On 29th June UKSS Team UK took 22 dogs to Kristianstad, Sweden for the World Coursing Championships.
Amongst the team everyone had their own travel routes. Some took a longer journey to take in sightseeing, holidays, breed shows or other coursing events but all finally came together at the venue to celebrate the opening ceremony of this epic event.
18 nations ran 809 hounds over 4 different courses during the 5 day competition and Team UK had some amazing successes, punching well above our weight for such a small entry.
UK dogs scooped podium prizes in 5 categories including first place in CSS Saluki mixed and Galgo Español mixed. It was a poignant moment at the nightly awards ceremony as the Union Jack flag was raised to ‘God Save the King’.
In other classes, such as CACIL Salukis, achieving a high place in a field of 60 entries was an enormous achievement and celebrated by the team.
There were lows too of course with vetting issues and a phenomenal whippet run followed by withdrawal due to injury.
What was most uplifting was the goodwill from UKSS members following the event from home, and team support which was fantastic; cheering on every high and sharing the disappointments. Laughter, tears, hugs, puppy-cuddles and high-fives… it was exactly what a team should be.

June 29 – July 2 2023

We’re delighted to announce our Team for the up coming World Coursing Championships. And what a team it is. We will now be looking to raise some money to pay for Team uniforms for canines and humans. If anyone would like to make a contribution you can donate via BACS to the usual account (SORT CODE 30-96-26 ACCOUNT 31362968) with ‘uniform’ as reference.

All donations, however big or small will be appreciated, thank you.

For more information visit the event website: https://wcc2023.svvk.se/

TEAM UK – 2023

The first CSS World Winner event in history was held in Finland at the end of May 2022. Twenty countries competed, fielding 439 dogs of which the UK sent a small but strong team;
Mr & Mrs Rossi with Veloxcanis Solis Valens & Ryemeadows Midnight Sun (whippets), Ms Jones with Kenaiteen Blizzard at Silvergarth (whippet), Mr & Mrs Quinton with Kirjojax Harris (Deerhound), Ms Booth with Way Up Travis Scott (Afghan hound) and Mr Allen & Ms Hoggren with Garamiyas Meridiana Mahzad (Saluki).

And what a success it was with three UK dogs on the podium! Ryemeadows Midnight Sun in 4th place with CAC, Kenaiteen Blizzard at Silvergarth in 6th place with CAC and Way Up Travis Scott in 2nd place with CAC!

Well done team UK!

We had a total of 26 dogs entered for this years Championships. We were unsure how or if we would be able to attend due to the strict covid rules in place but thankfully a couple of weeks before the event the rules changed allowing us to enter the Netherlands.

Our team members have had to jump through many hoops to get here with testing Animal Health certificates etc but it was all the worth it in the end .

Due to seasons, covid and unforseen circumstances we eventually ended up with 20 dogs running.

On the first day our Ibizan Hound and our Eight Sprinter Whippets ran.

Overnight we had a terrible storm leaving the running grounds underwater. A decision was made by the committee to wait for the water to subside on the two sand courses and run all dogs once. Not ideal but under the circumstances the right decision.

All the dogs ran their hearts out, no podium places for our sprinters this year but our wonderful Ibizan, Iko, Ch No Ch SE Ch Abbotsoak Music of the Nite owned by Robin Sayles achieved 5^th place on the podium. We were on a high.

Day 2 and the weather was better and our three Salukis were running. Again all three ran beautifully and what a wonderful surprise for Lynn Ward and Nicolefarhi Del Borghino (IMP ITA) gaining another 5^th Place on the podium. Natasha Hamiltons Alishamar Roxanne (IMP BEL) finished in 7^th place a great result for Nicole and Artemis.

Day three was dry for our six Standard Whippets. Young Tinto Harerunner Hurricane Fly, owned by Alec and Sharon Dalgleish ran his socks off to gain yet another podium for Team UK this time a 4^th place.

Three days three podium places what could our Afghans do.?

They definitely had the best weather. A frost in the morning and glorious sunshine all day. Paula Woodwards Halo, Laavas Opportunity Scents day set off beautifully and ran the first half of the course really well but an unfortunate incident saw her eliminated for the day so it was all down to Elaine Booths Caspar , Way Up Travis Scott( IMP ITA) He ran beautifully both times and finished in the top half of the Afghan results both the team and Elaine were very proud of him.

There was great team support for all our runners each day and we made sure there was always someone watching and cheering all our team members.

Thank you to all our team for making this a very special Championships.

We can now look forward to Finland 2022