Kerry Scott from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and her dog, Kenaiteen Allegro (Peja), a four-year-old Labrador Retriever, won the Intermediate Novice Anything But Collie (ABC) Semi-Final at Discover Dogs last weekend, and have qualified for the finals at Crufts 2023, the world’s greatest dog show, run by The Kennel Club.
The Intermediate Novice ABC semi-finals saw 15 dogs and their handlers compete having earned enough qualifying points during heats taking place at agility competitions throughout the year.
Excited owner Kerry said: “After starting this year in Grade 4, our goals were to try to get to Grade 6 and qualify for Crufts! Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would achieve all we have this year, it has not sunk in at all yet!
“Peja is a timid dog who hides when people look directly at her, but in training and the agility ring she comes alive and always gives me 100%. My trainers and friends call her "Perfect Peja", and to me she really is perfect!”
Vanessa McAlpine, Events Executive at The Kennel Club said: “The Intermediate Novice ABC competition always brings a level of excitement due to the possibility of gaining qualification for Crufts!
“Congratulations to Kerry and Peja for their impressive performance - we look forward to seeing them compete at Crufts in March.”
The Discover Dogs semi-final consisted of two rounds, a jumping round and an agility round. The top eight competing dogs which earned the highest combined score across both rounds have qualified for the finals taking place at Crufts in March.
1st – Kerry Scott with Kenaiteen Allegro (Peja)
2nd – Nigel Staines with Morgans black panther AW(G) (Jibs)
3rd – Rosie Cavill with Chayle Du Mourioche (Xavier)
4th – Robyn Connell with Marvel at Thanos AW(S) (Thanos)
5th – Laura Middleton with Katmistskys kaede lass AW(G) (Puds)
6th – Pam Mayhew with Staby What (Danica)
7th - Laura Middleton with Yunalesca's mad as a hatter AW(S) (Yuna)
8th – Michael Ferguson with Fitznister Bonnibelle (Bonni)
Discover Dogs, run by The Kennel Club, took place on 15 and 16 October at ExCeL London.
For further information, visit the Discover Dogs website. Find out more about getting started in dog agility and results from the show.