Discover Dogs

Discover dogs held at Earls Court in London, not only hosts many displays for the public, but also supports the Junior Handler of the year final. All 14 winners from the semi finals, held at Richmond champ show in September competed against each other under judge Paul Eardley. I was the one of the last competitors to arrive at the show, and was delighted to receive many good luck cards from my fellow handlers :) Danielle had brought Dante from Andover for me to borrow, although I hadn't seen him since Richmond!
After some practising and panicking, we all went in to the big ring for the first round. The judge asked each handler for a triangle and straight up and down, not easy to do when you are shaking like a leaf! After we had all completed our patterns, the Judge asked each of us to run across the ring and back, and also to go around the ring. There was then a nerve racking moment as he chose 6 handlers to move into the next stage... Helen Rishworth, myself, Hollie Kavanagh, Jennifer Tobijanski, Jodi Allen and Victoria Clarke all made the short list. The judge congratulated the other handlers as they left the ring.
Next we were asked to leave the ring and were introduced to a group of Golden Retrievers, kindly donated by the Berks Downs and Chilterns Golden Retriever Club. I chose a quiet looking male dog called Logan, his handler told me he wasn't entered into the display competition today, as he was bred for showing but his coat wasn't good enough. He was instead being used as a 'discover dog' for the day, were the public could meet the breed. He was so sweet! Logan was really laid back and good natured, he didn't mind being away from his handler and was so well behaved for the hour that we had to bond with our dogs.
I spent the hour getting to know Logan, which enabled me to learn he was very food minded! The hour passed quickly before we were back in the ring. Each handler ran around before setting their dogs up to be judged once again. The judge asked us for a repeat of the first class with a triangle and a straight up and down. Logan was very well behaved and ran with me, although he wasn't keen on me holding his tail to stand like we practised. Instead I free stood him, like I do with Dante, and he looked at me and wagged his tail for our present. All 6 handlers completed their patterns, and with a final look, we were asked to run around the ring again and then leave.
Immediately after this, we were handed our original dogs and we went back in the ring for the final placings. The judged asked us each for one more straight up and down, before having a really good look at all the handlers. The placing boards were brought out as he made his decision. He started to move towards the line of handlers, he was heading for me! I was really shocked but delighted as I moved into the middle of the ring. Jodi who was placed 2nd gave me a big hug as she joined me next to our placing boards for photos. Helen achieved 3rd, Hollie 4th, Jennifer 5th and Victoria 6th. After this we were awarded with our prizes, mine consisted of £150 from the Junior Handling association, and £50 the Welsh Kennel Club, and lots of goodies from the sponsor AGRIA Pet Insurance :)
Thinking back the win seems a complete blur, we spent the afternoon taking photographs and we celebrated with a McDonald’s on the way home! This was my last chance to get to the finals as I will be 18 next year, the next thing I have to look forward to is Crufts 2010, where I will represent the UK at the International Final. I'll have 2 new dogs for this competition, and will need lots of practise!
I'd like to thank Liz Cartledge and Irene Terry for organising the day, and Agria for sponsoring the competition, the Judge- Paul Eardley for liking my handling! The owner of Logan that I didn't get to meet as she wasn't at Discover dogs, and especially Danielle, for so kindly lending me such a super dog not only for the finals but for Richmond as well :) I couldn't have done it without Dante :)
I'll keep you posted with my next adventures!