Candidates' supporting statements

Ballot for Committee Membership 2008
Nominees' Supporting Statements

Rebecca Croft

I have been involved with Dalmatians for over twelve years and have trained all of my dogs in several disciplines including Competitive Obedience, Agility, Breed Showing, Working Trials, Heelwork to Music and of course Road Dog Discipline! I am mid course throughout a degree in Canine Behaviour and Training and have a successful Dog Training and Behaviour business, I am committed to helping and advising anyone who wants to gain a partnership with their Dalmatians through motivational reward based training which our breed needs.

I grew up around horses but it was not until I entered my first Road Dog competition that the passion for all things equine was rekindled; I now have my own horse and have started horse showing again too.

I have entered the British Carriage Dog Trials on three occasions, firstly with Fenn with whom I could only practice with on foot and bike then Tegan who was a last minute substitute and passed her Road Dog Bronze with only four weeks of training. I have first hand experience of organising the first Yorkshire Carriage Dog Trials so have intimate knowledge of the amount of work that goes into a smaller regional event.

It is important to mention when considering me for a post that I have recently turned down an invitation to put myself forward for the North of England Dalmatian Club as a committee member for two reasons, a. I have been nominated for this post. b. I do have time limitations and think that I would not do the NoEDC justice. Obviously this is also something that needs to be taken into consideration for the British Carriage Dog Trials, although I am fully aware of expectations and am confident that I can fulfil them.

Many thanks for your inclusion of my nomination.

Julie Evans

I owned my first dalmatian from the age of 11 (oh my god! that's 40 years ago)!!! started showing around 1970 and have had 6 champions (so far) many years left in me yet! Also bred many other CC & res CC winners!

I was a professional dog trainer in the 70s & 80s. I am proud to have helped many novice owners to understand & train their dogs. I worked & trained one of my dogs (Tyrodal Tribal Warrior) to a very high standard. I then concentrated on training Kelly ! LOL!

I have dedicated all my life to the Dalmatian & all our animals, Siamese cats & the horses! Come to think of it ALL my money too.

I helped Kelly pursue her interest in the equine world starting with pony club through to BSJA show jumping.

I also had a passion for horses in my own youth! though never had the opportunities to own my own horse, I rode as often as I could via local riding stables. Bruce had his own horse as a boy & his sister manages an equine ranch in the States - so there you have it - Kelly was destined for horses & dogs (she thinks she made all the choices) LOL!

I am still looking to the future & trying to improve the life of dogs. I have studied animal nutrition at the animal care college in the hope of persuading people to feed their dogs the way nature intended (real food) & not the equivalent to a person eating all the time at McDonalds!! (complete foods) I also do as much as I can for our local dog rescue finding homes & such like for the poor soles on death row! abandoned not only by callous owners, but the rest of the world or so it seems at times.

I am district rep for the British Dalmatian Club, & a Championship show judge.

I have been a professional dog groomer for 30 years. I also run a pet shop!

In conclusion Kelly & I were over the moon when we first heard the Carriage dog trials were to get under way - we had been training our dogs to work with the horses for our own pleasure (& theirs!) for quite some years. It really is time that people realized that Dalmatians are GREAT working dogs & very receptive to training & pleasing their owners.

Kelly Evans-Pigden

I never acquired the Dalmatian they acquired me! I was born into the already established family of Tyrodal, where I've grown up with the breeding, training and showing of the Dalmatians before I could walk (I thought I had 4 legs!). At the age of eleven (1991) I was the youngest handler to have shown and made up my first champion "Dixie of Tyrodal" (I think this still stands today).

At 13 my parents gave in, after years of me crying for a pony (they hoped this would keep me away from the boys!) and my passion for horses and Dalmatians merged. From then on my Dallys have always been trained to work alongside my horses. When the trials first began, it was a dream come true to show off what I had already been doing for years and a chance to show off "Tyrodal" for what they were bred for, other than the show ring and obedience training, that we as a family were already passionate about.

