I first entered the world of Show Dogs 14 years ago when I attended my local ring craft with my Mum and Dad and our two new Belgian Shepherd Puppies (Ria - Ered Ferry Cross the Rio a Tervueren, and Bella Zellik Primadonna Bear a Groenendael). We started basic Obedience classes just to have some fun, and our trainer Lyn Church and a Belgian Shepherd Enthusiast June Fisher said that we should really try to show our dogs, of course our response was don't be silly, that's just for people who go to Crufts! Little did we realise that a year on we would also be those people who attended the world's greatest dog show.

So after some persuasion, we decided that we would stay to the ring craft section of the club which followed the obedience class, and try to learn what the world of showing dogs involved. It was mainly my Mum who started to show the two puppies in the beginning as I was not confident enough. Evetually, Lyn and Shane encouraged me to enter my first junior Handling class at their evening exemption show.

I remember it well. As Ria was too strong for me, I used June's dog Sadie to enter the class. I remember standing in line with all the other juniors trying to move legs to get Sadie to stand to perfection. I was doing ok until the judge, Tim West, started to talk to me! My nerves overcame me, and I sat on the stage in the hall in tears!!! (he even gave me his tie to dry my eyes but that didn't work!!)   A few months later after lots of practise with Sadie I entered my 1st Open Show, and I managed to come 4th!  Looking back on it, I could not have even imagined how far I would go from there.  

As the years went on I continued to train hard. Mum handled Ria as she was a live wire and at her second show Mum handled her to Best Puppy in Show, she was so proud and I was so proud of her maybe we will get Mum back in the show ring one day! Bella was the total opposite to Ria. She was so timid and only seemed to show for me. So we decided I would campaign Bella and Mum would campaign Ria. I showed both in handling classes and Breed classes and managed to win a few awards (but it didn't really matter as its only a bit of fun!)

As the years passed I started to attend different handling events and in 1994 I attended the International Handling Match held in Salisbury by Mrs Jacqui Hurley. This was a team event which we had to go in the ring about 18 times in one day under 6 different judges. We were lucky enough to qualify for the finals on the second day. Our team won best 6-11 year team and this qualified us for a trip to the World Dog Show in Brussels , Belgium .

It was 6am in the morning and we were boarding the coach to take us to the World Dog Show, Mum, and Nan and myself were not sure what to expect but after a long coach ride and ferry to Belgium we finally arrived.   Junior handling competitions were a bit different to ones in the UK . We were helped to find a suitable dog for the competition by Paula and Roger Dictus a lovely couple who ran the Belgian Junior Handling club. (At that time the pet passport had not been introduced so we could not take our own dogs to the show).  I was lucky to be given a lovely Cairn terrier. You only have to go in the Junior handling ring when your dog is free, so there are no worries about clashing with breed classes. The judging takes place on a points system. I was lucky enough to be selected to go back to the final of that day which would take place in the main ring (this was like the main ring at CRUFTS!)

Unfortuantely, the Cairn I had used in the semi final had won the CACIB, so I could not use him, instead the owner gave me his WHWT to use, so 10 minutes before the competition I was trying to get to know it. It is very difficult to understand what is going on as all the commentary is in Flemish, but luckily Roger pointed us in the right direction! All 6 semi finalists went into the main ring and performed triangles and straight up and downs. We were now waiting for the results which were read in reverse order. It was all over as quick as a flash and Roger told me to stand on the 1st podium, I couldn't quite believe it and neither could Mum or Nan as I was told they were jumping from their seats I had won the 1st day competition and would be going into the Grand final on the final night. It was a double for GB as Jaxon Mansor from Jersey won the older age group.

For the rest of the show I sat watching and learning by the ring trying not to think about the final, but it soon came round. Sunday night arrived and I was given a lovely black Whippet to use. Again all four finalists from the show went into the main ring and carried out our presentation and pattern work and again we were placed from 4th to 1st place. It got to calling 2nd place and I was still standing Pomme then finally they announced 1st place goes to Helena Hutchings from Great Britain I heard screams from all 4 sides of the ring, I thought I was dreaming! I was only 11 and I had become World Champion 6-11 junior handler. The feeling was amazing!  

Later in the year it was the turn of the Junior Handling Association semi finals founded by the late Joe Cartledge continued by his wife, Mrs Liz Cartledge, a very well respected International show judge. By this time, Ria had had puppies and we had kept two from this litter (Laura Jenerelena Mystic Gray Star, and Oska Jenerelena Mystic Thunder both Tervuerens) this was my 5th semi final and only my 2nd time in the older age group. The group I had entered was the Working Group and back in those days when the groups were not split into Pastoral and Working the group had at least 40 entries. I chose to use Laura for this event as Ria was still a bit head strong! I always enjoyed the semi finals as they were something you worked hard for throughout the year. I had been placed before and felt really proud, this time I felt really nervous. The judge asked us to perform triangles and straight up and downs and circuits until he made his short list to the final 5. I couldn't believe it when he placed me 1st all the hard work paid off and I was off to the Junior Handling finals held in conjunction with the Pedigree Chum Veteran and Champion Stakes finals in January at the Metropole hotel in Birmingham.  

