Meet New Zealands Best Junior Handlers for 2008

14 finalists will compete for the ultimate Junior Handler prize at this year’s NZKC PRO PLAN National Dog Show. The winner will travel to the prestigious Crufts Dog Show next March and represent New Zealand at the international final. We wish all our competitors the best of luck and are confident that our ultimate winner will be a worthy New Zealand Kennel Club representative in Birmingham.

Introducing our 2008 Finalists

Danielle Reichmuth - Ladies KA

Hello my name is Danielle Reichmuth. I am fifteen years old and live in Katikati and I attend Katikati College.
This is my first year qualifying for JDH, in which I qualified at Ladies Kennel Assn in Auckland 28th of October 2007.
I have being going to dog shows since I was about three years old. I started showing my Std Smooth Dachshund (Blaze) in child handler when I was about five years old. I started showing in All Breed Shows about two years ago and now handle some of our German Shorthaired Pointers.
I have been lucky enough to get the experience to handle many different breeds of dogs, which I absolutely love having the opportunity to do so. Thank you to everyone who has helped me.
In my spare time I like cooking, shopping, listening to music, spending time with friends and going out and spending time with the dogs. I also love going to the mountains and skiing in the winter and going out boating and swimming in the summer. Although I love doing all that in my spare time, my weekends are normally spent travelling around the north island going to shows and I love it!
I love traveling to the shows as it is just me and mum plus our clan of GSP’s.
At the present time I’m not sure what I want to do as a career but I’m working hard at school to keep my options open, I am considering getting my pilots license as that is something I have a passion for.
I love dog shows and I am going to keep showing dogs as long as my body will let me, also I love being with my friends that I have made at the shows over time.

Ethan Clarke - Kumeu KA

Hello, my name is Ethan Clarke and I am 14 years old. I qualified at Kumeu Kennel Association. I have come all the way from South Auckland where I attend Pukekohe High School and am a year 10 student there. This is my second year in the Junior Dog Handler final.
My favourite subjects at school include Mathematics and Physical Education.
I started showing when I was seven, and since then I have been hooked.
I help my mum with the Staffordshire Bull Terriers and am currently campaigning a Staffie. I have also recently just got my own Siberian Husky that I have just started campaigning. I also enjoy showing Whippets.
Dog showing takes up a large part of my life but I wouldn't swap it for anything else in the world. It is something that I really enjoy doing and hope that I can continue with it for the rest of my life.
I am not sure what the future holds for me but I am certain that I will still be campaigning dogs and I hope to be breeding dogs under my own Kennel name.
Outside of the dog world, I also enjoy martial arts and am a Second Dan Black Belt in the martial arts style of Te-Jutsu.
I would like to thank my family and friends for their on going support and encouragement and the NZKC for holding such a great event.
I wish the other competitors congratulations and the best of luck in the final.

Jayne Hamilton - Canterbury KA

This is Jayne’s third appearance in this prestigious Junior Dog Handler event. Jayne started showing dogs four years ago and has come a long way since. Jayne currently handles a variety of breeds some of her favourite breeds she enjoys handling are Pointers, Boxers, Siberian Huskies, Corgis and Irish Setters.
Jayne thoroughly enjoys helping out at home in her parents Boarding Kennel; she likes the privilege of getting to meet new dogs and their individual personalities.
Jayne is a 16 year old student attending Mairehau High School here in Christchurch; she is currently completing NCEA level 1. Her favourite subjects at school are Health, English and Physical Education. After Jayne has completed her schooling career she desires to become a Legal Executive.
Jayne would like to thank her family and all others that have encouraged and supported her throughout the last several years, the Organisers of this awesome event and last but not least "Digby" her family boxer whom she qualified with.
"Good Luck to all the competitors in today’s final I’m sure the winner will represent New Zealand to the best of their ability"

Sam Calvert - Southland KA

Hello There! My name is Samantha Calvert, I am 16 years old and attend St Andrews College in Christchurch. I am a local to the National Dog Show this year as I live in a small town called Sefton just 30 minutes out of Christchurch.
This year I am currently sitting my NCEA Level One, studying Geography, Science, English and Media Studies. I am an out going, bubbly person who loves the outdoors. I play for my schools Mixed Touch Rugby Team which this year we won South Islands! Also I am a competitor in the equestrian ring with my beautiful ponies. But my main interest is of course Dog handling! I have been handling dogs for 12 years now and loving every second of it! Without my dogs I do not know where I would be, I currently own two special pooches called Bow and Ohla who are spunky wee Cairn Terriers. In later life I hope to pass all my exams and study to become an Animal Behaviour Consultant or a Radio/Television Journalist.
This year is my 4th year in the final and I would just like to thank my family for all their dedication they have put into my handling, also all my dog show friends for their efforts and support too! Also to ‘Oddie’ the Cairn Terrier for helping me qualify and finally everyone who has made this wonderful event possible!
I would like to wish all my fellow Junior Handlers the best of luck!

