The Kennel Club Working Trials Championships took place 16th to 18th October and members Nicky Downes with Poppy and Andy Baker with Bryn competed in the TD stake. I was lucky enough to be able to watch the tracking on Thursday. The venue was at Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire and the weather and ground conditions were perfect for tracking and both Poppy and Bryn did beautiful tracks.  Whilst Andy & Bryn are very experienced at competing at The KCCS, winning the event last year, this year was Nicky & Poppy’s only second time competing at this level.  

Says Nicky:

“I felt daunted and wracked with nerves at the thought of competing at 2025 KCCs, even though I knew we had won a ticket and deserved to be there. However, we had a brilliant time and my nerves settled down once, we started competing.

The venue at Thoresby was incredible, the land and conditions couldn't have been better and we had amazing support and camaraderie from the other competitors and spectators.

Poppy worked her socks off and her tail didn't stop wagging, if she is happy so am I and vice versa, we are a team. I'm very, very proud that we took part and qualified, it has taken a lot of hard work and training but it's been very enjoyable.  I'd like to say a very big thank you for all the support and good wishes we have received”.

Nicky has been an inspiration to all of us for believing in Poppy and not giving up despite lots of set backs over the years and making her up into a Working Trials Champion when Poppy was already 10!! Nicky hopes to be able to continue to enjoy trialling Poppy whilst she still enjoys her tracking and is still fit.  

At the end of the weekend both teams qualified TDX which is a wonderful achievement, so many congratulations to you both.  

Carla

Judge - Anne Thorpe, Nicky Downes, Sue Garner - KC Activities Committee member

Judge - Anne Thorpe, Andy Baker, Sue Garner - KC Activities Committee member