Agility Handlers

Leah Gardner

In the beginning

Leah says, "I always loved agility, I remember watching it at Olympia when I was really young and telling my mum that I was going to do that, and compete at Olympia!”

Leah’s dogs (when first profiled in 2008)

"I currently have 4 working collies a poodle x yorkie and a Kelpie (the Terrier is 14years old and doesn't compete and the kelpie and one WSD are run by my husband).”

New youngster in 2011

Leah has a new youngster, Theory, coming out in April 2011 and says, "I can’t wait.”

What is your biggest or most memorable success (at 2008)?

"I have been really lucky as I have had a few, but I suppose my biggest to date was this year when Herbie and I won Silver for Great Britain at the European Opens in Germany.”

What other successes have you had?

"Link is my first agility dog, I hand raised him from 2 weeks old. He is extremely quick and keen, I was told repeatedly to give up with him, instead we battled on and my first big success was qualifying for Olympia for the first time (2006), he loved it and it suited him so much…he flew round and we came home with 2^nd place at our very first Olympia. I was and still am so proud! Link was also Clever dog of the year 2005 (a mixture of agility and flyball).

Then I got Herbie - he has blown me away. He was a terrified wreck when I rescued him at 12 weeks old. Many people told me I was mad and that he would never do agility (not that I cared), I worked REALLY hard at teaching him to play and become a normal dog, he is now is a grade 7 agility dog.” Some of his achievements are:

• Rescue agility dog of the year 2007 and 2008
• Qualified for Olympia 2007 (came 6^th in final)
• Qualified pairs final 2007/2008
• Qualified lazer pairs 2007 (2^nd in final) and 2008
• DIN final 2007 and 2008 (2^nd in final)
• Supa dogs final 2007 (2^nd in final)
• Senior agility dog of the year 2007
• South East agility dog of the year 2006
• Qualified Crufts senior singles 2009
• Qualified Olympia 2008
• Selected for the British Agility Team 2008
• Silver for Great Britain 2008 at European Opens
• Reserve Champion at Nottingham agility show 2008

Leah then got Hex

He too is a rescue dog who she hand raised from 3 weeks old. He had his debut in Jan 2009 and she told CSJ in November 2010.

"Hex won his division [in the rescue dog league] and both invitation events. Hex has got his first win to championship level as well as 10 near misses where he came 2nd.”

Leah also told CSJ in November about her experiences with Herbie in 2010

"We have had a good year apart from an incident with Herbie where he got bitten at the first show of the year and was then extremely worried about crowded places.

After talking to Ann [Harmes] she suggested I try some Calm Down herbs (made by CSJ), within a week I could see great improvements. Herbie then came back to get 3 x 3rds. In the only 3 championship classes he ran!

We also qualified for an Olympia semi and then qualified for Olympia for the 5th year running. Herbie has gained enough points to get an invitation to try out for the 2011 European Opens, and in 2 weeks time will be trying out for the WAO Great Britain team too.

Herbie once again won the rescue dog league (for the 4th consecutive year) and the invitation event.”

Leah said, "I would like to thank CSJ for not only continuing to support me and the dogs with their sponsorship but also for getting Herbie back to full confidence with their products.”

Other Canine Activities

Leah’s mum has a rescue (Many Tears Rescue) so she has always worked in and around it. She also teaches agility and helps with aggression problems, also competed in flyball and clever dogs.”

Do you have any comments about CSJ feeds?

"Having put my dogs on CSJ I have seen a number of improvements, their coats are so shiny; they have an improved energy and stamina as well as LOVING their food!”

Leah Gardner

Leah can be contacted via and seen on video at:

http://www.anjuagility.co.uk/ and http://chafforddogs.blogspot.com/