Jess and Skye for Team GB
A TEEN from Hinckley has been selected once again for Team GB for a top dog agility competition.
Jessica Cuthbertson and dog Skye, from Hinckley, will travel to Roosendaal in Holland for the junior European Open Championships in July.
Jess and Skye previously won a bronze medal with Team GB in the European Open Agility Championships last year,
The 16-year-old will be looking to improve on that result in Roosendaal.
With preparations underway, Jess said in the coming months she and Skye will be working on more economic jumping and keeping Skye in good shape to tackle the expected tight turns at the European Championships.
With tough competition ahead, even thousandths of a second can make all the difference as shown during Crufts agility competitions this year.
To earn selectio for the team Jess had to undergo scrutiny at two events held at Nottingham Trent University by the Kennel Club.
The first was last December and the second in February this year.
The bond between the handler and dog was observed as well as their performance on the day, how the handler treats their dog and how happy the pair are whether it goes right or wrong.
They now have to attend three Team training days over the next few months so the team management can assist where needed and prepare for the competition.
As well as competing with Skye, Jess also has another dog, Sasha.
Having trained them both, Jess is also training a puppy in agility and has launched her own agility training club ‘SkyePaws Agility Training’.
As well as studying a business and finance court, Kess also works four days a week with her mum,
Proud dad Paul said: “At the age of 16 she amazes me on her outlook, determination, drive and future plans with her dogs, She a very busy young lady but loves every minute of it.”