January soon came round and I remember leaving home very early in the morning to arrive at the competition. Pedigree were so generous, they provided all of the competitors with a lovely lunch and also some dog food to take home. The finals were an experience and something you only dream of. During the class you have to handle your own dog, and then if you are short listed you handle another dog lent from the Veteran class that you only meet about 5 minutes before entering the ring. It is a very nerve racking experience but also one you will never forget, especially as I was lucky enough to be awarded the title of Junior Handler of the Year at such a prestigious event I was so proud of Laura, she worked so hard for me.  

Later in the year, as a result of winning Junior Handler of the year I attended the World Dog show in Copenhagen with Mrs Cartledge and the runner up in this competition Kristy Gayler. Following on from this, Mum and Dad paid for me to attend the European dog show in Luxembourg . Here I borrowed another whippet from the same owners as Pomme. Mr Smetherhurst also attended this show and gave me a lot of encouragement and support which I was most grateful for as it made me feel more relaxed. I made it through the daily heats and again had to perform in the big ring. I felt a bit more relaxed this time as I knew my dog well and knew he wouldn't let me down. He was so good for me and I was again so lucky as this time I was awarded European Champion Junior Handler 1996.  

From here my handling career took off. I had qualified for the KCJO (now known as YKC) Show Handler of the Year competition and won my class and overall Show Handler of the Year 1996, this qualified me for the International Junior Handling final held at Crufts where I was placed Runner Up.  I was also awarded runner up junior handler of the year in 1997 and won both days handling competitions at a European show in Kortrick , Belgium in the same year.  

In 1998, I did the double and was again awarded KCJO Show Handler of the Year this time with my Giant Schnauzer (Jannem Filiz of Jenerelena Hanna, who I will always miss) and was also 3rd in the International Junior Handling Final. I also attended the European show in Kortrick , Belgium again won one days competition.  

In 1999, I made it a hat trick by being awarded Show Handler of the year and Runner up International Junior Handling final.  

In 2001, I represented Monaco in the International Junior Handling Final after winning a competition in Monaco in 2000.  

Finally in 2002, I won the YKC senior Handling competition under Mr Geoff Corrish handling Ria, who later retired at the show and in 2003, I won the same competition under Mrs Liz Stannard handling a Lhasa Apso ( Askja Place the Face owned and kindly lent by Lyn and Shane Church)  

Over the years I have been lucky enough to attend shows all over Europe . I have handled at World and European shows in Amsterdam , Belgium , Luxembourg , Vienna , Copenhagen , Milan , Helsinki and Monaco and have competed against top handlers from all countries as well as the UK .  

Summary of handling achievements:

• 1994 UK Dog Handlers Association Under 13 Overall Team Winner(with two other handlers)
• 1995 Under 13 World Junior Handling Champion
• 1996 Under 13 European Junior Handling Champion
• 1996 Pedigree Chum/JHA Junior Handler of the Year
• 1996 KCJO Question time Overall Winner
• 1997 Runner – up Pedigree Chum/ JHA Junior Handler of the Year
• 1997 KCJO Show Handler of the Year
• 1997 Runner up International Handler of the Year
• 1997 UK Dog Handlers Overall Individual Winner
• 1998 KCJO Show Handler of the Year
• 1998 Runner up International Handler of the Year
• 1999 KCJO Show Handler of the Year
• 1999 Runner up International Handler of the Year
• 1999 Runner up Pedigree Chum/JHA Junior Handler of the Year
• 1999 UK Dog Handlers Association Overall Team Winner (with two other handlers)
• 1999 Best Handler 1st & 2nd day Brabo Show Antwerp
• 2000 Best Overall Handler Monaco International Championship show
• 2000 Best Handler 2nd day Brabo show Antwerp
• 2000 UK Dog Handlers Association Individual Winner
• 2001 KCJO Junior of the Year 16-18
• 2001 YKC Senior Handler of the Year
• 2002 YKC Senior Handler of the Year

The highlight of my handling career was being asked to judge the Semi Finals of the Junior Handling Association Competition at Richmond Show in 2004, a big thank you again to Mrs Liz Cartledge and following on from this it was an honour to be able to judge the YKC handling competition this year at CRUFTS!   On the breed side of things I have had a lot of success with my Belgian Shepherds, Border Collies & Giant Schnauzer. Follow the links to their own dedicated pages to see their photos, pedigrees and successes.

We will be continually updating our new site which has been fantastically put together by my partner Keith so let us know if there is anything you would like to see!   This year I will be campaigning our Border Collie Isla (Jenerelena A Kind of Magic) and our Giant Schnauzer Lola (Jafrak Philadelfia Freedom)