Lucy and Ben Head For Prestigious Olympia Agility Finals

NINETEEN-year-old Lucy Osborne and her border collie Ben Bombastic Mr Fantastic have jumped and run their way through to one of the biggest Dog Agility Championships in the country.

Based in Lincoln, Lucy has competed in agility competitions since a young age and it has always been her dream to qualify for the prestigious Agility Stakes held as part of the London International Horse Show at Olympia in the run up to Christmas.

Lucy and Ben have qualified for the Large Breeds competition and may even get to appear on television.

Sponsored by North Leverton-based Alpha Feeds who provide performance dog food for Ben and her other dogs, Lucy is carving out a career in the world of agility.

As well as a busy time on the agility competition circuit, Lucy also runs training classes around Lincolnshire.

A trip to the Country Festival at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire earlier this year provided Lucy and Ben with their qualifying round when finishing third, with the top five going through to Olympia.

Said Lucy: “Ever since I started agility I have always wanted to get through to the Olympia Agility Stakes.

“It is always a great event and a wonderful run up to Christmas. I am also really pleased for my sponsor Alpha Feeds who have supported me this year.

“They are a local firm and put faith in me and Ben when agreeing to sponsor me. Ben and my other dogs just love their food and have never looked or competed on better form.

“Ben is now five-years-old and is still improving he is just a star and we are hoping a little bit of luck will be with us in London and that our run goes as well as we know it can. He is just so fast, speed definitely isn’t an issue.”

To round off a hugely successful year Lucy and Ben have also qualified to go through to the selection day next year to try for a place on the British team to compete at the European Open Agility Championships.

“It really has been a great 12 months, I just hope next year goes as well,” added Lucy.