Crufts winners - Worcester girl, 11, and her dog shine in competition

Violet Higgins and her dog Chase showed composure beyond her tender years at the competition at the NEC Birmingham.

The 11-year-old Nunnery Wood High School pupil of Whittington, near Worcester, qualified for Crufts 2023 last April for the Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year. 

Violet qualified for both the semi-finals of the Agility Dog of the Year and the Under 18 jumping classes with the six-year-old terrier.

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Her mum, Kirsti Higgins, said: "The Agility Dog of the Year had a semi-final which was held in the YKC ring at Crufts. The top three combinations in each dog height (small, medium, intermediate and large) and children's age category (6-11 or 12-18) progress to the grand final held in main arena at Crufts.

"This is an open competition where all the finalists compete against each other to be crowned Agility Dog of the Year. 

"Violet smashed two perfect clear rounds, but we had a nervous wait to see if that was enough to qualify her for the Grand Final. At 1pm all the juniors were called into the YKC arena to be told the results. Violet and Chase had won both their small height, 6-11-year-old classes, qualifying them in style for the grand final.  

COMPETITORS: Violent gives Chase a big hug at Crufts 2023 (Image: Supplied by Higgins)

"The Grand Final was held in the main arena at Crufts and watched by over 8,000 spectators and was broadcast live on youtube.

"Violet and Chase were last to run in the small height category and pulled out an amazing fast clear round, with the commentators stating "Remember the name Violet Higgins" as she sailed into the lead! 

"We then had a nervous wait to see if Violet would stay in the lead. Violet ended up coming 5th overall out of 25 combinations and was only beaten by larger dogs." 

DEDICATION: Violet Higgins and Chase showed they had the winning formula at Crufts 2023 (Image: Supplied by Higgins family)

Violet and Chase are due to compete for Team England at the World Agility Open competition being held in the Netherlands this May. 

Violet, the youngest member of Worcester Agility Club, qualified for the international competition at Team England tryouts - against adults - last summer.

The duo train twice a week and are sponsored by Reef Agility, run by Mariann Baylis, in Stourport. 

Because Dog Agility is not classed as a sport it receives no funding so sponsors are being sought and a number of fundraising activities are planned to support Violet and the team.

Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/2196a8eb