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FIRST AND FOREMOST

UKTOYDOG SHOW was a huge occasion for Elaine Williams (Sancana)who lives in Mid Glamorgan in Wales. Although she has owned Cavaliers for over 40 years and been involved in showing for 20 years, this was her first ever CC award. Congratulations, Elaine....onwards and upwards!

Large Croft trolley with easy fold in wheels, in excellent condition as hardly used, size 38 x 24 inches....£70

plus grooming tabletop which fits the trolley when 2 croft cages or 1 large cage on board .. £40.

Will sell separately.

Double Car Cage with divider, 2 front doors and back escape door. Height 27inches, Width 37inches. Depth at its widest is 24inches. Used in Renault Megane and with plenty all round space. £50.

If interested email Liz McInally on lizmcinally@btinternet.com

THE COMPETITION WAS KEEN

Sandra Moger (Charnell) travelled to Williamsburg, Virginia, USA to judge the 2014 PUPPY OF THE YEAR for the CKCS Club USA. The ultimate winner was Ch Kean Ultraviolet JW bred by Liz Keane from New Hampshire. Her Sire is Ch Chantismere Chandos of Valentyne and Dam is Castlekeep Paloma Olympia. Nice win Liz...

HOW "ART" THOU?

with the HAMSHERE GALLERY

Early 20^th century dry-point etching (19 ½ x 25 ½ inches) by Richard Müller (German, 1874-1954)

Rare and unusual needlework box / footstool (approximately 16 inches cubed), with 19^th needlepoint

WELSH HANDLER OF THE YEAR

Although only 17 years old, Melissa Phillips has achieved so much for one so young. Her Junior Handling skills have seen her compete and gain success time after time. For example she took Runner Up Junior Handler of the Year 2013 in the whole of the UK under judge Helena Hutchings and this year she was crowned Welsh Junior Handlerof the Year by judge Marina Scott. We are fortunate indeed to have such talent in our Cavalier midst.

winning Semi finals 2013 under Kirsty Miller

Marina Scott said

Melissa Phillips aged 17, a handler in her prime and so deserved this title. I still don’t think I have ever come across such a naturally happy handler who enjoys it so much without having to grin from cheek-to-cheek. Cavaliers are not flashy breeds to handle but she MAKES it flashy without saying ‘look at me’. Its difficult to put my finger on exactly what makes her handling so good but I think it’s the overall calm, kind nature and excellent rapport she has with her dog plus carrying out patterns with ease and in the correct manner. Many congratulations on your second Welsh handling title. A pleasure to judge.

After winning Welsh Handler of the Year, Melissa was interviewed by

Age, town and county where you live.I am 17 years old from Pontypridd, South Wales.

Name of dog (pet and KC reg name), breed, and owner's name (any co-owners too)The dog that I handled was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Maddie which we bred ourselves and her show name is Tillymist Sheez Innocence JW. She was our first show dog that we bred ourselves and has done us very proud in the ring. She is owned by myself and my mum Jayne.

What sort of success have you had with this dog in breed?Maddie has done really well in the ring where she gained her Junior Warrant and Stud Book Number at the age of 16 months (our first JW too!) She qualified for Cavalier Puppy of the Year 2012 and Welsh Junior of the Year 2012 whilst still a puppy and we competed in the YKC Stakes Final at Crufts and took 3rd place against toy breeds older than herself! After a long break out of the show ring she came with us to do the Munster Circuit in Ireland and surprised us all by taking the Reserve Green Star at Tralee and was graded excellent at all 4 shows.

