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FIONA MYCROFT, 17 YEARS OLD
DISTRICT/COUNTY WHERE YOU LIVE:
Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottingham
HOW DID YOU START OFF JUNIOR HANDLING? I first started showing at the age of 6. Nobody in my family had ever junior handled but we had always been a family involved with dogs. So when i finally became interested in actually showing the dogs my parents entered me at a local open show in the JHA. I think i got a 3rd! Proud day says mum.
DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER DOGGY ACTIVITIES (OBEDIENCE,AGILITY,FLYBALL,ETC)?
Well iv never really taken part competitivly but me and my aunt trained our youngest whippet Peppa to sit and give paw. Her mum Maddie however isnt the quickest of learners so its taking time. Like they always say "cant teach an old dog new tricks!"
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU LIVE WITH,OWN AND/OR SHOW?
At home i currently live with my Whippet: Maddie and my parents 6 Dobermanns. There names are: Frankie, Foxy, Queenie, Polo, Mimi and Solo, unfortunatly we recently lost my parents top winning dobermann Ch & Irish Ch Talacre Vysan's Boy at Supeta otherwise known as Boris to Kidney desease. I felt it was only natural to mention him in our list of mutts! We also own another Whippet. Maddies daughter Peppa who lives with my Aunty Wendy!
WHICH ONES DO YOU USE FOR JUNIOR HANDLING AND WHY?
I use my whippets to junior handle because we have a great bond. They are both so well behaved and we make a great team. When it comes to the dobes i have never really got the hang of baiting them. They had a tendancy to nip my fingers and as my mums always pointing out, im just a big wuss!
WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN BEFORE IN COMPETITION?
Well i love handling alsorts of breeds and iv had the
pleasure of handling a Whippet, Dobermann, minature schnauzer, cavalier and a Basset fauve de bretagne plus a few others!
TELL US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE (SHOWING STYLE) YOUR BREED IN JUNIOR HANDLING CLASSES?
Whippets are a very gracious breed and are to always look beautiful within the ring. The back and front legs are to be stacked square so they are well balanced. When moving to and from the judge where they able to see the front and back movement i walk at an average pace, when looking at the profile of the dog i move at a steady/medium running speed. Getting the best out of my dog and giving a proffesional handling performance.
WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY WEAR IN COMPETITION?
I always wear a suit! You can't just wear casual in a
showing ring. You have to look proffesional as well as elehgant especially when showing a Whippet. In the summer a skirt suit and in winter a trouser suit.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS?
Breed ring- Bitch CC and BOB at Darlington 2008 with Peppa.
Best Puppy Whippet Stars with Peppa (supeta's bootilicious babe): Jan 2008
RCC with Peppa: Paignton 2008
6/7 1st's in Limit Bitch at various champ shows: Jan-present 2008
Handling- YKC National Handler Crufts 2006 handling Ch. Nevadith Eefa Empress
1st Richmond semi finals: Hound 6-11 years & Working 6-11 years
1st Crufts Handling 2008: March 2008
1st Richmond semi-final 2008 handling Peppa
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION SO FAR?
Winning YKC National Handler of the year 2006!
It was such a huge thing to win. Iv qualified once and won it once and thats all i needed and wanted to do. What a memorable day and there were so many talented handlesr from around the UK i didnt think i was even in with a chance!
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE 'TOP TIP' TO SHARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
As Marina Scott says 'win with pride, lose with dignity'. theres always going to be another handling class! Just remember to congradulate the winner because they worked just as hard as you!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JUNIOR HANDLING?
Well most people would think it would be the winning but its not just about that. Its about having fun with fellow handlers and your dog, if your having fun then so should your dog.
WHAT DISAPPOINTS YOU IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR HANDLING?
Judges who don't know anything about handling and instead of judging the handler they judge the dog or the amount of badges you wear.Iv experienced it! A judge placed me 3rd just because the other girls had more badges than me. I think too many badges can make you look untidy.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO BRING UP?
Just to enjoy handling whilst you can. Your not always going to win but your time will come where you will and it'll feel amazing! The day will come where you will become too old to go in JHA.
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