Welsh Handler of the Year Champion

Pembrokeshire by the Pond would not be the same without the Burns Pet Nutrition Welsh Handler of the Year competition. Open to all Welsh Agility handlers, the competition, over 2 days lets everyone stake their annual claim to the title of being Wales’s top handler at the Pembrokeshire County Show. Emma Haines and Diagemtas Dexter were back to defend their title along with several previous winners of the Welsh Handlers Of The Year and so for most handlers 2014 was set to be the toughest competition yet of the Burns Pet Nutrition Welsh Handler.

The day one agility course set by Iain McDonald sorted the men from the boys and overnight,

with past winners Emma Haines, Rosie Cavill, Jo Barnsley and Mark Douglas all there and thereabouts, ready for the jumping competition the next day. Rosie Cavill and Agility Champion Fieldspy Leana; our 2011 and 2012 Champion topped the 100 competing partnerships in round 1, which clearly showed her intention to reclaim the title.

Overnight it also became clear that well placed Mark Douglas was under added pressure as he was handling,

for injured Marilyn Wiseham, Derwen Mollie and he was in with a real good chance, as he was lying 2nd after the Agility round.

Running the top 10 in reverse order of merit over Emma Carswell’s jumping course, didn’t prove too challenging for Sue Powell who had a very successful time at Pembrokeshire By The Pond by finishing with two dogs in the top 10; Avalia Black Cardamom taking 2nd and Dream Time 3rd overall.

Mark Douglas and Mollie set a good pace running in penultimate place to post a very fast clear round with only Rosie and Ag Ch Fieldspy Leana able to beat them. Under that pressure Rosie pushed a little to hard and Ag Ch Fieldspy Leana rolled a pole at the 5th allowing Mark to take the 2014 title.

Congratulations then to the 2014 Burns Pet Nutrition Welsh Handler of the Year Champion

Mark Douglas with Derwen Mollie and thanks to the generous and continued support of

Burns Pet Nutrition.

We are not sure Mark will be allowed to run Derwen Mollie next year when no doubt he will be back to defend his Burns Pet Nutrition Welsh Handler of the Year title at Pembrokeshire by the Pond 2015.

Pembrokeshire By The Pond Press Enquires to: 2 Medley Grove Leamington Spa CV31 2GA email