The 2009 Trophy Team Steeplechase Final was
held at the UKA Cornwall show on Saturday, 15 August and judged by John Omlo. This was the
second year this competition and once again it was sponsored by Trophy Petfoods. After the five
nationwide heats, the last of which had been held earlier in the day, ten teams lined up to
compete in the final. Cyd Griffin reports.
Luckily the drizzle of the afternoon had cleared and a
very smart-looking John Omlo was ready to judge the first team. John had set an interesting and
flowing course which was ideal for any of the height combinations as each team could have three
dogs of the same height or a combination of two different heights.
First up was the 60 Something team with two
Standard dogs and a Midi, They finished the course with just 5 faults. Next came a local team
of Cornish Spans who all belonged to Zoe Dingle, but they had an elimination to add to 10
faults. The Cavelties followed, and unfortunately they had a faulty baton change as well
as 5 faults. The next team really blasted round the course, living up to their name of A
Trio of Tryers but they amassed 115 faults.
Fifth to run were the team from Oxon who had come 5th in
last years final. Could they improve on this? They put in three good clear rounds in a time of
89.87 seconds which put them in the lead. Laura Derrett and her team of Here Come the Girls
knew that they would have to go clear to be in with a chance of winning. Unfortunately Karen's
Zorro dropped a pole for 5 faults but they finished in a much quicker time which put them into
2nd place.
So could Pete and Iris Richards in their second team -
this time with Shaun Hunt - do any better? Again it was a very fast time for Our Teams Been
Phixed, but they incurred 10 faults as did the next team The Honeys. The penultimate
team, the Tolnedra Wanderers with two Toys and a Midi dog picked up 15 faults.
So it was all down to the last team Play Your Cards
Right who won it last year albeit with one change of dog and handler. They knew they had to
really go for it, so no pressure there then! Unfortunately 5 faults meant they would not be
doing the double and they had to settle for 3rd place which meant that the winner of the Trophy
Team Steeplechase with the only treble clear rounds was Hazel's Hopefuls who all train with
Hazel Horrobin. So congratulations to Lisa and Lauren Jeffery and Rachel Draper.
Finally a comment from John: 'I was honoured to be
asked to judge the finals. I set a fast, flowing course with a couple of subtle traps needing
careful handling which caught out a few. All the competitors entered into the spirit of the
event. The defending champions were unfortunate as they were beaten by a new young team who
were petrified at the start by seeing me in a suit!'
The
Winners
Hazels Hopefuls with Judge John Omlo and Trophy Petfoods representative, Katie Grant.
Results
Place
|
Team |
Dog Sizes |
Faults |
Time |
1 |
Hazel's Hopefuls |
Standards (2) and Maxi (1) |
0 |
89.878 |
|
Lisa
Jeffery with Misty |
|
|
|
|
Rachel
Draper with Konnor |
|
|
|
|
Lauren
Jeffery with Amber |
|
|
|
2 |
Here Come The Girls
|
Maxis (3) |
5 |
72.426 |
|
Laura Derrett with Spider |
|
|
|
|
Karen Laker with Zorro |
|
|
|
|
Michelle Spencer with Maverick |
|
|
|
3 |
Play Your Cards Right |
Midi (2) and Toy (1) |
5 |
81.465 |
|
Jane Tatam with Jaggers |
|
|
|
|
Rosemary Anson with Jack |
|
|
|
|
Jeanette Hurrell with Jess |
|
|
|
4 |
60 Something
|
Standard (2) and Toy (1) |
5 |
94.393 |
|
Geraldine Chubb with Sally |
|
|
|
|
Val Millward with Em |
|
|
|
|
Jenny Collinge with Dee Dee |
|
|
|
5 |
Our Teams Been Phixed |
Maxi (3) |
10 |
74.199 |
|
Shaun Hunt with Phix |
|
|
|
|
Pete Richards with Buffy |
|
|
|
|
Iris Richards with Ellie |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bob and Cyd Griffin of UKA Cornwall would like to
congratulate the winners and thank the judge John Omlo. Thanks to Trophy Petfoods for
sponsoring the whole event and to Katie Grant, representing the local agent, who presented the
super engraved glass decanters to the winners and glass tankards to the runners up. Place
rosettes went to 5th and all the finalists received a commemorative rosette.
|