Fressingfield girl picks up two awards at Crufts in Young Kennel Club category

A mother has spoken of her pride after watching her daughter pick up two junior Crufts awards in only her second year at the internationally-renowned competition.

Eleven-year-old Beatrice Rolf and her dogs, Merry and Pippi, won the awards in the Young Kennel Club category for six to 24 year olds at the event, which culminated on Sunday.

Having already picked up a title last year in the crossbreed event, in what was her first year, Beatrice, from Fressingfield, made the step up to the more highly disciplined obedience section this time around.

“She won the crossbreed class last year, which is more like dressage for dogs, but decided to enter her first obedience competition in October and immediately won to qualify for Crufts,” said mum Sophie Williamson.

“She actually got first and second with both dogs in the qualifier, so we then started to focus on that side of things. Luckily, the dogs love it.

“They are trained with a rewards system but they just love to work and are so motivated, and they’d do anything for her.

“We have five dogs at home, and those two are definitely hers. She has always loved dogs and started taking an interest in training them at the age of eight.

“First, we tried them with flyball, which is a competition where the dogs have to race, fetch balls and go over jumps, and we were soon competing all over the country.

“The dogs love everything about it, and especially the flyball.”

Having formerly competed in dog training competitions herself, Mrs Rolf was quick to express her pride at seeing her daughter follow in her footsteps.

“I never went all the way to Crufts myself, so to see Beatrice go there and do so well makes me very proud,” she said.

“Beatrice is now looking ahead to a season of competitions and she is out there every day working with the dogs, and regularly attends Diss and Harleston Dog Training Club, where she is trained by the wonderful Hazel Troth.

“I know she is already looking forward to the next competition and I think she would love to go back to Crufts next year and do well.

“Her passion for dogs and training them is great to see. I think she is aiming for a future career training dogs and I will happily support her in what she wants to do.”

After her two wins, Beatrice celebrated at her dog training club with cake, and will be hoping she is celebrating again this time next year.

The Young Kennel Club aims to provide young people with a place to train their dogs and compete against members of a similar age.

The club was formed in the 1980s thanks to the vision of Daphne MacDougall, who was instrumental in convincing The Kennel Club that young people needed a club and a voice of their own.

What began with one person’s vision, has since gone on to be an organisation that offers opportunities to young people and their dogs across the country.