Skinner's
Jumping Grand Prix at the Chatsworth Country Fair is a special competition consisting of two Jumping
rounds that feature jumps, spreads, tunnels, weaves to test the dogs speed and
accuracy without complicated course patterns. The combined results of the first
two rounds will give us top five dogs who go forward to a final jump off, using a
shortened course derived from last course to share the prize money. (£30 £15 £10
£10 £10)
2016
Starting
out at 4.45am can't be much fun, but that's what Veronica Hill did to join us on
Saturday, 3rd September at the Chatsworth Country Fair for the 2016 Skinners
Grand Prix, eventually arriving in good light. The peak road overlooking the
house provided the perfect platform to enjoy a magnificent early morning display
of hot air balloons rising from the Chatsworth parkland, the likes of which is
not seen other than at Bristol's own International Balloon Fiesta. All that
before a dog had run.
Whilst the weather did its best to
reduce the morning crowd to a cluster of umbrellas, the dogs, as ever, gave of
their best on the course set by judge James Amor - even when the Household
Cavalry Musical Ride passed by on their way to a damp Grand Ring performance.
The Skinners Grand Prix is a test of
consistency. Who can produce three clear Jumping rounds with the same dog at
speed in less than three hours. Rounds 1 and 2 are about finding the
finalists who would share the prize money. Double clears at speed were the order
of the day.
Back to defend his 2015 Grand Prix title
was Rob Morley with Whitefield Chloe. One could say, that they peaked too early
by coming 1st in Skinner's Jumping – a class too early.
Happily the afternoon brightened
slightly. Round 1 of the Grand Prix winners included handlers who were running
more than one dog as well as a dog who's name was a commentator's gift - Come On
for Pete's Sake who won the first round much to the delight of partner Anita
Perfect. Could they repeat it in Round 2?
After
a course change allowing all a breather, Round 2 started with faster times but
no less accuracy. We ended with Alyshia Hindle and Jaycote Calista joining Gemma
Walchester and Veronica Hill - both with two dogs into the money. The Final
which is run off in reverse order. Veronica Hill with The Spycatcher was
rewarded with yet another clear round in a time of 21.405 secs. The gauntlet was
down for those following to knock the partnership off the podium. You can just
see from the photo that a Labrador and a Bavarian Mountain Hound got there.
Despite best efforts of the others, a
delighted Veronica and Spy held on and won most of the cash. Skinner's vouchers
were posted to our other winners as a reminder of a great day out at one of the
best outdoor events in the UK.
-
Veronica Hill with The Spycatcher -
21.405 secs (C)
-
Gemma Walchester with Corrie Dhu
Lace - 21.606 secs (C)
-
Veronica Hill with Magical Gamble -
21.683 secs (C)
-
Alyshia Hindle with Jaycote Calista
-23.206 secs (C)
-
Gemma Walchester with Edward The
Third (E)
No doubt Veronica will be back to defend
her title in 2017.
We look forward to welcoming her and you to Skinner's Grand Prix next year.
2015
We're
in the money is probably the thoughts of our winners of this year's Skinner's
Grand Prix at the Chatsworth Country Fair on 5 September 2015.The
competition is limited to Grade 3 – 7 Large dogs with two jumping rounds to test
the dog's speed and accuracy. Taking the combined results of the first two
rounds gave us the top five dogs who go forward to a money final Jumping round,
under the watchful eye of Championship Agility judge Nick Robson.
There were lots of clear
rounds but the double clears proved very elusive.
Running in reverse order
in front of a large crowd, our top five were led off by last years finalist
Mandi Marks with Snowball on Ice, followed by Rob Morely with Whitefield Chloe,
Alyshia Hindle with
Jaycote Calista,
Richard
Brookman
with Paddy Brookers and finally 2014's winner Gemma Miles with Flash of Devil
Red.
Running first, Mandi
decided do or die and today Snowball was just a bit too enthusiastic and a great
OOOhhh from the crowd confirmed Nick Robson's decision to eliminate. Running
second, Whitefield Chloe gave us a cracking clear round and held the lead till
last years winner, Gemma Miles came to the start line with the last dog to run
in this years competition. Nothing certain till the fat lady sings. Flash Of
Devil Red delivered a fractionally better time than our 2015 winner but with
five faults fell into 4th place.
Skinner's Grand Prix 2015 winners
-
Rob
Morley with Whitefield Chloe - 27.97 secs (C)
-
Alyshia
Hindle with Jaycote Calista - 33.07 secs (C)
-
Richard
Brookman with Paddy Brookers - 41.56 secs (C)
-
Gemma
Miles with Flash of Devil Red - 27.91 secs (5)
-
Mandi
Marks with Snowball On Ice - E
Very many
thanks to Skinner's for continuing the support of this competition.
First published 6
October 2015
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