You probably know that every sportsman wants to take part in the Olympic games. It is kind of the same with Junior Handlers: Everybody has this one dream: CRUFTS.
And for this reason it was amazing for me when my name was annonced through the boxes: "And National Winner 2009 and for that representing Austria at Crufts 2010 is ... Natascha Hochhold". (Let me tell you, I was overwhelmed!)

my brother and me at dfs Crufts 2010

The next 3 months were full of hectic: I had to buy presents for all 37 talents, had to find a nice dress for the gala dinner and also a nice suit for the competition and and and...
But one thing was the hardest: I had to announce "my" Crufts-Breed. I got several tips which dog would be best, but I decided by myself - it should be a Miniature Schnauzer.

And then, finally, my family and I drove to Vienna International Airport to fly to Birmingham (UK). There I had some days for myself to get used to this nice city and to realx some hours before my life will be some nice memories richer.

On my third day in Birmingham I moved to anohter hotel, where all Junior Handlers lived and which was proudly supported by Agria (Pet Insurance). There we all got our presents and were kindly asked to come to the gala dinner in the evening.
Which I did of course :) and I was so nervouse... It was really hard - the first time there, knowing nearly nobody and to hold a speech in front of them.
But listen to my speech yourself:
The next day was more relaxed because the Junior Handlers had only one point on the timetable: the rehearsal in NEC's big arena. We had to handle without dogs (this was really challenging for me, because I though that this was looking strange). But of course this wasn't done without any reason: This should show us what to do the next day...

...the big day...
I went to NEC very early to get to know my choice of breed and there he was: "Stan" my Miniature Schnauzer. But something goes wrong always.. Stan didn't want to do anything neither with me nor with his owner.
I had tears in my eyes: I saw my dream ending but then I was told that I can have another dog. And here he was
a Welsh Corgie Cardigan dream (BIS BISS MultiCH Dragonpatch Big Papa Foster)

BIS BISS MultiCh Foster

my swap dog "Izzy"

Now time was running quickly. I was able to do some figures and then the pre-judging started.
After this nail-biting round we had about 5 minutes sponding time to get to know our swapdog, which was an English Pointer called "Izzy" in my case. Then we all went into the ring again.

My daddy made a video of me during the competition with "Frostie" (WCC) and my swap dog the English Pointer, please have a look at it:


Afterwards I had the uneasiest 4 1/2 hours of my live. We had to wait for the final parade in the Arena during the Best In Show programme where the results should be announced.
Finally it started: I got my beautiful blue sash with AUSTRIA standing on it and the nice person in the ring started to talk and then it all happend quickly. I had to enter the ring as the second Junior Handler this day.
The feeling of ~7.000 watching you live, applauding for you and knowing that thousands are watching you on TV was unexplainable and unbelievable.
Ove Germundsson (SWE) was our judge today and shortlisted the first eight and short afterwards he placed three of them:

1. place: Aleksandra Szydlowska - Poland
2. place: Paige O'Neill - New Zealand
3. place: Georgina Ferguson - the United Kingdom
CONGRATS to all of you!

This video shows all the reps entering the ARENA:


All in all those days at CRUFTS 2010 changed my live and I will never forget them!
And of course I met many many new friends - you all made my days there!

Thanks to all who made this dream possible:
to my parents for always trusting in me,
to "Junge Hundefreunde Austria" for giving me this opportunity,
to Agria - Pet Insurance and Royal Canin for sponsoring,
to the owner of "Frostie" the Welsh Corgie Cardigan,
to BHak Wien 10 (the school I attend) for giving me some days off and a lot more!
THANKS!!

Yours Natascha!