STRUTTING her stuff at this year’s Crufts, Gypsy the Tibetan Terrier was delighted to come away with a prestigious ribbon.

Gypsy (Rigaze Earthbound Gypsy) is a homebred Tibetan Terrier from Hatherleigh who qualified for Crufts 2019 at the Ladies Kennel Association Championship Show at the NEC in December last year when she was just six months old.

Her owner, Ana Prevel gives an account of her experience showing the unusual breed at the prestigious dog show.

“Well that is Crufts 2019 over and done with. The car is unpacked, suit is in the cleaner and now there is time to set and review all that happened over the last weekend,” she said. “We travelled up to Coventry on the Saturday afternoon so we would be well rested for utility day on Sunday, march 10.”

Ana said show day is always a busy one with early starts from 5am to late finishes at 9pm, but it is all worth it: “The atmosphere was very jolly with everyone wishing each other a good day and helping to give trollies the extra shove needed to get up the ramps on the way in.”

Once inside the main venue Ana had to navigate her way to her bench and begin preparing Gypsy. She said the camaraderie between competitors was infectious: “Straight away the madness starts — everyone rushing round to find friends unseen for most of the year, swapping brushes and calling out having found that the show lead, water bowl, shirt etc. has been forgotten and has anyone got a spare for the day? The camaraderie around the benching area is infectious.”

Gypsy was entered in the ‘Puppy Bitch Class’ and whilst waiting to enter the ring, the Tibetan Terrier was lapping up the attention she received: “Gypsy was loving all the attention. My show trolley has a large top which Gypsy sits of for grooming and she lay there lapping up the attention from all comers. She was not phased at all by the noise, number of people or the tannoy.”

Nerves were rising as judging began. There were 235 entries in total and Ana said judging was quick and decisive: “Our judge was going great guns and was very decisive about what he liked so no time was wasted — he was going so quick I was worried that Gypsy wouldn’t be ready but then Amy Gilbert (of Round of APaws) arrived and quickly took charge of the final preparation leaving me free to get changed.”

The time had come to enter the ring and Gypsy did Ana proud, strutting his stuff and showing the judges what she was made of. Ana said: “All too quickly we were called into the ring by a steward. Off we went with Gypsy striding out like a pro. Tibetan Terriers are classed as ‘table’ dogs so when it was her time to be presented to the judge up on the table she went. She stood like a little statue while the judge felt her all over. Next, he asked for her to be moved — out and back, then round the ring to join on the end of the line.

“Gypsy moved beautifully — real ‘look at me’ attitude with her head up and coat flying out. The final present from the whole class and the judge was placing, 1st, 2nd and — oh my gosh — he’s pointing to us — 3rd place!”

Ana was over the moon to discover Gypsy had won a rosette. She said: “All too quickly it was over, and we left the ring clutching a lovely yellow prize card and rosette. To get a place, any place at Crufts is amazing but a 3rd is special as that qualifies us for Crufts 2020.”

She added: “Gypsy was a true star and just loved the attention.”

So what’s next for Ana and Gypsy. Well, the pair are looking forward to having a break now before they do it all again next year but have said they will still find a bit of time to fit a few more shows in between.

“Now the pressure is off to qualify we can enjoy the next year before we do it all over again. Gypsy will still be shown as we are trying to win points for her junior warrant, but we can relax and have fun too. There are a few championships that we will go to too, but now we can pick our judges and locations.

“At only nine months Gypsy has time on her side as well as a lot of developing to do. She won’t get her full adult coat for another couple of years but if her career in the show ring to date is anything to go by she looks to have a very exciting future ahead.”