Nine year-old Jessica Smith from Worksop, Nottinghamshire took home the Young Kennel Club (YKC) Artist of the Year award at the world's greatest dog show, Crufts, on Sunday 13th March.
Jessica was the overall and 6-11 category winner of the eighth annual YKC Artist of the Year competition, which this year had the theme 'Your dog at their happiest'.
The Young Kennel Club member won the judge over with her picture of her dogs frolicking in a meadow as the sun sets and was presented with her award alongside the other category winners on the YKC stand; 15 year-old Amelia Barrable (winner of the 12-16 year category) and 17 year-old Hannah Gates (winner of the 17-24 year category).
Jessica's artwork, which was judged by the Kennel Club's art gallery manager, Luisa Foster, was on display alongside the other category winner's work for the public to view on the YKC stand at Crufts.
The three girls were presented with their awards and a bumper artist gift set by YKC Vice Chairman, Pat Dufty and Kennel Club art gallery manager, Marianne Walker at a presentation on Sunday. As the overall winner, Jessica also received free YKC membership and a cheque for £75.
The winners and runners up of the Young Kennel Club Artist of the Year competition are as follows:
Category winners
6 - 11 Years and Overall winner: Jessica Smith (aged 9)
12 - 16 Years: Amelia Barrable (15)
17 - 24 Years: Hannah Gates (17)
Highly Commended
6 - 11 Years: Bobbie Lee (9), Beatrice Robinson (11)
12 - 16 Years: Charlotte Westerman (14), Chloe McLellan (12)
17 - 24 Years: Emily Small (20), Samantha Webster (19)