Page 111 - K9 News Digital - Issue 11 May2020

represented our country, well done Sarah! I asked Maeve, Lucy & Suzie McCarthy
Sarah to tell me a little bit about the event. I handle my Smooth Fox Terriers; I am from County
“My name is Sarah Cushley, I am 17 years old and Wexford.
have been competing in Junior Handling for four
years. In January 2020 I won the 2019 Irish Junior
Handlings Finals for the second time with my Saluki
‘Omaar’, this time under judge Mr Patrick Oware
from Norway. It is a dream come through to win this
competition once, not to mention twice! By winning
this event I was crowned 2019 Irish Junior Handler
of the Year and qualified to represent Ireland at the
International Junior Handling Finals at Crufts 2020.
It was an amazing experience! It took me a while to
decide what breed to use for the event, after much
deliberation I choose an English Springer Spaniel
and was over the moon with the dog I was given for
the Finals, a male called George. We bonded quickly
and had great fun together! My “swap dog” was a
by Emer Wright Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, a breed I had never
handled but really admired! Even though I did not
get placed in the end, I had so much fun and really
enjoyed getting to meet all the other Junior Handlers
from all over the world! Although I am disappointed
that this was my last chance to compete in the “After a successful Crufts we returned home then the
International Junior Handling Finals, I am so grateful lockdown began! During lockdown my sisters and I
to have been given the opportunity to represent have been keeping very busy. We have been training
Ireland twice at this great event! I hope the Juniors our Smooth Fox Terriers and Alaskan Malamutes in
who get to take part in the coming years enjoy the our pop up show ring in our garden and have even
experience as much as I have. Thanks to everyone tried agility with our Smooths. We have had time to
who has supported me at Crufts and throughout my read about dogs and rewatch videos of Best in Shows
Junior Handling career.” and Groups.
I have swapped the show
JHAI Update on COVID-19
lead for a paint brush to paint
Following on from queries in recent weeks, The breed Silhouettes for Sumalu
Junior Handler’s Association of Ireland would like to Silhouettes, my art Facebook
inform Members that we are aware that the cancelling page. Although there are no
of shows in Ireland is likely to have an impact on the shows this summer, we will
number of points that Junior Handler’s will be eligible continue to practice with our
to win throughout the year. We will continue to review dogs and wait for the shows
the situation over the coming months and will keep to begin.”
all of our Members up to date with any changes in
relation to the requirements regarding 2020 Finals Tara Murphy
qualification. In the meantime, we hope that our
Members and their families will stay safe and keep
well.
“Lockdown Lowdown”
I asked some of the Irish Junior Handlers to let me
know what they had been getting up to lately and to
tell me a little bit about what has been keeping them
occupied throughout their lockdown experience and
their unexpected break from school and dog shows!
Do not worry if you weren’t featured this time, I hope
to contact more Junior Handlers to feature in the next
issue!

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