Do you own any other dogs and tell us about them? I own 6 other cavaliers and a Kooikerhondje. Lilly is our very first cavalier who started the showing bug when we went to companion shows and she will be 10 years old, she was followed by Missee who is 8 and a half years old and is our foundation bitch to the Tillymist line. We have another stay at home cavalier called Lexii who is 4 years old and then we come to our second generation of Tillymist cavaliers who are Maddie (3 years) and her younger siblings Eevie, Frankie and Harry (all aged 20 months). In Cavaliers, Frankie and Eevie were both halfway to their Irish Junior champion title and are both qualified for Crufts and Welsh Junior of the Year 2014, Eevie also qualified for Cavalier Puppy of the Year 2013. Our veteran Missee has won four BVIS including two of these at club shows and also has her stud book number. Her granddaughter Maddie also has her stud book number and JW as well as being qualified for Cavalier Puppy of the Year 2013. Buddie my Kooikerhondje (Ir.CH Crunchcroft Mastermind). Last August, I made up my first champion being Buddie whilst on the Munster Circuit which was amazing especially since he is one of only 3 champions in the UK of his breed. He has exceeded all that I could have hoped for and has even allowed me to venture into the group at Windsor. He also qualified for Welsh Junior of the Year, Welsh Top Puppy and Welsh Top Dog where he was runner up in his category to the eventual winner and will also be competing in South Wales Open Show Dog of the Year in March this year,

What training clubs do you belong to?Unfortunately I do not belong to any training clubs due to both my parents working nights, however I occasionally go to Treharris Ring Craft if they aren’t working.

How long have you been showing dogs and how did you get into it?I have been showing Cavaliers for 9 years and my Kooikerhondje for 3 years. I begun by showing my Cavalier Lilly in small companion shows where we did quite well in the novelty section! My parents and I were at a local leisure centre where we popped into a Cavalier club show. We were just watching when I was asked to stand a dog for someone who had to handle a bitch in the other ring, from there on we bought our first tri colour, Missee and we haven't stopped showing since! Missee is from the lady who asked me to stand the dog for her so I am really grateful for asking me to show for her.

Are you at college/uni/gap year and explain what you are currently up to?I am currently in Year 12 studying for my AS levels. The subjects I have taken are Biology, Chemistry, and English (Literature/Language).

This is the second year you've one, when was the first and who was the judge? What was that like?I cannot believe that I have won the title for a second year, I was ready to hand over my title however to win it again is fantastic! My first time winning was last year with Maddie under well known handler Sarah Gibbons. I was completely shocked when I won the 12-16 category as I haven’t been in the handling ring since November!

What has been your most memorable moment in your dog showing career so far? My most memorable moment has got to be winning Runner Up Handler of the Year 2013 at Earls Court in November handling Harry who at the time was 16 months old and hadn’t been in the ring since he was 6 months old - it was a dream come true. Other special moments include winning the Welsh Handler of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and the Semi Finals in 2008, 2012 and 2013. In the breed ring I have to say that campaigning Buddie to his Irish Champion title was amazing especially with all the problems he has overcome in the ring.

What would you like to achieve in the world of showing dogs?I have achieved so much these past few years so anything on top of these successes would be a bonus but I would love the opportunity to handle for a kennel abroad preferably a Cavalier kennel!

Who has inspired you along the way?There is not one particular person but there have been a few good friends who have helped me along the way with advice and constant prompting to push me on further – these people would know who they are and for that I am forever grateful to them.

What advice have you got to other juniors who perhaps are just starting out in the world of dogs?My main advice would be to get a strong bond with your dog it works wonders in the ring if you and your dog are both enjoying yourselves and have a natural rapport with each other. Remember to enjoy what you are doing and be polite and courteous towards both judges and other handlers. Enjoy your junior handling years as before you know it you are too old to compete so never give up!

Melissa sends many thanks to everyone who has supported her and allowed her to handle their dogs.

The Northern Club held it's AGM on Sunday 6th April at Pool in Yorkshire. This was followed by a scrumptious 3 course lunch, Roast Beef or Chicken and trimmings and then Apple Crumble, Trifle and more, provided by Christine McFarlane and her crew. In the afternoon a Supermatch took place between the Cavaliers belonging to members who had qualified and at the last minute the mystery secret judge was revealed ....Sandra Mowatt (Asmena). It was a great day out and proved that the social and the competition side of showing can be fun.