West Of England Ladies Kennel Society

WELKS Championship Show 2025

Handling Classes

Judge Sarah White (Mischran Borzoi)

I would like to sincerely thank the committee for inviting me to judge, it was a real privilege to be part of such a well-organised and welcoming event and to my stewards each day for keeping the ring moving efficiently.

The standard of handling across all age groups was incredibly high, and I was delighted to see so many talented individuals stepping into the ring.

The YKC Handling classes in particular were exceptionally strong, and judging them was both a joy and a challenge. In many instances, the decisions came down to the finest of margins. I found myself having to incorporate more complex patterns and questions in order to separate the top handlers — which, although difficult for me as a judge, is a fantastic position to be in. It’s hugely encouraging to know that the future of our hobby lies in such capable hands.

One point I’d like to highlight is the importance of really listening to what the judge is asking, and being aware of where the judge is moving throughout the class — these fine details can make all the difference in presenting your dog to its best advantage. Enjoying the day and smiling also really makes a difference, and those who clearly were having fun on the day made me feel welcomed and at ease. And please, never be afraid to ask for clarification if you’re unsure; I would much rather a handler ask than guess. We only know what we know, and asking questions is often the best way to learn.

If you're ever in doubt or want to improve, I’d also encourage you to approach the judge after the class, respectfully and at an appropriate time, to ask for feedback. Showing initiative and a willingness to learn is the sign of a great handler, and it's how we all grow.

Thank you once again to all the exhibitors, your dedication, sportsmanship, and passion for the art of handling made my judging experience a memorable and rewarding one.

 YKC Member’s Handling Classes (Terriers)

6–11 Years (7/7)

1st – Amelia Richardson (Age 9)

A confident and accomplished young handler who displayed a mature and professional approach throughout. Despite handling a dog that was not her own, Amelia demonstrated a calm and sympathetic style. She listened attentively to instructions and executed clean, clear lines on the move. A smart and poised performance from a very promising young talent.

2nd – Abigail Twigg (Age 10)

Another calm and capable young handler who clearly had a great rapport with the dog. Abigail’s handling brought out the best in her dog. A steady, composed performance with strong potential for future development.

12–17 Years (1/3)

1st – Melissa Graham-Weall (Age 17)

Melissa showed a very mature and composed handling style. She was calm and sympathetic throughout, speaking gently and offering quiet encouragement to her dog. Her awareness in the ring was excellent, always ensuring her dog was visible and well presented. A thoughtful and effective handler.

18–24 Years (4/7)

1st – Elise O’Connor (Age 23)

An accomplished and polished performance. Elise presented her dog with confidence and skill, demonstrating strong ring awareness by maintaining clean lines and adjusting her positioning seamlessly. Her quiet encouragement kept the focus on the dog, showing a great understanding of balance between handler presence and dog presentation.

2nd – Ethan Roberts (Age 24)

A confident handler with a lovely connection to his dog. Ethan’s enthusiasm was evident, and he kept his dog engaged throughout. On the day, his chatty handling style slightly drew attention away from the dog, but this was a minor point. A capable and competent handler who was only narrowly edged out by Elise’s effortless polish.

Adult Handling Association Classes (Terrier / Utility)

17–30 Years (6/7)

1st – Page Le Moignan

A standout performance from start to finish. Page and her dog entered the ring as a well-coordinated and immaculately presented team. Her handling was smooth, confident, and polished, with natural transitions that kept the dog in the best possible position. Her responses to questions were calm, clear, and accurate. A superbly professional display.

2nd – Porscha Rault

An excellent handler with a strong bond with her dog and much of the same skill and presence as the class winner. The decision between 1st and 2nd came down to the finest details, with Page having a slightly smoother execution of transitions. Porscha remains an outstanding handler in her own right.

31–45 Years (6/9)

1st – Bethan Williams

Bethan presented a calm, composed, and professional performance. Her presentation and relationship with her dog were commendable. She followed instructions closely, maintained clean lines, and ensured her dog was always in the right position. Her ring awareness was subtle but effective—an impressive handler with real finesse.

