SUSAN Mathias from Tiverton, Devon and her dog, Lupin won the Novice Cup semi-final for small dogs at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival at the weekend and will now compete at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, in 2015.

Susan, aged 47 and Lupin won in the small height after succeeding in a jumping round and an agility round. The top eight large, four medium and four small dogs from the semi-finals will go on to compete in the finals of the Novice agility competition at Crufts at the NEC, Birmingham next March.

The tenth annual Kennel Club International Agility Festival attracted thousands of competitors from throughout the UK and across the world.

The Novice Cup is the Kennel Club’s premier competition for the potential agility stars of the future, and is open to dogs in Grades 3, 4 and 5 of the sport.

Susan commented on their success: “I’m over the moon; he was keen to compete today. It was the perfect course and we are very much looking forward to the final.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “The Kennel Club International Agility Festival is one of the world’s largest and most popular agility events in the dog sports calendar. Susan and Lupin should be very proud of their achievement and we look forward to welcoming them to Crufts and wish them well in the final on such a big stage.”

The Kennel Club International Agility Festival was held at Rockingham Castle from Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th August. Around 2,500 dogs of all types, sizes and experience levels competed across 15 agility rings, with dogs jumping and weaving their way around the various courses.

The festival is kindly supported by CSJ Specialist Canine Feeds. The festival is the world’s largest agility festival and sees competitors from all over the world travel to compete.

Dog agility shows involve owners guiding their dogs around a course consisting of tunnels, jumps, and other obstacles. It is the UK’s fastest growing dog sport and one of a number of activities that people are encouraged to take part in as part of the Kennel Club’s Get Fit with Fido campaign, which aims to tackle obesity in both owners and dogs.

To find out more about dog agility, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/agility. To find your local club, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/findadogclub.

For more information on the festival and results please visit http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events/international-agility-festival/