Page 15 - EAKC 26th Newsletter MAY

th
26 ISSUE; EAST AFRICA KENNEL CLUB NEWSLETTER, APRIL 2018 12
My dad and I boarded the plane at 5PM on 6 After that I went to see the main arena where
March 2018. We flew to Doha where we landed Junior Handling would be held. There were over
at midnight and changed over to our connecting 4000 people watching the ongoing classes. It’s
flight to Birmingham. gigantic!
We arrived in the UK at early in the morning and I then met up with Deepa Galot at the Saint
took a taxi to the hotel where we found out that Bernard area. We took a walk to see all the halls,
check in was not until 2 in the afternoon! So we there are five, this took up the whole afternoon.
decided to go and familiarize ourselves with the Then it was time to go to the hotel and put on my
area.
suit to meet the commentator. When we arrived
We boarded a train to the National Exhibition the other junior handlers were also there. We had
Centre (NEC) where Crufts would be held, which some time to get to know each other and then we
was only a 7 minute ride. Arriving there we were went to the main arena where we did a rehearsal in
told only officials were allowed inside. the arena, without dogs.
At this point I was starving and freezing so we
went in search for a place where we could get some “...I fell in love with that
food. We headed back to the street where our
hotel was where we met up with Andy Davies. We dog at first sight! I then had
chatted and ate until it was time to check in. to get ready for the class,

The hotel was right next door to the restaurant and it took less than 5 mins to
checked in and I took a looooong hot shower to
defrost. bond with Valentino...”
At around 5 pm we linked back up with Andy
and went to buy my suits. I must say Andy is the Next was the Junior Handler’s dinner where
BEST personal shopped I know. After this exciting we each had to give a speech, at first I was very
outing we went back to the hotel where I took a nervous but I managed. After the speech we had
nap as all the excitement of the previous days had to exchange gifts. I was surprised to find out that
really worn me out. I woke up the next day at 5AM we were only 4 boys out of the 43 junior handlers!
and got ready to go to Crufts! One of the junior handlers was a student of the
We left for the NEC as we had to register. We were judge so she couldn’t compete. Then we went back
very proud to be first to register (Kenya) out of to our respective hotels.
all the countries being represented. Here we met Then came D day. I couldn’t sleep at all that night.
James Skinner who the Personal Assistant to the I was so extremely excited. Early the next day I
Secretary of the Kennel Club (England) and in put on my new suit and set off to the NEC, I felt so
charge of Junior Handling at Crufts. proud! Upon arrival I was told that the dog which
I was told that I had to be back at 3 pm to meet I had selected couldn’t come as the owner fell sick.
the commentator and also that there was an This made me very nervous!
opportunity for me to handle a Siberian husky Then I was informed that there was a Siberian
in the Open class as the main handler had not Husky or a German pointer which I could choose
managed to get there!! I handled the dog to my from. I obviously went for the Husky as I have
best but sadly he was not placed. The class had handled these at home and in the Open class the
more than 15 dogs in it! previous day! So lucky!

JUNIOR KENNEL CLUB