Well that’s me done in the role of Crufts Chief Obedience Steward, and what an outstanding four days of competition it was. I am completely over-whelmed and grateful for the many cards , gifts and messages received from the Obedience and Rally fraternities over the past few days, your generosity is humbling, thankyou.
As I hand over the reins I make no apologies for the length of my list of thank-you’s. Firstly Roy Page for giving me the opportunity in the first place back in 2010, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time since then firstly as assistant and then taking on the mantle when Roy retired.
Now it’s time for me to retire I have the utmost confidence in, and am leaving it in the safe hands of, Kate McCartney who succeeds me and who I know is going to make a fantastic job of it ably assisted by Michael McCartney . I am so grateful for your support especially this year which has been quite emotional at times. I look forward to watching you work next year. We have two first class commentators in Jane Prince and Clare Williams who keep the audience informed throughout the show. Grateful thanks to Rachel Bradley and Bev Smith for co-ordinating the team events. Lastly all the judges and stewards over the years in our competitions especially Rob Bint for a fabulous finale to my time at Crufts.
Finally I would just say that my goal was to leave the arena in Hall 5 in as good a state as I found it and if I have achieved that then I retire a very happy man. My thanks to you all, Richard
A team of Jack Russell Terriers won the Obreedience competition at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts on Thursday 7 March.
The Jack Russell Terrier team, named The Russellers, proved themselves more obedient than the nine other breed teams that made it to the final at Crufts, held at the NEC in Birmingham. The other finalists were as follows:
The Cool Cockers – Cocker Spaniels
The Woodcockers – Cocker Spaniels
The LabraPaws – Labrador Retrievers
The Golden Acorns – Golden Retrievers
The Wagtails – Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Manchesters Reunited – Manchester Terriers
Stafford Stars – Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Shepherd’s Delight – German Shepherd Dogs
The Clumberjacks – Clumber Spaniels
Obreedience, an exciting team obedience competition, was introduced at Crufts in 2014 as a special display event. Now in its tenth year as an official competition, Obreedience continues to grow and entertain the crowds that come along to support their favourite breeds.
The winning team members were:
Louise Dexter with Izzy (Our Own Little Izzy Whizz) from Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Harry Friswell with Cookie (Everyone Loves a Cookie) from Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Kirsty Stuart with Ghost (Fedsig’s Blithe Spirit) from Chelsfield, Kent
Anne Shuker with Scally (Scally’s Skullduggery Swag) from Derbyshire
The team reserves were Sian Rees with Mable (Little Miss Tiny Temper) from Droitwich, Worcestershire and Ffion Roe with Barney (Barnes Wallis Bouncing Boy) from Newmarket, Suffolk.
The team’s captain Julia Bodsworth, from Kingsbury, Warwickshire, said of the team win: “As soon as the Jack Russell was announced as a Kennel Club recognised breed in 2016, we began entering heats, qualifying for the final in our first year. This year was our seventh appearance in the Crufts final and, as team captain, I am absolutely over the moon with the result, our super little dogs were amazing. We hope we have shown that Jack Russells are very capable little dogs.”
Deputy team captain, Sian Rees, from Droitwich, Worcestershire, added: “I still can’t believe they actually did it. We, as a whole team, have worked so hard towards this day, but the team were absolutely amazing, they pulled out all the stops. I’m so proud of them all. This rosette has such significance for me and will be a strong reminder of what we have achieved over our time with The Russellers.”
Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: “Well done to all the owners and dogs of The Russellers team on an impressive win at Crufts! The team displayed a remarkable example of highly trained, obedient dogs and the bond between each dog and their owner was evident.
“The Obreedience competition is a wonderful display that proves any breed, given the right training and socialisation, and of course patience from their human counterparts, can do well in competitive obedience. We wish the best of luck to all the breeds competing in Obreedience at the heats being held throughout 2024.”