2nd – Steph Duncan

Steph showed great rapport with her dog, handling with calmness and confidence. She encouraged her dog throughout the class and kept presentation standards high. The difference between the top two was minimal, with Bethan just having the edge in ring awareness and fluidity.

46–59 Years (2/5)

1st – Marie England

Marie presented her dog with assurance and skill, showing a composed and competent approach. A well-executed performance.

2nd – Craig Rumming

Craig demonstrated solid handling and a clear connection with his dog. A confident team, just slightly behind Marie in overall polish on the day.

60 Years and Over (4/5)

1st – Elisabeth Tracey Krieger

An effective handler, showing strong ring craft and confidence. A clear winner in this age group with a well-handled presentation, both her and her dog presented immaculately.

2nd – Janet Rice

A competent handler with a good connection with her dog. However, there was a lapse in following instructions during the class, which ultimately impacted placement. With greater attention to direction, her skills could easily place her higher.

YKC Member’s Handling Classes (Gundog)

6–11 Years (9/9)

1st – Eva Scott (Age 9)

A confident and composed young handler who showed a remarkable understanding of what was expected in the ring. Eva presented a calm, professional performance with clean, straight lines and consistent encouragement to her dog throughout. She answered questions with clarity and confidence and demonstrated excellent teamwork with her dog. A very promising partnership and one to watch.

2nd – Sophie Millars (Age 8)

Sophie handled with care and sympathy, showing a strong rapport with her dog. She was smartly presented and demonstrated a solid understanding of ringcraft. Just narrowly edged out by Eva’s precision in movement, but undoubtedly a skilled young handler with a bright future.

12–17 Years (2/6)

1st – Jayden Scott (Age 12)

Jayden gave a composed and confident performance. Smartly turned out and focused throughout, he listened attentively and used the ring effectively to present his dog to the best advantage. His handling was smooth, and he responded to instructions accurately, adjusting his positioning thoughtfully to ensure the dog remained in full view.

2nd – Lillie Norman-Thorpe (Age 16)

A very competent and professional handler. Lillie showed calm assurance and executed what was required from her well, though was just beaten today by Jayden’s slightly cleaner lines. A solid performance from a capable and experienced handler.

18–24 Years (3/4)

1st – Elise O’Connor (Age 23)

Elise continued to impress with her consistency and adaptability, having also handled a Tibetan Terrier in the previous day’s competition. Her calm, polished approach and exceptional leadwork stood out. She made excellent use of the ring and showcased her dog with ease and professionalism, proving herself a well-rounded and versatile handler.

2nd – Phoebe Toublic (Age 19)

Phoebe showed great affinity with her dog and handled with quiet confidence. Her leadwork and positioning were spot on, and she demonstrated strong ring awareness throughout. A highly capable handler, and the difference between the top two was marginal — both should be proud of their performances.

Adult Handling Association Classes (Gundog)

17–30 Years (3/8)

1st – Stacie Nicoll

Handling a nearly 10-year-old dog with confidence and skill, Stacie demonstrated a well-established partnership. She moved fluidly and sympathetically, always ensuring her dog was in the best position. Smartly presented and calm under pressure, she answered questions with clarity and maintained excellent composure throughout.

2nd – Miss D Beddall

Faced with a slightly wary dog, this handler kept calm and reassuring, bringing out the best in her dog despite the challenge. A confident and thoughtful approach, showing real sensitivity to her dog’s needs, a clear dog person.

31–45 Years (3/6)

1st – Rebecca Judd

Rebecca handled with calm authority and professionalism. Her attention to detail and gentle manner allowed her dog to shine. She was responsive to instruction and ensured the dog remained the focus at all times with seamless movement.

2nd – Abigail Gregory

A solid performance, and many of the same positive qualities as the winner were observed. One small point to consider for future improvement: greater awareness of the judge’s position is key, ensuring the dog is always optimally placed between handler and judge.

46–59 Years (4/5)

1st – Daisy Toublic

A confident and composed performance. Daisy answered all questions clearly and handled her dog with precision and care. Her clean lines and attention to presentation contributed to a polished performance.

