Page 48 - K9News_Issue16_May2021
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racing greyhounds, together we dabbled in lots
of activities and sports and had lots of fun! A
few years after this, we welcomed a gorgeous
lurcher into our family, who my sister began to
train and compete in agility competitions, and I
was lucky enough to be given the opportunity
to work with some of the dogs belonging to
the trainer. My main focus with these was
Rally obedience and agility. The trainer bred 3
Australian shepherds, and so needed an extra
pair of hands at a local open show, so after
a crash course in handling, we ventured to a
handful of open and champ shows.
Claire Tatum, Promotions: I have had Following this, one of the clients at the
Weimaraner’s in my life since since 1982, but training school asked me to handle one of
it was only 10 years ago that a decided to her Norwegian Buhunds at Gillingham and
take my new Puppy to Ringcraft and give Dog Shaftesbury agricultural show. It was here I
Showing a go! At the time I took my 5 year old met Neil and Jacqui. We had success and so
Daughter along, who in due course started I continued to handle Angel at many shows,
Junior Handling competitions. This gave me including a few adult handling classes, I
some knowledge, and an interest in Handling thoroughly enjoyed myself, and the rest is
in general, so I enter a Handling Competition history! I was also lucky enough to be asked to
myself! I have had the honour of judging train and compete Josephine in agility, Rally and
South West Handler of the Year, and in 2019 Obreedience. From here I started writing for Our
I was the overall winner of my age category Dogs about Obreedience!
CLKA Handling Final. To be in the final four More recently, I judged a fun show at Bath
and such great company was fantastic! I have Champ for Jacqui and was lucky enough to
also been on the Committee of Gillingham and meet Kim with her Beaucerons, and from
Shaftesbury Open Dog Show for the past 10 here I began to enter more handling classes
years. I’m passionate about good Handling, and with Izzee by my side! I’ve also begun to
so excited to be able to help handle more breeds and
grow and promote Adult my love of showing has
Handling Competitions in grown! I’m excited to be
the UK part of something huge
that involves my love of
Alysha Branchflower, IT showing!
& Design: For as long as I
can remember, dogs have Any questions about the
been a huge part of my Adult Handling Association
life. Before I was born, my or the future of adult
mum and grandad were handling can be directed
involved in showing and to any of the committee
ran companion dog shows or sent via the Facebook
and dog training for a lot page!
of years between them-
growing up seeing the show
is where my love of dogs
Andrea Keepence-Keyte
began! When I was 10, our
family rescued a pair of ex andi.keyte@hotmail.co.uk
48
K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MAY 2021
