Well that’s me done in the role of Crufts Chief Obedience Steward, and what an outstanding four days of competition it was. I am completely over-whelmed and grateful for the many cards , gifts and messages received from the Obedience and Rally fraternities over the past few days, your generosity is humbling, thankyou.
As I hand over the reins I make no apologies for the length of my list of thank-you’s. Firstly Roy Page for giving me the opportunity in the first place back in 2010, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time since then firstly as assistant and then taking on the mantle when Roy retired.
Now it’s time for me to retire I have the utmost confidence in, and am leaving it in the safe hands of, Kate McCartney who succeeds me and who I know is going to make a fantastic job of it ably assisted by Michael McCartney . I am so grateful for your support especially this year which has been quite emotional at times. I look forward to watching you work next year. We have two first class commentators in Jane Prince and Clare Williams who keep the audience informed throughout the show. Grateful thanks to Rachel Bradley and Bev Smith for co-ordinating the team events. Lastly all the judges and stewards over the years in our competitions especially Rob Bint for a fabulous finale to my time at Crufts.
Finally I would just say that my goal was to leave the arena in Hall 5 in as good a state as I found it and if I have achieved that then I retire a very happy man. My thanks to you all, Richard
A team of Jack Russell Terriers won the Obreedience competition at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts on Thursday 7 March.
The Jack Russell Terrier team, named The Russellers, proved themselves more obedient than the nine other breed teams that made it to the final at Crufts, held at the NEC in Birmingham. The other finalists were as follows:
The Cool Cockers – Cocker Spaniels
The Woodcockers – Cocker Spaniels
The LabraPaws – Labrador Retrievers
The Golden Acorns – Golden Retrievers
The Wagtails – Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Manchesters Reunited – Manchester Terriers
Stafford Stars – Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Shepherd’s Delight – German Shepherd Dogs
The Clumberjacks – Clumber Spaniels
Obreedience, an exciting team obedience competition, was introduced at Crufts in 2014 as a special display event. Now in its tenth year as an official competition, Obreedience continues to grow and entertain the crowds that come along to support their favourite breeds.
The winning team members were:
Louise Dexter with Izzy (Our Own Little Izzy Whizz) from Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Harry Friswell with Cookie (Everyone Loves a Cookie) from Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Kirsty Stuart with Ghost (Fedsig’s Blithe Spirit) from Chelsfield, Kent
Anne Shuker with Scally (Scally’s Skullduggery Swag) from Derbyshire
The team reserves were Sian Rees with Mable (Little Miss Tiny Temper) from Droitwich, Worcestershire and Ffion Roe with Barney (Barnes Wallis Bouncing Boy) from Newmarket, Suffolk.
The team’s captain Julia Bodsworth, from Kingsbury, Warwickshire, said of the team win: “As soon as the Jack Russell was announced as a Kennel Club recognised breed in 2016, we began entering heats, qualifying for the final in our first year. This year was our seventh appearance in the Crufts final and, as team captain, I am absolutely over the moon with the result, our super little dogs were amazing. We hope we have shown that Jack Russells are very capable little dogs.”
Deputy team captain, Sian Rees, from Droitwich, Worcestershire, added: “I still can’t believe they actually did it. We, as a whole team, have worked so hard towards this day, but the team were absolutely amazing, they pulled out all the stops. I’m so proud of them all. This rosette has such significance for me and will be a strong reminder of what we have achieved over our time with The Russellers.”
Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: “Well done to all the owners and dogs of The Russellers team on an impressive win at Crufts! The team displayed a remarkable example of highly trained, obedient dogs and the bond between each dog and their owner was evident.
“The Obreedience competition is a wonderful display that proves any breed, given the right training and socialisation, and of course patience from their human counterparts, can do well in competitive obedience. We wish the best of luck to all the breeds competing in Obreedience at the heats being held throughout 2024.”
Each Obreedience team comprised four handlers and dogs who took part in two rounds. The first was a heelwork round completed as a group, with the dogs being assessed on their ability to complete different moves whilst remaining synchronised with their teammates. The second round featured four set exercises and each member needed to successfully complete one of the four different exercises. Points were deducted for any faults and the team with the most points won. The exercises were a retrieve (handler’s own article), a send to bed, stop the dog, and scent over articles.
Ruby, a five-year-old Golden Retriever from Wakefield, and her owner Sandra Jones, triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes Competition on Saturday 9 March.
Ruby (Gaelleda Krystal Dream Girl) beat 30 other talented dogs to be crowned the winner of the 2024 Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Stakes competition at the world’s greatest dog show, with the final overseen by highly experienced judge, Dr Janel Fone.
Speaking after their win, delighted Sandra said: “We’ve had such an amazing time at Crufts. What an experience! I’m so proud of how Ruby has handled the noise and crowds…as well as my nerves!”
The Good Citizen Dog Training scheme (GCDTS) competition was first held in 2005 to encourage owners of dogs who have passed their GCDTS Bronze Award to take part in obedience competitions as a potential gateway into dog exhibition. The exercises included in the test are a combination of current GCDTS exercises and the Pre-Beginner Obedience test. Building on the basic training skills learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, this stakes class helps to bridge the gap between basic training and entering a competition. Dogs must have obtained their Good Citizen Bronze Award prior to the closing date of the show.
Dogs competing in the final had to qualify at one of the 30 heats held across the country last year with the winner from each heat qualifying for the final.
Sue Garner, Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Working Party Chairman, added: “Ruby and Sandra demonstrated a very strong bond in the ring, performing a first-class round and showcasing the skills they have learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme.
“The standard of competitors was very high and the pair should be proud of their achievement. The Pre-Beginner Stakes are a great way for dogs and owners to enter the obedience world and I wish them luck in the future.”
To find out more about the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme visit the website gcds.org.uk
