From tears of despair to tears of joy, Lucy Forrester and Matilda have made it to Crufts the hard way.
American Cattle Dog Matilda, or Mattie as she is known, was so unruly at her first puppy training class that Forrester was tempted to quit on the spot.
Stafford resident Forrester had done years of research before deciding to purchase Mattie, whose grandmother won BOB at Crufts 2018, but nothing could have prepared her for the puppy’s incessant yapping and sass.
Now on the verge of turning two, the glittering green carpet of Crufts is just weeks away, an achievement Forrester never thought possible at their first training session.
Forrester said: “I was rushing a bit because I was late, and I was nervous anyway because I’d never been to a ringcraft club before. I didn’t know what to expect.
“Then of course, you come in with this puppy who’s so overstimulated and barking at everybody. You just want the ground to swallow you up.
“I headed for the door in tears and one of the trainers, who was really lovely, came out after me and I think if she hadn’t talked with me I probably wouldn’t have gone back.”
It took months of patient encouragement and watching on from the sidelines before Mattie was finally ready to participate along with her classmates.
Forrester said: “It sounds a bit sad, but the first time we properly joined in on the class I cried, because it felt like we’ve come such a long way.
“I think from that point, you realise that it’s actually far more fun to be taking part than sat at the side of the room watching. I think that clicked for her as well.”
Eventually, Forrester decided to take the plunge and take Mattie to her first championship class, an all-American Cattle Dog event held close to home.
Forrester said: “I didn’t really expect anything from it. Coming out of the ring with the first place, I didn’t even realise until his breeder said you’ve qualified for Crufts. Sorry what?
“I was just so wrapped up with all our training, getting her used to being in a ring. It just slipped my mind to be honest.
“I was really, really surprised.”
And so Forrester will at last get to attend the greatest dog event in the world as a participant and Discover Dog representative after years of standing on the other side of the rope.
Forrester said: “It’s the big one that everyone’s heard of. As soon as you tell family and friends who aren’t really into dogs, they know exactly what you’re talking about.
“Actually standing on the famous green carpet and looking at everybody else where I would usually be will be really, really strange.”
Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts is held from 9-12 March 2023 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4 and More4, and for further information and tickets visit crufts.org.uk
