Charlotte Dalgarno, aged 23 from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire and Isaac, a three-year-old Siberian Husky won the Young Kennel Club (YKC) Handler of the Year award at Crufts on Sunday 8th March.
The competition, which was open to YKC members from the ages of 6-24 and their dogs, saw top young handlers compete for the sought after title of YKC Handler of the Year before Charlotte and Isaac took first place in the YKC ring.
Proud handler Charlotte said: “I have dreamed of winning this for 13 years. It has taken a lot of hard work and determination, so to finally get there is overwhelming!
“It was all about holding it together in front of the judges, and we did it! I am really proud.”
To reach the Crufts final, YKC members competed in age categories: 6-11, 12-16 and 17-24 years. YKC handling qualifiers were held across the country throughout the year and the first place in each age group qualified for their respective finals at Crufts, with Isaac and Charlotte taking the ultimate title of YKC Handler of the Year.
Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager said: “Huge congratulations to Charlotte and Isaac for winning YKC Handler of the Year. What an excellent achievement for such a young handler. She has shown great potential for an excellent career in dog showing and we look forward to seeing more of them at Crufts for years to come.”
For further information about Crufts visit www.crufts.org.uk. If you would like to find out more about the Young Kennel Club and how to join please email the YKC team or visit www.ykc.org.uk.
Crufts took place from 5th– 8th March 2020 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information, visit www.crufts.org.uk.