By Duncan Bick

Last updated at 15:28, Friday, 01 March 2013

A group of young dog trainers, known as Big Undies Reformed, is setting out to prove their show dogs aren’t pants by competing at Crufts.

From left, Katie Arnold with Mist, Davey Utting with Fly, Ben Utting with Sonic and Steven Richardson with Libby

The team is made up of three children and one 20-year-old, from the Wigton area, as well as a 17-year-old from Aberdeen. They will be competing at the country’s most prestigious dog show, being held at the NEC in Birmingham next week.

They will be trying to prove the agility and ability of their dogs in the Young Kennel Club ring – featuring a range of obstacles and challenges for the pooches – in the team final event.

The three children taking part are Davey Utting, eight, and his seven-year-oldbrother Ben – who both live at Crookdake – and Katie Arnold, 12, of Biglands. They will be joined by Ashleigh Bogue, 17.

Both Davey and Katie will also be competing in individual events.

Guiding the youngsters is Steven Richardson, 20, also of Crookdake, who has been in a winning team at Crufts on three previous occasions.

Steven is keen to instil a drive for success in the younger members.

“I would say that you have got to go for it,” he said.

“If you go in thinking you are not going to win, what’s the point?”

They will be taking Fly, Ben, Sonic, Mist and Drum – all border collies aged from from two to eight – and Libby, seven, a Patterdale and collie cross.

The team moniker is a play on the name of one Steven was a member of for his Crufts triumphs, simply called Big Undies.

The name was originally chosen as a joke but the members decided to stick with it following their success.

There are 16 places in the Crufts final. To qualify each has to win a regional contest. Big Undies Reformed won theirs in Edinburgh.

They will compete in the ring in front of thousands of people, and a global TV audience of millions.

Katie has competed inindividual contests before and is well-aware of thepressures it can bring.

She knows what Davey and Ben may find most challenging.

“It will be the number of people that are there,” she said.

Katie’s mum, Trish, 51, is a keen dog handler and Katie, who attends Wigton’s Nelson Thomlinson School, has been going to shows since she was in her pram.

Before the dogs go out to perform, they have to be warmed up like a human athlete. This usually involves playing with a toy to loosen up their muscles.

The dog’s diet is alsoclosely monitored before an event.

If they are successful, they are usually rewarded with both new toys and sausages.

Davey said: “When you first start the dog doesn’t really do anything. First you just sit him down.”

Turning the dog into a show animal requires a lot of practice but the team thinks it is well worth the effort.

Their trainer, who is also Steven’s dad and stepfather to Davey and Ben, Mike Richardson, 46, is passionate about his work.

“It’s just addictive. I just started by accident with Sonic’s great grandma,” he said.

He now has his own training area at his home where he runs classes under the name Crookdake Agility. He is keen to attract new people to the sport, especially children.

Anyone who is interested in this can contact Mike on 07977 975880.

Crufts runs from Thursday to Sunday next week. For full details of the show visit www.crufts.org.uk.

Dog owners are encouraged to go to a special session about pets this weekend.

Doglaw takes place at Longtown Memorial Hall Community Centre tomorrow.

The seminar is designed to educate people on the danger of strays and encourage people not to let their pets out to roam.

Expert on canine law Trevor Cooper will be there, along with dog officials from Carlisle City Council.

Charity The Dogs Trust will provide a free micro-chipping service for part of the day.

The event runs from 10am-4.30pm.

First published at 14:28, Friday, 01 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk