In a new regular column, George Sell talks to a wide range of passionate greyhound people to find out what makes them tick. This week we go behind the traps with Kelli Windebank, assistant trainer to Jason Bloomfield, attached to Henlow and Yarmouth.
The best part of my job is…
“The greyhounds! Happy friendly, willing and never complaining!”
The most challenging part of my job is…
“Not getting into a rut or a set routine. Remembering to keep thinking and looking at each dog as an individual and trying to target their strengths and get the best out of them. It’s a challenge as routine and day-to-day demands can take away the time to really think.”
My proudest moment in greyhounds was…
“There isn’t just one, but when you feel you have really achieved something or a plan has worked out, it’s a great feeling. There are so many different moments to be happy about.”
The best/favourite dog I have worked with was…
“There are far too many to say! But I kept Savana Donie (Monmore Gold Cup runner up) and Russelena Reggie (Towcester Derby Stayers and Betfred Select Stayers winner) as our pets. They owed us nothing and we owed them everything.”
If I wasn’t working with greyhounds I would like to have been a…
“No idea now! Nothing else worked out or gripped me, or kept my attention this long before!”
The best piece of advice anyone ever gave me was…
“Do what you feel is best, what sits right with yourself.”
If I could tell my 18-year old self one thing it would be…
“Buy the house and land now as prices are going to be insane by the time you think you are ready!”
The person I admire most in greyhounds is…
“Polly Smith the vet – she’s kind, honest, reliable and will go the extra mile. Selfless.”
The person I admire most in history is…
“I never ‘knew’ them and you can’t believe what you read!”
I am surprisingly good at…
“Multi tasking, and thinking, planning and organising myself.”
I am surprisingly bad at…
“Working with people!”
My perfect day off would be…
“Spent with my horse and pet greyhounds in peace.”
