Morgan Tate-Shoosmith, aged 14 from Kent, and Cuba, a four-year-old Standard Poodle, have won the Young Kennel Club (YKC) Handler of the Year award at Crufts on Sunday 13 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 Morgan and Cuba took first place in the YKC ring.
Proud owner Morgan said: “I am shocked to win! I knew I had done well, but I wasn't expecting this.
“I have been showing since I was nine years old, and today I have won Handler of the Year and Groomer of the Year, so we have had a very good Crufts!”
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 Cuba and Morgan taking the ultimate title of YKC Handler of the Year.
Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager said: “A huge congratulations to Cuba and Morgan on their win of the Young Kennel Club Handler of the Year title. The pair demonstrated a high level of skill and teamwork which was exceptional for such a young handler. We are incredibly hopeful and excited to see what more the pair will achieve in the future years and Crufts to come!”
For further information about Crufts visit crufts.org.uk. If you would like to find out more about the Young Kennel Club and how to join please contact the YKC team by emailing
Crufts took place from 10 – 13 March 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit the Crufts website.