Handler Profile - Leigh Marsden

Country: UK

My Dogs

Leigh has 15 dogs. 10 Siberian Huskies, 3 Scandinavian hounds, 1 German Short Haired Pointer & 1 Smooth Collie.

Achievements

Winning the Affiliated British Sleddog Activities 4 dog Championship in 2002/03 series was Leigh’s most memorable success. The team consisted of his first two Siberians which he and his wife still have and owe all their later successes to them. Leigh says, "They have taught us and the other dogs so much and were instrumental in training all the other dogs we have today.”

There have been many other successes over the years including many first places in all classes including several ABSA Championship runner up positions but their most recent successes have been:

2007/08 (ABSA) 6 dog championship winners
2009 (ABSA) Wyedean Quest stage race overall runner up 4-6 dog
2010 Joint Aid for Dogs Wyedean Quest stage race team winner’s 4-6 dog
Breed competitons
As well as being involved in racing Leigh’s wife competes in ‘breed’ competitions and her Smooth Collie won Best Puppy in Breed at Crufts 2008

Biography

Leigh is taking a 4 dog hound team to compete for GB at the sleddog World Championships in Norway at the end of March 2011.

The current kennel
Leigh has 15 dogs. 10 Siberian Huskies, 3 Scandinavian hounds, 1 German Short Haired Pointer & 1 Smooth Collie.

In the beginning
Leigh started with his first Siberian Husky 14 years ago as a pet. While carrying out some research into her bloodlines he met some local mushers who took him under their wing and he was invited to Cannock Chase to do some training with them. Leigh says, "From that first time I saw their dogs working in harness I was hooked.”

The most memorable success to date?
Winning the Affiliated British Sleddog Activities 4 dog Championship in 2002/03 series was Leigh’s most memorable success. The team consisted of his first two Siberians which he and his wife still have and owe all their later successes to them. Leigh says, "They have taught us and the other dogs so much and were instrumental in training all the other dogs we have today.”

There have been many other successes over the years including many first places in all classes including several ABSA Championship runner up positions but their most recent successes have been:

• 2007/08 (ABSA) 6 dog championship winners
• 2009 (ABSA) Wyedean Quest stage race overall runner up 4-6 dog
• 2010 Joint Aid for Dogs Wyedean Quest stage race team winner’s 4-6 dog

Breed competitons
As well as being involved in racing Leigh’s wife competes in ‘breed’ competitions and her Smooth Collie won Best Puppy in Breed at Crufts 2008

Vontact Leigh: www.willospeed.com