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GEMMA ALPE, 24 YEARS OLD
DISTRICT/COUNTY WHERE YOU LIVE: Norfolk
HOW DID YOU START OFF JUNIOR HANDLING?
At the young age of 6 years, we went to our first Exemption show (Companion Show) where a friend of mine asked me if I would like to show his Bichon Frise in the junior handling class, that’s how it all started.
DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER DOGGY ACTIVITIES (OBEDIENCE,AGILITY,FLYBALL,ETC)?
No showing is all.
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU LIVE WITH,OWN AND/OR SHOW?
At present I live with 13 Border Terriers, 2 that I own myself, the rest belong to my mother.
WHICH ONES DO YOU USE FOR JUNIOR HANDLING AND WHY?
They have all at one time or another been handling dogs for me, but one dog in particular Poacher (CH Pipruda Poachers Pocket) has seen me through to the top. Mainly because i know that he as well as me enjoys every minute of the competitions and that is very important.
WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN BEFORE IN COMPETITION?
Border Terriers,Bichons,Rottweilers,Smooth and Rough Collies,Bernese Mountain,Rhodesian Ridgebacks,Springer Spaniels,Cocker Spaniels,Manchester Terriers,Smooth Haired Daschunds,Bearded Collies.
TELL US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE (SHOWING STYLE) YOUR BREED IN JUNIOR HANDLING CLASSES?
Border Terriers can be either stacked or free stood this does depend on the particular dog, and walked on a slight loose lead but not strung up.
WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY WEAR IN COMPETITION?
I would normally have worn a Black suit with sensible flat shoes when I was Handling . Now as i am getting older I like to show in a jacket with neat trousers usually a beige colour that complements the dogs.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS?
I was Pedigree Junior Handler of the Year in 1998 with my Border terrier. I won the Semi's 4 times twice with my border winning once and placed 5th,and twice with a Smooth Collie, and one of my wins with the Smooth Collie my brother Daniel also won the Terrier group the same day with his Border Terrier we were only the 2nd brother and sister to win through to the finals he went on to win 3rd. I have now made two of my parents Borders into champions and have taken many CC's and RCC's with ours and other peoples Borders.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION SO FAR?
Everything that I achieved in handling was memorable for me I cannot single anything out.
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE 'TOP TIP' TO SHARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Just enjoy handling.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JUNIOR HANDLING?
There are lots of people out there who become great friends and you can share your highs and lows with them.
WHAT DISAPPOINTS YOU IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR HANDLING?
Handlers that don't do it because they enjoy it!
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