National Gundog Association

Junior Handling Association Semi-Finals, held in conjunction with National Gundog

Thanks so much to the JHA for the invitation to judge this competition – there were some incredible young handlers present and the future of our sport is in safe hands. 

I asked every handler to identify a point of their dog’s anatomy and many struggled. It’s well worth swotting up on basic points of the dog. If you want to progress to become a professional handler or judge one day, understanding confirmation is paramount. A couple of handlers also broke the ‘golden rule’, which cost them a higher placing, but is something that is easily rectified. 

I was delighted to see wonderful sportsmanship between the handlers and they were all gentle and encouraging with their dogs. My two winners – who I didn’t realise both had Hungarian vizslas until afterwards! – were both exceptional and I wish them all the best in the finals later this year.

6-11 (6)

Only the first two handlers in this class could tell me where their dogs withers were.

Konan Maver with a Hungarian Vizsla. What a lovely partnership these two have. Konan stayed calm throughout the class and was very gentle and encouraging to his dog. Stacked his dog accurately and noticed immediately when I moved a paw out of line. Had the best lead control in the class and completed accurate patterns with straight lines but without halting his dog too much at the corners. Managed to keep a quiet eye on my position throughout and showed the teeth cleanly. Just needs to work on stacking his dog a little more quickly in the first and last line ups before he gets to the finals. Good luck!

Connor Morris with a German Shorthaired Pointer. This confident young handler had his hands full with a large GSP, who didn’t want to make his life particularly easy! Really came into his own on the move where he paced out perfectly, gliding around the ring in perfect harmony with his dog. Completed straight lines with neat corners and handled the lead well. Made the most of the whole ring and kept an eye on where I was standing. Stacked his dog carefully, answered my questions confidently and showed the teeth very clearly. Just needs to keep an eye on the dog’s foot placement as he didn’t notice when I moved a paw, but this is difficult with such a big dog.

Jackson Kirkwood-Emery with an Italian Spinone. Have judged this young handler before with a dachshund and did him well then. Really promising youngster who I’m sure will go far. So smartly presented and knew how to stand his dog four-square and corrected it immediately when I moved a paw out of line. Encouraged his dog on the move and completed straight lines, making the most of the ring. Just lost out today as he wasn’t able to answer my question on confirmation and took some thinking time in the middle of the ring to make sure he didn’t break the golden rule.

Anastasia Youtsis with a Pointer. Another promising handler with lots of potential. So gentle and encouraging with her dog and they clearly have a great rapport. She showed the teeth well and corrected her dog when I moved a foot out of line. Moved at the correct pace and with nice, straight lines but didn’t make the most of the space available in the ring.

Ellie McGill with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. I thought Ellie would be my winner when she first came into the ring as her first stand was wonderful and her and her dog really presented a striking picture with her bright blue suit complementing the dog’s coat colour. Unfortunately her dog had other ideas and point-blank refused to pay attention to her, despite her trying everything she could think of. It’s testament to her character that she remained so calm and I’m sure she will have a bright future.

Sophia Devakumar with a Golden Retriever. A really gentle handler who clearly loves her dog. Was smartly presented and moved her dog at the correct pace and with straight lines. Just needs to remember the golden rule and make sure she doesn’t come between the judge and the dog, and I’m sure she’ll climb up the placings.

12-16 (15)

Keira Angus with a Hungarian Vizsla. My notes say ‘examplary’. Everything I look for in a handler – calm, efficient, gentle and really got the best from her dog. If I hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have known she was showing a six-month-old puppy as she handled him so beautifully. A great handler should fade into the background and really make her dog shine, and she did just that. Stacked her dog quickly and accurately, showed the teeth cleanly, answered my questions confidently, corrected immediately when I moved her dog’s paw. She shone on the move, pacing her dog perfectly and making the most of the ring. Her pattern work was excellent, completing neat lines, retuning right to my feet to turn, changing hands smoothly and stacking her dog the correct distance from me at the end of her movements. She was smartly and appropriately dressed for showing a gundog and should have a very bright future in the ring. I wish her every success in the finals, she has all the skills needed to go far. Well done.

Abigail Kirkwood-Emery with a German Wirehaired Pointer. Unlucky to meet my winner on such fine form. Another who I have judged before with a smaller breed but actually think she shone today with a GWP. Stacked her dog beautifully, always making sure the feet were perfectly aligned. Showed the teeth cleanly, answered my questions perfectly, and kept a quiet eye on my position, adjusting her dog as necessary. She had a large dog and really strode out well to move it at the correct pace, completing the straightest of lines and keeping the dog flowing around neat corners. I was splitting hairs here but she just lost out on the speed of stacking her dog on the first stand compared to my winner. One who will go far.

Leila Levene with an Irish Setter. Put on a fantastic show and really troubled the top two. Her Irish setter dog looked a picture in her hands, and they clearly have a wonderful rapport as he did everything she asked of him with a wagging tail. It can be hard to make sure the feet are perfectly aligned in such a coated breed, but she did this carefully every time. Moved her dog at the correct pace, flowing around corners and swapping hands with ease. Her final across and back just veered off to one side or she may have taken a higher place. One to watch.

Abbie Smith with a Weimaraner. This was a really strong class and all six of the handlers placed have something special. Abbie and her dog were a wonderful team and you could see the partnership between them. Stacked her dog quickly and accurately, keeping a keen eye on my position. Answered my questions and showed the teeth well. Moved at the correct pace, making the most of the ring and completing the straighest of lines. Just failed to notice when her dog moved its front paw out of line in the centre of the ring.

Kendra Wilson with a Flat Coated Retriever. Another very talented handler who had a smile on her face and was clearly enjoying her time in the ring, as was her dog, who never stopped wagging its tail. The colour of her suit beautifully complemented her flat coat. It’s never easy to freestand a dog well but she presented a masterclass in getting the feet in line and efficiently switching the bait out of her hand to show the teeth cleanly, which many who freestand their dogs struggle with. Her patternwork was perfect until the final straight up and down when she veered off to one side. Hope she sticks at it.

Daisy Nicholas with a German Shorthaired Pointer. Completed a line up of six excellent young handlers. Stacked her dog quickly and accurately, keeping a keen eye on my position and making adjustments as necessary. Showed the teeth cleanly and answered my questions confidently. Moved her dog at the correct pace, with straight lines, neat corners and good lead transitions. Just needs to keep the lead looped over her thumb when stacking rather than dropping it as it looks unsightly and means you don’t have full control over the dog, which is important in a handling class.

Laura Crombie (Judge)