmond I won the puppy stakes overall on the day with Scarlett.
In grooming competitions the wins that stick out to me most are YKC Groomer of the year 2003 and 2004. I was also 3rd newcomer of the year at Groomer of the Year in 2004 after winning the standard poodle class! But the one that really sticks out would have to be 2nd to Philip Langdon at Eurogroom in 2004 it was like winning the class to me!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION SO FAR?
They are all mentioned above - there are just too many moments I am so proud of!
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE 'TOP TIP' TO SHARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My golden rule is to enjoy whatever you are doing if you don’t enjoy it your result will not be as good, like your handling won’t be as tidy as it could be or something. Also if you get anyone offer to help you, take it. I have heard of handlers turn down help saying they dont need it, you learn for life, be proud they want to help you!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JUNIOR HANDLING?
It would have to be when you win you then realise all the hard work has paid off.
WHAT DISAPPOINTS YOU IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR HANDLING?
The people that get forced in to it by the parents - you can see they are not enjoying it!
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO BRING UP?
Yes, I would like to say a huge thank you to Roxanne McDonald who has helped me a lot with junior handling over the past year it has really helped, I am also so glad she is my friend shes helped me in more ways than she could imagine, some she does’nt even no about! I would also like to wish everyone best of luck in all the events in the future!
P.S my website is http://sculbrook.hazybek.net
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