Two programmes in which to
achieve Championship status
Beginners
Steeplechase Invitation Challenge 2007
The
inaugural Beginners Steeplechase Challenge took place on the Sunday evening, 27 August at the
UKA Staverton show. According to UKA rules, Steeplechase is a fast and flowing class consisting
only of jumps (not including spread or long jumps) and pipe tunnels (not including collapsible
tunnel). Steeplechase is a completely difference programme from the other UKA program which
includes Agility, Jump and Games.
Handlers who had placed in the first four in the Beginners
Steeplechase classes during the UKA Nationals Week, UKA Cornwall weekend or in the Beginners
class on the day were invited to take part at the launch of this event. Within the UKA rules,
this included new dogs with new handlers and new dogs with experienced handlers so the evening
saw a complete mix of handlers at different levels. Some who had only just started to compete
with their very first dog while others had seen a bit of grass under their feet.
The event was judged by Di Gorton and
began around 5.00pm after all the classes for the day had finished. Heights and running orders
had been drawn. The evening thus began with a white dog (with spots) - followed by the Maxi
(biggest) dogs.
The competition
First to go was Dalton Meredith with Louis, a 3 year Flatcoat X. They were the first clear
in a time of 22.28 seconds. The Maxi dogs seemed to enjoy the course with the majority of them
getting round quick and clear. Andy Sandercock was the overall winner with his young dog Kyp in
a time of 20.57 seconds
We then moved onto the Toys where we had
Border Terriers, Miniature Poodles and various combinations of crossbreeds. Jean Young with 18
month old crossbreed put in a nice clear round but they were pipped by new handler Ben Foxall
and Molly, his lovely Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, in a time of 24.41.
The third height category to the start
line were the Midi dogs. Evelyne Thomas and her Italian Greyhound captured the crowd, putting
in a nice clear in 23.73 seconds which put her eventually into 4th place. Winning
the height, however, was Valerie Perkins with Leon, her 2yr old Italian Greyhound X Jack
Russell in a time of 21.17 seconds.
The final height was, therefore, the
Standards. This height was to prove fiercely competitive and included some well known names –
Shaun Hunt, Nicola Garrett and Greg Derrett. Shaun was running Floss who belongs to Tace
Allen. Unfortunately although clear, Floss decided that she knew her Mum was hiding over by the
ringside so was slightly distracted at the beginning of her run. Cyd Griffin ran brother and
sister Banyo and Bel, having qualified both dogs.
Pete Richards with his young dog Dee put
in a cracking round in a time of 20.44 seconds. However, this was not fast enough for this
height category. Nicola Garrett and Wych came in with an excellent at 20.31 but they were not
able to beat the overall winner Greg Derrett with Detox in a time of
20.17 seconds. This young dog put in
some very neat and tight turns.
Thank you
We must thank CSJ for putting together some winners packs and other goodies for the top
three in each of the heights and hope to see more young dogs take part in the qualifying heats
that will take place in 2008 with the Beginners Steeplechase Challenge Final. The 2008 event
will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
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