Handler Profile - Lucy Matthews

Lucy got involved in 2010 attending YKC camp where she tried out the sport of canicross for the first time with her working Cocker Spaniel Connie.  She fell in love with the sport from the start and attended her first race in October of that year in the Lake District …. finishing second in her category over the weekend.

The highlights year by year including Lucy’s commentary on the 2016/2017 season:

2011/2012 
 
ECF European Championship, Poland - 7th (11-14 category) – Connie

CaniX National Championship Series - 1st (11-14 category) – Connie
 
2012/2013
 
ECF European Championship, United Kingdom - 7th (11-14 category) - Milo
CaniX National Series Championship - 1st (11-14 category) -Milo
 
2013/2014
 
CaniX National Series Championship - 1st (15-39 category) -Milo

2014/2015 
 
ECF European Championship, France - 4th (15-18 category) -Milo
Adams Canicross Midlands Race Series - 1st (14-17 category) - Milo
 
2015/2016 

ECF European Championship, United Kingdom - 1st (15-18 category) – Nika
CSJ Adams/Canicross Midlands Race Series - 1st (15-39 category) – Nika/Milo

2016/2017

Silver Medalist in the ECF European Canicross Championships 16-18 category

“This is one of the highlights from this season; with some very tough competition in Europe me and Nika had to make sure we were on top form and give absolutely everything to stand a chance. The first day of racing we stood in 3rd place with everything to play on Day 2. The course was tough and hilly; Nika took it all in her stride and ran her heart out helping me to gain the final position of 2nd. Nika also ran in the Mens relay team with Ben Robinson helping the team secure a Bronze medal.”

Finishing top 10 in the IFSS European Dryland Championships

“This was mine and Nika's first race in the Elite Female category; we knew the competition would be very tough; we finished with a top 10 place which I was very proud of and gives me something to aim towards and improve on for the next season.”

3rd in the BSSF National Championship Series

“The national championship series consisting of 3 race weekends in England, Wales and Scotland. The courses were very different at all the 3 locations with some amazing countryside to run through and lots of challenges as well. Nika helped me to achieve 3rd place in the Female Category.”

1st at the Midlands Canicross Race Series female category (18-39)

“This has been one of the toughest series I have ran in with the Midlands with some brilliant competition. With the series we have travelled all over the midlands and even to south wales. And the final race was Easter weekend I managed to achieve the fastest female on the short course with the help of Ben Robinson's Blake. Both Nika and Blake have helped me to achieve 1st in the Midlands Canicross Race Series for 2016/2017.”

Looking forward to the future…

“The training has been upped ready to compete in Italy in October in the ECF European Championships and also the start of the BSSF National Championship Series.

We are hoping to attend some new events but also compete in the Midlands Series as they have some exciting new locations planned.