Month: March 2016

By: Susan & Gemma Henshaw

From a spectator’s view

An early start for us and a short drive up the M40 to the NEC and the first day of Crufts 2016. And for the Obedience community it’s the Inter Regional competition today.

Arriving at Hall 5 we head for the benches to deliver a few good luck cards, grab a coffee and then head up to the seats. Today’s judge Nigel Slater and his team enter the ring at 8.40 and take up their positions on the left hand side of the ring, then the start of the parade of today’s teams, as usual for a Thursday morning there’s only a few pockets of supporters that have made their way into the stands but they greet each team with enthusiasm.

Crufts was officially opened at 9am and our favourite man on the mic Gerard Paisley introduced today’s judge Nigel Slater, giving brief details on his journey in obedience and then Gerard introduced the ring party for today and what role they would be taking on, they all received a good round of applause. The judge was wearing a dark grey suit, white shirt and multi coloured tie, the female stewards were in black trousers, grey velour tops with scarves under, each scarf a different colour, matching the regional colours for today. The male stewards were in black trousers, white shirts, multi coloured ties and a grey jumper.

Continue reading “Crufts Inter-Regional Obedience Competition 2016”

By: Susan & Gemma Henshaw

From a spectator’s view

Early Saturday morning and an easy drive up from the hotel today, thankfully not much traffic around so straight into the car park at the NEC then we hop on one of the coaches that deliver you virtually to the door. We make our way to Hall 5 and meet up with a few friends, hand out some good luck cards, grab the customary coffee and take our seats ready for today’s competition.

We settled down just in time for the entrance of the judge and her ring party promptly at 8.40am, they stood to one side of the ring and the parade of this year’s competitors got underway, quite a good crowd already in the stands which is usual for the weekend. As each handler and dog enter they receive a warm welcome. Introducing them and giving details on where they won their tickets is our announcer Gerard Paisley.

The announcement that Crufts is officially opened comes over the tannoy at 9am and then Gerard introduces today’s judge Stella Henstridge, he gives a short round up of her judging career, this is followed by the introduction of today’s ring party.

For today the judge is in a lovely pink and grey floral long line jacket paired with black trousers and a black top. The female stewards are in dark trouser suits with a red top and the male steward are in grey suits, pale pink shirts and a red tie, again colour co-ordinated and looking very smart.

Continue reading “Crufts Bitch Obedience Championship 2016”

By: Susan & Gemma Henshaw

From a spectator’s view

An early morning set off for us, and a short journey on the M42 from the hotel up to the NEC for the second day of Crufts 2016, just a short queue on the way into the car park and then across to Hall 5 for today’s Dog Obedience Championships.

It’s just before 7.30am when we arrive so chance for a strong coffee to keep us going for the morning, then a walk round to see all the benches festooned with their cards, presents and balloons. We deliver our cards and then it’s off to settle into our seats ready for the build-up of today’s competition.

Promptly at 8.40 the judge and her ring party enter and stand to the left of the ring, then the parade of this year’s competitors gets underway. Already some spectators are arriving and they greet each handler and dog with a round of applause. Introducing the teams and giving details on where and under whom they won their tickets is our man on the mic Gerard Paisley.

Continue reading “Crufts Dog Obedience Championship 2016”