Racing driver turns dog handler
 Dog
Agility has helped Mark Leybourne (aged 50) battle through an uncommon, painful
neurological disease called Parsonage Turner Syndrome. He's worked hard to
overcome his disability and this year he will compete for the first time at the
Kennel Club International Agility Festival with his WSD Ems.
In March 2014, I
suffered a rapid onset of severe pain in my shoulder and I found myself at the
mercy of Personage Turner Syndrome, otherwise known as brachial neuritis. It was
the most painful week of my life.
The exact cause
of Parsonage Turner Syndrome is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by an
abnormality of the immune system. A virus decided to nibble away at my nervous
system taking out my right shoulder. I couldn't drive, ride my mountain bike or
generally get about. The pain could last for a few hours to a few weeks and is
followed by wasting and weakness of the muscles in the affected area.'
Shortly
after his diagnosis, I met my partner Joanne Shawley, who was my saviour. She
ran around after me and introduced me to agility and her dogs - merle Eli
(G7) and the perfect tri Ed (G7) and her big, red daft dog Zing (G6).
At the time, Ems
(Jarysmystic
Maybe for ME)
was six years old and very naughty. After a few
failed attempts at AnySize when Ems went out of the ring looking for food,
Joanne decided to retire her. That's when I took her over.
 I
started training Ems with the well known Jacqui Tarns.
Joanne already
trained with her -and she was only 12 miles away.
Being paralysed,
I was a useless beginner. My right arm was in a sling. I could not point and had
poor balance.
Oh, how I loved left-hand courses.
I can not thank
Jacqui enough for her patience and the other people in the class for letting me
take up so much of the class time but, most of all, the non-stop support and
banter from the group.
It was
great to get out and be able to exercise and build up a great relationship with
Ems. No cars, no Internet, just loads of dogs, agility friends and real ale!
More recently
I've also started training with Sarah Kitching of Durham Dogs, and I've done
many 1-2-1s as I've had chance with many touring trainers in the country. I'm
not addicted at all!
In December
2014, after training in agility for less than a year, my test results came back,
showing that my nervous system had started to repair. Hopefully I am now on the
road to recovery, albeit slowly.
 Can't
complain, however.
Little Em is officially my dog, signed over before I started competing.
I'm
Grade 2 now, having won out a month ago and I will be competing in the G1/2
Starters Cup competition at KC International Festival at
Rockingham
Castle in Rockingham, from Thursday, 13th August until Sunday, 16th August.
I
love agility and I’m really looking to my first time at the Festival.
Caroline
Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: 'Mark's story highlights the range of
benefits of having a hobby such as agility. Not only is it good for your dog
to keep active but also it improves mobility of the owner. The International
Agility Festival is the largest agility festival in the world. Anyone can
enter their dog in the show and it’s a fantastic event for both competitors
and spectators alike. We wish Mark all the best for the festival.'
More than 2,700
dogs of all types, sizes and experience levels will compete across 16 agility
rings, with dogs jumping and weaving their way around the various courses.
For more
information on the festival, visit
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/agilityfestival.
News flash...
Love was in the
air at the International Agility Festival on 12th August 2017 when Mark
Leybourne proposed to Joanne Shawley in front of a large crown in the Main
Ring. And she said... yes. Congratulations to Mark and Joanne.
 About
the author...
Mark Leybourne was born and bred in Darlington, Co. Durham.
He is
an Assembly Engineer with Nissan and been racing cars since he could drive!
First published 26 July 2015
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