A ROYALLY GOOD DAY!

Last year I had a very surprising email from the Kennel Club requesting a commission that would be presented to the host of the 2022 Cocker Championship. Obviously after a little panic attack and meltdown I said yes and was sworn to secrecy, I tell you these last 6 months have been a killer. I spent the first few weeks hardly talking because I thought the secret would just blurt itself out .

This week has been huge for me, both as an artist and as a field and country sports enthusiast. On Tuesday I was honoured to attend The 91st annual Cocker Spaniel Championships, held at Windsor Great Park by the gracious permission of HM The Queen.

I attended yesterday’s championships as a result of being commissioned by The Kennel Club to draw The Queens two cockers (Wolferton Drama and Mallowdale Diamond) as a gift to thank her for hosting this great event. Unfortunately HM The Queen was not able to attend yesterday’s championships, but I was very honour to meet HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, who collected the drawing on her behalf.

This day was made even more special, when as a result of the excellent training of Ian Openshaw, Wolferton Drama won the championships. The first of the Queens dogs to ever win the championships. And with that HM The Queen starts the year of her platinum jubilee with gold.

Yesterday truly was one of the best days of my life, other than meeting my partner Lee and the birth of my son (Lee made me add that). I would like to thank Sharon Harding for accompanying me on the day and the support she always gives me. And also thank you to Nigel Kirby and Ray Hood for being so nice to me on the day and helping settle my nerves. And to keep this Oscar speech styled thanking going, I am also incredibly grateful for The Kennel Club commissioning this piece.