Welsh Junior of the Year JHA 2009

Mel was delighted to be invited to judge the Richmond JHA (Junior showmanship) qualifiers held in conjunction with The Welsh Junior of the Year event at Cardiff on 28th February 2009. Many thanks to Martin Sanders and his team for their hospitality and 'Welsh welcome in the Hillside'! Many thanks to Debbie Thomas (UK Bullmastiffs) for use of her © photos. Click on thumbnails to enlarge.

Critique as follows:

6 to 11 years.

This was a difficult class as the age and experience range went from one extreme to another, with entrants just starting out and some ready to move on up to the next class. Also, some competitors had borrowed dogs which clearly were not used to JH routine which made it more difficult for the handlers. I must mention Alice the Corgi whose face was an absolute picture when I moved her hind leg!

1) Libby Jones (10 yrs) handling a Sealyham, the only handler to enter the ring with her dog on the correct side in relation to my position in the ring. Followed this up with a flawless polished performance, watching both me and her dog and where she was going at all times. What more can I say but congrats to you!
2) Harleigh Morgan (11 yrs) handling a Pug, apart from the entrance a really good quality display of sympathetic and calm handling, just needs to see where the judge is before entering the ring.
3) Megan Roberts (8 yrs) handling an Australian Silky Terrier, again dog on incorrect side when entering ring and shadowing a little slow but other than that a good demonstration from someone in the younger age bracket, just needs to keep a little more eye on the judge.

12 to 16 years.

Two of these handlers let themselves down by either not listening or not hearing my reverse triangle instruction, ruining otherwise excellent handling skills. Don’t be afraid to politely ask the judge to repeat the instruction if you have not heard it correctly.

1) Catrin Roberts (14 yrs) handling a young Australian Shepherd, so not the easiest charge. Listened to my instructions, carried them out perfectly, yet giving her dog lots of sympathy and encouragement, a quiet handler with a lovely laid back technique. Well done!
2) Ellamay Morgan (13 yrs) handling an Affenpinscher, a near perfect round, watched me, watched her dog, but for some reason seemed to round the last corner as opposed to making it sharp which just spoiled the lines.

3) Danielle Taylor (13yrs) handling a Bichon Frise, excellent handling and at one with her dog but didn’t do the required reverse triangle so had to pay the penalty.

Good luck to all of you during the summer and at Richmond.