She's an 8 year old
marvel...
 Eight
year old Robyn Bell is following in her mother's footsteps. Her mum Katie (nee
Mitchell) Bell represented the UK in 2005 when she and a certain other young
handler, Anthony Clarke, were the first Juniors to go abroad to compete. Proud
mum, Katie think thinks that her daughter might be the youngest person ever to
do a clear round at a KC show, aged four years old. Robyn's gone from strength
to strength and is now competing in G7. She is determined to get to Crufts
before her mum who was age 10 when she went for the first time. But this is
Robyn's story in her own words.
My name is Robyn
and my dog's name is Aura (Ansabak
Sintara AW/S).
I
started agility when I was two and a half years old and I got my first clear
round when I was four.
I
didn't always do agility with Aura. I used to do it with Finlay. He isn't the
fastest dog, but he was great for me to learn with. Now my little sister Edie
trains and runs him.
I
only started training Aura at the start of this year, but I really love her as
my own. She doesn't live with us. She belongs to my Auntie Fiona (Towler), but I
train her every week and we have recently started competing together.
 We
have done well in Junior classes this year, but we did our first Grade 7 courses
together at the Longfield show on 21st August. I was pretty nervous about
competing against all the adults, but I knew we practiced G7 level courses at
training and was sure we could do it.
In
one of our runs, we got a clear round. I was so proud of myself and Aura. I
remembered all my blind turns and front crosses, and Aura got a really tough
weave entry. She was amazing, listening to me perfectly the whole way round.
When we crossed the finish line I was SOOO happy!
When
we went to the presentation, they announced 'Robyn Bell and Aura' as the
winners. I couldn't believe it! Everyone had kept it a secret. It was the best
day ever! I'm so proud of Aura.
Agility is my favourite thing
To me, it means just having
fun with your dog. It doesn't matter if you win or lose or go clear or get
eliminated. I guess what it means to me is learning from a mistake and getting
better every time, like the phrase 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try and
try again.'
I
love training and learning new skills.
Aura
and I are getting stronger as a team all the time. I love her.
News Flash... Robyn has qualified for Crufts 2023 with a stunning clear
round at a YKC qualifier.
 About
the author...
Robyn Bell lives in Harrogate (N. Yorks) with her parents
Katie and Neil and three sisters. The family has four dogs - two Collies and two
Cockers - and they train and compete with two Parson Russells that are owned by
Fiona Towler.
She trains with her mum
at Kat's Dogs.
Robyn is currently
filming content for an online dog training platform for kids.
She also loves football
and watching Marvel films.
First published
29th August 2022
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