We have been covering lots of professions surrounding the dogs sports in our interviews but what about someone who has actually made a profession out of the dog sports themselves? We spoke to Vickie Pullin who runs a business taking people out with her sled dogs to show them how to run dogs safely and teaches people with their own dogs how to get the best out of them.
Tell our followers a little bit about what you do, how you got into it, how long you have been doing it and your experience / or qualifications?
I run husky tours for the public from my base in Gloucestershire and race my own sprint sled dogs nationally and internationally, with the aim of improving my times and positions in the IFSS (International Federation of Sleddog Sports) World rankings year on year.
I have been running my business, Arctic Quest, for 9 years now and racing seriously with my dogs for 5 years.
Recent results
Winter 2018/19 Results:
British champion in both
- Bikejor Women’s Elite Class Open &
- 4 Dog Open Class
Runner up in the Open 2 Dog Scooter Class
Gold and Bronze medals in the ICF World Champs plus 4th in the Open Scooter Class
Gold and 2 x Bronze medal in IFSS Euro champs plus 4th in the Open Bikejor Class
WSA World Champs: 4th
IFSS World Champs snow: 12th and 12th Mass start
WSA World Champs snow: 21st (and a comment from the vet: my dogs look in great condition – better than any medal 
)
In the 2017 / 2018 I was British champion in 3 classes and had 5 top 10 results in the IFSS World Championships, picking up a silver in WSA World championships
What does a day in the life of you consist of?
5am starts – letting the house dogs out and turning on the coffee machine and lap top… work with breakfast then dogs out and cleaning kennels.
Dog all then loaded up for work in the van and trailer … and down the road we head.
The mornings are spent doing Husky Rides at Croft Farm, we have a blast running dogs, educating people about sprint racing and sharing my life with the public. we meet some amazing people and enjoy food and drink around the campfire.
After the public leave, I train the race dogs, sometimes muscle, interval, speed, or overtaking and this can include coaching with other athletes
Back home to let the dogs out have a play and then chill in the kennels – now time to train me… so 1-2 hours either gym, running, biking etc
Then back to play and feed dogs and kennels
Evening is spent either having dogs out in the field, extra training for me, hydro treadmill for the race team or swimming for me and dogs
So normal day consists of DOGS!!!!!
Occasionally there will be a meeting here and there with important people like sponsors, partners, book keeper! We also go into schools, and do some filming and TV work with team so no day is ever the same… then in the winter around a normal day, we have the races…. then it all changes!
We travel around the world racing sprint sled dogs and its the best thing ever!!!!!
Share with us your proudest moment so far
Proudest moment for me is actually owning 29 fit healthy dogs – I try and take a moment everyday to appreciate that.
Everyday is a proud moment!
We have had some big races and great wins on the last couple of years and thats the icing on the cake to an already amazing team if dogs!
What are your top 3 tips connected with what you do for our followers and their active dogs?
- Love your dogs
- Have fun always
- Enjoy the moment
What are your plans for the future?
Love dogs, race dogs, work with dogs, – repeat! (the same as now!)
How can our followers get in touch with you?
Facebook: Vickie Pullin (feel free to add and follow us)
Websites:
www.arcticquest.co.uk