Carlien Harms

Date of birth: 13-02-1968

Residence: Wijk bij Duurstede

  • What do you love about sports with dogs?

I love dogs and love sports. Playing sports together is the most fun there is! Especially if it goes “hard”! It can also be a little bit exciting. As long as it is safe and healthy for dog and human.

  • What breed of dog(s) do you have and what is/are their name(s)?

Mikke; an 8-year-old Norwegian Greysther.

Powerrr; a Greysther of Norwegian descent aged 6 years.

Oslo; a 5-year-old Norwegian Greysther.

Joonas; the son of Powerrr and a Swedish mother Ruori (Scandinavian Hound) aged 1.5 years.

  • What sports do you play?

Running with and without the dog, biking with and without the dog, scootering with the dog, sledding with the dogs in the winter when there is snow and in the summer supping with the dog (if you want to call that a sport).

  • How long have you been active in this sport(s)?

I come from top sports. In the 1990s I was the best Dutch runner in the 10 km and also ran a new Dutch record (32.22 min). I like all sports; but running suited me best. During an injury I jumped on my bike. That’s also how I started bikejoring (mountain biking with a dog).

When I was injured and couldn’t run with the dog I first started scooting and later biking with the dog.

I have been canicrossing since 2010. In that year I took part in the World Canicross Championships in Borken and won a silver medal in my age group with myfirst dog, Denha, a very special Rhodesian Ridgeback. I liked this sport so much that I wanted to develop further in it. I went looking for a real racing dog and found in Mikke my ideal canicross and bikejoring buddy; but also friend for life. In the following years Powerrr, Oslo and Joonas joined me.

  • Which part do you prefer and why?

I like bikejoring super much because of the fact that my dogs do very well there. They can super their speed and power in this. Canicross is actually too slow for them. I personally like the excitement and high speeds in this sport; only you shouldn’t fall….

Sledding I also find mighty; but unfortunately only so little a year can do that. Stepping is the least fun part. I do it at competitions, but just to let my dog run around. Also this year we became Dutch Champion in this event. That has more to do with the qualities of the dog (Mikke) than with my scooter technique. I never train this part.

  • What are your goals for the future in this sport(s)?

Would like to stay fit and healthy as long as possible and do these sports at a level. Enjoying exercise and relaxation with the dogs.

  • What is your greatest sports moment to date?

So many!!! The most appealing is possibly our Gold medal at the World Bikejoring Championships in Poland in 2018 together with Powerrr. In 2015 we also became European Champions with bikejoring then with Mikke in Scotland. And last year at the European Championships canicross in Belgium the national anthem sounded again when for Powerrr and me on the canicross part.

I myself am also extremely proud of our tribute to Denha at the 2019 Dutch Canicross/Bikejoring and Stepping Championships on the course in Arnhem where Denha passed away in 2017. This was such a tough test emotionally and mentally but Mikke, Powerrr and Joonas insanely dragged me through it. We became Dutch Champions in ALL parts. How special was that! So special was Denha; my star in heaven!

  • What is the funniest or least funny sports moment to date?

I experienced the funniest moments with my stubborn Ridgeback Denha. During a race he would just jump into a muddy ditch or suddenly turn right at a speed of over 30 km per hour because there was a pile of horse shit there to eat.

  • Can you give one tip to other canicrossers/steppers/bikers/sled dog mushers what best to do/don’t do in this sport(s)?

Always watch your dog during training and competitions. You are his/her guide and companion. Don’t blame the dog when you don’t perform as you envisioned; but look at yourself for what YOU may have done wrong.

  • What is your favorite Fastdog product for your dog(s)?

The Power bonbons with spot on! But of course also the Dog Performance (recovery) Shake as well as our homemade Recovery cookies. My dogs tested everything from the beginning and finally chose these products themselves. They love them (every time!) and I know and see that this is the absolute best I can give them to help them recover well and fast!