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ROXANNE MCDONALD, 20 YEARS OLD
HOW DID YOU START OFF JUNIOR HANDLING?
From the age of 3 I went to companion shows with my grandparents and their Boxers. For fun I got put into the junior handling class at 3 years with a very well trained boxer, and I won a rosette, and that was the start of the long journey in junior handling. From then on I “demanded” to be entered, but not all shows would allow such a young person in to show, and they didn’t give in to the tantrums. Now and again I could go in, under my Grandad’s watchful eye and by the age of 5 I was very much into junior handling. At this time I decided I wanted a dog of my own, to train and show. When I was 7 my parents purchased an Irish Red and White Setter. From that day forward I have always had my own dog to show and train in both handling and breed.
DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER FIELD (IE OBEDIENCE, AGILITY, FLYBALL ETC)?
I have competed in obedience, flyball and grooming competitions and have done some agility training.
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU LIVE WITH, OWN AND SHOW?
I live with 5 Irish Red and White setters, all of which I have done junior handling with and show in the breed. I am in Part ownership with an Australian Shepherd who is now retired and I also show for friends as and when needed. I am currently handling Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers at most champ shows.
WHICH ONES DO YOU USE FOR JUNIOR HANDLING AND WHY?
I mainly use the IRWS and the ASD. These are the breeds I am at the shows with and have trained to cope with the abnormal movements however I’m always up for a challenge!
I used the Aussie in Obedience, flyball and grooming due to them being easier to train and more biddable.
WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN BEFORE IN COMPETITION?
The list would go on and on. To date I have handled over 40 different breeds and I wouldn’t even like to count the individual dogs.
TELL US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE (SHOWING STYLE) AN IRISH RED AND WHITE SETTER, OR WHICHEVER BREED YOU USE MOST IN JUNIOR HANDLING CLASSES.
An Irish Red and White Setter is a stacked breed where the head and tail are held out. They move with both elegance and drive which means speed is needed to show a correct moving dog.
The Australian Shepherd is similar in movement but is free stood. They can be stacked and their heads held.
WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY WEAR IN COMPETITION?
I would wear a skirt or trouser suit. When my hair was long it was tied back. Also a pair of flexi shoes with a very good grip. My shoes are so important with running fast dogs and with junior handling normally being inside with narrow mats means I need grip on slippery floors.
Obedience and flyball and grooming were never anything special, but I never competed and super high levels.
TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS?
I have had numerous places at the semi-finals at Richmond and made final splits in the biggest groups (Gundogs and Pastoral). My highest place was a 2nd. I have also had places in handling at Crufts and have been Best Junior Handler and both Red and White Setter club shows and Australian Shepherd club shows along with other breed club shows.
In Obedience I have had a few wins at companion shows, came second in the flyball team at Crufts 2001 and came runner up YKC groomer of the year 2005.
I’ve also just looked back and realised in each of my YKC senior handling classes at Crufts I have been placed. It’s nice to look back and see this.
My latest Achievement would be going BOB in Tollers at Crufts 2008 and being able to go into the Gundog Group with Brenda Smiths Glen, Thank you Brenda for letting me show you special boy.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION SO FAR?
I think it would have to be my second at Richmond. It was behind Jane Cryer so there are no complaints. Also at shows memorable occasions have been my groups wins in breed and a BIS.
My YKC Groomer of the Year runner up is also very memorable. I only went in for a laugh with little grooming experience and I was competing against Professional Groomers.
BOB at Crufts is my latest memorable Occasion. And showing in the group ring was an amazing experience I will never forget. (This result was worth having to withdraw from the YKC Senior handling competition due to clashing in which Joe, my brother won, to say I was proud of him to be told “Your too late the handlings finished but Joe won” when I came out of the toller ring was an understatement! Well done Joe, your win it’s still a memorable occasion to me, how could I forget with a two hour drive home of you bragging!)
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE 'TOP TIP' TO SHARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Top tip would be to enjoy the handling. If you can’t enjoy it you and your dog will not perform to your/its best. This also goes for ANY dog “sport” Never take anything to seriously.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JUNIOR HANDLING?
My favourite thing is the enjoyment of the day with the dogs. Whether I win or lose my dogs always do me proud and I still love them even on the day’s they play up!
WHAT DISAPPOINTS YOU IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR HANDLING?
Well to be honest these days there is a lot. A couple are:
The lack of respect for the dog, other exhibitors and judges you sometime see by the handlers.
Seeing dogs dragged left right and centre to shows and being handled in both handling classes as well as breed, especially young dogs on hot days.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO BRING UP?
Yes. Since judging the Junior Handling I have been made aware the some handlers are aware of the advance movements but can’t do a simple straight line or start their dog in front of the judge. As a trainer of junior handling as well as normal Ringcraft training I think that the most important need no in junior handling is how to show your dog off to it’s best to the judge. A good handler will give the message “look judge here’s my dog” and not “look at me”
Also, thank you to everyone who has supported me and those people who trust me to handle their dogs.
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