KABEGA Park resident Nannette Perold was one of three Eastern Province dog handlers who took top honours at the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (Kusa) nationals recently.
At the biggest show weekend in South Africa for dog-handling, Perold, 51, and her toy poodle, Noodle, won the Kusa national agility award in the small category.
They also came first in jumping in the FCI show, an international event, and were placed first overall in the small category of combined shows.
The dog handler, a Walmer Kennel Club member and EP Dog Jumping Organisation treasurer, was joined by fellow club members Justus Truter and Nadine Shortland in Bloemfontein where the nationals, an international event, two interprovincials and four championship shows were held.
Truter and his border collie, Buzz, won the agility award in the large category.
Shortland and Q, a Shetland sheepdog, won the national dog jumping competition.
The three handlers were part of four teams of handlers – two standard teams and two mini teams.
The EP mini team came second, and teams were for the interprovincials only.
The three dogs, as well as two others belonging to Shortland and Truter, won qualifying certificates.
The 140 dogs competing were judged in the categories small, medium and large.
Shortland, 38, is a flyball and advanced agility instructor at the PE Kennel Club on Victoria Drive.
Truter, 67, started the sport 18 years ago and has his own training school.