Date: 13/03/11 |
It was a privilege to be involved in the Obedience World Cup and to be part of Crufts Obedience Championships. Thank you to the Kennel Club for the experience, it added so much perspective to what we all take for granted and from this day forth I will never judge a man until I have walked a mile in his moccasins. Enter Roy Page. Your commitment to our sport is unparalleled and to witness you and your team working was enlightening. Your task was arduous but you never seemed to falter and you negotiated your duties with passion. Your energy and enthusiasm was refreshing and your importance to our sport will never be overstated. Richard Kebble, your input behind the scenes was also immense and you were always on hand to lend advice. You are an unsung hero. Thanks also to Sue Garner for your support.
My team performed impeccably and worked like a well oiled machine until the last dog and handler had left the ring and gone to bed. I am forever in debt to all of you. You memorised the script and when the lights came on and the cameras started to roll you executed the task accordingly. It was a joy to watch our plan materialise into reality. Well done. This was a day we will always remember.
I must also thank Phil Barnes and Ginty and Claire Porter and Indy for agreeing to run through an after dark rehearsal for the World Cup. You had just competed in the Dog Obedience Championships and you must have been tired. But didn’t you both do well on both counts. Congratulations on your success in the Championships. Without your help in the rehearsal the gremlins would have no doubt emerged on the day and this would not have been good. Thanks to Jane (Webb) for coming to the NEC with your beautiful little girl (Pippa) just to put my test to the test and you passed with flying colours. Pippa is a little star.
The Crufts Obedience production team has so many parts and so many people working tirelessly to ensure our sport is displayed at its very best. Every one of you deserves credit and I simply do not have enough space to thank you all. In fact it would be impossible to highlight all that you do. Thank you to Gerald Paisley for your commentary and for winding up the atmosphere during our quieter moments and for keeping the audience up to date with the proceedings.
The World Cup is renowned for being colourful and fun and that it certainly was. The audience were excellent. What fine voices you have. Variation in the standard of competition was inevitable although all of the competitors seemed to enjoy their day regardless of their objectives. I must specifically mention the Swiss team. For me they epitomised the concept of the Obedience World Cup. They travelled many miles to participate and their dogs made them so proud. I went to their benches after the event to congratulate them and they were both so mannerly and thankful to have been invited to compete at Crufts. More 4 should have been there to film “Goodboy” and “Siria” their “Healthy and Happy Dogs”.
In the individual Championships (losing 4 ¾ points) Gemma Lewis and Redistedi Mission Pawzible (Puzzle) were crowned World Obedience Champions. What an amazing achievement. Gemma’s natural ability and her excellent rapport with Puzzle clearly contributed to her success. I’m sure Puzzle will soon be an Obedience Champion. Well done on your 4th place in the Bitch Championships.
Reserve (losing 5 ¾ points) was Mary Ray and Colliewood Blue Jeans (Levi). Well done Mary. Levi is a star and his performance in the arena was breathtaking. I’m sure he is capable of emulating his sisters’ success and I look forward to him becoming Crufts Supreme Obedience Champion. He certainly has the looks.
In 3rd Place (losing 6 ¼ points) Brigitte van Gestel and Twice As Nice Twizzle Van Benvenida’s Joy (Twizzle). Twizzle was indeed a Joy to watch. Well schooled in his heelwork position, which he maintained throughout the test. You must be so proud of him Brigitte. You worked as a team and this quality again led to Holland being crowned World Champions.
In 4th Place (losing 9 ¼ points) Dominique Ficek and de Risan Extra Hot (Spice). Wow. This was an awesome display from this little bitch. She had it all. Power, drive and commitment and her heelwork position was excellent. Your footwork cost you dearly Dominique but then that’s Crufts. I won’t ever forget your little girl.
In the team event Holland were crowned Crufts World Champions for the 3rd time and their title was certainly well deserved. Consistency was the key to their success. The Dutch worked with style and drive and their dogs thrived on the atmosphere. Set exercises were immaculate. Peter you have so much talent at your disposal you could afford to leave a “Colliewood” (Crazy Legs) on the bench. Maybe next year we will see Trudie and Guinness on the Green. Well done. For now the World is Orange.
Reserve and only 2 points adrift from the World Champions were England. Consistency was again the recipe for success here and the experience of the English trio was utilised with ultimate effect. Well done.
I would also like to congratulate Diane Martin and Lou Lou (Bitch winners) and Geraldine Steadman and Jaz (Dog winners). Your class was clearly evident and you both received your just rewards. Well done on an excellent display of obedience in the arena.
Linda Rutherford