The Novice Cup 2025

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From grass to the green carpet...

As we approach March 2025, the Agility World will migrate to Birmingham, the home of the most prestigious Dog Show in the world that is Crufts. The Novice Cup is the first event early Thursday morning. For many of the competitors, it will be their first time on the hallowed Green Carpet. Linda Gore approached Championship judge Amanda Luttman, herself a Novice Cup competitor in 2017, for more information about the competition.

The Kennel Club Novice Cup is for dogs in Grades 3-5 with a separate competition for each height. It's a great experience for the handlers and a chance for us to watch multiple handlers become stars of the future.

Qualification is via heats held throughout the country in the preceding year, with the top two from each heat qualifying for a Semi-final. Then the top six from the Semi-final, at each height, going through to the final at Crufts.

The Novice Cup has been around for many years now and has become a firm part of the Crufts programme. Competitors have to be Grade 3 to 5 at the time of the heat, though by the time the final comes round at Crufts, many dogs have progressed on past Grade 5. So, although the course set at a novice standard, the standard of the handler and dogs can be exceptionally high. Competitors can vary greatly with a mix of older more experienced dogs that have not yet progressed to the higher Grade 6 and 7 levels and young dogs making their way up through the grades.

As a competition, the Novice Cup provides a good chance for people to experience the whole atmosphere and the excitement of competing on the hallowed green carpet of Crufts. It is also a good first experience for their dogs on the carpet and gives them invaluable insight into how their dogs might perform in the future if they qualify for Crufts through the singles Grade 6 and 7 or Champ class Grade 7)

There have been, in fact, several previous winners of the Novice Cup who would later go on to appear in the Championship class or indeed to win the Championship class. For instance, Toni Dawkins and Tiger won the Novice Cup in 2019 and then went on to win the Championship class in 2023 and Dan Shaw and Geek won the Novice Cup in 2016 and the Championship class multiple times.

