The Virgin Groom

I had the real privilege of spending the day at Crufts as a groom for my friend Soraya and her dog Ernie. They were due to compete in the Eukanuba Mini Agility competition. I had been to Crufts once, and before that, I had been like millions of others and watched on television, but this was different.

We travelled up the night before to be in place early on competition day. It was a long trudge from the car park, and we found our benching and set up our home from home. As time went on, it got noisier and busier. Groups formed. Folding chairs and even a picnic table were set up as others settled in.

Next we were off to the collecting ring (the backstage area of the arena), to find out times and course plans. You are screened from the arena by black curtains, but the commentary and noise of the audience filter through. Competitors watch a large screen showing the action in the arena. People come rushing in from competing, and jubilation and tears are common. Ring staff come in and chat when they have a free moment. Lots of people know one another, as they have competed in the same competitions during the year to reach Crufts, and there is a friendly atmosphere. Big colourful rosettes and trophies are piled up on a table next to the course plans.

After retrieving Ernie, we settled down to wait for competition time. One of my jobs was to look after Ernie while Soraya walked the course.

Then it was show time
Waiting on the sidelines you could see how daunting the arena with its mass of banked stands filled with the audience, bright lights and camera crews following the action. The ring staff are good at keeping nerves down, and making people laugh while doing their duties smoothly. If it was me, when you are asked if you would follow them to the start, I would be saying no, and run screaming in the opposite direction. Time seems to slow down, and yet go really quickly as you watch dog and owner racing around the course. It causes some heart in the mouth moments if things go wrong.

The first run of the day was a sad outcome as they were eliminated and ended up without being placed. Ernie, however, was given the biggest piece of sausage imaginable, and given as much praise as humanly possible. A break for some canine related retail therapy, and then back to the collecting ring to wait for the next round.

This time I fully expected Ernie to race over to me on the sidelines as he knew by now I had the treat bag. Unfortunately, I probably deafened those around me. As the excitement mounted, they sped around the course and I cheered them on as it became apparent that they were not gathering any faults. After the disaster of the morning, they confounded themselves, and on a more difficult course, got a clear round.

I got so excited that I forgot to listen out for the timing, and had to ask an official.

Photo: Trevor Greenslade

There then followed a nail biting time as we watched 16 other competitors take the course, and by the final one we realised that Ernie and Soraya had been placed 2nd.

It was a long and tiring day and I experienced a rollercoaster of emotion. I met some really nice people, and even nicer dogs, and I would not have missed it for the world. Same again next year please.

About the author..
Janet Grenfell lives in Felixstowe, Suffolk with her retired 'work partner' Brig, and two rescue Siamese cats. She's not an agility addict yet, but she has agreed to scrime for Soraya Porter for the second time in May!

And yes, her mother is called Joyce, but she's no relation to the comedienne Joyce Grenfell.

The Virgin Groom

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