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LAURA MAY NICHOLAS, 18 YEARS OLD
DISTRICT/COUNTY WHERE YOU LIVE:
Shropshire
HOW DID YOU START OFF JUNIOR HANDLING?
When I was 9 years old I convinced my mum and dad I wanted to show dogs after seeing my dad show our labrador puppy. So we groomed up our 8 Year old pet Welsh Terrier and I took him to his first ever open show and we got a second in the 6-11 handling class and a Best of breed! From then on I was hooked!
DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER DOGGY ACTIVITIES (OBEDIENCE,AGILITY,FLYBALL,ETC)?
I like to take part in nearly every dog sport you can imagine! Obedience , Agility, Flyball, Heelwork To Music, Working Trials, Breed Showing and Canicross!
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU LIVE WITH,OWN AND/OR SHOW?
I have 10 dogs at home , several are retired and the rest are all-rounders that I like to have fun with doing most dog sports !
WHICH ONES DO YOU USE FOR JUNIOR HANDLING AND WHY?
I mainly show Welsh Terriers in Junior Handling as this is my main breed and I like a challenge which you can always guarantee with a terrier!
WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN BEFORE IN COMPETITION?
Welsh Terriers ,German Spitz ,Labradors , Norwich Terriers, Pointers, Border Collies , English Spaniels, Bullmastiffs, Wire Haired Dachshunds and Scotties!
TELL US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE (SHOWING STYLE) YOUR BREED IN JUNIOR HANDLING CLASSES?
I handle every breed as it would be shown in the breed ring , to show off the dog to its best advantage and be nearly invisible as the handler. Welsh Terriers are stacked, but at the end of a movement pattern I feel its best to allow the dog to free stack (after training this before hand) to allow the dog to use its own expression and natural conformation.
WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY WEAR IN COMPETITION? A red or neutral coloured trouser suit as this is a good backdrop to most of the breeds i handle.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS?
Winning the Terrier Handling at the JHA Semi- Finals at Richmond four Times, Getting Reserve Junior Handler Of The Year at the JHA Finals 2004 and winning the Senior Handling at Crufts 2006
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION SO FAR?
Winning my first ever CC with my Welsh Terrier Bitch at Crufts 2005.
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE 'TOP TIP' TO SHARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Never give up and don't take it too seriously after all it should be fun !
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JUNIOR HANDLING?
Every competition is a challenge and you never know whats going to happen.
WHAT DISAPPOINTS YOU IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR HANDLING?
Handlers who only show their dogs in the junior handling and have their parents or
handlers show the dogs in breed as I believe that to truly be a good handler you must be able to show a dog to its advantage in a breed class situation as well as in the junior ring.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO BRING UP?
Just have fun! Thats what its all about and the winning is just a bonus at the end of the day!
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