Cardiff Canine Society host Welsh Top Junior at the Drovers Court, Montgomery Pavilion on Builth Wells’s famous showground’s on Saturday February 22nd 2014. This year saw the seventh occasion that this most successful event has been held and the third occasion for the Welsh Junior Handler of the Year organised by Dr Phillippa Pearson.
Qualifications for this event are to win a breed junior class during January to December at either open or championship level and naturally dog and owners must reside in Wales.
A special mention must go to the sponsors who make this event shine each and every year, Our Dogs, Royal Canin, Dorwest, Celebration rosettes, Olive Thomas [Leashkan], Richard Morris [Glascoed Gundogs] Patsi Ann Sculptures, and Ken Andrew.
Richard Morris as always wished a warm welcome in both languages to its attendees and commentates with a little information throughout both events ably assisted by Carol Sanders.
The day starts early with the Junior Handlers, the stars of tomorrow at 8.30 am, there is a parade of the handlers in the ring before Judging commences, and this year there surprise judge was Marina Scott from Bournemouth.
Marina had travelled a five hour journey to Judge this event the day before whilst enjoying a radio appearance, she began with the 6 to 11 year old class, and decided on ten year old Teigan Harp Jones as her winner, next came the 12 to 16 year olds, where for a second time Melissa Phillips was the winner.
The two winners then compete for the coveted WJHOTY Trophy donated by Dr Pearson each year, and Melissa just tipping Teigan to the post, topped the bill for a second title of Welsh Junior Handler.
Then it is time to announce the much speculated Judges, this year saw Andrew Brace [Tragband] and Lee Cox [Vanitonia] the judges then take an envelope from Martin to determine which group they are judging, the dogs have already been put into two groups and then a draw is pulled as to the individual pairings within that group.
Lee Cox well known for his poodles, crested and clumbers, had drawn envelope A was judging before lunch, his final pairing and winner was Tony and Chris Burscoughs homebred bearded collie bitch Kilfinan Country Lady repeating her dams win her from two years ago but will be remembered from winning Welsh Top Puppy of the Year just last November, Runner up to her was the homebred miniature wire haired dachshund Fallowmill Sergio owned and bred by Jane Howells from Mid Glamorgan who has two challenge certificates.
Following an excellent sit down lunch of cottage pie, peas and pots, with a variety of scrumptious puddings it was Andrew Brace’s turn for centre stage with no time wasted in getting through his group his final pair and finalist was Ruth Jones, Australian Terrier make Silhill Private Collection at Wyeafon who challenged OUR DOGS Zara Boyle and her parents homebred Longhaired Dachshund Ch Zarcrest Hugo Boss who was last year’s Top Long with two G1, 3 G2, 2 G3 and 18 BOBs.
The two Judges then reassess their respective finalists against each other for an overall winner, decided that the beardie would take the title with the aussie in runner up.
Report: Zara Boyle [Zarcrest]
![L TO R: Sophie Langdon representing the sponsors Royal Canin, Lee Cox [Judge for Group A] Carol & Martin Sanders, Andrew Brace [Judge for Group B] and Sponsor Olive Thomas. Front: Tony & Chris Burscough’s bearded collie, Kilfinan Country Lady JW Sh CM.](https://welshjunioroftheyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WELSH-JUNIOR-OF-THE-YEAR_-2014__WCH8573.jpg "L TO R: Sophie Langdon representing the sponsors Royal Canin, Lee Cox [Judge for Group A] Carol & Martin Sanders, Andrew Brace [Judge for Group B] and Sponsor Olive Thomas. Front: Tony & Chris Burscough’s bearded collie, Kilfinan Country Lady JW Sh CM.")
![L TO R: Sophie Langdon representing the sponsors Royal Canin, Lee Cox [Judge for Group A] Ruth Jones with her Australian Terrier male, Silhill Private Collection At Wyeafon from Builth Wells, bred by Sue McCourt, Richard Morris, Martin Sanders, Andrew Brace [Judge for Group B] and Sponsor Olive Thomas.](https://welshjunioroftheyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WELSH-JUNIOR-OF-THE-YEAR_-2014__WCH8576.jpg "L TO R: Sophie Langdon representing the sponsors Royal Canin, Lee Cox [Judge for Group A] Ruth Jones with her Australian Terrier male, Silhill Private Collection At Wyeafon from Builth Wells, bred by Sue McCourt, Richard Morris, Martin Sanders, Andrew Brace [Judge for Group B] and Sponsor Olive Thomas.")
