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WINNER - Cait from South Africa
RUNNER UP - Emily from Canada
3rd - James Hammond from Ireland
Report by Laura Stuart - Cook
The international handling finals were held in a packed special events ring on the Sunday of Crufts. The tense atmosphere was unsurprising considering some of these juniors had travelled half way around the world to be there-makes me complaining about leaving for shows before 6am seem a lot less committed! There were 32 countries represented in the finals all prepared for anything Australian judge Steven Seymour-founder of the Australian Young Kennel Club-could throw at them.
The competition was split into 2 main rounds. The handlers firstly exhibited a breed of their choice and were asked to present their dog then move a straight up and down, a triangle and then around to the end of the line-which must have seemed a very long way to run in a ring of that size! It was interesting to see the different styles of handling from around the world with many exhibitors not obeying out ‘golden rule’ and getting between the dog and judge particularly on the turns. Once all had been seen the handlers left the ring to swap dogs for the second round whilst the crowd were treated to a preview of Mary Ray’s pre-BIS performance which was as awe inspiring as ever. After re entering the ring with a different charge the handlers were asked to perform a once up and down and around to the end of the line in order for the judge to see how they coped with their new breeds. Handlers were then returned to their original exhibits (who were (nearly!) all unbelievably well behaved throughout) and the judge made a shortlist of 11.
First to be short listed was the very first handler to be seen; Emma McKay from Australia who handled an Australian shepherd and then an American cocker. Her ambition in life is to be a millionaire (girl after my own heart!) and she chose to wear and eye catching bright pink skirt suit. Next to make the cut was Emily Burdon from Canada who comes from a long line of dog handlers and chose to wear an understated tweed jacket to emphasis the pointer and whippet which she presented. Third to make the shortlist was Iida Villman from Finland who coped well with a very naughty Scottie and a much better behaved Keeshond in the swap. Like many of the juniors it was her ambition to become a teacher and she choose to wear a pale pink skirt suit. Next to make the judge’s final selection was well known junior James Hammond for Ireland who had possibly the nosiest fan club of the competition! He wore a smart black suit and handled a Welsh followed by a Tibetan terrier. Rakel Osk Thrastardottir from Iceland wore a red and black ensemble to present the same two dogs as James and claimed that it is her ambition to be a dentist. Seventh out was Romy Raeymakers from Monaco who is an avid musician when not handling dogs. She wore a checked suit to exhibit a Basenji and boisterous Standard Poodle. Next into the shortlist was Geerke Eggenhuizen representing the Netherlands. She was handling a standard poodle followed by a whippet and claims it is her ambition to be a vet. South Africa’s representative Cait Pansegrouw who showed an Australian Shepherd followed by a Weineramer wore a bright red suit and hope to become a film director. The penultimate place in the shortlist went to Pia Adlesi of Slovenia who’s ambition it is to be a professional handler-she was obviously very pleased to be making a good start to her career here exhibiting a Chinese crested followed by a miniature poodle. The final person short listed was the UK’s own Hannah Rose-a very well known junior who has had success with both GSP’s (which she choose to handle today) and Rottweilers- she was wearing a smart cream trouser suit.
To rapturous applause the judge pronounced the winner Cait from South Africa, with Emily from Canada in second and James Hammond from Ireland in third place. All finalists were presented with rosettes and framed photos to commemorate their day and the three winners won a whole collection of goodies provided by Pedigree.
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