Bianca’s Story

– David Margan As a relative newcomer to the wonderful world of pedigree competitions I sometimes had trouble working out what drives the passion of the show ring.

Well, in talking to 23-year-old Bianca Hickey, a 12-year member of Dogs Queensland, finally I get it.

Bianca grew up with parents and a grandma who showed Great Danes.

In fact, Bianca lived in a home that had 13 Great Danes, none of whom ever slept outside. She learnt to walk by holding a Danes tail.

It was inevitable that pure breds, shows and competition would be her love.

She started at the age of seven going over the border with her parents to events in Northern NSW where then 7-10 year old’s could compete.

But as Bianca says, “I was too tiny to do Danes and besides they’re often quite naughty!” A breeder of Shetland Sheepdogs from Western Australia, where they’re a very popular breed, suggested she could send one over to Bianca for 12 months who would help it get its title here in Queensland.

And so, she met Brady and fell in love.

12 months on the breeder flew to Queensland to collect the dog but when she saw the bond that Brady and Bianca had built that idea was scuttled.

At age 12, Bianca, with Brady in tow won a Best In Show; “He taught me everything, he was just such a showman, outside the ring he was goofy but as soon as he stepped inside, he was so switched on, so serious.”

It was a sad day when Brady, aged 13, passed away.

As a Junior Handler Bianca Hickey won a State Final

She entered shows with a range of dogs as breeders encouraged her growing passion.

One of the biggest influencers was a Pomeranian breeder named Sandy Barrington-Rowe, wife of Brett Abraham and owner of ‘Pomquest’, “She was the main reason I really got into competition, she was such a lovely person with not a nasty bone in her body, she was such a presence in the ring, she encouraged me and helped me learn and she was the main reason I fell in love with Pomeranians.”

Sandy loved the colour purple and earlier this year at a show in Redcliffe a memoriam for Sandy was held and the day’s ribbons were all, purple; “I like to think that she’s always looking down on me, watching over me and urging me to do better.” Bianca now has a hand raised Pomeranian named, ‘Precious’, precious by name, precious by nature.

“She’s a challenge in the ring but what Brady taught me I am now trying to teach her. She really is a crazy thing, she runs around with giant toys and doesn’t sleep on her bed but under it, like a doona.” But Precious has done well, a frequent runner up in groups and a host of Best in Breed titles.

Bianca didn’t find the transition from junior to senior handler easy; “I was just 13 and tiny, everyone else was at least 17 or 18, experienced and giants by comparison, initially it was all a bit intimidating.”

But she wasn’t deterred and channelled Brady, Sandy and found great support in mentor, Kirri Jacobson; “Of course you get disappointed when things don’t go well but you can’t get down, you focus on learning. It’s all about persistence and perseverance.” And the secrets of her success?

“It’s important to have a gentle touch and form a bond with the dog you are showing, to read their emotions and gain their trust.” Bianca’s ambition is to win one of the big events and to just keep learning and she’s giving back to our community as a junior handler judge.

She believes that in Dog’s Queensland she’s in the very best place; “The people, the support, you just meet some amazing people. It’s why I am where I am today, the things you learn and the knowledge they give is just endless.” And now I understand the excitement of the ring. • Transcervical insemination with fresh, chilled and frozen semen. • Semen collection and freezing. • In-house progesterone testing - results in 20 minutes. • Dog and bitch fertility assessment and much more.

Dr Scott Norman BVSc PhD DACT

Registered specialist - veterinary reproduction Dr Jennifer Larsen BVBiol BVSc Ph (07) 3204 4332

1474 Anzac Ave Kallangur 4503

CAN YOU HELP?

Dogs Victoria’s Laurie Luxmoore Library is seeking the help of fellow canine members in sourcing the following Dogs Queensland journals. MISSING DOG WORLD MAGAZINES (C.C.C.Q.) 1968 January, February, March, June, July and November 1966 January 1964 January and December 1963 February, June, July, August, September and October 1958 January, May, September and October 1957 January, July, October, November and December 1956 January and July 1955 May and December If you have any of the listed magazines and would like to donate them to the library, contact Heather Simpson at corwin@iinet.net.au