KZN scoops top three awards
For a province to win one discipline is hard, but to get all 3 is spectacular.
SOUTH Coast Dogs is very proud that at the KwaZulu-Natal Top Achievers rewards ceremony for 2014 held at Hillcrest Tea Garden on February 7, it was certainly a year for ‘hat-tricks’ in all three height categories, namely contact, non-contact and dog jumping. Large was awarded to Maneza Zekulu and his Belgian shepherd Phogojoe from Durban; medium went to Taryn Murphy and her North American shepherd ‘R Tic’ from Durban, and small went to South Coaster Gaby Frey and her poodle Scooby. For a province to win one discipline is hard, but to get all 3 is spectacular.
Other top achievements went to Taryn Murphy and ‘R Tic’, who were awarded for becoming a grand champion in dog jumping. Lez Blaikie and his English springer spaniel Merlot achieved KZN colours for dog jumping and Jean Whittaker was awarded the Human award.
The dogs turned up all ready and eager to get the year going and it is unclear who was happiest to be back, the humans or the dogs! The Durban and District open show held at Ashley Sports Grounds in Pinetown included agility, carting, breed and a fun St Valentine’s Day event.
Results: Agility, contact, grade 3, small – Landy and Jean Whittaker, first; Chippy and Rosemarie Ludwig, second; Roxy and Merissa Botes, third. Grade 2, large – Kuifje and Jean Whittaker, first. Grade 1, large, Selby and Merissa Botes, second. Small – Tricky and Irmgard Botes, second. Non-contact, grade 3, large – Swift and Barbara Egan, second. Small – Chippy and Rosemarie Ludwig, first; Roxy and Marissa Botes, second. Grade 1, medium – Dante and Desiree Grutter, second.
Dog jumping, grade 1 – Swift and Barbara Egan, second; Romulus and Ann Shaw, third. Grade 3 – Landy and Jean Whittaker, second; Icon and Desiree Grutter, third.
Breed – Michelle Howard, Chinese crested Aurispa Sebastian at La Lunablu, best junior in breed, best of breed, second in toy group. Chinese crested Aurispa Dior at La Lunablu, reserve champion in toy group. Christeen McGovern, Australian shepherd Sizzle, best champion in breed and champion in group. Chelsey McGovern, Australian shepherd Fyre, best veteran in breed and best in herding veteran group. Susan MacNab, West Highland white terrier Tickle, best junior in breed, best junior terrier in group, reserve best junior in show. Kegan Perry, Siberian husky Demon, reserve best of breed in junior breed in a working group. Heather Moorcroft, English cocker spaniel Nina, best of breed and best puppy in breed, fourth in gundog puppy group.
Junior handler – Kegan Perry handling Siberian husky Demon, first; Chelsey McGovern handling Australian shepherd Fyre, second. Chelsey won the award for top junior handler of 2014, for the second year running.