Each Obreedience team comprised four handlers and dogs who took part in two rounds. The first was a heelwork round completed as a group, with the dogs being assessed on their ability to complete different moves whilst remaining synchronised with their teammates. The second round featured four set exercises and each member needed to successfully complete one of the four different exercises. Points were deducted for any faults and the team with the most points won. The exercises were a retrieve (handler’s own article), a send to bed, stop the dog, and scent over articles.
Ruby, a five-year-old Golden Retriever from Wakefield, and her owner Sandra Jones, triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes Competition on Saturday 9 March.
Ruby (Gaelleda Krystal Dream Girl) beat 30 other talented dogs to be crowned the winner of the 2024 Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Stakes competition at the world’s greatest dog show, with the final overseen by highly experienced judge, Dr Janel Fone.
Speaking after their win, delighted Sandra said: “We’ve had such an amazing time at Crufts. What an experience! I’m so proud of how Ruby has handled the noise and crowds…as well as my nerves!”
The Good Citizen Dog Training scheme (GCDTS) competition was first held in 2005 to encourage owners of dogs who have passed their GCDTS Bronze Award to take part in obedience competitions as a potential gateway into dog exhibition. The exercises included in the test are a combination of current GCDTS exercises and the Pre-Beginner Obedience test. Building on the basic training skills learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, this stakes class helps to bridge the gap between basic training and entering a competition. Dogs must have obtained their Good Citizen Bronze Award prior to the closing date of the show.
Dogs competing in the final had to qualify at one of the 30 heats held across the country last year with the winner from each heat qualifying for the final.
Sue Garner, Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Working Party Chairman, added: “Ruby and Sandra demonstrated a very strong bond in the ring, performing a first-class round and showcasing the skills they have learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme.
“The standard of competitors was very high and the pair should be proud of their achievement. The Pre-Beginner Stakes are a great way for dogs and owners to enter the obedience world and I wish them luck in the future.”
To find out more about the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme visit the website gcds.org.uk
What a good weekend with brilliant weather for Elm Park’s last show at Orsett. We have a lovely new venue for next year at an equestrian centre in Rettendon, just off the A130.
Firstly the thank yous. To all our judges and stewards for giving up their day. Hope you all enjoyed your judging. Thanks to Richard Kebble for being our Chief Steward, to all the Elm Park helpers, who did a great job in setting up the rings, helping to organise the marquee, manning the gate and keeping the judges refreshed and all the other 101 jobs that needed to be done throughout the weekend. And all hands on deck to take it all down again. A big thank you to all.
Congratulations to our ticket winners, Trish Jones with Ob Ch Longwaves Cloudy Sky who did the double to win both days, Kath Russell and Ob Ch Sarkam Explicit Image for Ruskath winning the girl ticket on Saturday and Sue Monk with Ob Ch Ruskath Knockout Image for winning the girl ticket on Sunday. Well done to all the winners of the other classes and to anyone who got a rosette at the weekend.
Hope evereyone had a lovely weekend and had a safe journey home.
Another year is over! As always there are stresses and strains pulling a double weekend together and as Show Secretary I am only too aware that its impossible to get everything 100% but we are fortunate at the club to have a team that knows how to pull together and get the job done from start to finish. I can’t do names as they could fill the page but you each know your worth to the club and to me.
Special thanks to the camping team of Linda Plows, Gaynor Taylor, Vanda Fitter, Teresa Paterson, Sean & Myra McCarthy and those that did a stint on the entry gate.
Our venue is not the best but we hopefully plan it out to make the best of what is available and I think that the rugby club upped their game somewhat with the catering this year!
To add to our stress levels we had a visit from the KC Field Officer, the first time for many years but I am pleased to say that we passed with flying colours, in part thanks to our CS Sandra Cobbold, is there a better CS in this game? I doubt it. Thanks so much Sandra, you keep us all calm and help the days to go so smoothly.
