Border Collie from Nottinghamshire crowned winner at Crufts

Elsa, a seven-year-old Border Collie, and her owner Nicci Hindson from Newark, Nottinghamshire, won the Heelwork to Music final at the world's greatest dog show, Crufts.

Nicci Hindson and Elsa beat nine other finalists to win the heelwork to music final on Thursday 7 March.

Each year Crufts hosts the finals of both heelwork to music and freestyle competitions. All advanced level dogs and handlers can qualify for Crufts by entering one or more of a series of qualifying events held throughout the year.

The participants devised routines of up to four minutes, set to music, and performed them with their dog in the Resorts World Arena at the NEC, Birmingham. 

The proud owner Nicci said "I'm so so happy! Elsa is a dog in a million... She loves the spotlight, I love the spotlight!

"We just had the time of our lives out there. This is my favourite heelwork to music routine I've ever done."

Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, commented: "Congratulations to Elsa and Nicci on such an impressive performance in the arena at Crufts, with a routine that demonstrated such hard work and dedication. 

"Heelwork to music is a challenging and highly skilful activity that requires a lot of patience and commitment to execute to the level seen at Crufts. All the dogs and handlers demonstrated close bonds and incredible talent."

For more information on heelwork to music, please visit thekennelclub.org.uk/htm

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