Hayley Nichols - Marlborough KA

Hi I’m Hayley Nichols. I’m sixteen years old and I live on a 500 acre farm in the Awatere Valley, a 25 minute drive from the centre of Blenheim. I show and own English Cocker Spaniels and have now for five years. In May I qualified for the first time for the JDH finals with my English cocker Bailey and I am really excited about competing this year.
I’m 6th form at school and this is my final year, next year I hope to study beauty therapy and the year after I hope to study make up and hair artistry, as well as continuing on showing dogs and competing in the JDH. I currently work at a busy little café in Blenheim. I work after school and in the holidays.
I have a lot of hobbies outside of dog showing including: spending time with my friends and family, playing netball and training in hair and make up. I really love dog showing, I have met some wonderful people and get to be around the animals I love all the time. I got my first dog and also went to my first show in 2003 ever since then dog showing and just being around all the different breeds has been the best experience ever.
As well as dog showing I am on the committee of the Marlborough Kennel Assn this is really interesting and has been a really good experience for me. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have supported me and helped me achieve my goals in the JDH competitions.

Cara O’Neill - North Shore KA

Kia ora,
My name is Cara O'Neill and I am representing the town of sunny Hawkes Bay. The school I attend is Taradale High School, at the moment I am enduring NCEA level 1. At school I enjoy many subjects such as English, Food Technology, and Physical Education. Apart from school there are many activities I enjoy such as riding my motorbike, spending time with my dogs and hanging out with my friends. In ten years time I would like to see myself working successfully in the finance or marketing industry, playing as a professional sports person/ pro soccer player, and still in the dog world showing and breeding to my best ability.
In the show world I enjoy many things such as helping Mum with showing her English pointers and also helping others with their variety of breeds.
One motto I have learnt to follow is if you put your mind to anything you can do it! Every time I want to accomplish something I remember this. There are many people that have helped me get to where I am today and for that I thank you, especially Mum (Diane O'Neill) and Stacy Donaldson. I would also like to thank Margaret for all her hard work in the NZ Kennel Club in the past and to welcome Lavina.

Paige Cavanagh - Taupo

My name is Paige Cavanagh and I am 16 years old. I live in Matamata and attend Matamata College where I study all Sciences, Accounting, Maths and English. I qualified for this year’s Junior Handler Final at the Taupo Kennel Association shows last November.
My family first discovered dog showing seven years ago and I have been involved with showing our Siberian Huskies ever since. In the future I hope to continue showing as well as start a kennel under my own prefix, aiming to develop the breed and continue the high standard in the show ring today.
I am currently involved with the Tauranga Kennel Association as a committee member and as their magazine editor. This involvement provides me with the opportunity to learn about how shows are run and organised, as well as being able to ‘give something back’ to the sport.
Currently I am intending to attend Massey University and complete a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology in order to achieve my goal of becoming an Animal Behaviourist in future years.

Kathryn Fleming - Hutt Valley

Hello, my name is Kathryn Fleming. I am 17 years old and I live in Waiatarua, Auckland. I qualified for the Junior Handler Final at the Hutt Valley Kennel Association show in Wellington on the 6th of July.
Dog activities form a large part of my family and personal life. I have made many friendships and really enjoy the social side as well as the competitiveness of conformation showing. One of my recent joys was campaigning my golden retriever, Sydney, to his Champion title.
Currently in Year 13 at Western Springs College, I am studying Sciences, Maths and English. Next year I aim to study for a Bachelor of Applied Science and hopefully a career with the NZ Police.
I enjoy sports and play in my school’s open 8 aside A hockey team and the senior girls’ badminton team. Other school activities include peer support for Year 9 students and tutoring for Year 12 Chemistry students.
Highland dancing is my other passion. I hold an Associates Highland Dancing teaching certificate, teaching highland dancing and cheerleading. For 11 years of highland dancing I have travelled throughout New Zealand, Australia and Scotland. One highlight was being selected to dance for Queen Elizabeth II at the Braemar Highland Games. Due to an injury while dancing in "Scotland the Brave", in 2007, I ruptured my Achilles tendon preventing my playing sport, dog showing and dancing. My rehabilitation back to full mobility took nine months. The experience has taught me to be more self reliant, more patient, and what life is like having a temporary disability.
I wish all my friends and competitors the best of luck at the National Dog Show and I am really looking forward to enjoying the event and doing the very best that I possibly can.

Paige O’Neill - Tauranga

Hello,I am Paige O'Neill.
I am 16 years old and at the moment I attend Taradale high school in Napier. This year I am sitting NCEA level 1! yay...The subject I enjoy most is Physical education or PE . Enough about school... Most weekends you will most probably see me frolicking from ring to ring, but you will most probably find me hanging around the gundog ring showing my 3 lovely pointers and helping my beloved mum and 3 sisters!!! Other than pointers I enjoy showing a variety of breeds and am now starting to focus on my Irish setter puppy Edward. I also occasionally help show my sisters English Springer’s and also own one by the name of Alice. I have been showing ever since I can remember. In the future I hope to still be showing dogs but in a much higher level in America. I would like to wish my TWIN sister Cara the best of luck and also good luck to all of my fellow competitors and a huge gigantic thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way and special thanks to Samantha Hedges and to my Mum as well. Peace. =)