Thank you to all of our judging teams, we did have some changes to the original schedule but replacements were well received but special thanks to Vince Winyard who I pressed ganged in to stewarding for Jan Cor when Lesley Taylor had to take her poorly dog to the emergency vet, I hope that Cole is ok now. Also to our ticket judges, Anne Northfield & Shirley Clowes who were down to judge before Covid shut everything down. I am sorry that it rained so much as I expect your original date was fine and dry! Congratulations to our CC winners, Suzy Tooley & Brill & Karen Harrison & Evie on gaining your passports to Crufts.
Congratulations to all the class winners and I am pleased that you all seemed to like our new rosettes which are made by Legacy Rosettes with the trophies donated by Pet Needs. The CC winners almost missed out on their ‘prize’ of champagne as we had a visit from two women who have been living in the woods around the grounds, they sneaked in to our storage room and made off with the bottles. Thanks to Shelley, who went out to source replacements.
Karen Smith and friends ran the training ring and made a magnificent £140. 30 over the two days, this was handed over GSD Elite Rescue who had a good weekend with their tombola and other bits.
Only one moan, Katrina Arnold & Carol Stewart both picked up fresh poos, Carol from right outside the club house entrance – seriously, did these owners really not know? Thank you both.
I must firstly thank Kay Allen and her great team for letting us piggy back their fabulous shows at SWCOG, without them l really doubt that SOS could manage. Thank you all for your help,.
It all came about after joking with Kay several years ago and that was it.
Thank you Jason Bath & Claire Bath for all of your valuable help in getting the shows up and running, much appreciated. Also Carl & Diane Thorne, Sue Aldridge, Michelle Verrill Lynne Webster, Di Fairfield, Sue Walker for turning out and offering her services for free (brushed the cobwebs off and stewarded one day, scoreboarder the other, plus help with other jobs) My other son Matthew, who’s help was very much appreciated, a grand job done.
To anyone & everyone that helped in any way, shape or form, a great big thank you. Judges, Stewards, Scoreboarders, setters up & takers down and anyone in between ~ thank you.
Hope to see you all again next year, and if anyone can offer their services for setting up, taking down or an odd job somewhere, it’ll be gratefully received.
Hope that l haven’t missed anyone out, if so, my apologies and thank you too
So after all the preparation another show has gone by in a flash. The weather was very hot but most people were being sensible and keeping their dogs, and themselves, cool. Aided and abetted by a number of enthusiastic campers the rings were put up on Friday and, thanks to Brian Reed and his team, the campers were parked. Julie Enright did a marvelous job ticking everyone in and also manned (Womanned?) the gate on Saturday and Sunday. Julie you are an absolute gem.
Newbury & District Dog Training Society Open Obedience Show 11th June 2023
A great big thank you to all who helped, came, judged, stewarded, car parked and all the thousand and one things necessary to keep a show on the road. You were all amazing. Special thanks must go to Basingstoke Club who shared not only their equipment but time energy and good humour for the whole weekend. Thank you, David Moxon, for chief stewarding. To Carol Clack and Doreen Davies (who unfortunately didn’t make the day due to illness) with me, as the Show Committee, put in many hours of effort. Jane Martin who agreed to be my stand in judge etc in case of emergency, fortunately not required in that capacity but, was there helping everywhere and taking down rings and tents at the end of the day.
The organisers of NOCF have deliberated long and hard , involving much discussion and consideration of all factors and have regrettably come to the decision that we will not be running any more NOCF events.
Firstly, on a personal note, I wish to extend my deep thanks to Dave Banks for his unstinting help and support right from the initial idea and to Rhia and Paula for helping me to turn my strange idea into a successful reality.
The help and work behind the scenes was immeasurable and was given unconditionally in an effort to benefit everyone in Obedience.
I would like to thank everyone involved in our show from helping to set up, to judging and stewarding, scent decoys and taking down again which meant we had a good successful show.
Thank you competitors for not keeping judges hanging about, most of them saying they were not kept waiting. Even the Kennel Club visitor went away happy. So thank you to Tony, Delia, Jill, Jacki and Cheryl club members and Cheryl’s son Brett and husband also called Brett who helped pack away Sunday evening also Lyn and Mick Tozer who came to help set up.
