Coventry Ladies Kennel Society

YKC handling.

The overall quality of handlers was outstanding at this show. I had to make some tricky decisions in my placings. Just something to be mindful of is your positioning in the ring, especially when returning to the judge after your pattern work. The dog needs to be three paces away from the judge in the stack. This allows the judge to see your overall stack.

6-11 years old

1st Daisy Bray

Handling a whippet. Daisy is an excellent handler. Calm and understated in her charge. Her pattern work was neat, with clean straight lines. The rapport she had with the dog she handled was unmatched in the class. This is a testament to her approach in handling dogs as she told me after the class, she borrowed it. Her attentive nature is admirable, and she will be one to watch in the YKC ring at Crufts.

2nd George Gardner

Handling a miniature poodle. George is another excellent handler who will go far in competitive handling. His pattern work is excellent alongside his presentation of his dog. He completed his triangle with neat, straight lines and was aware of my positioning throughout the class. Although he pushed hard for 1st place, it seemed that the connection between him and the dog wasn't quite as natural as the bond the first-place team shared.

12-17 years old

This was such a tricky class to judge. The level of handling here was outstanding.

1st – Isabelle Collier

Handling a dalmatian. I judged Isabelle in the adult handling and although she stood alone in her previous class, her handling in the YKC class was unmatched. Isabelle is understated and exceptionally neat with a larger breed. Her pattern work was clean with straight lines. She was aware of my positioning throughout the class, and it is clear she has an excellent rapport with her dog. Best overall YKC Handler.

2nd Sraeyaa Jayakumar

Handling a schnauzer. Sraeyaa is a wonderful handler and pushed hard for 1st place. She is calm and understated in her charge. She blended into the background and showed off her exhibit to its charge. Pattern work was clean and neat, and she was aware of my positioning throughout the class. I was splitting hairs between 1st and 2nd place and could have easily swapped on a different day.

18-24 years old

1st Elise O’Connor

Elise is a great handler who was handling a Tibetan Spaniel. She was neat and sympathetic in her charge and has an excellent rapport with her dog. She had exceptional lead control, whilst showing teeth. She moved her positioning when necessary to never come between me and her dog. She moved her dog at the correct pace and had Iincredibly neat pattern work.

2nd – Phoebe Toublic

Phoebe is another exceptional handler who handled an ESS. She truly blends into the background when handling her dog. She was aware of my positioning throughout the class and moved her dog at the right speed to show its movement. I was splitting hairs between first and second place and they could have swapped on a different day.