2nd – Lou Roffey

Lou showed a strong rapport with her dog and used the ring well to her advantage. A slight error when asked to show the bite—showing all the teeth rather than just the bite—was the only detail that marked down an otherwise capable and well-executed performance. Listening carefully to the judge’s specific instruction is key at this level.

60 Years and Over (6/10)

1st – Sandy Nokes

Sandy delivered a smooth, professional performance. Both she and her dog were smartly presented, and her calm, focused approach enabled her to respond effectively to my instructions. A consistent and composed handler.

2nd – Caroline Gammon

Another strong handler, with a calm and steady manner. Caroline demonstrated excellent use of the ring and had a good connection with her dog. A thoughtful and capable handler.

YKC Member’s Handling Classes (Working & Pastoral)

6–11 Years (6/7)

1st – Ellie McGill (Age 8)

Ellie showed impressive maturity in her handling, listening carefully and responding calmly to every instruction. She made excellent use of the ring and maintained clear focus on both her dog and I at all times. Her leadwork was confident, and she answered questions with clarity. A very well-handled performance from a talented young competitor.

2nd – Leah Sharp (Age 7)

Handling a young GSD is no easy task, but Leah tackled it with confidence and sensitivity. Her calm, sympathetic approach was well-suited to the dog. While just lacking the fluid ease shown by Ellie, Leah’s capabilities at such a young age are excellent — with continued experience, her handling will only strengthen.

12–17 Years (6/9)

This was an incredibly strong class, with each handler performing to a high standard. The placings came down to minute details, as any of these talented individuals could have taken top spot.

1st – Megan Fylyma (Age 16)

A truly memorable performance, Megan handled with calmness, grace, and professionalism. Her movements were clean and correct, and she remained composed even when feeling unwell in the heat — politely asking to step out and then rejoining the class to continue without fuss. Her ability to maintain professionalism under pressure and return seamlessly was a credit to her maturity and skill. A deserving winner.

2nd – Megan Slack (Age 16)

Another strong, confident handler who worked the ring to her advantage. Megan answered questions clearly and recovered quickly when a correction was needed. Her awareness of the judge’s position was excellent, and her overall presence was polished. Very little separated the two Megans — both are superb handlers.

18–24 Years (4/6)

1st – Sophie Zbilut (Age 20)

Sophie presented her dog consistently and professionally, demonstrating clean, unobtrusive handling that let the dog shine. She was confident and calm when answering questions, and showed great awareness of her surroundings without drawing attention away from the dog. A very capable and polished handler.

2nd – Nicole Owles (Age 23)

Nicole moved her dog with ease and confidence. Her partnership with the dog was evident, and her presentation was sharp and professional. She gave a very strong performance, just narrowly behind Sophie on subtle points — another handler with natural skill and poise.

Adult Handling Association Classes (Working & Pastoral)

17–30 Years (1/6)

1st – Kian Pellow

Kian handled his young puppy beautifully, with a clear bond and a gentle, guiding presence. Both handler and dog were immaculately presented. Clean lines and a collaborative spirit. Just a small note for future shows — a touch more awareness of the judge’s position will enhance the overall presentation even more.

31–45 Years (1/1)

1st – Lauren Perfitt

Lauren gave a confident and accurate performance, responding precisely to instructions. Her leadwork was clean, and she kept consistent awareness of my location, ensuring the dog was always shown to best advantage. A commendable effort and very well-executed handling.

46–59 Years (2/2)

1st – Shiobhan Lea

A calm and composed handler who demonstrated excellent lead control and attentiveness throughout. Shiobhan answered questions confidently and maintained a steady presence in the ring, showing her dog to its best with clear, clean lines.

2nd – Zaneta Prazak Dickson

Zaneta’s willingness to ask for clarification when needed was admirable — this should be encouraged, particularly when English is a second language. She and her dog formed a lovely team, though there were slight differences in execution compared to the class winner. A very capable handler with great potential.

