|
HELEN TAYLOR, 20 YEARS OLD
DISTRICT/COUNTY WHERE YOU LIVE:
Lincolnshire
HOW DID YOU START OFF JUNIOR HANDLING?
After 15 years of nagging parents for a dog we finally bought a GSP as a family pet. At various puppy classes many people suggested showing her and put us in contact with the local ringcraft club. We entered her first show she took BP, RBOB and PG4 and I won the JHA 12-16 handling out of 7 entries, qualifying me for Richmond with no practice. Goodness knows how i did it!!
DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER DOGGY ACTIVITIES (OBEDIENCE,AGILITY,FLYBALL,ETC)?
My first dog - what a star she turned out to be!! Shes turned her paws to everything from obedience and agility to gundog work and flyball at a relatively decent level and recently heelwork to music.
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU LIVE WITH,OWN AND/OR SHOW?
I currently have 2 GSP's, my first girl Leah and a male called Diesel.
WHICH ONES DO YOU USE FOR JUNIOR HANDLING AND WHY?
I used to use Leah all the time but since having Diesel he has proved to be the better showdog of the 2 even though he is much more awkward to show - every class is a task!
WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN BEFORE IN COMPETITION?
I show many breeds including GSP's, Dobes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bearded Collies, Shiba Inu's and Weimeraners.
TELL US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE (SHOWING STYLE) YOUR BREED IN JUNIOR HANDLING
CLASSES?
My main breed GSP's are stacked in the ring with the handler knelt down beside the dog. They can be moved either on a slack lead or strung up depending on the dog.
WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY WEAR IN COMPETITION?
I normally wear a smart trouser suit or smart trousers with a jacket.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS?
As i started last in handling i was pleased to qualify for the JHA richmond semi's first time out every year. My most recent successes include 2nd in the YKC senior handling competition at Crufts 2006. My breed successes include gaining my first RCC with Diesel my GSP in 2005.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION SO FAR?
I would say competing in that many competitions at Crufts that i run around like a headless chicken for the whole event but this is beaten by the day my boy won his RCC.
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE 'TOP TIP' TO SHARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Make sure you look like you are actually enjoying being in the ring!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JUNIOR HANDLING?
Making new friends and meeting up with people at shows.
WHAT DISAPPOINTS YOU IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR HANDLING?
When different judges judge for different things - the judges come from many backgrounds so what 1 may think is correct is considered wrong by another.
BACK TO CASE HISTORIES PAGE
|
