SUCCESS at her first outing to Crufts, Maggie the St Bernard stormed home with a second place ribbon.

Maggie (Cyronelle Maggie May) and her owner Michelle Edwards, from Pancrasweek, travelled up to Crufts and were delighted to come away with a win.

Michelle said: “Oh, what an experience for myself and Maggie, our first entry at Crufts. Cyronelle Maggie May was entered into ‘Saint Bernard Junior Bitch’.”

It was an early start for the pair, leaving Cheltenham at 5am where they had stayed the night before the competition.

Michelle said: “We arrived at the NEC at 6am, collected our catalogue to find where our ring was as this is such a big show. We were in ring 24, hall 4. On finding this we then found our bench for the day. Dogs are not allowed to get walked around the show unless in the ring so we set up camp.

“Maggie settled really well on the bench and attracted a lot of attention as people just love to see the big breeds. I had a practice run on the green carpet before judging started and all I can say is wow, what an experience, the green carpet is so bright when you step onto it, the TV just doesn’t do it justice.”

Michelle said she was pleased for the opportunity to get Maggie used to the showing ring.

She said: “I was pleased I took the opportunity to get Maggie use to it. Our class wasn’t until about 2.30pm so we just relaxed and chatted to the public about the breed. When in the ring Maggie behaved exceptionally, moved well and stood perfect for the judge, I was a nervous wreck. When we got pulled out for 2nd place I think I went into shock as this just completed the dream. This win means we automatically get an entry into next year’s Crufts so we will be there again.”

When asked whether she will be showing Maggie again, Michelle said: “I do plan to show Maggie at many shows this year as she just loves to show off, some dogs are just made to pose — Maggie will hopefully have pups in the future after she’s old enough and has passed all her health tests which is very important for any breed. 

“I’m a Kennel Club accredited breeder so for any breed you are looking for do check out the kennel accredited breeders online as this helps stop puppy farming and unwanted health problems in many breeds as standards need to be met.”

Amy Gilbert, who attended as support team for Maggie and Gypsy (the Tibetan terrier), added: “I throughly enjoyed preparing both dogs for Crufts and I am so pleased they did so well on the day!

“With my continued love of dogs and showing, I am working towards being at Crufts soon in the near future with my own dog. That would be the cherry on the top.”