Why not make a day of it?
by Averil Cawthera-Purdy
26 Jun 2008 11:09
Last week I brought you details of two training classes, one in the north and one in the south, that cater for juniors. Sometimes it is useful to boost your handling skills at a full training day, so here are details of one coming up towards the end of the summer and perfectly placed to give you that extra polish just before the JHA semi finals, which will be held as usual at Richmond.
Most successful
The junior handling training day is being organised by two of their generation’s most successful junior handlers, who between them won every major title worth winning, not just in this country but across Europe. Marina Scott and Helena Hutchings have also run a number of similar days and the feedback they have had and which has come to my ears has been very good. This next event is planned for the weekend of August 23/24 at the more central venue of Chieveley Village Hall, near Newbury.
The venue is in fact off the same junction as Southern Counties championship show on the M4 and A34 interchange. It is only a couple of miles off these major roads, and is an ideal location to get to. The venue is a bright and light hall with plenty of space outside.
As with previous events, the days are open to junior handlers between the ages of six and 16 and the cost for each day is £20 which includes lunch, refreshments and a raffle ticket. There is also the chance to book extra lunches at a cost of £2.50 for parents, friends etc. These must be listed on your entry form and pre paid. Once expenses have been covered, a donation will be made to the KC Charitable Trust.
In terms of the training you can expect, the girls will be basing the format on their previous training days, but also worked into that is the chance to request input for specific areas. The entry form allows each junior to choose the day they would like to attend and prioritise from a choice of nine areas of handling, for example, turns, teeth presentation, lines on patterns etc to enable them to tailor the training to the needs of the handlers. You can expect plenty of help and practice time and also a chance to try out your polished performance in a competition to end the day.
Limited
Places on each day are limited and if demand is such that those numbers are exceeded, names will be drawn from a hat to allocate the places fairly. Entries close on August 3 and if you would like an entry form or further information you can contact Marina on 07958345527 or email at marina@juniorhandling.co.uk Alternatively you can contact Helena on 07709 809187 or e mail at haneleh@aol,com .
Again I can only let juniors know about the training opportunities I get to know about. If you need what your club has on offer publicised to attract more juniors please let me know.