Caitlin Cannon, 17, from Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, has won the Kennel Club Young Handlers Gundog Working Test, held at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire by the gracious permission of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The judges were Sheila Kuban, Mick Newsam, Malcolm Thwaites, Jennifer Hay and Neale Satchwell. The event is kindly sponsored by Eukanuba.
Caitlin handled Flo, a Labrador Retriever owned by her mother Natalie Cannon, to win first place at the test which saw talented young handlers tested on their working partnership with their dogs.
Caitlin said: “Thank you to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the Kennel Club and the judges for letting us have a fab day and for getting young handlers involved in the sport”.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We send congratulations to Caitlin on her success with Flo in the Young Handlers Gundog Working Test. They made a great team. Working with gundogs in the field requires skill, dedication and many hours of hard work, so it is clear Caitlin has the qualities required to do well in this sport. We wish her all the best for the future.”
The results for the day were as follows:
- 1st Bawdenflight Real Deal of Craiwarn, Labrador Retriever owned by Natalie Cannon and handled by Caitlin Cannon
- 2nd Cazakara Miss Marvellous, Cocker Spaniel owned by John Robertson and handled by Bethan Robertson-Ball
- 3rd Long Marsh Anna, Labrador Retriever owned by Geoffrey Dobb handled by Billie-Jo Wagstaff