Handler Profile - Kate Nicholas

Country: UK

My Dogs

The Coedllwynog kennel currently consists of:

3 Working Sheepdogs
2 Labradors (Black and Yellow)
1 German Spitz
1 Jack Russell cross
4 Welsh Terriers

Achievements

Kate says she would say their most memorable success was performing at Crufts in the Young Kennel Club ring and performing Canine Freestyle in front of Simon Cowell, Pierce Morgan and Amanda Holden and receiving a standing ovation in Britain’s Got Talent in January 2008.

What has CSJ done for my dogs?

"We have been feeding CSJ for about two years now when our fellow flyball team mate (Susan Mcdermott) became a CSJ Stockist. Since using CSJ our feed bills have been greatly reduced as well as getting a better product for our money. This has been greatly reflected by the overall condition of the entire kennel with all dogs having a gleam to their coats even the golden oldies. Before feeding CSJ we had problems with some of our dogs being fussy eaters, this has since changed and all ten dogs can’t get enough of CSJ.” Kate Nicholas 2008

Biography

Twist & Ice

Kate and her dog Gin were finalists in Britains Got Talent in January 2008 and received a standing ovation from the judges.

Kate specialises in Canine Freestyle and Flyball, but her family’s kennel of dogs also have success in the show ring, obedience, agility and working trials and their Labradors carry out gundog duties at the local shoot!

The Coedllwynog kennel currently consists of:

3 Working Sheepdogs
2 Labradors (Black and Yellow)
1 German Spitz
1 Jack Russell cross
4 Welsh Terriers

How Canine Freestyle started for Kate and her dog Gin ……….

Gin was a 6 week old surprise for Kate when she was nine years old and she taught Gin tricks to keep her focused when not training or competing in other dog sports.

Kate was first introduced to Canine Freestyle at 13, whilst at Young Kennel Club - where she and Gin attended and enjoyed training classes in Canine Freestyle.

After about two years of training in her back garden, "Just to relieve mine and Gin’s boredom on those long summer days”, and doing demonstrations for the Young Kennel Club, friends from other dog sports encouraged her to find the time to enter a Canine Freestyle competition.

In July 2006 they attended their first competition and to Kate’s surprise were placed 1^st. She was also amazed at the amount of positive comments they both received.

This inspired Kate to enter more Canine Freestyle competitions and she and Gin have been placed 1^st in the five competitions they have been in and are quickly making their way to advanced.

So, as Kate says, "Maybe one day you will see me and Gin in the Canine Freestyle Final at Crufts.”

The biggest or most memorable success so far?

Other successes ……. its flyball too

Kate’s most enjoyable successes outside Canine Freestyle are in Flyball with her two Working Sheepdogs (Gin’s flyball team (Livewires) competed in division one at the British Flyball Championships and were crowned the British Flyball Champions 2007).

As Kate says, "This result just reflects the dedication of team members and how strong our team bond is with a whole lot of laughs thrown in for good measure.”

Also both Collies competed at Crufts 2007 in the Warrington Wizards Flyball team.

And when not competing or training……

Dogs have always been Kate’s whole world – until joining the military, when not competing or training she was at college studying for the National Diploma in Animal Management.

October 2010 update……

Kate writes…… Ice (Kate’s youngest Working Sheepdog) won Intermediate Heelwork to music at the Ynys Mon HTM show making her into Advanced in Heelwork to Music as well as Freestyle.

Twist also won Novice Heelwork to music at his 2nd ever HTM show and last weekend Gin and Ice's Flyball teams both won their divisions with Ice's team getting a new fastest time and Ice clocking her fastest ever time of 3.9 seconds.

Ice and Twist have also qualified for Crufts 2011 in YKC Obedience.

Twist has won his first Novice and Ice has her first two Class A wins this year in Obedience.

Ice has also won into Grade 3 in Agility in our first year competing.

June 2012 update…..

Kate’s dog Twist is now has a new young handler – Jessica. Kate says, “Jess and Twist have already become great partners getting 4th in obedience at their first show. Jessica has also been taken off her epilepsy medication completely since owning

Twist they really are inseparable and he does'nt batter an eyelid when I'm near them. Yes I'm missing my mutts but by staying in the UK I will still get to compete with Ice etc.”

Kate can be contacted by email or phone:

Email:
Katemuppet@hotmail.com or Coedllwynogkate@aol.com

Tel: 07857418710