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HANDLERS 2010 |
| Finnmarkslopet Crew |
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Alta College Students volunteered at the Finnmarkslopet 2010, without them and all the other volunteers, organisers, marshals, handlers and staff Europe's longest sled dog race would not be possible! The 4 young handlers assisting us were friendly, helpful, calm and fast learners, they all did an excellent job helping Nigel guide the team to the start line & keeping the dogs calm and happy. Thank you guys! |
| Chelsey Maidment (STUCK) |
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After an outing in December 2008, Chelsey came to handle and gain some work experience for a couple of months over the 2009 summer. Scootjoring her own husky since 2006 and studying Animal Management at Sparsholt Agricultural College was evident in her ability to learn new skills quickly both in the yard and on the rig, further enhanced by a natural rapport with working dogs and it was a pleasure to work along side such an enthusiastic, bubbly teamplayer. Chelsey helped us to export the Lira pups to Norway in October 2009, dealing with the health certificates and everything at Heathrow airport very professionally. Chelsey came out to Norway to handle for us at the Femundlopet 2010, but after our withdrawl, she spent the 2 weeks learning how to drive a sled and care for the dogs in Arctic conditions. Her athletic ability, good attitude and robustness was again evident in her hard work and accomplishments and as usual, she put in 100% effort. Chelsey grasped handling the sled so well, it was only a few outings before she was driving her own 6 dog team on training trips with Mel & the race crew, doing an amazing job keeping her team up with the racers. She perfectly and compassionately fulfilled the hardest role of any handler; comforting Mel with her race dissapointment. During her trip Chelsey also got the chance to ride in the basket of Kenneth's 11 dog team and even have a drive herself. After returning to the UK, Chelsey focused all her efforts back to her studies and graduated from Sparshot in the summer of 2010. Well done & congratulations! Chelsey continues to train her lovely husky "Luna" and now works in the Animal sector - who are lucky to have her. We look forward to Chelsey coming back next year. |
HANDLERS 2009 |
| Kieren King (KIEREN) |
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| After contacting us about a puppy, the world of Sled Dogs and Mushing was opened up to Kieren. Within a month I'd lost count of the number of times he came to help out with the dogs and around the yard even at 4am. Enjoying some big team rides and having mushing lessons, Kieren is proof that not only is Dogsledding addictive its also contagious and a life altering experience. So if your thinking about that 1st husky beware! |
| Nicola Cole (NIKKI) |
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| Nikki came to us for a weeks work experience over the summer. She got on really well with the dogs and yard chores and was excellent with the puppies. She learned new skills cycling, hiking and camping and all hats off for learning these things while managing excitable sled dogs. She handled for the big team and by the end of the week drove a 2-dog team around the farm on the rig. Well done Nikki! |
| Daryl Wing (DARYL) |
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| As a friend of Liz', Daryl was welcomed to the kennel for a few days fun. From playing with the puppies to taking the adults swimming and having a go driving a 2-dog team round the farm, Daryl was great fun and got stuck in with everything. |
| Elizabeth-Ann King (LIZ) |
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Having graduated as a Vet from RVC, Liz came to us in August 2009; initially for just a month, to learn about Sled Dogs and to gain some valuable techniques of practical medicine. Her interest was inspired after she spent a week dogsledding in Norway. At the end of August Liz asked if she could stay on for longer. Liz learnt the basics on how to drive a rig as well as handle for the big team and take the dogs swimming, camping and hiking. Some of Liz' Facebook Wall quotes about her stay at Greentrail: "has had an amazing day working with 20 racing huskies and 8 pups :)", "is proud to say the dogs she is training will be the first british dog team to run the Finnmarkslopet f500!!!!", "took out a team of 8 huskies on the quad bike this morning :)", "is sad that she is already half way through her husky work... :(", "is off camping for a few days with the dogs :)", "is having a brilliant time in scotland with the huskies", "is missing the huskies :(" Liz then moved to Southend, Essex and started work for Medivet, but returned to the Kennel in October to collect George & Oodatt and administer jabs to all the GT dogs so they were ready to depart the UK the next day. As an exceptional puppy trainer; Oodatt went to Liz on tempory loan to help her train her first husky "Greentrail Tolkein" (George) a Cudos X Ward puppy. Liz has since found a puppy and being a vet to much and at 5 months old George (now Blaze) was rehomed with our good friends Marellen & Martin Mitchell in Scotland. Oodatt is still to be returned to us under the terms of her contract. Liz is now trying out a new puppy of a different breed. |
HANDLERS 2008 |
| Matthew Bell (MATT) |
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| Matt handled for us for the 2008-2009 season. His experience with horses helped him quickly get to grips with preparing the big team for longer runs. He listened & learnt well on the rig, coming 4th with Valour/Fox in his first race. He did a good job at the kennels full time over the winter, gaining confidence and learning some good skills to take away and start his own grooming business with. Good luck Matt! |
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