So, what`s been happening with Hedgerow Hounds Ambassador Abbi and her gorgeous dogs this year?
With the return of head torch dog walks it’s time to look back on our amazing summer of 2022!
Once recovered from the whirlwind that was Crufts, the summer of shows the length and breadth of the country began. In April we finished our canicross season racing in Pembrey, South Wales - always so much fun to run in a mass start on the beach.
In June we began with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Wye Valley show in Wales where we gained wins toward Grade 6 and points to qualify for the Small/Mix Pairs Final.
The end of June we were at Lune Valley in the Lake District where Cydni got her final win to take her to Grade 6! Whilst away we also managed to climb Old Man of Coniston which was a super day out.
In July, Cydni qualified for not one, but two finals at the UKA Grand Finals, held at the end of August. In August we attended the biggest event in our calendar - the Kennel Club International Agility Festival at Rutland! It was a scorcher where competition started an hour earlier each day to try and beat the worst of the heat. Cydni made it through to the British Open Final held in the main ring on the Sunday and did brilliantly considering the hot conditions.
We then headed straight down to Dogs In Need Agility Show in Ipswich where my little Darci came 3rd in the Medium Championship Final! Cydni not to be outdone finished runner up in the Classic Final she’s qualified for too she also gained her first win towards Grade 7!
In September Cydni and her pairs partner Poppy gained their final points in the Small/Mixi Pairs heats, having scored enough to make it through to the final at Discover Dogs! We have just returned from Discover Dogs where the girls did brilliantly in their final finishing 7th overall Cydni also rejoined her Good Citizen Dog Scheme Display Team from Crufts to do demonstrations over the weekend - what a busy couple of days!
October brought the UKA Dogeria Performance Challenge Final where Cydni came third and finished the season off nicely.
Throughout the summer, the whole team has had the Performance Blend on their breakfast, as well as the Jubilee Tea blend in frozen treats when really hot. Darci who is nearly 8 years old has maintained her enthusiasm and energy throughout the summer and in general has been much more active and busy on walks. Cydni was running in 4 classes a day, for often multiple consecutive days - she woke up each morning raring to go and actually gave more and more as the weeks went on.
Bingli who is more of a canicross dog has been having this over the summer and I’ve been amazed at how he’s come back into canicross training. His stamina and strength has been maintained over the summer instead of losing it like he normally would. I can’t wait to start racing with him in November!