Lesley at Crufts 2007
By Lesley Neville

For me Crufts really started with the Rugby Show in March. Both Angus and Robbie had qualified for the Semi Finals, and as the final entry for the Freestyle Class was just eleven dogs and handlers I knew that I would be able to qualify one dog at least! As it was Robbie gained an acceptable 7th place but to my amazement Angus won!

So I now had two dogs to take to Crufts and one of them a winner. Yippee!

Crufts; Thursday was the Heelwork to Music Finals and what a fantastic competition it was with a nail biting finish as Gina Pink and Kath Hardman gained equal points for first place with Gina being placed first on Accuracy!

Friday was the Freestyle final, our day. Robbie was second in the running order and I was determined to enjoy the moment as I had decided to retire him from competition after Crufts.

Robbie performing at Crufts

My old chap did well, eventually finishing in 6th place.

Soon it was time for Angus to grace the floor. Maybe some of you will remember that last year Angus and I had to make a very hasty exit from the Crufts ring as Angus had had an upset tummy due to the change of water. This year I made sure that we brought plenty of water from home so Angus was fit and well. We went in to enjoy ourselves and determined that this year Angus would complete his routine at Crufts!

He danced his paws off and won the class, I was so proud of him, and it was a very special feeling to sit on the "Crufts 1st Podium" to be interviewed by all of the media and have our photograph taken, although Angus was convinced that the big fluffy boom microphone was coming to get him and needed woofing at!

Photo: Steve Jefford

We returned to the benches to find a celebration in swing, with Bucks fizz and Belgian chocolates, very yummy. Then reality hit me, as winners we would have to dance again at 5.30pm under the spotlights - AND - dance again on the Saturday to represent England in the International Competition!

Saturday, the day of the International Competition. What a fantastic atmosphere at the benches, flags were draped, cards proudly displayed and a lovely feeling of camaraderie amongst the competitors.

England , i.e. Angus and I, were drawn second in the running order and as we entered the arena we got a huge cheer from the audience which charged the atmosphere with excitement, we just had to go in and DANCE! We invited the audience to join in with the clapping part which they did with great gusto, their support lifted our spirits, took away the nerves and we had a ball. We came out of the arena with me gasping for breath and Angus panting happily to be greeted by a TV crew wanting an interview so off we went to find a quiet corner (at Crufts?)

They asked a few questions about Angus and training, then asked how I would feel if I won the competition as I was currently in first place (out of two!). I think I said something about it would be wonderful, unbelievable etc.

I returned to the collecting ring as the last three competitors were waiting to work and found that I was still in first place. Unbelievable!

Angus - The Farmer and the Cowman
Photo: Steve Jefford

Nail biting minutes passed as each of the remaining handlers and dogs worked, and then the realisation struck that we had actually won the International Competition.

Lesley and Angus dancing at Crufts

At the presentation I admit that I was close to tears, my lovely Angus had done the triple by winning the Semi Final, the Freestyle Final and the International Competition.

Our return to the benches was something I will never forget. We were greeted with cheers and more Champagne and more Belgian Chocolates!

Once again we were invited to dance at 5.30 as the Official International Competition Winners. As we waited to go into the ring Dave Ray told a packed Arena audience that there had been a competition that day, an International Competition, and that they were about to see the winning routine which was from England!! Talk about the roar of the crowd, it was an amazing feeling to walk out onto the green carpet, well, the Astroturf, with 6,600 people clapping and cheering. I hope we gave them a performance to remember, it will certainly be something I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life.

There are so many people I would like to thank to but I admit that I may forget to say who provided what at the competitors bench parties as the celebrations were a little dream like at the time so, if I do forget to name you please accept my apologies.

Here goes...
Thank you to Carol Mortimer for providing the Bucks Fizz and I think a bottle of bubbly came from Chris and Jackie de Jong, for the delicious chocolates which I believe were brought in from Belgium by Marleen Van Hees and Corinne Campagna, for all the lovely Good Luck cards and the Congratulations cards, to all the other competitors at Crufts who were so friendly and supportive, and of course, to my family and friends, you know who you are without me naming you, thank you so much for helping Angus and I to achieve this dream.