Husky News

SLED dog racing arrived at the Ford Estate last weekend and it’s successful debut in the area could see it return in the near future.

Talks are under way for the final leg of the Scottish Sled Dog Championships to take place at Peelham near Foulden after the season began with over 100 competitors and even more high speed huskies tackling the new course at Ford.

Among the riders were Jemma Sanderson from nearby Milfield and Berwick’s Andrew Oliver. Jemma finished 12th in her class, while Andrew was 6th in three dog open classes. Andrew’s results could have been even more impressive if his timekeeping was to improve.

Race marshall John Patchett, who owns the dogs which were raced by Jemma and Andrew, said: “Andrew would have been fourth in the four dog Siberian class had he not missed his start time and been penalised 12 minutes. Jemma was 12th in her class but she was racing with the older dogs who were not race fit.

“She surpassed my expectations and I think that when we get her on some faster dogs there will be a lot more to come. Mark McLintic (from Wooler) broke an ankle in training by getting his foot stuck in a divot so he couldn’t race but he still turned up for the weekend.

“Although we don’t get many injuries, it shows sled dog racing is not for the faint hearted. Mark is keen to get back into it but his participation in the next race is in the balance.

“We had 103 entrants, which was more than I was expecting, probably due to a little more interest in a new course. The course was reduced to 2.6 miles as temperatures were high and the dog’s welfare has to come before anything else.

“There is the potential for Peelham to be the final course of the championships. It is a very technical course, similar to Ford, and would test all competitors.”

Previous World Champion Keith Johnson from Ayrshire was second in the six dog open class but should have won the two dog had he not helped a fellow musher who had run into difficulties on the course. However, he did claim first place in the three dog class in a field that included Berwick’s Andrew Oliver.

“Other notable winners were Graham Scott in the six dog open and registered classes, while Vicky Lee won the four dog by getting round the 2.6 mile course in the quickest time of 15 minutes 16 seconds.

Foulden based John Patchett is a previous Scottish and British sled dog champion but due to injury is unable to compete in this year’s campaign. As a result, he is helping to train Jemma, Andrew and Mark in the art of controlling up to eight dog teams so as his huskies do not miss out on the action due to John’s injury.

Source: Johnston Press Digital