Pippi was an exciting young bitch to start with. She was fast, responsive and very keen, just like her half-sister, Kinloch Sioux. Exactly the type I like. Unlike Sioux, Pippi wasn't the easiest of dogs at the beginning as she was a devil to stop! Speed and no stop don't make good bed companions. However, within about a week of serious negotiations, Pippi mastered the stop command and she was away.

Initially intended to be Kelvin's dog, the more I worked her, the more I liked her. I felt she had the qualities needed for a very good Open trial dog (perhaps, in hindsight, that was an understatement!).

Pippi started in the nurseries in 2015 and finished second (behind Kinloch Mazi) in the Carmarthenshire Nursery and Puppy aggregate competition. At the 2015 All Wales Nursery Final, Pippi finished 5th ahead of brother, Mazi.

In 2016, at 2 years of age, Pippi started to compete in her first season in Open competition. She was placed in her first two trials and then went on to win her next two starts. Going to the big Defaidty Hill trial, I expected nothing! To my astonishment, Pippi won her qualifying trial, earning her a place in the final. Gulp! She didn't know a lookback! I did expect not to finish! Once again, Pippi proved me wrong...got both packets of sheep, finished an international shed (!!) and was placed 5th overall in the final.

At the Welsh National, she finished 6th on Day 1 and went on to win the Reserve Final and a place on the 2016 Welsh team (as Reserve) for the International. With the untimely death of a team dog, Pippi ran at the 2016 International, finishing 18th overall. This was a tremendous accomplishment for a young and very inexperienced bitch.

Early in 2017 Pippi was still nursery age eligible and competed at the European Nursery Championship in Holland. She was second in qualifying on Field 1, and went on to finish 5th in the final. Pippi followed this up with a win in qualifying and the final run-off at the Iorwerth Davies Memorial Trial and a win at the Libanus trial later in the year. She also qualified for the Llanarthne double fetch final, finishing 3rd overall. Pippi also represented Wales in BBC's 'One Man & his Dog' competition and, along with Gethin Jones, Wales won.

At the Welsh National, Pippi put up a tremendous run on Day 2, winning her day and earning a place in the final runoff. Having left the field and being half way home before someone sent me her score, I was in utter disbelief and excitement to be given another chance (after Meg in 2012) to run in a finals runoff. In the runoff to determine the Welsh National Champion, Pippi ran extremely well and was awarded the 2017 Welsh National Champion title. A proud moment for Team Kinloch to breed a young bitch and take her from 'nearly dead' to National Champion in 3 years. To be the first female to win the Welsh National will always be something of which to be proud. And to finally win the national and be able to call Gwyn Jones to tell him was a moment I will always remember...albeit tinged with great sadness.

And so off we toddled to the International at Northleach, England as team captains for the Welsh team. First female Welsh Team Captain... a pinch me moment. No pressure! In qualifying, Pippi ran extremely well and finiished 7th overall, placing her into the Supreme Final. Huge course, three year old dog. Gulp.

After coming off the field, Sue Main was there to greet me...a poignant moment as our friend, and my super hero the great Gwyn Jones (Penmachno), whom I fondly referred to as 'Superman' and he referred to me as 'Superwoman', was fading. We called his partner and a message was relayed through her to Gwyn to let him know Pippi had made it into the Supreme the next day. Gwyn died later that night and it was with a heavy heart and a sleepness night that I took to the field with Pippi in our first crack at the Supreme. It didn't go well! Pippi crossed her first outrun, got out to her sheep after some redirecting and was promptly disqualified. An unceremonious end to our Supreme and an 11th placed finish. As disappointing as this was, Gwyn's death kept things in perspective. Gwyn would have said it wasn't our day, there'll be others. I hope so, Gwyn, I hope so. This was the last trial I ran with Pippi in 2017.

In 2018, Pippi qualified for her third successive Welsh team after finishing 8th overall at the national. To Ireland we went and a fantastic location, awesome course, and sheep that defied shedding! We once again missed qualifying for the Supreme when we could not part those sheep for love nor money in the shed. Not our year.

2019 was not to be Pippi's year. She started the season with a foot injury so was only lightly trialled and did not run at the national. She did put up a tremendous run at the Henley trial in England, coming home with the win and a fabulous trophy. But, for the most part, the year was notable only for her ongoing injury problems and lack of fitness that ensued.

The extra cap was my 'captain's salute' to a great Welsh captain, Gwyn Jones (Penmachno).