A RINGWOOD woman and her talented dog are celebrating after their success at The Kennel Club International Agility Festival - winning them a place to compete at Crufts.

Stephanie Best and her five-year-old Border Collie, Fate, took first place in the Intermediate Kennel Club British Open Semi-Final, qualifying the pair to compete in the final at Crufts in March 2022.

Stephanie, who has been competing in agility for fifteen years, said of their achievement: “It feels extremely exciting to have qualified for Crufts. It is something that myself and Fate have worked very hard for and to qualify in the first place by winning the British Open Semi-Final at The Kennel Club International Agility Festival feels absolutely amazing.

"It makes it feel like all the hard work has been worth it.”

The four-day festival, which is supported by Skinner’s, welcomed dogs of all types and sizes, with competitors from all over the country.

Group Commercial Director of Skinner’s William Delamore added: “Many congratulations to all the winners and competitors at this year’s Kennel Club International Agility Festival. We are proud to sponsor the event and we were incredibly impressed by the commitment and dedication displayed by the competitors, and it was brilliant to be back enjoying the festival.

“Congratulations to all of the winners at this year’s festival; they should be very proud of their achievements.”

Vanessa McAlpine, the events executive at The Kennel Club said: “We were so pleased to finally welcome back so many dogs and handlers to the International Agility Festival.

“Despite having been unable to hold the festival in 2020, the competitors had clearly spent much of the last year honing their skills as there was some really impressive agility talent on display. There has always been a strong community of agility enthusiasts and competitors and it was wonderful for the festival to bring everyone back together.”

For more information on The Kennel Club International Agility Festival, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/IAF

 

 

Get more Forest Journal news and nominate your local heroes for the South Wiltshire Hero Awards.

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.