A TRAINEE veterinary nurse with West Devon veterinary practice is celebrating success in recent dog handling classes at top show Crufts. Stef Hicks, who works with North Park Veterinary Group, and her 15 month old Weimaraner bitch, Lottie, scooped a 5th place in a junior handling competition. They then went on to win a 6th place in the National Show Handler of the Year competition where she represented England. This was a particularly impressive result as most the other handlers were working with mature dogs. Stef has previously qualified for Crufts 2007 twice. On the actual day of the competition the adrenaline was flowing as her two classes clashed and she had to run from one ring to another — hardly the ideal preparation! Stef has previously shown her Sheltie, Benji who ha now retired from the show ring. Stef and her mother Helen, who is the head receptionist at North Park, regularly show their 2 Weimaraners at dog shows nationally.
