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 5th 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 5th Place on the podium. Natasha Hamiltons Alishamar Roxanne (IMP BEL) finished in 7th 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 4th 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
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