Richard Stanley - Waikouaiti KA

I would first like to say "I’m back", but unfortunately this will be my last year, as next year I will be too old! Hi my name is Richard Stanley and I must say how much I have enjoyed being part of the Junior Dog Handler competition (JDH ).
I am 17 years of age and in year 12 (form 6) at Lincoln High School studying the three sciences, Math’s and English. I also juggle with my school work being on three dog club committee’s including being President of Canterbury Junior Kennel Assn. Rock climbing is my other main passion and enjoy competitive climbing for the school.
Simba is my very own dog who has helped me make the ( JDH ) final for the last two years, as a team we have achieved an incredible amount of winning in the show ring. My biggest goal is to help Simba obtain his Grand Championship title, he is currently sitting on over 80 challenges and two Best In Shows (all breeds ), along with many other major wins. Looking to the future I plan to become a vet so will soon be attending Massey for a bachelor in veterinary science.
Finally I would like thank my parents who have supported me in more ways than they know, and also to Rebecca, and my many other friends around the dog world.
So after the JDH you will still see me around the ring and maybe on the news if I am lucky enough to win this year, as we would love to go to Crufts.

Lauren Morris - Ashburton KA

Hello. My name is Lauren Morris, and I am 17 years old. I am a year 13 (7th former) at Marlborough Girls College in Blenheim.
I live in the Awatere Valley with my Mum and all our animals. I work at The Warehouse, where I am a jewellery and music assistant as well as working everywhere else from checkout to shop floor.
I have been showing for 10 years with my first ever dog being a Manchester Terrier. I own my own Chinese Crested (Powder Puff) Dog, but since making her up to a champion, I have retired her to concentrate on the Golden Retriever I am currently handling. I have shown a multitude of different breeds, from the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Spanish and Portuguese Water Dogs, to the better known Golden Retriever, Toy and Miniature Poodles.
I am an active member of the Marlborough Kennel Association having served on the Club’s committee.

When I finish school I am going to continue my studies in Hospitality and Catering and hopefully work towards a diploma in Hospitality Management, which will help me with my ultimate goal of working in and owning my own first class restaurant.
I would like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement and handy hints, and most of all for entrusting me with their dogs, throughout the years. Without you all, I would not have been able to get to where I am today. THANK YOU!!!!

Trent Bray - Cambridge KA

I have been involved with my family’s dogs, Shetland Sheepdogs and Dachshunds for as long as I can remember. I enjoy working alongside my Mum running shows and YKC events as well as helping other people show a wide variety of breeds including German Shepherds, Labradors, Beagles, Shetland Sheepdogs, German Short Haired Pointers and a Rottweiler.
I am in Year 11 and completing NCEA Level One at Rosehill College, Papakura, in Graphics design, Technology, PE, Maths and English. My goal is to become a qualified mechanic and I plan to do an apprenticeship in the New Zealand Army.
I am very competitive and enjoy lots of sports, currently I am competing in triathlon, duathlon, cycling and 1st Eleven hockey. Until recently (Scouts has given way to sports, study and dog shows)I was a patrol leader in scouts and attended my third International Jamboree at Christchurch, a great experience especially since our contingent was one of the few that didn’t get Noro Virus.
Competing in JDH and YKC has allowed me to meet many new friends and enjoy the social life of dog shows. In September I will begin campaigning my new puppy, Angel, a German Shepherd.
I would like to acknowledge the help I have had from many experienced exhibitors especially my family: thanks Dad for buying a bigger bus now that all 4 Bray kids are in the ring, Charleen Ewing and Paul Robinson.

Philip Trevelyan - North Canterbury KA

Hi
My name is Philip. I am 17 years old and a sixth form boarder at Nelson College, but I call Upper Moutere in the Nelson region, home. I am a rugby fanatic, I have captained my school 16A side in rugby union and I have represented the Tasman region in Rugby League.
When no on the rugby field I enjoy drama and I recently took part in a School production. In the future I aim to make a career in coaching, personal training or as a sports coordinator. I love the outdoors and keeping fit.
I have handled a wide variety of dogs although gundogs are my favourite. I have always been involved with my family’s flat Coated Retrievers. As well as showing I take part in field trials with my dog which we both enjoy.
In the future I hope to become a partner in our family kennels and to continue having fun showing, meeting new people and having awesome experiences.

Amy-Lee Trainor - Canterbury Junior KS

Kia Ora, my name is Amy-lee. I am 17 years old and attend Nelson College for Girls. I have been involved in the dog world since a very young age and my best achievement was winning the 2006 J.D.H and the responsibility of representing NZ at Crufts. Other hobbies include rugby, touch and just hanging with mates. I now enjoy the pleasure of having a full drivers licence and so am free to cruise the roads on Mums money card, hehe!! I have many future plans of going to Uni to achieve a degree in some thing that is yet to take my fancy, and then travel the world. I know that where ever I end up in life I will always have a dog at my side. Good-luck to all the competitors in this competition and thank-you to every-one that has helped me along the way.

This event is proudly supported by Parkavon Kennels, Canterbury Toy Dog Society, Jason & Pauline Gregory, H & J Smith, Clinique and Mondo Group Ltd