Page 108 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

CRUFTS 2020

system. There were some great paw crosses at a were able to compete
distance – back of the dog to the handler and also representing France.
some fabulous “free turning jumps” at a distance – This team performed
something I haven’t witnessed before. A great routine to “The Phantom
with added touches of difficulty throughout. of The Opera” by
The next competitor Lindsey Stirling. The
was from Denmark routine contained a
Emmy Marie lot of distance moves
Simonsen & Border including a huge
Collie, Littlethorn Feet outrun when the dog
of Flames performing actually ran round
to “Hocus Pocus” by behind the judges at
John Debney. This such a speed it was
team had represented difficult to keep eyes on the dog 100%. The routine
Denmark at Crufts flowed from move to move very nicely and it had
several times. Emmy been well planned with good changes of pace.
entered the ring Michiko Matsuura
dressed formidably & Border Collie,
as a witch with a long gown and witches hat and Magnetic Missy took
she wore a false nose to complete the picture. The centre stage next
routine took us through a story and Hero collected having travelled to
ingredients together placing them in the cauldron Crufts representing
where he cleverly mixed them up with a huge wooden Japan. Michiko and
spoon. Hero was very keen to work with Emmy Missy worked well
giving very subtle cues – the arena did not faze him together performing
at all and he did everything he was asked to do, be it a well flowing
working close to his handler, poses or distance work. sequence of moves.
Brigitte Van Gestel Michiko’s dress was
from The Netherlands quite exquisite – a
& her Border Collie, deep red sparkly material with gold fringing and she
Nice of You to wore an elaborate feather in her head dress. The
Come Bye Royal beat and energy of the music suited the dog whose
Purplev were the tail wagged throughout.
next team to enter There was no
the arena performing mistaking the next
to “The Wizard and Team as the entered
I” from Wicked The the arena – the
Musical. Brigitte applause and cheers
is another regular could have lifted the
Crufts International roof! Yes it was the
Freestyle performer and she and her dog A’Mayzie turn of Nicci Hindson
didn’t disappoint the audience – the routine started and her Border Collie,
with A’Mayzie hidden inside a large trunk which she Comebyanaway
emerged from waving a paw to Brigitte. The routine Wildest Dream
was very neat with some very polished poses and who had only won
a good length of lateral distance work and a slow their place in this
motion cross front leg walk forwards. International Final on
Our next competitor was to have been from Italy, Thursday by taking first place in the UK Freestyle
however, travel restrictions meant she was unable to Final. Nicci was still showing her pride and happiness
make her way to Crufts this year. However, as entries – with a huge smile as she entered the Arena. Her
are restricted to just 12 places there were two reserves music was from Mary Poppins Return and she had
waiting to step in in case someone couldn’t attend, so chosen “Trip A Light Fantastic” for their routine. Well
at very short notice, Monis Guignard with Eidelweiss trained, Elsa, zoomed at break neck speed through
Full Crufts photo coverage on our website www.K9News.co.uk

108 - K9 NEWS DIGITAL