Regarding my horse experience, my parents didn't realize what they let themselves into when they bought me that first fantastic pony. What followed on in the years to come was me gaining up to my B grade in pony club, representing the Pony club on the area eventing team. Breaking in, breeding and training harness race horses from when I left school on a successful racing yard, competing my own horses in driving trials, showjumping my own horses up to grade B in BSJA, which is still on going to this day, gaining all my BHS exams including Riding and Road Safety and being a freelance trainer with me breaking in numerous riding/driving horses and ponies. And now I have the pleasure and success of breeding my own showjumpers.

I have been extremely successful in competing at C.D.T with my fabulous Disco (Dominica Of Tyrodal) where we have gained the unbeaten Road Dog Champion title 3 years in a row. We also won Road Dog silver at Scotland and was the first Road dog competitor to complete the title of Road Dog gold and winning Highest scoring Gold competitor in 2006. I have also been lucky to have judged the trials at Yorkshire with a great response from other competitors. I have also, with much pleasure taught my husband to ride my highly powerful showjumper in 6 weeks prior to his first trials which he won on his first attempt with his bitch Tyrodal Abbydal Heavenleigh (Molly) in the largest class of the day Road Dog Bronze.

I would bring to the committee a wealth of knowledge in both aspects regarding the working Dalmatian and all aspects of the working horse both ridden and driven. I would also bring with me the vast knowledge of being a successful competitor who can understand the high training needed and work involved to be successful at the C.D.T. I would also like to think of myself as open minded and approachable for anyone wanting help or advice regarding any of the above. I too would bring loads of choccies!!

Ali Rummey

I have been a keen supporter of the Road Dog Trials since I first saw Alison’s small ad in Horse & Hound “do you own a horse and a Dalmatian? Would you be interested in………………” and the rest, as they say is history!

I have been involved with horses and dogs all my life - though in a modest way – and with Dalmatians only since we bought Domino in 2002, but I am now ‘hooked’ on the breed and will never have anything else! Many of you who were there at the first trials will remember Charlie and Domino’s disastrous attempts in the ring, when poor Charlie was left in tearful humiliation as Domino went off with a ‘friend’ to visit the burger van! Charlie was the youngest ever competitor at 12 years old! Well, we learned ‘on the hoof’ and Domino became National Champion at last year’s trials.

My experience would be to support and encourage those who are not ‘born to it’ but who struggle, who are enthusiastic novices! I have supported Charlie through a string of disappointments with ponies, horses (and dog) in competitions when things do not go as planned. Together we have learned humility, patience, resourcefulness and determination.

In my professional life I have experience of writing for a range of audiences, working with young people and professionals, doing formal presentations and informal workshops. Many of these skills I hope would complement some of the canine/equine expertise offered by other members of the committee.

I have now retired from all other competitive riding in order to make the Road Dog Trials my interest. I have sold my competition horse (Alfie) who, bless him was not cut out for this job (he freaked every year when he saw the carriages!) and I am currently searching the internet and mags for a suitable mount (with spots?) so I can carry on with the trials.

Many thanks for your inclusion of my nomination.

Lesley Suggett

Our first Dalmatian joined us in 1978 and I have had an active involvement with the breed ever since. With my husband John I have owned a total of nine Dalmatians and bred four litters. We have enjoyed success in the show ring and were proud when Ch Konavlje Caro Nome at Kintegus was awarded Dalmatian of the Year at the prestigious North of England Dalmatian Club event. I am a championship show judge of the breed.

I assist both the BDC and NoEDC Welfare Services by undertaking home visits, assessing dogs and assisting with transport when requested.

I was drawn to the Carriage Dog Trials both from an interest in driving and also from seeing an opportunity to promote the Dalmatian as a highly intelligent, trainable working breed – watching competitors year on year I have never been disappointed!

I have been an active supporter of the Carriage Dog Trials since their inception. After an introduction as a steward on the endurance course and a year shadowing, I have been Course Steward for several years and Entry Co-ordinator for the past two. I was also Course Steward at the only Trials held in Scotland and at the Yorkshire Regional Trials.

I have wide experience of organising events both within and outside the dog world and have served on committees at both local and national level. Having taken a decision to slow down the pace of my working life I am able to commit time and energy to Committee tasks. If elected I look forward to becoming more involved with the planning of Trials and the development of the Society.

My ambition is to compete successfully at a National Trials as a whip handler – there is much work still to do!