Agility stars crowned winners at Crufts

The Kennel Club Singles Agility winners have been crowned at this year's Crufts, in the large, intermediate, medium and small dog finals, sponsored by YuMOVE.

In front of the crowds at the world's greatest dog show, Crufts, the four competitors from Bristol, Lancashire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, won after competing in their height category against three large, four intermediate, four medium and four small dogs in the agility final.

Singles Agility Large

Clippy, a five-year-old Border Collie, and owner, Dalton Meredith from Bristol, took the top prize on Friday 8 March, winning The Kennel Club Singles Agility large final.

Proud owner Dalton said: "It is amazing! Clippy is the sister of the dog I won with yesterday which makes this win even more special!"

Singles Agility Intermediate

Zest, an eight-year-old Border Collie, and owner, Nicola Wildman from Preston, Lancashire, won The Kennel Club Singles Agility intermediate final.

Overjoyed Nicola said: "I am absolutely thrilled, it is my second time winning this competition but it does not mean any less the second time! It is amazing to win here in the main arena!"

Singles Agility Medium

Endeavor, a five-year-old Border Collie, and owner, Laura Chapman from Salisbury, Wiltshire, won The Kennel Club Singles Agility medium final.

Delighted Laura said: "I am over the moon! We won the singles last year so I wanted to defend our title and we did just that so I am delighted! It was tough and challenging but Endeavor pulled it out the bag – she was amazing!"

Singles Agility Small

Drift, a five-year-old Border Collie x Papillon cross, and owner, Louise Godwin from Gloucester, Gloucestershire, won The Kennel Club Singles Agility small final.

Thrilled Louise said: "It was like a blur! It happened so fast. It is a dream come true, since I was about four years old. Drift has been my dog of a lifetime!"

To compete at Crufts, the winners had either qualified by gaining points at heats held at Kennel Club licensed shows throughout the country or through gaining a first place in the special international final at The Kennel Club International Agility Festival, in August 2023.

Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: "Well done to all the winners of the Singles Agility finals. All the dogs and their handlers performed incredibly well in the arena and demonstrated the effort they have clearly put in to training throughout the year. 

"The Kennel Club's Singles Agility finals are a prestigious competition and qualifying for the finals at Crufts takes hard work and dedication, so all competing dogs and their handlers should be very proud."

Fiona Hope, CEO of YuMOVE which sponsored the event, commented: "Congratulations to all the owners and their dogs on their fantastic win in The Kennel Club's Singles Agility at Crufts!  

"YuMOVE has been an agility sponsor of Crufts for many years, and we're proud to support canine athletes with our wide range of products so they can keep doing what they do best in the arena." 

Crufts takes place from 7-10 March 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.