Pair a `great inspiration'

BOY'S BEST FRIEND: Braeden Taylor-Phillips and his four-legged friend Hobson.

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Feilding Herald

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Eleven-year-old Braeden Taylor-Phillips and Hobson, his two-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel, are among the younger stars practising for the canine agility events at Manfeild during next month's National Dog Show.

The pursuit, in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy, is attracting many young people who are excelling in open competitions against adults.

New Zealand Kennel Club local co-ordinator Dennis Rodgers said Halcombe School pupil Braeden and his inseparable four-legged friend were a great inspiration.

They've already enjoyed two runner-up spots at elementary level, the entry point of the sport, and are not fazed by having to face adult competition at national level.

Braeden is fortunate his mum, Wendy Taylor, is a senior agility judge and past competitor, but ultimately their progress comes down to the amount of effort the pair put in themselves.

Braeden and Hobson practise almost every day, and it's always fun, the youngster says. Ultimately it's the dog who decides when it's time to call it quits.

"After a while he just kinda stops."

Just because he was a small dog didn't mean Hobson was not fast, Braeden said.

"And he's quite smart. He works his way around problems."

Away from competition, Hobson has several favourite pastimes.

"He likes playing with pine cones.

"He's also a very independent dog, he does his own thing," Braeden said.

In a household shared with two heading dogs, Hobson alone has snared an optimum comfort spot the old armchair in the family farmhouse.

The national dog show at Manfeild next month is a big test for the young locals. It is set to attract upwards of 2500 top dog competitors in breed, agility and obedience.

Mr Rodgers said more than 2200 entries have been received in the four levels of competition in the agility classes.

Judges from Hamilton, Lower Hutt, Dunedin and Rangiora will join Libby Ellery of Feilding in officiating.

Each judge will watch up to 250 runs each day.

The show has links to two international events the world-famous Crufts in England and the newly instigated World Challenge, which involves 46 countries and will be next held in California.

All Best in Show winners qualify for this Blue Ribbon event.