Child's play
 Neil
Ellis still can't describe the absolute atmosphere at Crufts. Words like fun, exciting,
overwhelming, unbelievable and joyful just don’t cut it! It was his first time competing at
Crufts and he really did not what to expect. It was one of his dreams come true. He wrote this
article for all those youngsters out there hoping to qualify for Crufts so they would
know how it feels to be at Crufts - before, during and after your run!
I woke up on the
Thursday morning, trembling with excitement! We got into the hall very early - so early that
none of the stalls were open yet but it gave my Springer Spaniel Chester time to get a feel of
the place.
We found the YKC
benching where we could park all of our stuff and then did a bit of wandering. There was just
enough time to steady myself before my run. We walked Chester around for a bit before it got
too busy and then walked him back to the car for a little rest. I wanted to be more excited
than nervous but they were excited nerves. The class that was before us, the Elementary
Obedience, ran over a bit.
The course was a
lovely flowing course which suited Chester so well provided I could get it right. Three dogs to
go and I was feeling faint. My legs were like jelly but I just ignored that. Mum was nagging me
to get it right. Concentrate and good luck, she said. I just blanked it all out and thought
about the run. It worked.
Then it was my turn.
Chester does not do waits so I just let him go and said 'go on.' He is good at that
so it was okay. He fairly flew the course as quickly as ever over the first few obstacles. He
took his time to go round the corner as he did not know what to expect of it. We got past the
a-frame with a lovely contact and I sent him on ahead, but then disaster struck. I sent him out
instead of bringing him in so he went round the long jump and into the collapsible tunnel! I
did not have the heart to stop him as he was having a good time.
It was a long time
after my run before I finally stopped kicking myself over the error because his time would have
sent him into the finals! Hopefully you youngsters wanting to go to Crufts next year might not
feel as nervous as I did but for me there is always next year.
I wish you all the
best in your quest for qualifying and I hope you all get the training, help and support that
you will need.
About the
author...
Neil Ellis is 14 years old and lives in Oakdale,
Poole (Dorset) with his two sisters, mum and their three dogs. Claire is his oldest sister and
Helen is in the middle! Neil is the youngest (grrrrrr!!) but get all the attention he he!
Their dogs
are called Ben, Jazz and Chester. Ben is his mum's dog and is 5 years old and still in grade 1,
but he is nearly there!, Technically Jazz is owned by Helen but gave up the agility training so
Neil and his mum took over. Jazz is now Grade 2 but went up on points (bad idea) and is a
Patterdale Terrier. A what?
And finally Chester is Neil's Springer
x Cocker Spaniel who Is now Grade 2 (finally!) after winning his Graded 1-2 Agility and his
Combined G1-3 jumping by .0096 of a second at Chippenham! Says he won it on tight turns!
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