As Britain gears up for the finale of the greatest sporting event in the world, Northamptonshire-based winner of Britain’s Got Talent, Ashleigh Butler and her famous dog Pudsey are getting ready to cheer on a Team GB of an altogether hairier kind.
Ashleigh and Pudsey will be supporting members of the British team taking part in the Nations Cup dog agility competition at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival, being held this weekend.
The team will be competing against around 20 other countries including Japan, France and Germany.
Four legged athletes from all over the world, along with their owners, will go head to head at Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire in an attempt to bring home yet more glory for Great Britain.
Ashleigh Butler, who competed at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival last year said, “All eyes have recently been on the British athletes, but this weekend the best canine athletes in the world are also getting together to compete at the International Agility Festival. Team GB, which I was part of last year, will be aiming to beat around twenty other countries in the Nations Cup and me and Pudsey will be keeping everything crossed that they can achieve more success for Britain.
“Agility is such a great sport for keeping you fit and Kennel Club research has shown that whereas only four percent of people are inspired to get fit by team GB athletes, who perhaps seem out of their league, fifty percent of people say that their dog inspires them to keep fit.
“Agility and other dog sports such as Heelwork to Music, have changed mine and Pudsey’s lives and I would encourage anybody to join the Kennel Club’s Get Fit With Fido campaign and to find out more about how they get involved in these amazing sports.”
The International Agility Festival will feature a variety of competitions, some of which qualify competitors for Crufts.
There will also be a Companion Dog Show and Scruffts heat for visitors to compete in with their own dogs, and a have-a-go-ring where those new to agility can try out the sport.
For more information on the Festival, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/agilityfestival or contact 020 7518 1013.