Bryony McDonald, 40, from Peterborough, with her Working Cocker Spaniel, Spritzig Playing With Fire (Flikka) and Laura Warwick, 35, from Nuneaton, with her dog Midnight Transience (Sakura), won the Discover Dogs Small/Mixi Pairs Challenge Final hosted by The Kennel Club and sponsored by Agria at The London International Horse Show on Thursday 19 December.
The Small/Mixi Pairs Challenge consists of several heats of jumping competitions and is open to small dogs partnering with either a medium, intermediate or large dog, from heats scheduled as a special combined class for dogs of all agility grades.
Handlers and dogs qualified to take part in the final held at The London International Horse Show at ExCeL London by gaining points at qualifying heats held at agility competitions throughout the year. The judge this year was Leslie Osborne.
Bryony said of their achievement: “I am blown away by the win. Neither dog has been to such a big event, so this is a great result!”
Laura added “This is totally unexpected. For our two dogs to win is incredible.”
Catherine Guiver, Head of Events at The Kennel Club said: “Congratulations to Bryony with Flikka and Laura with Sakura on their impressive performance in the London Arena! The Small/Mixi Pairs Challenge Final is always an exciting competition to watch, and they should be very proud of their great achievement.”
The top three winners were as follows:
1st – Bryony McDonald with Spritzig Playing With Fire (Flikka) and Laura Warwick with Midnight Transience (Sakura)
2nd – Alf Prior with Toffee Krunch (Toffee), Amanda Hampson with Miro (Schindow Wired For Sound)
3rd – Amanda Hampson with Somerzest Funtastic Flyer (Fun), and Tricia Robarts and Millpoint Glenmorangie (Vinnie)
The Discover Dogs Small/Mixi Pairs Final was hosted by The Kennel Club and sponsored by Agria at The London International Horse Show, at ExCeL London, from 18 – 22 December 2024.
More information and a full list of results are available at thekennelclub.org.uk/agilityLIHS