Meet the 2024 Finalists

Jo Adams & Taboo	Dog: Devonduet Game on Taboo Size: Medium Qualified at: Axstane (June 2024) I'm so looking forward to competing in the Novice Cup with Taboo. He is a two year old Border Pap. 2024 was his first competing season and he went from Grade 2 to one win off Grade 7 in just one year. He will be my last agility dog! I am just loving our journey together. He came 2nd in the Agilitynet Senior Agility League in Platinum division for Medium dogs. I am so very proud of him!
Kirsty Armitstead & Cuba	Dog: Infinity Runners Cuba'n Sunrise Size: Intermediate Qualified at: Kernow (March 2024) After a 2-and-a-half-hour journey, we managed to qualify for the top 2 on our first attempt at the Novice Cup. We have never been to Crufts before so this is an amazing opportunity for us both and hopefully it will be a really memorable experience. I am looking forward to stepping onto the green carpet with Cuba, now Grade 7. She is my dog in a million, so sweet and sensitive, loves agility and tried so hard to get it right. She will be four this year so I'm really excited for what our future might hold.
Georgina Baker & Music	Dog: Fandabidozi Funky Music Size: Intermediate Qualified at: The Kennel Club International (August 2024) I am so excited to complete at Crufts 2025. This will be my ninth time competing at Crufts but a first for Music, so it will be very special, I cannot wait to step onto the green carpet with him. I love competing at Crufts. The atmosphere is incredible. There is always that mixture of nerves and excitement. But when I get on the start line all the noise drowns out and it's just me and my dog - he is actually my 5th dog I've qualified for Crufts - enjoying the sport we love!
Eleanor Balchin & Siempre (sea-Em-Pray)	Dog: Celyntelyn Glowing Ember Size: Small Qualified at: Godmanchester (June 2024) We are looking forward to running on the green carpet as it's a great surface for her. I think she's probably the smallest dog in the class. She is my 10th agility dog that I have competed with at Crufts but only my second sheltie. She is a bit of a gobby girl but really very empathetic so she always has my back. Any mistakes made out there will definitely be mine!
Laura Beevors & Chief	Dog: Ivormyth Peak Call the Chief Size: Large Qualified at: Ribble DATC (April 2024) I'm so looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere and experiencing the very special, elite event that Crufts is. I feel grateful and fortunate to have this opportunity. This will be our first time competing at Crufts and I will cherish every minute. Chief turned three in December. He's now Grade 6 and has two more wins in Agility for Grade 7. It's been an interesting journey having lost almost a year of training and competing due to unforeseen circumstances, but we managed to catch up. He's quite thoughtful and can be a sensitive type, so I hope that he will be able to cope with the big arena and all that goes with it. Whatever happens, I know that I will love the experience of the occasion.
Ellie Buffet & Revel	Dog: Devongem Stay Gold Size: Intermediate Qualified at: Wellingborough (July 2024) At the time, Revel was in limbo from Grade 3 to 4, so she was relatively inexperienced, but she delivered a perfect run on the day. Shortly after, she picked up a little injury meaning it was touch and go whether she'd get to do the Crufts Semis at KCI in August. Thankfully, we got the okay and, despite minimal prep, she smashed another clear round! Despite a few wide turns, we still managed a 4th place which meant that we had achieved my one big aim of the season for her - qualifying for Crufts 2025. She's my first collie, still just two years old, and she's just recently won into Grade 6. It's been a steep learning curve for me, and not always been an easy ride. Although she is brilliant, she is also very sensitive. Win or lose, I absolutely cannot wait to step on that green carpet with her, and I've no doubt we'll both give it our absolute best.
Scott Caldwell-Nichols & Hijack	Dog: Aviary Stolen Summer Size: Large Qualified at: Wellingborough (July 2024) Hijack is a five year-old Border Collie with a love for toys, agility and squirrels. This will be our second year at Crufts, having qualified through the YKC competitions last year. We've had a great time competing in the Novice Cup this year, finishing 4th in the Semi-final at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival in August. We've also enjoyed several other wins and accomplishments, reaching Grade 5 in the process. Our training is centered on having fun, staying fit, and strengthening our partnership. We enjoy going for runs between training sessions and appreciate the benefits of our physiotherapy work. Many thanks to Step This Way Veterinary Physiotherapy for their hydrotherapy sessions. We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to compete at Crufts and would like to thank everyone who has supported us on this journey.
Mark Douglas & Sheriff	Dog: Montaki Fly Guy Size: Large Qualified at: Kennel Club Agility International (August 2024) I'm so looking forward to running with Sheriff at Crufts for his first time on the green carpet. It will be my 10th time at Crufts but first time since 2014. Sheriff is a very loving and happy two-year-old Border Collie, born and raised in Scotland. When I first started to train him, it was as if he'd done agility in a previous life. He is easy to train and works really hard to get things right. The happiest of boys - a friend to all. Favourite things to do are swimming and herding the cats, there's never a dull moment living with Sheriff.
Lauren Ellis & Finn	Dog: The Devil's Blue Eye Size: Intermediate Qualified at: RVA (July 2024) RVA was our last attempt for the year and we went clear! Didn't think we would make it through, but I was over the moon when I got the invite to the semifinals at KCIAF! This will be my first EVER time of getting to Crufts! It has been a lifelong dream to get there. I have been in agility for as long as I can remember and I always loved the thought of getting in the main ring at Crufts. Finn is three years old and currently competes at Grade 5. He has made my dream come true. He is a a delight to train and teach and takes everything in his stride. He is my one in a million Merle and I couldn't ask for a better boy. I'm so looking forward to finally getting my feet and his paws on the green carpet. Hopefully the first time of many. He puts 100% effort in for me on every course and I couldn't ask for more.
