Caradon Cani-Crossers can add a new National Champion to their line-up as founding member Ian Littlewood, along with his European Sled Dog Ed, won their Cani-Cross category at the rescheduled British Dog Sled Sports Federation National Championships recently in Northumberland.

Ian becomes the fifth Caradon Cani-Crosser to be a National Champion, highlighting the strong pedigree of Cornish runners competing in the growing cross-country running canine-assisted sport.

The popular Devon Howlers ‘Newnham Bark’ Championship based in Newnham Park in Plympton also saw Caradon Cani-Crossers do very well, taking home several prizes at the series prizegiving.

Points were awarded over four race weekends, with the first race back in September and the last race in the series in February.

In the largest category of the series, the 1-Dog Female, there were 42 competitors from across the country that came and competed.

Caradon’s Jackie Haskins won the 1-Dog Female Category, with Lisa Picton taking second, Gem Gallant fourth and Jen Robertson 11th.

There were further wins for Caradon in the 2-Dog Female category for Louise Littlewood, and husband Ian won the 2-Dog Male category and also claimed second in the 1-Dog Male category behind newest member Rory Hopcraft, who took first, running with Odin.

Caradon’s youngest members Barnaby Picton won second in the Juniors category and Sienna England also ran well in the Have-A-Go races.

Over the course of the season, Ian also finished third in the NATB Championship based in Wiltshire and took race wins at standalone races in Wales and the Forest of Dean.

Lisa Picton also chalked up a win at the closest event at Siblyback Lake.

More recently, Ian, Louise and Jackie represented England at the Welsh leg of the Tri-Nation competition with Wales and Scotland.

Ian took Gold in the Male Vet 40+, Jackie won Gold in the Female Vet 40+ and Louise won Silver in the Female Vet 50+, helping England to take a significant points lead into the upcoming Scottish leg of the competition.