Written August 2006 by Heather Mee 

After we got Jessica I was encouraged by her breeders to join the Kennel Club Junior Organisation which I did in 1998 and from then on our involvement has grown. Initially we just started competing in the handling and stakes classes although soon wanted to try some of the other activities. 

1999 saw my first attempt at some of the other activities and from there we never looked back. I attended the National Training camp at Askham Bryan in York. The training camp is a week packed full of activities. Each day there were a number of training session, as well as seminars to attended. Activities don't stop in the evenings with a full social program including a group based talent night (with practices each night of camp) as well as bingo, a treasure hunt and many other activities. After the week both Jessica and I returned home absolutely shattered.  We also attended the Midland area trials  where the Crufts representatives were selected for most of the events for the first time.

In 2000 we again attended the Midlands area trials . Not only did we do the handling but many of the other activities as well. In our first attempt at a Triathlon (Showing, agility and obedience) we came 2nd and qualified to go to Crufts. We also did the Quadrathlon (showing, handling, agility and obedience) where again we came 2nd . Later in the year we attended the trials for the areas obedience teams and we were selected to be on the Test of Obedience team - not bad for our first attempt!!! Crufts came late in 2001 due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak but we had a successful year with the Midlands test of obedience team winning the team competition. 

Since then we have continued to compete in the triathlons and obedience as well as also doing some biathlons (handling and obedience). We have also taken part in agility qualifying to compete in the agility semi finals held at the City of Birmingham champ show, as well as taking part in ABC agility at Crufts in its first year of being held. I was attended camp for a 2nd time in 2001.  

2002 saw the KCJO become the Young Kennel club and I was involved in the consultation meeting held for older members about the changes and gave us the opportunity to have our input. 

In 2004 I was able to go on the YKC's Outward Bound course for the senior members and since then have been involved in the other side of events helping out at a further to Camps as a senior member where we are team leaders for the evening activities. 

Through being a KCJO/YKC member I have had the chance to go the Kennel Club on a number of occasions, as well as having had the opportunity to attend a KC general committee meeting.  

Below is a list of our achievements over the years. (All events with Jessica unless otherwise stated.)

1999

Attended KCJO Camp

2000

Took part in the Good Citizen Displays at Crufts as part of the KCJO team.

Qualified for Crufts 2001 in:

Triathlon

Test of Obedience

2001

Midlands test of obedience team won the team event at Crufts.

Attended KCJO Camp

2002

Took part in a KCJO agility demo at Crufts

Qualified for Crufts 2003 in:

Triathlon

ABC Triathlon

Qualified for the Agility Semi Finals

2003

At Crufts came 3rd in the Triathlon and 5th in the ABC Triathlon

Qualified for Crufts 2004 in:

Biathlon 

Intermediate Obedience

Triathlon (with Guy)

ABC Triathlon (with Guy)

Qualified for the Agility Semi Finals

2004

Came 6th in the Intermediate Obedience at Crufts

Attended the YKC Outward Bound Course

2005

Attended Camp as a senior member

2006

Attended Camp as a senior member

2008

Qualified for the YKC Stakes at Crufts (Fidget)

Attended Camp as a senior member, the last time before becoming too old to take back in YKC events. (2007 was cancelled due to the weather)