Harriet Harding & Zero	Dog: Play With Madness Mai Tai Size: Large Qualified at: Scunthorpe (April 2024) Zero went on to win the Semi-final, qualifying us for our first Novice Cup at Crufts. He is the sweetest dog who just loves cuddles but also loves to bark his way around the course which can have its own challenges. He is a powerful, three years old Malinois, now working at Grade 6 just two wins from Grade 7. It will be very interesting to see how my boy copes in the main ring. This will be his Crufts debut and I'm excited to see how we deal with the green carpet. Hopefully it will be one to remember.
Kate Howlett & Macey Boy	Dog: Bonbellami Time to Fly Size: Intermediate Qualified at: Tunbridge Wells (March 2024) I'm so looking forward to stepping onto the green carpet again with my best buddy Macey, a three year old Border Collie, to try and retain the title. A year on and he is now running at Grade 7. Last year he won both the Jumping and Agility rounds so was the overall winner of the Novice Cup, following in his mother's footsteps (Rey-Rey) who won it in 2019. So, this year although it would be amazing to win it again, I am planning to really enjoy the atmosphere of such a big event and savour every minute of running at the prestigious event that is Crufts. I'm very lucky to have a lot of my friends and members of my agility club K9 K8 coming along to support us which I'm very grateful for.
Megan Huggins & Lola	Dog: Lavacious Lola Size: Medium Qualified at: Axstane (June 2024) We can't wait for our first ever appearance on the green carpet! Lola is my first agility dog and I can't believe she's taken me all the way to Crufts. Although she can be a lot to manage, she is truly one in a one-in-a-million girl, and I wouldn't change her for the world. I'm so proud of how much she has come out of her shell since starting agility. She has gone from being scared of everything to taking it all in her stride. No matter the outcome we are super excited and are sure it will be a day to remember.
Lauren Langman & Wild	Dog: Devongem Stay Wild Size: Small Qualified at: Wyre (March 2024) Wild is a super fun monkey, She can be very loud but also super sensitive in equal measure. I own Wild's mum as well, but everyone says that Wild is way prettier. This is her first time competing at Crufts, and I really hope she enjoys herself. It's a big arena for a sensitive dog and I know I can help her to feel like a little warrior in there. I hope the course is kind. I can't wait to see so many friends and family there. We are, however, most excited about bringing home some great treats- a new coat for Wild, of course and maybe a collar, too! Priorities, right?
Brian McDougall & Wispa	Dog: Gaunyersel Careless Wispa Size: Intermediate Qualified at: Ribble (April 2024) I'm so looking forward to my first time on the green carpet at the age of 62. It's going to be such a fantastic experience. Wispa is still just three years old but he's had an amazing season, going into Grade 7 and being selected for Agility Team Scotland for the WAOs in May. I am so lucky to have such a special wee girl, and we can't wait to get in the main arena and do what we love. We almost never made the Semi-finals at KCI as the timing belt went on my car on the M74, 15 miles from home at 3am. My club mate Leigh gave me her van to get down, and we arrived late that evening. I had been up for about 40 hours by that point, but we managed to get our act together next morning and had a nice run to qualify. There are five other amazing handlers and dogs in the final and anything can happen, so I'm just going to enjoy every second of the experience, and I hope we all make it a great final.
Liz Naylor & Echo	Dog: Breckmarsh Repeat After Me at Hornspike Size: Medium Qualified at: Kennel Club International (August 2024) This will be Echo's first time at Crufts. She is only two years old and already Grade 6. She is a fully trained working gundog and spends the winters doing that and doing agility in the summer. I'm really looking forward to showing everyone what a cool little dog she is and hopefully she will cooperate with my plan. She loves agility. Tunnels are her favourite! Echo is honestly the happiest dog ever. She is super driven with such an optimistic, happy approach to life. She does silly faces all the time so it was really hard to get a serious photo of us without a silly face.
Roz Quail & Tickle	Dog: Devonduet Tickle Me Pink Size: Small Qualified at: The Kennel Club International (August 2024) Tickle is my two year-old Border Pap. She is full of character although can be a little feisty! She is a joy to train, and we are having so much fun together. She can be a little erratic in the ring but somehow, we have managed to get to Grade 7 after starting to compete at the end of 2023. The highlight of the year was qualifying for the Novice Cup Final at KCI. She has enthusiasm for everything we do including a bit of scentwork and hoopers. Looking forward to our year ahead.
WITHDRAWN Rory Tidmarsh & Bob	Dog: My Boy Rockett Sox Size: Large I was so excited to have qualified to run Aileen Watson's gorgeous Bob at Crufts. However, unfortunately my university scheduled the formal presentation of my degree research at a conference. I tried so hard to change the date of my presentation, but the university said they couldn't. Therefore, I have had to withdraw from Crufts. I'm devastated not to be able to run Bob for Aileen.
Demi Wright & Oliver	Dog: Fagan's Delight Size: Medium Qualified at: Dogs in Need (August 2023) Oliver is a fun-loving dog. He spends most of his days with his owner, Gavin Pallantat, at the dentists, sitting outside and greeting everyone who arrives. He is now six years old and just as enjoyable to run as the day I started running him.
Demi Wright & Shelby	Dog: Kiss My Dust Size: Small Qualified at: Godmanchester (June 2024) Shelby is a Border Collie X Papillon. She was imported from America in December 2022, and debuted in February 2024. She is now two years old, Grade 7 and qualified to represent GB at the Junior worlds in 2024 and England at the 2024 World Agility Open. This is my first time competing in Novice Cup, and I have qualified with two dogs (Small and Medium) at the age of 18.