Busy Summer!

After a rather busy summer, I managed to get my act in gear for a spot of practising for the semi-finals this weekend held at Richmond Champshow, for the Junior Handler of the year. Handlers can qualify for this event by being placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd at any show which states that it is a qualifier, throughout the year. Handlers from all over the country come down to Ascot for the show, which is held in Losley Park across 3 days. For those of you not sure of the arrangement, there are two classes within each group- a 6-11 age group and a 12-16 age group. Throughout the years that I have been at Richmond, I have achieved a 4th, a 3rd and three 2nd placings, but I've never been fortunate enough to win my class. As I am now 17, this year was my last chance to enter, and with some deliberation, I chose to enter the 12-16 (if you qualify at 16 you may enter at 17) Pastoral age group, handling Dante- the Belgium Shepard dog I won the National Handler with at Crufts. The judge is announced at a later date, and my judge was Samuel Dean, won a semi final class with a rottweiler a few years ago when he was a junior handler. There were 17 other handlers in my class, and after all of our patterns, the judge made a shortlist, and then placed...
This time round, I was successful! I've finally won my semi finals class :) :) :) It felt amazing to be placed 1st, Dante wouldn't stop barking! This means that at Discover Dogs this November (63 days and counting!) I will compete against 13 other winners from their age groups, for the title of 'Junior Handler of the Year.' I'm already nervous, and its still ages a way! I will keep you updated on my training for the finals, but for now, I had better get in the garden and practise my straight lines!