Report by Rebecca Hadfield

Daily Handling classes

Thursday - 6-11yrs

It was a first for Holly Kavanagh with her dobermann ,second with Page Allen and a third for Jayne Perks. Everyone did well though but it seemed close between Page and Holly. Holly wore a cream suit which made her and her dog stand out however Jayne wore a black suit which blended with the dog too much, Page wore a pink suit.

1. Holly Kavanagh

2. Page Allen

3. Jayne Perks

12-16yrs

There were 18 contestants in this class unfortunately again we were lacking in male handlers having just 2. 1st in the ring was 12 year old Charlie, she wore a white top and black trousers. Her dog was a little badly behaved but Charlie soon corrected it. When the bullmastiff came in, the handler tried to show his teeth unfortunately the dog backed away this cost the handler a few points and didn't get placed. However she did have a good suit contrast with the dog. 15 year old Jodie showed a Bermese Mountain Dog and came second. He jumped a few times and she went back to correct it. Our winner, James Rogerson did very well but I felt he just needs to talk to his dog a little more. 13 year old Hannah Hadfield went in with her dobermann, although she did very well and obviously knew what she was doing she needs to smile a little more and be more natural. She seemed very tense and this affected the way her dog showed.

1. James Rogerson

2. Jodi Allen

3. Rachel Fludder

4. Samantha Bull

*******

Friday 6-11yrs

There were 10 contestants today only 1 being a boy. I might have said it already and I'm likely to say it again but my time at Crufts has shown me that the obedience and handling world mainly handling is so female governed and it would be so nice to see some more male handlers as I know that they are very good and can become winners of Crufts as James did. The contestants today were very good considering how young they are. The bull terrier was too strong for one young handler and I think that's what may have marked them down. The judge of these handling events at Crufts was Miss Jane Cryer. She did these placing`s for this competition:

1. Gabriella Oxlade

2.Caitlin Forbes

3. Katrina Petitt

4. Ebony Owen

12-16 yrs

First in was James. James showed that boys can show well. I picked up that he knew his dog well and there was obviously a strong bond there whereas Sarah perhaps didn't as she didn't have a lot of control when setting up her dog. My advice to her is to perhaps not string the dog up too much as some dogs just don't like it. My 2 year old dobermann hates being strung up and we have to work round it. That's what makes you a good handler, knowing your dog. Dress is also important this means making sure your shirt is tucked in and making sure your suit doesn't blend in with your dogs coat. Fiona Mycroft did very well with her whippet and a lot of support was shown her way however I think Emily with her beagle also did very well.

The results were as follows:

1. Rebecca Ellrich

2. Georgina Ferguson

3. Emily Thornton

4. Rebecca Rowe

******

Saturday 6-11yrs

Again judged by Jane Cryer this time it was the toys and utility. I did an interview with one of the competitors, 11 year old Dom Santoriello (who didn't get placed) on what's its like to be in the ring.Were you nervous about going into the ring?Yes I was. Earlier that day I had been in the breed ring and my dog Scooby was very naughty. Everyone thinks that showing Miniature Pinschers is an easy task. It isn't as because they are toys dogs they can be quite snappy and as Scooby showed me, they can be good one minute, bad another.How did you feel when Jane picked you out for the final?I was amazed but proud. I knew Scooby was playing up but I hoped the judge could see through that.When you weren't placed did you feel disappointed?Yes but I think everyone felt like that. I know I could have done better but it just wasn't my turn this year. I'm pretty confident i can make it through for next year.Would you like to thank anyone and what are your plans for next year? I would really like to get into Crufts next year and win my class. I now have my own prefix so I want to breed my own littler of puppies properly and I'd like to thank my mum, dad, sister, brother and all my friends including my dog showing pals.

1. Amelia Whipps

2. Brogan Tutty

3. Lauren Whan

4. Ashleigh Butler

12-16 yrs

First in the ring today was Callam who did very well but needs more control and needs to learn how to set up the dog. Also he mustn't get in-between the dog and the judge. Lily was brilliant as second in the ring. She set the standards high with her shar pei. Francesca took a papillion in with her (a very popular breed). The main problems with this class was boredom (look of) and getting in between the judge and dog. This was one of the most common problems on this day.

1. Charis Lestrange

2. Jade Dunbar

3. Charlotte Roskell

4. Helen Rishworth

*******

Sunday 6-11yrs

There were only 8 contestants in this class. Neatness and standing out is very important in this competition as I've already said. In this particular class,there were some good and bad examples of this; Louise was handling a welsh springer spaniel and was wearing a brown/cream suit. This was a good choice as it complemented the dogs colours whilst making her and the dog stand out. However although Alice went and won her class, is it really necessary to wear trainers whilst in a handling class at Crufts? 7 year old Erin was handling a Large MunsterLander which she was excellent at handling. But although they all did brilliantly, not one person went round the other side of the judge when Jane came to look at the dogs from the back.

1. Alice

2. Erin Logie

3. Emma

4. Louise

12-16yrs

Gundogs have to be my favourite group and the handlers that went with them were no exception. Nicola was 3rd in the ring and got placed 1st. Her red top and black trousers coincided lovely with her Irish Red Setter. Stephanie was showing a Weimeraner and her suit was absolutely gorgeous it showed off the dogs colour but didn't have the roughness of red or black. It was a silvery/beige and her hair was extremely neat. The only boy, Joseph got placed. Although he was a little messy with his endings, it was very good lines and smooth. He was showing a red and white setter with a black/grey suit. He got 2nd.

The results were:

1. Nicola

2. Joseph

3. Alex

4. Rebecca

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