The Norfolk Terrier Club Juniors

Crufts 2006

My Account of Crufts 2006

By Rachael Benney.

 

I travelled up to the NEC overnight accompanied by my Mum, Dad, Nana and little Brother Ryan, who was only 10 weeks old at the time and of course my two little mutts that some people call Norfolk Terriers, Max and Lucy.

Once we got to the NEC our next project, which wasn’t very easy, was to find our bench. There was quite a long time until our classes, so we took our dogs for a gentle exercise. We then had a while to groom our dogs before the class. This can be quite nerve racking, as the time goes on you get more nervous.

As the competitors started to arrive it was nice to see the familiar faces but it was also nice to see some new faces along the Norfolk benches. Eventually it was time to go in the ring for Post Graduate Dog but unfortunately we didn’t make the placing. Then Post Graduate Bitch where our dear little Lucy came fourth.

Next came my Young Kennel Club Show Handling Class, 12-16 years, unfortunately no luck this time but as I have just past my 12th birthday I feel there is plenty of time to come.

On Sunday we again arrived quite early and after locating my bench we had time to look around. Although this is my 3rd visit to Crufts I am still amazed as to the size of the place. Incidentally my Mum rode her hunter here at the Royal International Horse Show. My Mum was pleasantly surprised to see a fellow Hunter rider, Mr R. Oliver taking an interest in the Norfolk ring. I then watched the International Show handling with my friend Holly. It was nice to see James Hammond, who does very well with his Norfolk’s in Ireland, get highly placed in this competition. A little while later it was time for me to go into the ring. When the competition started I was rather surprised to see that the 6-11 years and the 12-16years were in the same class. This must have been very upsetting for the younger competitors in this competition. After all the travelling I’ve had a wonderful time and I sincerely hope I get through to the next Crufts.

Speaking as one of the few Norfolk Junior Handlers, I hope to see a few more juniors around the Norfolk ring.

 

Thank you Rachael for writing a great account of your trip to Crufts. Rachael had to qualify for all the competitions she competed in at Crufts. That in itself was a great achievement and as she says in her report at only 12 years old she has many years ahead of her. Congratulations Rachael! I look forward to watching you at Crufts again in the future.