Husky News

Huskies by the hundred took to the Forest for a major dog sled event.

Competitors from across the country descended on Beechenhurst Lodge last weekend for the two-day Affiliated British Sleddog Activities championship.

Photographer and musher Shaun Thompson, who organised the event with fellow sled racer Matt Hammersley, said the meeting had been a huge success.

“It was a fantastic weekend,” he said.

“We were a little concerned about the rain and the snow on Friday but we did a few running repairs and got it right for the dogs.

“Everyone enjoyed the course and the atmosphere was great.”

Shaun and his three Siberian huskies Yosh, Zar and Teka were among the 62 competitors who raced.

Other breeds who hit the trails in sled teams were samoyeds, Alaskan malamutes and Greenland dogs.

Over the weekend hundreds of spectators passed through the event, which this year counted towards the ABSA championship.

Shaun, who lives in Ruspidge, said: “We had lots of people coming along especially on the Saturday because the weather was nice.

“Lots of families came to see the dogs and there were people who had huskies who came to find out more about the sport.”

This year, as with the 2007 event, was held in memory of Ian Hutchison who helped bring sleddog racing back to the Forest.

At the mushers’ meeting on Saturday, a minute’s silence was observed as a tribute to Ian, who died in 2006.

Shaun said: “It was very poignant. You could only hear the dogs howling.”

With another event planned for next year, Shaun said organisers were pleased with the support they had received from the Forestry Commission and the nearby Speech House hotel.

Source: The Forester