A Dumfries woman and her pooch have achieved success at the world’s top dog show.
Lilly O’Brien won the Young Kennel Club Handler of the Year award at Crufts with nine-year-old Tibetan Spaniel Zoe – show name Ch Susu Princess Spice Parti.
Lilly, 21, said: “This is very unexpected and crazy. I get very nervous when I handle but it’s been amazing. Zoe loves the crowd, she always plays up to it when people are clapping and cheering. She makes me confident, she always has.
“Crufts has always been a special place for me and Zoe, we won our first CC there back in 2020 so to win overall YKC Handler of the Year 2025 was a childhood dream. Thank you to the judge, Charlotte Page, for this honour and also to everyone who has helped and supported me on this journey.”
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The YKC Handler of the Year competition, open to YKC members aged between six and 24, saw qualifiers held across the country throughout the year. First place in each of the age groups qualified for the finals at Crufts, with Lily and Zoe then taking the overall victory.
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Cruft show manager, Helen Kerfoot, said: “Very well done to Lilly for a well-deserved win with Zoe, they should be incredibly proud. The pair demonstrated a high level of skill and teamwork throughout their time at Crufts, which was so impressive for such a young handler.”
To find out more about the Young Kennel Club or to join, email ykc@thekennelclub.org.uk or visit thekennelclub.org.uk/ykc.
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