Peacehaven Agility Star Wins British Open At Crufts

Sam, a five year-old crossbreed and his owner, Stacey Irwin-Burns from Peacehaven, East Sussex, has taken a top prize at Crufts today (Thursday March 10th), winning the Kennel Club British Open Agility Final for small dogs.

Sam and Stacey, aged 24, won in the small category after competing at Crufts in a hotly contested final after achieving the fewest combined faults in the fastest combined time, calculated over the two rounds. Taking place at the world's greatest dog show, they were up against the top small dogs from several different countries.

Stacey and Sam qualified for the final at Crufts at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival in August 2015. Since then they have been working towards the tense final at the world's biggest dog show.

Stacey, who has been training dogs in agility for nearly six years, has owned her own agility club called Stacey's K9 Services for the last two years.

Proud owner Stacey said: "This is our first time running at Crufts in the main arena so we are over the moon at winning."

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: "Agility is one of the show stoppers at Crufts, and it is always amazing to see such talented dogs and owners. The British Open really is a unique competition.

"Stacey and Sam obviously have a wonderful bond and are both very talented. Our congratulations to them both and we hope to see them in future competitions."

Crufts takes place from 10th - 13th March 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information, please visit www.crufts.org.uk.

The results for Crufts 2016 can be found online at www.press.fossedata.co.uk.  For free downloadable images from Crufts 2016, please go to www.w-w-i.com/crufts_2016/.