60 Years and Over (2/3)

1st – Sarah Kelleway

A confident handler who entered the ring with a smartly presented dog. Sarah answered questions clearly and showed her dog in a calm, collected manner. Her movement was clean, and her presentation consistent — a very strong, well-deserved win.

2nd – Ian Wakeling

Ian demonstrated a lovely relationship with his dog and gave a confident performance. With handling standards across all age groups being very high, the finer details made the difference here — in this case, the clarity of responses during questioning. Nonetheless, a skilled and composed handler.

YKC Member’s Handling Classes (Hound & Toy)

6–11 Years (5/5)

1st – Kaycee-Mae Turton (Age 9)

Kaycee-Mae presented her Borzoi with confidence and style — no small task for such a large breed. She was smartly dressed, calm, and showed excellent ring awareness, using the space to best advantage and ensuring the dog remained in view at all times. Her sympathetic handling and confident execution of every element made this an impressive performance.

2nd – Leia-Rayne Cooper (Age 9)

Impeccably presented and composed, Leia-Rayne showed a strong understanding of ringcraft and consistently ensured her dog was stacked and shown correctly. When unsure of an instruction, she politely asked for clarification — a quality to be encouraged in all young handlers. This curiosity and willingness to learn, combined with her natural aptitude, makes her one to watch for the future.

12–17 Years (6/8)

This was an exceptionally strong class where placings came down to fine margins, with each competitor showing commendable skill.

1st – Alexis Kirkwood-Emery (Age 14)

A smart and professional young handler, Alexis handled a heat-sensitive dog with patience and empathy, showing adaptability and calmness under pressure. Her movement was fluid, her leadwork confident, and she got the very best out of her dog, resulting in a polished and winning performance.

2nd – Maisie Allenby (Age 16)

Maisie showed her dog with calm assurance and made sure all attention remained on the dog throughout. Her lines were clean and her handling effective. On the day, Alexis had the edge through her exceptional rapport with her dog under challenging conditions — but both handlers were outstanding.

18–24 Years (1/2)

1st – Teigan Jones (Age 21)

Teigan is a patient, quietly confident handler who worked harmoniously with her dog. She used the ring well, watched my positioning with subtlety, and ensured her dog was presented to best advantage throughout. Her clean lines and thoughtful approach made this a pleasure to watch.

Adult Handling Association Classes (Hound & Toy)

17–30 Years (1/2)

1st – Hannah Wayman

A calm and focused handler, Hannah had an evident connection with her dog, ensuring every movement was smooth and purposeful. She used the ring space wisely, answered questions with clarity, and presented her dog consistently and confidently. A composed and polished performance.

31–45 Years

1st – Katie Dawson

Katie demonstrated a calm and controlled approach with a clear bond between her and her dog. She stacked and presented the dog to showcase its best attributes, with assured handling throughout. A tidy, thoughtful performance.

2nd – Hayley Reynolds

Hayley remained unfazed when her dog became distracted — her calm, sympathetic response ensured the dog settled quickly. Her ring use and lines were strong, and her bond with the dog was evident. Just edged out by Katie’s overall polish and presentation on the day, but a capable and skilled handler in her own right.

46–59 Years (1/2)

1st – Katie-Jayne Jennings

A competent handler who should trust in her ability. Katie-Jayne spoke to her dog reassuringly without fuss, maintained clean, correct lines, and adjusted leadwork with subtlety as I moved. Her control and presentation were very good.

60 Years and Over (2/5)

1st – Simon Sampson

Simon’s beaming smile and relaxed, confident handling created a wonderful atmosphere in the ring. He and his dog were enjoying the time in the ring, which made me enjoy my time judging even more. His connection with his 11-year-old dog was a joy to see, and his handling was clean, calm, and consistent. A class act, and a thoroughly deserving winner.

2nd – Mrs Lesley A Peters

A sympathetic and competent handler who presented her dog well and maintained composure throughout. Although her responses to questions weren’t accurate, her practical handling was effective, and she got the best out of her dog on the day. A calm and experienced presence in the ring.